Road Report from Ted Chiodo:

10/23/2006: The Tammy Duckworth campaign headquarters is located in Lombard, IL on Rohlwing Road. I could see the Duckworth signs from the corner as I pulled up to the door. The large open space was dominated by yard signs and field organizers pulling together canvassers getting ready to head out and knock on doors. Immediately upon entering the headquarters I was met by a nice volunteer who tried to recruit me for the data entry team. <!-more-> I arrived just in time to take the pulse of the campaign on the day of Tammy’s debate with Peter Roskam. David LeBreton was happy to help as I ate some delicious doughnuts and wandered around headquarters. I got Sandra Abrevaya to tell me why it is important to send Tammy Duckworth a fighting Dem to Washington on November 8th. Take a look at what she had to say and then check out Tammy’s site.

Things were hopping and I needed to hit the road to catch up with JK at a DNC Young Trailblazer’s event going on downtown.  As soon as I pulled up to my destination on Wacker Drive, JK and the traveling crew arrived right behind me.

Rafi Jafri greeted us and led the crew up to the 22nd floor where he introduced us to the gathered group of DNC Young Trailblazers. They had good taste in appetizers which I grabbed handfuls of and ate with great abandon (dinner). JK was all smiles as he took photos and gave out some hugs; Rafi then began the event by introducing John and setting the stage for this election.

JK crystallized this election in terms that anyone could understand. Too many lies have been told and too many lives have been lost for this country to continue the stay the course policy. He went on to say, “that this country needs young people to be involved whether that be volunteering, donating money, or getting voters to the polls. We have a chance to take back the house and the senate but only if we are willing to stand firm and fight for our beliefs.”

With that JK closed his remarks, I grabbed a few more appetizers and raced downstairs to get a good seat for the ride to the airport. Let’s get off the “stay the course” train which is an express train to failure. We need a new ticket and a new direction!

Mahalo everyone!

    -- Ted