Meet Tammy Duckworth, Asian American Democratic war vet running for Congress in Illinois

Tammy Duckworth is an Asian American veteran who lost both legs in the Iraq war and is now running for Congress as a Democrat for the seat vacated by Illinois Republican Henry Hyde. An April AsianWeek article describes some of Duckworth's positions:

Running on a platform of jobs, education and health care, Duckworth says that “when it comes to sending young people to war”… we also need “strong voices in Congress who understand the consequences of those decisions.” She also advocates for immigration reform, supporting the McCain-Kennedy Immigration Bill and the DREAM Act, which would allow some immigrant students who have grown up in the U.S. to apply for legal status, and ease high tuition costs.

Tammy's power is apolitical. It's starkly real. I don't know if she's pro-Choice. Her issues transcend the kitchen table. Republicans often win on character, not issues. They send out appealing candidates and don't press platforms. Dems tend to do that. I think Duckworth (although her platform is strong) is a Dem candidate who is a person we want in office. She's not about her platform, she's about her mission. I sound naive, but her presence feels so true and powerful. Her speaking presence feels like Obama's did at the 2004 Convention: powerful, thoughtful, none too slick.