question about Alan Dixon (D-IL)

[freepcrusher]

he IIRC was a democrat senator from Illinois from 1981-1992. He won an open seat in 1980 (which was as bad a dem year as you can get) with a convincing 57%. After winning re-election to a second term in 1986, he lost renomination in 1992. Does anyone know why that happened?

[ill ind]

  IIRC, in 1992 there was a three way Democratic Primary between Alan Dixon, Albert Hofeld, and Carol Moseley Braun.  Hofeld was a multi-millionare who self financed his campaign--a campaign that consisted of a long line of TV adds that pummelled Dixon and left Moseley Braun untouched.  Mosely Braun did pretty well in the televised debates, stayed above the Hofeld-Dixon fray and rode the three way split of the vote (winning in 7 out of 102 counties) to victory.
  In retrospect, having voted for her back in that primary--it is one that I regret.  She was a poor Senator, (personal scandal sank her reelection bid in 1998) and a completely unhinged candidate for mayor of Chicago last year. 

Ill_Ind

[Proud Lieberal from Northeast]

I believe Dixon's vote for confirm Clarence Thomas played a role in his defeat.

[Keystone Phil]

The Democratic party loves purging its moderates*.



*Dixon was obviously a liberal but when a party is so opposed to compromise, you can be easily labeled a moderate/DINO.

[Sibboleth]

He got caught have a doze.

[HappyWarrior]

The Democratic party loves purging its moderates*.



*Dixon was obviously a liberal but when a party is so opposed to compromise, you can be easily labeled a moderate/DINO.

I'm hoping that is supposed to be ironic Phil.

[I Can't Get That Sound You Make, Out Of My Head]

The Democratic party loves purging its moderates*.



*Dixon was obviously a liberal but when a party is so opposed to compromise, you can be easily labeled a moderate/DINO.

8-)

We've purged way less moderates than you have. Dixon and Lieberman are the only recent examples of purging.

[○∙◄☻¥tπ[╪AV┼cVê└]

The Democratic party loves purging its moderates*.



*Dixon was obviously a liberal but when a party is so opposed to compromise, you can be easily labeled a moderate/DINO.

8-)

We've purged way less moderates than you have. Dixon and Lieberman are the only recent examples of purging.

Lieberman was practically begging to lose renomination. He was already collecting signatures for a run as an Independent.

And notable primary challenges aren't always from the left in the Democratic party. See Case against Akaka.

[hopper]

  IIRC, in 1992 there was a three way Democratic Primary between Alan Dixon, Albert Hofeld, and Carol Moseley Braun.  Hofeld was a multi-millionare who self financed his campaign--a campaign that consisted of a long line of TV adds that pummelled Dixon and left Moseley Braun untouched.  Mosely Braun did pretty well in the televised debates, stayed above the Hofeld-Dixon fray and rode the three way split of the vote (winning in 7 out of 102 counties) to victory.
  In retrospect, having voted for her back in that primary--it is one that I regret.   She was a poor Senator, (personal scandal sank her reelection bid in 1998) and a completely unhinged candidate for mayor of Chicago last year. 

Ill_Ind

So basically it was the Dem's version of this years Nebraska Republican Primary with a woman winning while the 2 male candidates took pot shots out at each other.

I think Mosely-Braun would be mayor of Chicago right now if Rahm didn't run though.

[muon2]

I believe Dixon's vote for confirm Clarence Thomas played a role in his defeat.

This was significant not only for Dixon but for a number of other Senate races. The Anita Hill issue created what was known as the "year of the woman" and Sen Feinstein, Boxer, and Murray joined Mosely-Braun as new Senators in Jan 1993.

[Keystone Phil]

I believe Dixon's vote for confirm Clarence Thomas played a role in his defeat.

This was significant not only for Dixon but for a number of other Senate races. The Anita Hill issue created what was known as the "year of the woman" and Sen Feinstein, Boxer, and Murray joined Mosely-Braun as new Senators in Jan 1993.

And also gave us Senator Lynn Yeakel in PA. Specter barely survived.