Graduation Day

My Big First Grader.

Yesterday, Philip had his last day of Kindergarten.  My Little Guy isn't so little anymore.  He grows and grows quickly.

There's been a core group of about five of us, parents, who live in the neighborhood and walk our kids to school.  We all got a little choked up as our kids came out and we realized that they were done, and next year our babies were gonna be in school, First Grade, full-time.

It's been a good year.  We all started off a bit scared and apprehensive about how the children would handle it.  

You Know You Love Pics Of My Kids.

We purchased a Slip'n Slide this weekend and are happily destroying portions of our lawn.

Ava giving me the 'Stink-Eye.'



Philip, Patrick, Conner and Ava.

I thought this was a pretty good portrait of Conner. He's a good kid.

Another in the long list of amazing things you think, feel and witness raising a child is their boundless potential. There is the standard talk of your kid becoming President, or perhaps making a difference in the world. Curing cancer and what not. I'm often struck by a child's, and Philip's in particular, physical potential.

Philip has always been big. Our last doctors visit measured him at the size of your average six-year-old. He's big and strong, possessing a never ending supply of energy. Now, I know common sense tells me he has no chance of being a professional athlete, but, look at him, that four-year-old is shredded.

The potential that is held inside them draws a sharp contrast to my declining physical prowess. I'm not suggesting I'm jealous of my son, but rather excited and a little nostalgic. Excited to watch him grow up and discover what he is capable of doing. Nostalgic for the good times that trip will offer. His potential will lead him somewhere, and neither he, nor I know where.

Report From Cicada Station 60126

Warning!! The following post contains pictures of cicadas.

With all the goings on around here, I haven't even mentioned the cicadas. There are alot of them. Not as many as I remember in '90, but still quite a few.

I was initially disappointed in them. Just another memory from childhood proven false, or at least diminished, I thought. Perhaps it was exaggerated in my mind, the cicadas of 1990. Or, maybe there were more 17 years ago. I didn't know, there just seemed to be less of them this time.

Those assumptions were proved an overreaction. There are plenty of cicadas here in 2007.

Things That Are Everywhere In Places I Live.

Elmhurst Trains

This is a picture taken in my backyard last fall looking south. I'm not sure if I've ever mentioned it, but I live really frickin' close to busy train tracks.

We have a Metra stop in town, the eastern stop is in Chicago at Ogilvie Transportation Center and stops as far west as Elburn, Illinois. These tracks are also used by the Union Pacific/West Line.

There is a great line in The Blues Bothers, when Jake and Elwood arrive at Elwoods apartment ion the city. It is a single room, it's only window positioned about five feet from a passing 'L.' Jake questions how often the train goes by. Elwood responds, "So often you won't even notice."

That's pretty much how I live.

The mind shattering noise aside, I've always kinda liked living this close to the train. At an early age, before I could drive, I could travel to the city cheaply. Hit a museum, have lunch, or just wander around. What I did more often than not.

I think it's contributed to my travellin' bone and general curiosity about America. Watching so much move past me always left me curious as to where it was all going. And I do mean, America. I've always been much more interested in exploring this county than any other. Something about walking those tracks, fantasising about jumping in a boxcar and letting the flowing river of cargo take me wherever it might. Woody Guthrie and Jack Keruoac's America.

Speaking of filthy, homeless, boxcar riding bums. Three dudes, sporting some mighty dreads and carrying an inch of dirt over the entirety of their bodies, hopped off a car last Saturday in front of our house. They had a cute doggy, wearing his own backpack and bedroll, who frolicked in our yard with my brother's dog. They were walking east along First and when they saw my brother, stopped to get directions to the city. They were headed in the right direction, but thirteen miles is a long walk. they looked like they could do it, but they were just looking for the Metra stop. We pointed them back west, said it was a few blocks and they couldn't miss it.

What's My Congressperson Up To?

This comes by way of Congress.org

March 26, 2007

Recent Congressional Votes -
* Senate: Budget Resolution, FY2008
* Senate: Preserving United States Attorney Independence Act of 2007
* House: Gulf Coast Hurricane Housing Recovery Act
* House: U.S. Troop Readiness, Veterans' Health, and Iraq Accountability Act

Upcoming Congressional Bills -
* Senate: U.S. Troop Readiness, Veterans' Health, and Iraq Accountability Act
* House: Budget Resolution, FY2008

Recent Senate Votes

Budget Resolution, FY2008 - Vote Agreed to (52-47, 1 Not Voting)

The Senate approved this $2.9 trillion budget resolution that sets spending priorities for the 2008 fiscal year.

