Experience emerges as issue in Democratic primary

Democratic congressional candidate Dan Seals says lobbyists can't change Washington, but opponent Jay Footlik says that neither can neophytes.

"I've already delivered real results," Footlik argued, referring to his work as a security consultant, Middle East policy adviser and lobbyist for foreign interests. "I have been involved in trying to find solutions."

But business consultant Seals argues Footlik doesn't have the kind of experience voters want.

"If you are going to deliver change, I don't think you can do that as a lobbyist," said the Wilmette resident.

The dispute came during a joint Daily Herald editorial board interview Friday with the two candidates who hope to win the Democratic nomination and take on U.S. Rep. Mark Kirk in the North suburban 10th Congressional District.

Seals came within 5 percentage points of unseating Kirk in 2006 and enjoys wide support among local Democratic officials.

This is Footlik's first run for public office, but he served as a Middle East policy aide to President Clinton before branching out into consulting work in the same field.

The candidates are neck and neck in fundraising with both pulling in about half a million dollars as of late September. The primary is Feb. 5.

During the editorial board interview, both candidates shared the same broad positions on immigration (path to citizenship and increased border protection), taxes (roll back President Bush's tax cuts) and Iraq (phased withdrawal).

However, they attacked each other on who best represented the district.

Footlik has noted that Seals lives just outside the district's borders, while Seals points out that Footlik more recently moved back to the area from the East Coast. Footlik rents an apartment in Buffalo Grove, once lived in Vernon Hills and grew up in Skokie.

Meanwhile, Seals has raised most of his money from inside Illinois, while much of Footlik's financial support has so far come from Washington, D.C., Los Angeles and New York.

On the presidential race, Footlik refused to say who he would support, even though he had worked closely with U.S. Sen. Hillary Clinton in the past. Seals is supporting Barack Obama, who helped in his 2006 campaign against Kirk.

Meanwhile, Kirk is raising money in anticipation of a fierce general election fight. He had about $1.5 million on hand in late September, the latest available data.

National Democratic organizations appear poised to pour money into the general election to help win the district from the Republicans. The district votes largely Democratic in presidential elections but has voted to keep Kirk in office since 2001.

The district stretches from Waukegan south to Glenview, southwest to Arlington Heights and northwest to Libertyville.