First-timer Bean 'excited' about supporting Obama

U.S. Rep. Melissa Bean unseated veteran Republican Phil Crane in 2004 in a stunning upset for the 8th District, which covers northwest Cook, western Lake and eastern McHenry counties.

She faces Republican Steve Greenberg on November's ballot.

Here is an edited transcript of a broad interview with Bean at the Democratic convention in Denver:

Q: What are you thinking as you watch Barack Obama rise to be the presidential nominee of your party?

It is fun. To have a friend and a colleague be on our ticket ... it is a pretty exciting time. I have never been to a convention before. This is my first time. So to be here to support someone like him is very exciting.

Q: Do you think most Hillary Clinton supporters will come around to back Obama?

I think they will be there at the end of the day. I really do. There are so many people who I work with on the House floor and those that I have talked to back in my district - a majority have come to be on board. At the end of the day, are you really going to sit home and let the other nominee go there? I don't think so. And on women's issues in particular, I just can't imagine they are going to let John McCain move forward without weighing in to say they don't support his agenda.

Q: Six years ago, Republicans would have said a Democrat would never sit in the 8th District. But here you are. Why do you think Democrats are making gains in the suburbs lately?

I think if you look at the Chicago suburbs, I think the reason I prevailed is that I represent the district as a fiscal conservative and a social moderate. I think that is actually very common in our suburban Chicago community ... The reality is what they have seen from the previous majority in Congress is a lack of fiscal responsibility and they couldn't even spell moderate on social issues, and that is just not representative.

Q: Next door in the 10th Congressional District, you have U.S. Rep. Mark Kirk, who has billed himself as a moderate Republican. Should that help him keep his seat?

I guess I would leave that to you, the pundits, to view the record. I certainly have had the opportunity to work with him on things that are local. The thing about the Illinois delegation is we really work well together.

Q: What do you think of the chances for Democrat Dan Seals to unseat Kirk?

I think he is a strong candidate. I pretty much have been focused on my own district. Even coming to the convention is a little unique for me, but I'm here for Barack.

Q: Are you concerned about your challenger this year?

I'm working hard for my district, and I'm hearing very positive things from the people I represent. And that is important.