Sen. Richard Durbin voted YES.
Sen. Barack Obama voted YES.

(Administrator's note: Only two Republicans voted Yea. No Democrat voted Nay. Anyone know what the Republicans problem is with this?)

Preserving United States Attorney Independence Act of 2007 - Vote Passed (94-2, 4 Not Voting)

The Senate passed this bill that would prohibit the attorney general from filling U.S. attorney vacancies for an indefinite time period.

Sen. Richard Durbin voted YES.
Sen. Barack Obama voted YES.

(Administrator's note: Those two Nays? Chuck Hagel (Interesting, considering the noise he's been making) and Christopher Bond. McCain and Biden, Not Voting. Pretty slick.)

Recent House Votes

Gulf Coast Hurricane Housing Recovery Act - Vote Passed (302-125, 6 Not Voting)

This House bill would require the government to replace public housing that was damaged by Hurricane Katrina.

Rep. Peter Roskam voted NO.

(Administrator's note: Again, only Republicans voted Nay.)

U.S. Troop Readiness, Veterans' Health, and Iraq Accountability Act - Vote Passed (218-212, 1 Present, 3 Not Voting)

The House passed this $124 million emergency supplemental bill that provides funds for military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan and sets a timetable for withdrawing troops from Iraq.

Rep. Peter Roskam voted NO.

(Administrator's note: Time lists $20 billion in Pork attached to this one. Nice. I'm not sure exactly how I feel about timetables, it would seem to be something easily dispensed with if things were bad enough.)

Upcoming Votes

U.S. Troop Readiness, Veterans' Health, and Iraq Accountability Act - H.R.1591

The Senate is scheduled to take up this emergency supplemental spending bill.

(Administrator's note: Time to chill in Senate for awhile Bill H.R. 1591)

Budget Resolution, FY2008 - H.Con.Res.__

The House is scheduled to take up this $2.9 trillion resolution setting budget priorities for the upcoming fiscal year.

(Administrator's note: Same resolution the Senate just "agreed to" above. I suppose the House must vote on it for passage, though that seems backwards... (struggling to remember U.S. Government class...)

God's Own Suburban Smackdown, or New Emhurst Press Columnist Might Be A Jerk.

Anyone who grew up in Elmhurst is probably familiar with the humorous, editorial column, "Loose Change." Written by Jack Zimmerman, "Loose Change" was often funny and insightful, never taking itself seriously, it had been a staple of The Elmhurst Press for twenty-three years. He just wrote his last column. I liked it and I'm gonna miss it.

So, let's rip the new guy...

Jeff Vrabel attempts to be funny, but borders on insulting, as he pokes fun at Time's Person of the Year(agreed, but alittle late), YouTube and the current state of the media and information.

You can read the article here. My biggest problem comes in the second paragraph.

"You were also plummeting music mag Spin's Artist of the Year, where Your crappy band and its MySpace page apparently exerted more oomph than anything by Bruce Springsteen or Bob Dylan or Lindsay Buckingham last year. They do not have MySpace pages or blogs, which apparently makes them a little less noteworthy than, say, Chicago band OK Go, who became very popular with a groundbreaking video, shot for $24, in which they run on treadmills for several consecutive minutes."

Here is the first point where he reveals his contempt for harmless modern popular music, among other things, while staking a claim of integrity by comparing it to unimpeachable classic rock icons (which he's obviously smarter for listening to), who are now, more or less, irrelevant.

That's all fine and good, but Jeff, you are writing for an Elmhurst newspaper. OK Go! isn't just a Chicago band. The drummer of OK Go! is York High graduate and former Elmhurst resident, Dan Konopka. Some who read this paper may know him. May have had class with him, or been helped out by him. Some may have worked with him, knee deep in the shit. Other's may have written, lovingly of him, despite his having only a vague memory of the writer.

So, I'll be damned if I let some columnist, who considers his tastes superior to mine, slam my former 16 Inchers teammate. A son of Elmhurst who rocked me out a time or two in this fair city.

Shape up, Jeff Vrabel. You're on notice.

Snow Day, or The Frozen Tundra Of Elmhurst.

