Daily Chronicle - 5/24/10

By DANA HERRA - dherra@daily-chronicle.com
 
DeKALB – Despite the fact that he was addressing members of his own party, Rep. Bill Foster said Sunday he didn’t want to sound “too partisan.”

Shouts of “Why not?” greeted the 14th District congressman as he made the comment in his keynote speech at the DeKalb County Democrats’ annual picnic.

“You’re happiest when you carry your ideals in your heart and not your party,” Foster, D-Batavia, said. “I often think I’m doing my job when my left ear and my right ear are going deaf at the same rate from people yelling at me.”

Foster told the approximately 70 supporters at the picnic that he can have good conversations with representatives on both sides of the aisle, but once Congress convenes, legislators can slip into the mentality of “street gangs” just trying to block each other’s achievements.

“You can’t just say ‘no’ and attack and expect to have a functioning democracy,” he said. “The only way to change that is to convince the American voting public that is not who they want representing them in Congress. If that happens, you’ll see people returning who are open to compromise.”

In his 20 minutes of remarks, Foster also touched on the economic rebound – acknowledging that thus far it has not included a dramatic turnaround in unemployment – his “yes” vote on the health care reform bill and the importance of strengthening the middle class.

Doug Moore of Sycamore said he was impressed by Foster’s speech.

“It’s going to be a difficult election, and people have to realize he’s someone who represents the center of the political spectrum, which is what I think the 14th District needs,” Moore said.

Also garnering the admiration of picnic goers was state comptroller candidate David Miller, who delivered what attendee Greg Taylor called “a pretty good stump speech.”

“I think he was a rising star of the party today,” Taylor said.

Miller, a state representative from Dolton, gave a charismatic speech in which he promoted the need for Illinoisans to work together to solve the state’s problems. As the owner of a dental practice, Miller said he understands the impact the state’s slow payment cycle has on those who rely on state aid.

He also urged attendees not to give in to fear in turbulent times.

“I’m a dentist. I understand fear,” he said. “But what happens when we have fear is we don’t make rational decisions. ... Don’t get fearful. Try to partner with those who don’t look like us, speak like us, think like us.”

Robin Kelly, candidate for state treasurer, said in her remarks she is dedicated to improving financial literacy in the state. Some of the financial tragedies that befell individuals and families during the recession could have been avoided if they had a better understanding of the loans they were getting into when the economy was strong, she said.

Local candidates Sarah Gallagher Chami and Jim Luebke also briefly addressed the crowd. Gallagher Chami, running for state’s attorney, noted the community is less safe than when she was growing up and said she could address those problems. Luebke said his race, for county clerk, will come down to experience and briefly listed his qualifications for the office.