Not just Illinois, unfortunately. In debate candidates would usually rather nitpick for points than discuss broader issues. The exception to that was the most excellent Cheney-Leiberman debate. I came away from that one will to have eitehr man as president, forget the top of the tickets.

In the voting booth, people usually vote the party line. Its a sort of social inertia. I have no idea why.

Locally we have a full-blown ass running for congress under the GOP. I can hardly wait to vote against him--we have an open primary. I don't know who else is running and don't especially care. With this guy running, I'll vote for a yella dog instead.

B