Life threatening amount of snowfall last night. Do I miss L.A.? Nah, never.

Stuck on 25.

Taking our eyes off the national elections and turning them to some local news. Joe Newton has been suspended by the IHSA for violating the maximum amount of contact days, 25, with athletes during the off-season. The violation occurred during his off-season camp, which lasts 35 days. The suspension also includes assistant coach Charlie Kern. The York boys cross country team they coached won the IHSA class AA State Finals on Nov. 4th. It was their fifth straight year winning and the 26th in school history, but neither of them will be listed as coaches on the team this year.

Joe Newton is the John Wooden of Illinois high school cross country. 25 state titles in 50 years; he was also a coach at the Seoul Olympics. I never ran for Coach Newton, but both my brother's did.

Here is the transcript for an interview I conducted this morning via email with Tim Hendricks, my youngest brother and Godfather of Patrick. He's a former Elmhurst resident, and strangely, still registered to vote here.

Timmy, what years did you attend York HS? 1992-1996

What teams were you on that he coached? I was on the track team 1994, 1995, 1996, sophomore to senior years and Cross Country team in 1994 and 1995, junior and senior years.

What titles or accomplishments did you or the team have? The cross country team won the state meet in 1994 and placed second in 1995, breaking our streak of 6 straight state titles. In 1995, I ran on two all-state relays, placing 6th in the 800 meter relay and 5th in the mile relay. The track team placed 3rd in state in 1996

How would you describe him as a coach? He is a motivator that demands a lot from his runners. He expected a lot from his runners and he let you and every one on the team know when you weren't performing to his expectations. He knew everyone's name on the teams, and we always had more than 100 kids on both the Track and Cross Country teams, and everyone had the same rules.

Where you taught by him outside of being coached? Gym class? I never had him in gym class.

If so, how would you describe him as a teacher? From what I witnessed of him while teaching gym he was more relaxed and he didn't really care what you did as long as you treated him with respect.

Can you describe a difference between; Joe Newton the Coach and Joe Newton the Teacher? Joe Newton the coach yelled a lot more and expected greatness from his runners. It didn't appear he expected much from his students except again to treat him with respect and in turn he would treat the students with respect.

How would you describe him as a man? He is a willful person that is driven to be the best at whatever he puts his mind to.

Was he strong? In what way? Yes, he is a very strong person. He was in his late 60's when he coached me 10 years ago and he got up early every morning to run until he was physically unable to. So when running was to hard on his body he got up every morning to work out in the pool.

Could you take him in a fight? I doubt it, while I was running for him. Maybe now.

What nickname did Joe Newton give you? Mother Hen. The same as my older brother. (Our middle brother, Danny.) His nicknames were not always original but every one had one. (This blogger never received a nickname. I was merely, Hendricks.)

Has Joe Newton ever tried to kiss you? No.

Do you have any opinion about this suspension? I don't have any real strong opinions on the matter, I have thoughts. I think that there is to much scrutiny on amateur athletes, rules that apply to the very few and make it hard on the average athlete, who is competing because they enjoy the sport. High School Athletes can be suspended if they are found to be competing in other organizations outside the IHSA. However, rules are rules and Mr. Newton violated one. This rule I tend to agree with. I believe it is in place to protect the students from over ambitious coaches. High school athletes are not pros, they are not even college athletes, and sometimes coaches need to be reminded that their sport is not the only thing in a students life. This rule protects students from coaches demanding their players be in attendance more than they probably should be. After all, the great majority of High School athletes do not participate past the high school level and even though off- season work-outs can not be required by coaches, and are voluntary, we all know that is not the case for the best athletes.

Do I think 35 days instead of 25 days over the summer is a big deal, No. But that is the number of days the IHSA has decided on. I feel bad for Coach Kern who now has to miss the track season for the violation.

Timmy, have you ever tried to kiss Joe Newton? No.

And finally Tim, why does your fantasy football team suck so bad? Your team sucks.

2006 Midterm Elections

"We will win the Senate and we’ll win the House. And we’re going to win these elections because we understand the values and priorities of the American people."

So far, it looks like he was half wrong at least. Add it to the list.

Though Tammy Duckworth appears to have lost; this feels alot better than '04.

Happy Halloween!

Team Hendricks. Halloween, 2006.

Team Brennan & Bad Art.


