* From a Martin Ozinga congressional campaign press release…
This morning, the Ozinga campaign was notified that the Vice President will not be able to attend today’s scheduled reception at Marty Ozinga’s home. The campaign is referring all media inquiries to the Vice President’s press office
* The campaign did take at least one call, however…
Seré did not know the specific reason for the cancellation, and was unsure whether the $500-per-person luncheon would go on without the vice president or be rescheduled.
* From the VP’s office…
STATEMENT FROM THE VICE PRESIDENT’S PRESS SECRETARY MEGAN MITCHELL
Vice President Cheney will no longer attend a campaign event for Marty Ozinga in Homer Glen, IL today.
During a visit with his doctors this morning, it was discovered that the Vice President is experiencing a recurrence of atrial fibrillation, an abnormal rhythm involving the upper chambers of the heart.
Later this afternoon, the Vice President will visit George Washington University Hospital for an outpatient procedure to restore his normal rhythm.
Do a Google news search on Ozinga’s name now, and hundreds of news stories pop up from news outlets across the country and around the world. Previously, an Ozinga search would pop up only a few local news stories.
Cheney is going in for an outpatient procedure this afternoon to fix an irregular heart beat. Since these outlets are reporting on Cheney’s health, it logically makes sense to report the Ozinga connection as well.
The potential good for Ozinga:his name is being circulated on an international level.
The potential bad: his name is now linked on an international level with Cheney, who is quite unpopular at the moment.
North Shore Democratic congressional candidate Dan Seals’ campaign on Tuesday defended using an Iraq War veteran with ties to the 9/11 conspiracy movement in a new TV ad attacking Republican U.S. Rep. Mark Kirk for supporting the war.
Seals spokeswoman Elisabeth Smith said she didn’t “really see what is so controversial” about using Caleb Davis in the ad. Davis, 25, is a Peoria native who spent five months in Iraq as an Army diver and got an honorable discharge in 2004.
Last June, the Peoria Journal Star reported that Davis wore a black T-shirt proclaiming “Investigate 9/ 11@911truth.org” while sitting at a table at a Peoria library where books, fliers and DVDs supporting conspiracy theories about the 9/11 attacks were on display. The organization argues the government’s version of the terrorist attacks is fraudulent and offers a “Top 40 Reasons to Doubt the Official Story” and an “Official Coverup Guide.”
Kirk, who was in the Pentagon when the airplane crashed into it Sept. 11, 2001, called on Seals to stop airing the ad.
* Meanwhile, the AP has a new story on GOP congresscritter hopeful Aaron Schock…
Aaron Schock, a Republican state lawmaker making a strong bid for an open U.S. House seat in central Illinois, once notarized documents with false dates while helping his parents set up tax shelters, his own father testified in federal court.
The backdating raises the possibility Schock committed official misconduct, a misdemeanor under state law.
The issue came up in the July trial of three people accused of selling sham trusts and financial packages. The Schocks were victims of the scheme and were accused of no wrongdoing.
There is no indication that Schock or his parents benefited financially from using the incorrect date, and Schock’s father testified that he used it because that was when he first set up the tax shelters. In an interview with The Associated Press, Schock did not dispute his father’s testimony.
Callahan says the document raises questions about her rival’s conduct and judgment. Schock says the controversy is all part of a political ploy to make his campaign look bad.
Area political pundits are torn as to what effect the information about state Rep. Aaron Schock notarizing documents with false dates could have on his current bid for Congress.
But they agree the timing - just three weeks before the three-way race for the open 18th Congressional District seat - is not good.
“It’s terrible timing for him, but it’s maybe not as bad as it could be because there’s time to put up an explanation,” said Brian Gaines, a professor at the University of Illinois Institute of Government and Public Affairs. “It sounds like it’s something he could certainly need to explain and could potentially throw him off track.”
I guarantee that if Schock were the underdog in this race, and there was undisputed court testimony saying Colleen Callahan fudged a date on documents, in apparent violation of state law, Schock’s campaign Steve Shearer would be whispering the ear of every reporter in the 18th District.
