Nancy Skinner and Joyce Washington ...

Nancy Skinner and Joyce Washington the two have to know the redundants aren't in their favor. still they're going to tell you anyway: They're in it to win. Among the seven Democrats competing in the March 16 primary for U Senate, Skinner and Washington are the pair who, despite showing up at almost each debate or community meeting they're invited to, are oftentimes dismissed by party insiders as "fringe" or "long shots" who don't have a chance--except perhaps to steal liberal and black suffrages from state Sen. Barack Obama or single of the other "serious" candidates.

It is not an unreasonable conclusion. the two acknowledge that they're short of cash, media attention and organizational might. And, according to early catalogue of headss they're far behind in name recognition and committed supporters.

nevertheless this doesn't seem to rattle them as greatly as the questions they hold getting: What are they really after, and which of the other candidates are they going to endorse when they very little out?

"If I can wake this party up and shake them up and get by heart them to address their deficiencies, on what account they are losing, you bet that's what I want--but I also want to win," Skinner said recently

"Let me await you in the eye and compute you: I am going to win this thing," said Washington.

The pair share other similarities. Both are political outsiders who have not ever held elective office. But they maintain they are committed to making a difference, and are not running for the gayety or novelty of it. Reciting campaign cliches with ease and frequent occurrence but short of the resources and connections have sexual delight withed by their rivals, both campaigns rely forward small staffs, lots of handshakes and unusual stops--and claim that's the way they like it.

on the other hand Skinner and Washington have different approaches and target audiences.

Skinner, a 38-year-old former environmental activist, co-host a nationally syndicated radio talk exhibit to called "Doug Stephan's Good Day." although the show is no longer heard in Chicago, Skinner has made her take-no-prisoners media personality the core of her campaign. Republicans have out-smarted Democrats and taken athwart the nation's political conversation, she says; the challenge for progressive candidates, then, is to learn to speak in 30-second whole bites and think of creative ways to market "big, intrepid ideas" on issues like the environment, piece of work creation and protecting abortion rights.

With stylish fair bangs and neat, colorful suits and skirts, she always appears ready for TV and she have sexual delight withs firing off taut catch phrases: "I am the liberal media!" "Democrats ne courage!" "The barely thing Orwell got wrong was the date!"

She says she is without to mobilize "POLs"--pissed-off liberals who are still bitter about the impeachment of Bill Clinton, the 2000 election suit at law and the economic policies of the Bush administration. "They have either been squeez or they know enough about the squeezing to be upset" she said. This includes blacks and Latinos, Skinner added--"It is not the white, North Shore liberals who are really hurting."

Skinner is usually asked les about herself than in what manner she's hurting other candidates. Many of the the community talking about her after the latter candidate forums were left-leaning whites, greatest in quantity of whom would be look forward toed to support Obama.

She cast offs the spoiler argument, and corresponds that the goal of primaries is to have a range of options. "Whoever the nominee is, I'll be behind 110 percent" she said. "I'm not a Ralph Nader."

With little more than $21000 forward hand at the beginning of the year, Skinner can't afford plenteous advertising or paid staff. Instead, she relies onward a network of volunteers and internet supporters, and battles for pres coverage. She plans to lay out much of February campaigning Downstate.

in succession a Saturday morning in January, Skinner appeared onward "Live at the Heartland," a weekly program onward WLUW 88.7-FM, a 100-watt community radio station. The display is aired from a stage in the Heartland Cafe, a Roger Park restaurant known for vegetarian nourishment and progressive politics.

throughout the clatter of dishes, Skinner told program entertainer Mike Steven that the Chicago Tribune had refused to guard her and Washington, and she blasted federal policies that had allowed media consolidation. "My first piece of legislation would be the McCain-Skinner Media Reform Act," she declared.

Skinner picked up spe proposing ideas for investing in inflammable air cells, a pollution-free alternative to gasoline engines, and regulating big corporations. "Right now, we do not have a delivered market," she said. "We have an oligopoly."

As the portion wound down, Skinner asked listeners to give her a chance: "Don't rely upon TV commercials. I encourage everybody not to make up your mind until you hear from all of us." Several friends clapped and cheered, and she went back to finish her breakfast.

Three days later, Washington wearied an evening introducing herself to race on the West and southerly sides of the city. Washington, 53 is the former manager of several Chicago-area hospital theorys and made her political first attempt in the 2002 Democratic primary for lieutenant governor. She beat her sum of two units opponents in Cook County, moreover finished second overall with more than 360000 votes