One for the Dems: Foster Wins Hastert's Seat

How sweet it is:

A longtime Republican district fell to the Democrats Saturday when a scientist snatched former House Speaker Dennis Hastert's congressional seat in a closely watched special election.

Democrat Bill Foster won 52 percent of the vote compared to 48 percent for Republican Jim Oberweis. With 564 of 568 precincts reporting, Foster had 50,947 votes to Oberweis' 46,125.

"It is a stunning rejection of the Bush Administration, its Republican allies, and presidential nominee John McCain," said Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee Chairman Chris Van Hollen in a statement.

This was a crimson red conservative district held by the Republican Speaker of the House for 21 years. The NRCC spent $1.2 million, money they can barely afford. McCain showed up to personally endorse Oberweis. None of it worked.

The GOP will try to minimize the impact of this but make no mistake, it's a significant win. Even if Foster has to face Oberweis again in November, he'll have the advantage of incumbency and the continuing disgust of the electorate with the GOP.

Any Republican paying attention should be afraid. Very very afraid.

Booman Tribune adds:

We already owned Tom DeLay's seat, Bob Ney's seat, Mark Foley's seat, Don Sherwood's seat, Richard Pombo's seat, and Rick Santorum and George Allen's seats. But winning Dennis Hastert's seat is as sweet as any of them...

Congratulations, Denny. You and Tom left your party in ruins.

Don't forget Bush and Cheney, Booman. They've certainly got their fingerprints all over this.

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