FreeTheDemocrats.com

January 22, 2008

Bean: 'Economy again'

Iraq war was 'misread' as lightning rod of 2006 election

News-Sun, Dan Moran

WAUKEGAN -- Melissa Bean said she isn't sure she agrees with the general assumption that the Iraq war was the leading issue behind the Democratic success in the 2006 Congressional elections -- at least in her 8th Congressional District.

"I never found that, in this district, the war was the No. 1 thing. I always found it was one of the things that people were concerned about," Bean said. "I've often thought that pundits on both sides of the aisle -- specifically more on our side even -- have misread the elections as being all about that.

"What I heard from many people is that it was about results, competence, 'getting it,' which includes issues like the economy, and also just a concern about, frankly, that the Republican Party moved too far to the right."

As she seeks re-election to a third term representing the northwest suburban district, Bean told The News-Sun editorial board Monday that if there is a leading issue in 2008, "it's starting to be the economy again."

"It had been the economy years ago when I started this, then it kind of went away, now it's kind of come back. It's in there. It's one of the things," said Bean, adding that "the economy has definitely become a bigger issue in recent months as a result of the sub-prime mortgage crisis" and other tremors in the financial world.

Bean's opponent in the Feb. 5 primary is Randi Scheurer of Lindenhurst. The winner would face one of three candidates vying for the Republican nomination: Ken Arnold of Gurnee, Steve Greenberg of Long Grove and Kirk Morris of Gurnee.

Scheurer is running on a platform that calls for an immediate withdrawal of troops from Iraq. Asked about this, Bean -- who has voted for funding the continued mission in Iraq -- only said, "She's entitled to her opinion."

But Bean did say that, during a visit to Iraq in October, she saw a situation vastly improved from when she visited in 2005 -- though she cautioned that she's "not necessarily confident" that Iraq is nearing long-term stability.

"There's no question there's been a reduction in violence, (but) there's some real political challenges, and I will continue to push for that," she said, adding that "you can't force democracy ... It has to be home-grown."

Focusing on issues closer to home, Bean touted accomplishments during the 110th Congress, saying, "We accomplished quite a bit, and what I'm proud to see is that it was passed with strong bipartisan support." Among the legislation she cited were enaction of 9/11 Commission recommendations, expansion of veterans health care, passage of emergency funding for troops, and passage of an energy bill.

She also talked about progress on an issue that she said is "very much so" on the minds of her constituents -- increased safety for children using the Internet and toughening of penalties for Internet predators.

"(The law) makes it illegal for someone over the age of 18 to misrepresent their age on the Internet. It would stop that communication immediately," said Bean, adding that the legislation also calls for more awareness campaigns targeted toward children who "just don't want to believe anything can happen to them."

U.S. Rep. Melissa Bean on ...

• Allegations that her past campaign contributions from the Canadian Northern Railroad, which is bidding to purchase the Elgin, Joliet & Eastern Railroad, will influence the sale: "I oppose the sale, (but) the decision will be up to the Surface (Transportation) Board ... Just look at my voting record. I'm not 100 percent with anybody, and that's why (voters) shouldn't be concerned."

• Immigration reform: "It's unlikely that anything will happen in the near term, (especially) with the presidential elections ... There's not a will in Congress to do anything."

• President Bush's proposed economic stimulus package: "There's agreement on both sides of the aisle (that) we do need a stimulus package ... I think it will make a difference."

• On mortgage reform: "We had a bill that passed months ago in the House (H.R. 3915) that needs to get through the Senate quickly."

She also said..."What I heard from many people is that it was about results, competence, 'getting it,' which includes issues like the economy, and also just a concern about, frankly, that the Republican Party moved too far to the right."

( http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/newssun/news/752201,5_1_WA22_BEAN_S1.article# )





home issues winning press bio contact blogs news

Randi Scheurer email me
Randi Scheurer email me			January 22, 2008 Bean: 'Economy again' Iraq war was 'misread' as lightning rod of 2006 election News-Sun, Dan Moran WAUKEGAN -- Melissa Bean said she isn't sure she agrees with the general assumption that the Iraq war was the leading issue behind the Democratic success in the 2006 Congressional elections -- at least in her 8th Congressional District. "I never found that, in this district, the war was the No. 1 thing. I always found it was one of the things that people were concerned about," Bean said. "I've often thought that pundits on both sides of the aisle -- specifically more on our side even -- have misread the elections as being all about that. "What I heard from many people is that it was about results, competence, 'getting it,' which includes issues like the economy, and also just a concern about, frankly, that the Republican Party moved too far to the right." As she seeks re-election to a third term representing the northwest suburban district, Bean told The News-Sun editorial board Monday that if there is a leading issue in 2008, "it's starting to be the economy again." "It had been the economy years ago when I started this, then it kind of went away, now it's kind of come back. It's in there. It's one of the things," said Bean, adding that "the economy has definitely become a bigger issue in recent months as a result of the sub-prime mortgage crisis" and other tremors in the financial world. Bean's opponent in the Feb. 5 primary is Randi Scheurer of Lindenhurst. The winner would face one of three candidates vying for the Republican nomination: Ken Arnold of Gurnee, Steve Greenberg of Long Grove and Kirk Morris of Gurnee. Scheurer is running on a platform that calls for an immediate withdrawal of troops from Iraq. Asked about this, Bean -- who has voted for funding the continued mission in Iraq -- only said, "She's entitled to her opinion." But Bean did say that, during a visit to Iraq in October, she saw a situation vastly improved from when she visited in 2005 -- though she cautioned that she's "not necessarily confident" that Iraq is nearing long-term stability. "There's no question there's been a reduction in violence, (but) there's some real political challenges, and I will continue to push for that," she said, adding that "you can't force democracy ... It has to be home-grown." Focusing on issues closer to home, Bean touted accomplishments during the 110th Congress, saying, "We accomplished quite a bit, and what I'm proud to see is that it was passed with strong bipartisan support." Among the legislation she cited were enaction of 9/11 Commission recommendations, expansion of veterans health care, passage of emergency funding for troops, and passage of an energy bill. She also talked about progress on an issue that she said is "very much so" on the minds of her constituents -- increased safety for children using the Internet and toughening of penalties for Internet predators. "(The law) makes it illegal for someone over the age of 18 to misrepresent their age on the Internet. It would stop that communication immediately," said Bean, adding that the legislation also calls for more awareness campaigns targeted toward children who "just don't want to believe anything can happen to them." U.S. Rep. Melissa Bean on ... • Allegations that her past campaign contributions from the Canadian Northern Railroad, which is bidding to purchase the Elgin, Joliet & Eastern Railroad, will influence the sale: "I oppose the sale, (but) the decision will be up to the Surface (Transportation) Board ... Just look at my voting record. I'm not 100 percent with anybody, and that's why (voters) shouldn't be concerned." • Immigration reform: "It's unlikely that anything will happen in the near term, (especially) with the presidential elections ... There's not a will in Congress to do anything." • President Bush's proposed economic stimulus package: "There's agreement on both sides of the aisle (that) we do need a stimulus package ... I think it will make a difference." • On mortgage reform: "We had a bill that passed months ago in the House (H.R. 3915) that needs to get through the Senate quickly." She also said..."What I heard from many people is that it was about results, competence, 'getting it,' which includes issues like the economy, and also just a concern about, frankly, that the Republican Party moved too far to the right." ( http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/newssun/news/752201,5_1_WA22_BEAN_S1.article# )