Rep. Joe Walsh and his Democratic opponent, Tammy Duckworth, will have three more debates in their race for the 8th District Congressional seat.
Unusual for a congressional race, two will be televised throughout the Chicago area.
But this is a race that has drawn not just local, but national interest. Walsh, who has become one of cable news’s favorite congressmen in his freshman year, is considered the most vulnerable incumbent running for re-election. He made the race a national story when he mocked Duckworth for bragging about her military service. Duckworth got her name in Rolling Stone by inviting Eagles guitarist Joe Walsh to play a fundraiser for her in Schaumburg.
Here’s the schedule:
- September 14, 2012 - Fox News Chicago
- October 9, 2012 - WCPT - AM & FM and AM 560 WIND (This debate will be held at the Meadows Club in Rolling Meadows and will be open to residents of the 8th district.)
- October 18, 2012 - WTTW’s Chicago Tonight
Walsh may not have a chance to win, due to the Democratic tilt of the district, and his previous jackassery.
Thanks to hours of arguing with CNN anchors, he’s a much better debater than Duckworth, who usually gets kissy softball questions from liberal TV hosts. In their first debate, in May, Walsh used his superior rhetorical and public speaking skills to portray himself as a reasonable, fiscally-responsible congressman, and Duckworth as a servant of the special interests. No one was watching back then. They’ll be watching now. Walsh will have to go for broke, and when Walsh goes for broke, it’s always entertaining.
This month, Ward Room blogger Edward McClelland’s Young Mr. Obama: Chicago and the Making of a Black President will be available on Kindle for $2.99. Tracing Obama’s career in Chicago from his arrival as a community organizer to his election to the U.S. Senate, Young Mr. Obama tells the story of how a callow, presumptuous young man became a master politician, and of why only Chicago could have produced our first black president.