* Democrat Jill Morgenthaler has a clever new Internet ad slamming Republican incumbent Peter Roskam over his position on in vitro fertilization…
* Related…
* Council defers talk on charging for dignitary visits
* Marty Ozinga: “I still feel like I’m middle class”
- chicountryguy - Wednesday, Oct 15, 08 @ 10:06 am:
If this is the best Col. Morgenthaler has against Roskam then she is worse off than I thought. She could try bringing up the porn issue on military bases but that wouldn’t go over so well in the Wheaton area.
Thoughts and prayers are with Vice President Cheney and his family.
==And there’s something funny about the soldier that Seals is using. It’s a rule of testimonials that you put a name to them or they lack credibility. I’m sure the Kirk folks are tracking him down.==
That was last Friday. Took them long enough.
For a notary to backdate documents is bad in things large or small. I don’t know if it will sting, but it’s certainly fair game.
Schock seems to be doing everything he can to lose this election. From start to finish, Aaron has been a silver spoonfed, politics-as-usual benefactor off the backs of taxpayers.
When are taxpayers doing to tell Shock to stop living off the government dole for the first time in his life and actually contribute something to the economy?
Many were dismayed when Bob Michel retired and anointed the under-qualified Ray Lahood as his successor. Then Lahood retired and anointed NO successor, leaving us now with the Illinois version of Sarah Palin - Schlock - as the GOP candidate. Callahan does not seem grossly objectionable, but asking this firmly Republican district to elect a dem this year (and so contribute to the congressional excesses that appear bound to come next year) is a tall order. What a stinko choice!
- Mr. Dreamey Express - Wednesday, Oct 15, 08 @ 10:50 am:
Isn’t reassuring that MR Dreamey’s newsletter( aka Peoria Journal Star) offers the “no harm” analysis right along side the the AP disclosure.
Anybody else wonder why the wire service breaks this and not the home town press?
Let’s try to understand this
If the average mope ( not the millionaire doctor) doesn’t file his IRA forms on time you don’t get the tax break. A “tax shelter” is just a IRA for those with a lot of cheese. So if you then take the tax break you and your family are all tax cheats.
Since Mr. Dreamey was just sweet 19 we ask was he still on daddy’s tax return? How much did they beat the G out of?
What are the odds there will be another story??????
- Phil Collins - Wednesday, Oct 15, 08 @ 11:41 am:
The Seals campaign probably couldn’t find any veterans, in that district, who think that Rep. Kirk doesn’t help veterans. I live in that district, and I was in the navy for 21 years, including six months near Baghdad. I read that Kirk usually receives good ratings from Disabled American Veterans. He ensured that the North Chicago VA hospital received more money. I was a patient, at that hospital, and the care was excellent and fast.
- Twilight Zone - Wednesday, Oct 15, 08 @ 12:18 pm:
{Seals spokeswoman Elisabeth Smith said she didn’t “really see what is so controversial” about using Caleb Davis in the ad.}
{Davis wore a black T-shirt claiming “Investigate 9/ 11@911truth.org” while sitting at a table at a Peoria library where books, fliers and DVDs supporting conspiracy theories about the 9/11 attacks were on display. The organization argues the government’s version of the terrorist attacks is fraudulent and offers a “Top 40 Reasons to Doubt the Official Story” and an “Official Coverup Guide.”}
If the inability of the spokesperson to comprehend the controversy is is a trait shared by the candidate, then God help us all if this guy ever won.
Seals has been after Kirk for 4 years in a Democratic state, with millions of dollars to spend, 2 terrible political cycles for the GOP, and hasn’t released a poll showing him with any kind of success.
This stunt with this guy is indicative of why on the North Shore you see lots of yards with obama-kirk, democratic state senator-kirk, and dem state rep-kirk.
Further, the DCCC according to a liberal website, swingstate project, has spent 1 million less than they promised to support Dan.
- there he goes again - Wednesday, Oct 15, 08 @ 1:43 pm:
That’s big news in the 18th Congressional District with the revelation that Aaron Schock committed official misconduct in helping his father set up a foreign tax shelter.
How can voters trust someone who violates the law to go to Congress and write and vote on laws?