Shelto & Ava

The Halloween Hendricks wagon is rollin'!!

A grumpy, Mr. Incredible.

Playtime 10-26-06

Suburban Yard in Fall.

Patrick and Max.

Philip testing his theory that, "Leaves fix my car and make it go really fast."

Only known photo of the elusive, feral, Pumpkin Boy.

Philip.

Locations In Elmhurst That Maybe Fronts For A Government Cover-up.

Location: Elmhurst Quarry

Wikipedia alleges it is, "A 150-foot deep limestone quarry covering about 59 acres is located half a mile west of downtown along West Avenue and 1st St. A tunnel from Salt Creek diverts water into the quarry in case of a flood."

Calcite with Marcasite Inclusions found at site. Sounds like a fancy name for Kryptonite?

Another site claims, "The rock is here well bedded (see Illustration sheet 1, fig. 16) and shows abundant traces of organisms. The strata form a gentle anticline with northeast-southwest strike, and the surface shows glaciation. Some dimension stone is quarried." What "organisms," it never says.

Yet another site offers views of the "quarry." Curiously, none of the camera's work.

Suburban teens make it their business to break into places like this. I've never met a single person that has seen the inside.

Open your eyes people.

Tolerance In My Community.

Visitation Catholic Church in Elmhurst.

Every October, Respect Life Month, the front lawn of Visitation Church is adorned with little crosses. The crosses are meant to remind us of women who have died having abortions. Every year they do it.

Chris had an interesting post recently about tolerance. I'm not sure if this is, but I think it might be a good example of conflict and tolerance.

The church and I disagree. I am Pro Choice. I drive by it everyday. Though I disagree with it, I consider it an effective method without disrespecting me.

They aren't barring my entrance anywhere. They aren't trying to intimidate me, physically or otherwise. Based on their newsletter, they approach the problem with compassion and counseling rather than guilt and condemnation. I do think their focus is selective, but who's isn't. I do hope they preach education and safe sex, but I don't wanna get my hopes up.

We have some neighbors whose children attend school there. My kids play with their kids. Everyone gets along fine. I submit we are tolerant of one another's views.

The Race for The Sixth District of Illinois Pt. 3

Illinois Sixth District.
The Fightin' Sixth!

Friday was the first debate between Illinois 6Th District Congressional candidates Dem. Tammy Duckworth and Rep. Peter Roska. The debate is available on WBBM 780's "At Issue." The chief topics debated are immigration, taxes, Iraq and stem cell research. Duckworth has been getting alot of heat for not being open and available to news outlets as well as voters. That may or may not be true. You be the judge, I think she holds her own nicely.

Also, Bridget in the Sixth, Wurfwhile and Soapbox/Chicago are doing great work getting info out on the various elections this year in Illinois.

Word.

The Race for The Sixth District of Illinois Pt. 2

Illinois Sixth District.
The Fightin' Sixth!

The campaign rages on. We have received seven, expensive looking, flyer's mailed to our home. Three from the Republican Party. Four from the Democratic Party. All related to Illinois's 6TH Congressional race. The Dem's took the lead with three in my mailbox today. Not including today's flyer's, the main focus of these is immigration.




This one was sent by the RNC. Tammy Duckworth's responses is to call him a liar, saying she supports increased military presence on our borders.

I consider immigration to be one of those election year issues. An issue that hits close to home. Gets people emotional. They pull it put out; fight about it. I don't think the G.O.P. or the Dem's really want to do anything about it. Different than Gay Rights issues which they do in fact want to do something about. Bad somethings. Other than a knee-jerk, fearful, nationalistic urge to protect ourselves from the foreign; do they really want to eliminate all that inexpensive labor? I doubt it.

I'm not sure illegal immigration is a problem in the Sixth. I do think our boarders need to be more secure. Not just our southern boards, our northern boarders, and especially cargo that arrives in this country whether by air or sea. I did find this study on illegal immigration if you are interested.

None of these flyer's discuss any plan to deal with immigration. They only attack the position of the other. I favor a "path to citizenship" for illegals. Rounding them all up, prosecuting them for illegal immigration and deporting them seem wildly unfeasible.

No, the flyer's are all about perception; as so much is in politics today. Peter Roskam is playing the perception with his unscheduled debates ploy. There are four debates coming up. Roskam schedules debates outside those already scheduled, invites Tammy Duckworth. She turns down the invite; Roskam goes and beats up an absent opponent.

