The Chicks Chat With Bob Dold

A co-worker of ours recently told us about a high school buddy of his who is running for Congress in Illnois’s 10th district, and asked if we’d be interested in having a conversation with him and then doing a write-up.  We love doing stuff like that, so we were more than happy to meet Bob Dold (over the phone, anyway) on our lunch hour today.

Since this wasn’t a face to face meeting, there were no photo ops or face smashes or hug-assaults.  But given our easy rapport on the phone, I can assure you that if we DO meet him in person, he will be hug-assaulted for sure, and more than likely face-smashed.   Plus – LOOK AT HIM.  Totally easy on the eyes.  That never hurts.

Anyway, the Republican incumbent in the 10th district, Mark Kirk, is going to make a run for the Senate, leaving the seat open to someone new.  Bob’s got a nicely diverse background, with a law degree from Indiana U and an MBA from Northwestern, experience in Washington as counsel during the first Bush administration, and most recently running his family’s business, the oldest pest management business in the country.  

We asked Bob about his legal background, only because it seems that so many lawyers  run for office these days, and I loved what he said in response.  He said (paraphrasing), “Being a lawyer or having some experience in politics isn’t what makes me qualified for Congress.  It’s my ability to create jobs and my understanding of how government affects small business which makes me qualified.  Ultimately, it’s all about jobs.”  You may recall where else we’ve heard that recently!    

Just like in the 5th district here in Indiana, Bob will face a number of Republican competitors in the primaries.  He rattled off the name of at least 5, in fact.  And while he gave them credit individually for being either attorneys or being involved in politics previously or running businesses, what sets Bob apart from them is the fact that he’s done all of those things.

Bob’s had a passion for politics pretty much forever, but nothing has driven him to this race more than the thought of what kind of country he wants to see left behind for his kids and the rest of their generation.  This is a guy who obviously ADORES his family – he has a lot of admiration for his wife of ten years, and totally dotes on his two daughters, Harper and Honor, and son Bobby.  And because we chicks are all about letting you in on the more personal side of political candidates, you should also know the following:

1.  His all time favorite movie is Quiet Man.  Bob is a sucker for old movies and loves nothing more than watching old flicks with his wife, next to a roaring fire.  And lest you think that sounds like a quote from an eHarmony profile, let me just tell you that he genuinely really loves that.

2.  Favorite book?  Ayn Rand’s Fountainhead.  See?  Bob Dold is a Rand fan.  You can’t go wrong with a Rand fan.

3.  Favorite thing to listen to on his ipod?  Van Morrison.  And the Rolling Stones.  This is a guy with good old fashioned classical rock and roll taste.  And you know what that means.  It means he’s awesome.

If you’re in the 10th district in Illinois, you should give him a serious look.  And if you’re not in the 10th district, you should tell your 10th district friends to give him a serious look.  You can learn more about Bob here!