And isn’t this part of why the US is in such serious economic trouble — these risky financial schemes like the one Schock engaged in?
I think this is about trust, and now there are sreious questions about this candidacy.
Seals has been after Kirk for 4 years in a Democratic state, with millions of dollars to spend, 2 terrible political cycles for the GOP, and hasn’t released a poll showing him with any kind of success.
Didn’t a poll just last week show him ahead?
- ConservativeVeteran - Wednesday, Oct 15, 08 @ 3:46 pm:
Some Guy, you’re right. About a week ago, I read, on a few websites, that a poll states that Seals was ahead, 52%-44%.
i am constantly amazed at mark kirk’s whining. i will never forget a senior republican on the hill who called him a placeholder. now i can’t be certain as to what they means, but kirk’s ineffectiveness in congress pretty much says it all. what an idiot…
The careless notary story is more evidence for the narrative building around Schock and his judgment or the lack there of. We have his “nukes to Taiwan” quote, joke, retraction, whatever it was. We have his petulance and his finger pointing when the city council of Peoria balked at picking up the tab for his fundraiser, and now we have his shoddy job and even shoddier excuse for screwing up a simple notary punch. He is as smart as Sarah Palin, and as ethical as Bill Clinton. What a winner!
Its amazaing how low Seals will go to win a seat in Congress. Kirk is relying on his record as an effective moderate and Seals is relying on anti-US conspiracy theorists. What a loser…
LIVE session coverage...
- chicountryguy - Wednesday, Oct 15, 08 @ 10:06 am:
If this is the best Col. Morgenthaler has against Roskam then she is worse off than I thought. She could try bringing up the porn issue on military bases but that wouldn’t go over so well in the Wheaton area.
Thoughts and prayers are with Vice President Cheney and his family.
- wordslinger - Wednesday, Oct 15, 08 @ 10:12 am:
==And there’s something funny about the soldier that Seals is using. It’s a rule of testimonials that you put a name to them or they lack credibility. I’m sure the Kirk folks are tracking him down.==
That was last Friday. Took them long enough.
For a notary to backdate documents is bad in things large or small. I don’t know if it will sting, but it’s certainly fair game.
- chic ster - Wednesday, Oct 15, 08 @ 10:15 am:
Did Vice President Cheney fear the Kristen McQueary would be at lunch? Was it all just a set up? Wasthe location and forum was biased?
Oh the irony!!!!!!! What goes around comes around.
- Policy In Action - Wednesday, Oct 15, 08 @ 10:26 am:
Schock seems to be doing everything he can to lose this election. From start to finish, Aaron has been a silver spoonfed, politics-as-usual benefactor off the backs of taxpayers.
When are taxpayers doing to tell Shock to stop living off the government dole for the first time in his life and actually contribute something to the economy?
- Excessively rabid - Wednesday, Oct 15, 08 @ 10:44 am:
Many were dismayed when Bob Michel retired and anointed the under-qualified Ray Lahood as his successor. Then Lahood retired and anointed NO successor, leaving us now with the Illinois version of Sarah Palin - Schlock - as the GOP candidate. Callahan does not seem grossly objectionable, but asking this firmly Republican district to elect a dem this year (and so contribute to the congressional excesses that appear bound to come next year) is a tall order. What a stinko choice!
- Mr. Dreamey Express - Wednesday, Oct 15, 08 @ 10:50 am:
Isn’t reassuring that MR Dreamey’s newsletter( aka Peoria Journal Star) offers the “no harm” analysis right along side the the AP disclosure.
Anybody else wonder why the wire service breaks this and not the home town press?
Let’s try to understand this
If the average mope ( not the millionaire doctor) doesn’t file his IRA forms on time you don’t get the tax break. A “tax shelter” is just a IRA for those with a lot of cheese. So if you then take the tax break you and your family are all tax cheats.
Since Mr. Dreamey was just sweet 19 we ask was he still on daddy’s tax return? How much did they beat the G out of?
What are the odds there will be another story??????