Today's mailing looks like this:
Playing up the link between Roskam and Pork Barrel spending. They are right to do it; Roskam has already pledged to earmark funds for road construction needed here in the 6TH.

I have no end to this post. Check out all the info and get to the polls in November.

Elmhurst Teachers Council Vs. Elmhurst Community Unit School District 205: Pt. 3

Looks like the Teachers Union and the School Board have come to an agreement on a two-year contract.

This is good news; no strike. I hope they feel they got a fair deal.

I'm happy, if the teachers are happy.

First Day Of School

Today was Philip's first day of school. Preschool, actually. He attends Precious People classes at the local YMCA. Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Nine a.m. till eleven a.m. He was enrolled in the same class, same teacher, last spring semester. So, it isn't a completely new experience for him. He was fairly excited to go back, see his friends and teachers.

Why the YMCA? One, the price is right. I don't like to put a price on my kids education, but let's be honest, the cost of a standard Montessori school is a bit much. There is probably something to be said for rampant consumerism invading our school choices too. I'm not the guy to make it other then to say, the costliest isn't always the best.

Two, we love the facilities. No it ain't much to look at, but they take the kids swimming ever week. In the winter they ice skate and swim. Very few preschool programs offer that. Philip's heroic level of energy require's it. Activity equals expended energy which equals naps. Sweet, sweet naps.

First days of school occur for millions all over the world. Normal. Ordinary. What is just as common, but much more difficult, is the feeling a parent has as they leave their child behind at that school. The child is partially on their own, partially in the school's care. Most important, they are not in my care.

Your child trusts you to keep them safe. We drop them off and trust that they will be. I trust the parents of his fellow students. All the parents trust the other members of the Y coming and going. You trust the community the school is in. Strangers in a web of trust, or TrustWeb, for our purposes. If you asked me if I trusted a stranger with my son, I'd say no. I'd be lying. I trust strangers everyday to keep them safe. I should be more honest. When that safety is menaced, history tells us it will be those strangers first to help.

Thought I would forget the most important reason we attend the Y? We like the teacher. Her name is Ms. Maryellen. After meeting her last semester we were impressed with her patience, openness and creativity. I try to get daily behavior reports on Philip plus any homework for me; ways I can re enforce what she is working on with the kids. She has been very good for Philip. We trust her.

Random Elmhurstian Sightings.

A few months ago, a buddy of mine had a bachelor party. Perhaps the worst bachelor party a group of guys could throw for a friend. It ended up being rather fun, but at one point we were all standing around my broken down car after our lunch at a Blimpie's. Broken down car and Blimpie's are not two things you want at any bachelor party.

Later that evening, wandering from bar to bar in Lincoln Square, we stop at the Chicago BrauHaus. It's a nice German restaurant we go to from time to time. Unfortunately it was packed on this night. There was no way twenty guys were gonna fit comfortably in there.

Loitering out front, trying to decide where to go next, Dave and I needed to use the bathroom. We step into the Brauhaus to use their faculties. One of the stalls was in use so I took the free one. Dave used the toilet. Dave finishes first and moves to the sink. I guess he washes his hands after using the bathroom. Yuppie. Anyway, Dave is from Elmhurst too.

He wonders out loud, "What was the name of that German place in Elmhurst?"

Still standing at the urinal, "I don't remember any German place in Elmhurst."

"It used to be right downtown."

"Must have been before my time."

"What was the name of that place?"

"I don't know, Dave."

Before we came to blows over this, from my left at the next urinal I hear, "The Heidelberg."

Dave exclaims, "That's it! The Heidelberg."

Zipping-up I turn to look at the person talking. I haven't noticed this guys face because, well, men don't really look at each other in the bathroom. Now that I am looking at him there's something familiar.

"Guido?"

"Yes?"

"Guido!"

"Phil."

Excited, and more than alittle drunk, I holler "Dave, Guido's here!"

I also begin to kick Guido in the ass as he still stands facing the urinal. From what I remember, Guido was the type of funlovin' guy who wouldn't mind being kicked in the ass as he is trying to zip-up.

I'm not getting that from him tonight.

