Tammy Duckworth, a Lieutenant Colonel in the Illinois National Guard and the US Representative for the Illinois 8th congressional district seems to be perceived as a slacker by her former opponent, former actor-wanna-be Joe Walsh, in an interview with Mother Jones. “What else has she done? Female, wounded veteran…ehhhh. She is nothing more than a handpicked Washington bureaucrat.” said Walsh. Duckworth lost both her legs and wounded her arm during her combat mission in the Iraq War. Additionally, she speaks three languages, has an MA in International Affairs from George Washington University and was working towards her Phd in Political Science when service to her country interrupted that goal, thus making her a double amputee. Mr. Walsh is divorced. God Bless America. Amen.
Rev. Dr. DK Gemini 
Comments on: "Who Does She Think She Is?" (3)
I think the term you want is former rival or adversary, not running mate (which suggests they were a team). Kudos to Rep. Duckworth. Amen back at ya.
Proves life goes on, and it is what you make of it.
Consider it done Keith. Politicians all blend for me after a certain point.