- Phil Collins - Wednesday, Oct 15, 08 @ 11:41 am:
The Seals campaign probably couldn’t find any veterans, in that district, who think that Rep. Kirk doesn’t help veterans. I live in that district, and I was in the navy for 21 years, including six months near Baghdad. I read that Kirk usually receives good ratings from Disabled American Veterans. He ensured that the North Chicago VA hospital received more money. I was a patient, at that hospital, and the care was excellent and fast.
- Bill - Wednesday, Oct 15, 08 @ 12:09 pm:
Dick Cheney has a heart?
- Twilight Zone - Wednesday, Oct 15, 08 @ 12:18 pm:
{Seals spokeswoman Elisabeth Smith said she didn’t “really see what is so controversial” about using Caleb Davis in the ad.}
{Davis wore a black T-shirt claiming “Investigate 9/ 11@911truth.org” while sitting at a table at a Peoria library where books, fliers and DVDs supporting conspiracy theories about the 9/11 attacks were on display. The organization argues the government’s version of the terrorist attacks is fraudulent and offers a “Top 40 Reasons to Doubt the Official Story” and an “Official Coverup Guide.”}
If the inability of the spokesperson to comprehend the controversy is is a trait shared by the candidate, then God help us all if this guy ever won.
Thankfully; that won’t happen.
- Shore - Wednesday, Oct 15, 08 @ 1:03 pm:
Seals has been after Kirk for 4 years in a Democratic state, with millions of dollars to spend, 2 terrible political cycles for the GOP, and hasn’t released a poll showing him with any kind of success.
This stunt with this guy is indicative of why on the North Shore you see lots of yards with obama-kirk, democratic state senator-kirk, and dem state rep-kirk.
Further, the DCCC according to a liberal website, swingstate project, has spent 1 million less than they promised to support Dan.
- Vote Quimby! - Wednesday, Oct 15, 08 @ 1:34 pm:
==Dick Cheney has a heart?==
black as night, black as coal
- there he goes again - Wednesday, Oct 15, 08 @ 1:43 pm:
That’s big news in the 18th Congressional District with the revelation that Aaron Schock committed official misconduct in helping his father set up a foreign tax shelter.
How can voters trust someone who violates the law to go to Congress and write and vote on laws?
And isn’t this part of why the US is in such serious economic trouble — these risky financial schemes like the one Schock engaged in?
I think this is about trust, and now there are sreious questions about this candidacy.
- Some Guy - Wednesday, Oct 15, 08 @ 2:45 pm:
Seals has been after Kirk for 4 years in a Democratic state, with millions of dollars to spend, 2 terrible political cycles for the GOP, and hasn’t released a poll showing him with any kind of success.
Didn’t a poll just last week show him ahead?
- ConservativeVeteran - Wednesday, Oct 15, 08 @ 3:46 pm:
Some Guy, you’re right. About a week ago, I read, on a few websites, that a poll states that Seals was ahead, 52%-44%.
- bored now - Wednesday, Oct 15, 08 @ 4:26 pm:
i am constantly amazed at mark kirk’s whining. i will never forget a senior republican on the hill who called him a placeholder. now i can’t be certain as to what they means, but kirk’s ineffectiveness in congress pretty much says it all. what an idiot…
- Disgusted - Wednesday, Oct 15, 08 @ 5:04 pm:
Quimby - you took the words right out of my mouth!
- Brian G - Thursday, Oct 16, 08 @ 12:32 am:
The careless notary story is more evidence for the narrative building around Schock and his judgment or the lack there of. We have his “nukes to Taiwan” quote, joke, retraction, whatever it was. We have his petulance and his finger pointing when the city council of Peoria balked at picking up the tab for his fundraiser, and now we have his shoddy job and even shoddier excuse for screwing up a simple notary punch. He is as smart as Sarah Palin, and as ethical as Bill Clinton. What a winner!
- Anonie! - Thursday, Oct 16, 08 @ 9:36 am:
Its amazaing how low Seals will go to win a seat in Congress. Kirk is relying on his record as an effective moderate and Seals is relying on anti-US conspiracy theorists. What a loser…
- Squideshi - Thursday, Oct 16, 08 @ 2:08 pm:
Where is Jason Wallace in that joint appearance before the Chicago Tribune Editorial Board? I guess the Tribune is partisan AND anti-veteran.