First, the roundup.

The Tribune editorial board is not happy about Jim Oberweis’ new TV ads.

If you buy all the claims in political campaign ads, you probably also believe the Swedish bikini drill team will show up on your doorstep if you swig a certain beer.

But then the beer commercials, at least, are so over the top the exaggeration is clear. Political ads are supposed to represent the truth.

Too often, though, they play fast and loose with the facts. That’s where Jim Oberweis, a Republican candidate for governor, has strayed.

Oberweis has launched attack ads against Illinois Treasurer Judy Baar Topinka, another GOP candidate for governor.

The ads feature front page headlines from the Tribune and three other newspapers. But they’re not headlines from the newspapers. They’re made up. They were never published.

One ad displays the Tribune masthead and underneath a headline that reads “Investigation into Topinka.” That headline didn’t appear in this newspaper.

And then there’s this from Bernie’s column today.

TERRY BARNICH, Topinka’s campaign manager, said he thinks that the Oberweis campaign is using a “premeditated misrepresentation,” making it look as though the ad has actual headlines.

But DOUG BOHRINGER, president of Omni, said the phrases being used, mixed with the newspaper logos, were “the most visually interesting way to attribute the information. They weren’t intended to be taken as true headlines.”

He said there was no attempt, for example, to include “the date and all the little doodads that go with the masthead” to make it look as if the pages are real.

“It’s an age-old political technique,” Bohringer said. “We’re not the first to use it. We are certainly not going to be the last to use it.”

But Oberweis admits that the ads are a mistake.

Oberweis defends the content of the ads, which is based on the news accounts, but he admits the fake headlines under real newspaper logos Is probably a mistake.

“We will in the future ads be sure (it’s) a headline or not a headline,” said Oberweis.

And then there’s this from the Daily Herald.

A handful of downstate TV stations have pulled a pair of ads by Republican governor candidate Jim Oberweis until he provides them with documentation to back up criticisms of opponent Judy Baar Topinka. Her attorney sent a letter to TV stations statewide asking for the ad to be pulled. Oberweis campaign manager Joe Wiegand said Wednesday he was putting together the required information to send to the stations.

QUESTION: Do you think these new Oberweis ads should be taken down? Why or why not?

UPDATE: The fallout continues.

The latest ads in the Republican governor’s primary campaign, which carry made-up newspaper headlines about state Treasurer Judy Baar Topinka, are under review by the state GOP. […]

Oberweis’ campaign manager, Joe Wiegand, said a clarification had been discussed but for now the spots will continue to air. […]

Last month, Illinois Republican Party Chairman Andy McKenna - in a letter to Gidwitz about one of his ads attacking Topinka - essentially urged the candidates to play nice. The state GOP is currently investigating Oberweis’ spots, said GOP executive director John Tsarpalas, but the most the party would do is wag a finger and implore civility among the contenders.

YET ANOTHER UPDATE: Statement by former Gov. Jim Edgar (via press release):

In the last days of a campaign, the reckless charges begin to fly and voters are looking for the facts. This campaign is no different.

I want to set the record straight.

Judy Baar Topinka has done an exceptional job as Treasurer. She is a fiscal conservative who respects taxpayers’ money and has run an office with integrity. She’s tough and she tells you the truth.

I’ve been there and I know what it takes. I know Judy and I know she is the one Republican who can beat Rod Blagojevich. I encourage my fellow Republicans to support Judy Baar Topinka and Joe Birkett. They will get Illinois back on track.