Guido is a former Elmhurst resident and York High School alum. Turns out Guido is there to propose to his girlfriend, who works at Chicago Brauhaus. I guess he doesn't like getting kicked in the ass, standing at a urinal, right before he is about to ask the women he loves to spend the rest of his life with him. Yuppie.

Guido invites us to come back in awhile to see it all go down. Unfortunately, we can't guarantee anything. Snapping a picture in the bathroom and wishing him good luck; we walk up the stairs and out the door. Bachelor parties being what they are, we never do return.

I hope it went well. I hope they are happy. I hope I wasn't the only guy to kick you in the ass on your engagement night.

God's Own Suburban Success Story

This is Dan Konopka. The picture is from his sophomore Yearbook at York Community High School in Elmhurst.

Some of you might remember Dan in Art Staff at York.

You may not know it, but Dan isn't just a former resident and York Alum, he's one of our most high profile former resident and York Alum.

See, aside from living in Elmhurst for part of his life, Dan also plays the drums. Some of you might remember Dan playing drums at shows in Elmhurst. Some of you might remember Dan playing drums in your band at shows in Elmhurst.

Dan continues to make us here in Elmhurst proud. Dan is in a band called O.K. Go. The bands status has been on a steady rise due in large part to their impossibly hip videos. Their frontman was a recent guest on The Colbert Report.

I remember Dan. Elmhurst remembers Dan. And Dan remembers us both.

I have a friend at Capitol Records. While attending an O.K. Go concert she got to go backstage afterwards.

Approaching former Elmhurst resident Dan, "My friend Phil Hendricks says he went to High School with you? Do you really know him?"

Pausing and maybe smiling abit at some distant, humorous memory of a time the two of us undoubtedly once shared.

"Yeah... Sure... Phil. Cool. How is he."

I'm well Dan. So is Elmhurst. Well and happy at seeing your success.

The Race for The Sixth District of Illinois

Illinois Sixth District.
The Fightin' Sixth!

Henry Hyde's old stomping ground.

Actually he still serves. Kinda.

There is a race for his seat. Of course we have two candidates:
Democratic candidate Tammy Duckworth
State Sen. Peter Roskam, R-48th District

This is a very big election year. This is a big election in that big election year. First Lady Laura Bush was just in Addison raising funds. Vice-President Dick Cheney made a stop at the same Addison Medinah's Banquet Hall in March. Both stumping for Duckworth.

No they weren't. I'm kidding. They were here for Roskam.

Duckworth has on her side, Baraka Obama. Kinda.

And maybe Durbin though I don't want to really call that a strength.

Duckworth has no political experience. She is an Iraq War Veteran. Losing both of her legs in a helicopter crash in Baghdad. Her platform is very similar to the standard Democratic platform. The troops need to come home. Sure. Health Care reform. Yeah, good.

But, she is change. I like change. This seat has been a Republican seat since at least '75.

Does she have the skills to navigate the sometimes complex world of Congress having no experience? Is different for the sake of different a reason to vote for someone? Short answer, no. Long answer, yes when we have had these guys in charge for this long.

She's a Democrat. I'm a Democrat. I probably side with her on most social issues. Gay Rights, Women's Reproductive Rights, our personal liberties. All that crap. But I'm pretty sick of the Dems these days.

Roskam has been serving since '93 in the Illinois Congress, both as a Rep. and Sen. Before that he worked for Henry Hyde and, surprisingly still in his bio, Tom Delay.

Ouch. I don't like that.

He is a former teacher in favor of permanent tax cuts and paints himself as a conservationist.

I'm for tax cuts to. I'm more for responsible government spending. Taxes I can live with if the money isn't being wasted in Vonnegut like absurdity. For example see; F.E.M.A. mobile home project. My thinking is that taxes will come down naturally if the government is responsible. Creates a surplus for themselves. Maybe I'm the jerk.

I do like the conservation part of Roskam's record. I like that a lot. I like wide open spaces. But is he a Neo-con-theologian who will spend his time rubber stamping the Republican Party line? Probably.

Most recently Roskam debated an empty chair. The empty chair accepted the invite after Duckworth turned it down, claiming truthfully, that it wasn't a scheduled debate. She has made herself available to people at local meetings. To me this says, her handlers are keeping a close eye on her, careful of where and when she debates, and republicans are still jerks. After the debate, the empty chair's polls rose 2 points.

So lets get it on. Learn the issues. Get the right candidate in there.

Good site for more info then I have.