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After claiming it was a “mistake,” Oberweis now doubles down on old helicopter ad

Friday, Mar 6, 2020 - Posted by Rich Miller

* Feb. 25, 2004

A pair of controversial new campaign ads from Republican U.S. Senate candidate Jim Oberweis has enraged immigrant rights advocates, who contend the message decrying illegal immigration is racist and relies on misleading data. […]

“Illegal aliens are coming here to take American workers’ jobs, drive down wages and take advantage of government benefits such as free health care, and you pay,” Oberweis says in one of the spots. “How many? Ten thousand illegal aliens a day. Enough to fill Soldier Field every single week.”

* The infamous “helicopter ad”

* Ten years later

When asked about the ad, Oberweis said: “It was a mistake. I wish that I hadn’t (done the ad), yes…it was poorly done.” But he believes he can get past it.

* This week

* Script…

Democratic presidential debate moderator: Raise your hand if your government plan would provide coverage for undocumented immigrants.

Oberweis 2020: Unbelievable. They all support using your tax dollars to give you illegal aliens free healthcare. I predicted this could happen.

Oberweis 2004: Aliens are coming here but make advantage of government benefits but your free health care. You pay.

Oberweis 2020: I was right on this issue then, and I’m right now. Send me to Congress and I’ll stand with President Trump to make sure our tax dollars are used to help Americans, not illegal aliens. I’m Jim oberweis, and I approve this message.

* Meanwhile, Ogden & Fry has a new poll of 535 likely voters which shows the race is tighter than some believed. This pollster uses robocalls and only polls people who’ve already voted in GOP primaries, so keep that in mind. Click the pic for full results

       

16 Comments
  1. - Pundent - Friday, Mar 6, 20 @ 1:30 pm:

    Well in Jim’s defense he was offending people long before it was trendy. Good to know that he really hasn’t changed, despite saying that he did.


  2. - Anon - Friday, Mar 6, 20 @ 1:33 pm:

    lol what a tool


  3. - Oswego Willy - Friday, Mar 6, 20 @ 1:35 pm:

    === I was right on this issue then, and I’m right now.===

    This is what happens when a racist president justifies your thinking to allow you to double down.

    This is why supporting those with racist thoughts because “we agree on other issues” is dangerous to not only democracy but our country.

    Oberweis again tells us who he is, we must remember to believe him.

    * Opposed SSM, but tries to say it was for the “platform”

    * Runs a new ad to make clear an ad he condoned before is “ok” in the time of Trump.

    Can Rezin make up 13 points in a 7-way race?

    Dunno, but Rezin purposely hurt Illinois to support Bruce Rauner, allowing the damage to social services and higher education to be… rationalized.

    Not many good choices.


  4. - Pundent - Friday, Mar 6, 20 @ 1:44 pm:

    =Not many good choices.=

    In an area that historically was solidly red. There’s absolutely no reason for the party to find itself in this situation. It’s entirely self-inflicted. They aren’t even trying at this point.


  5. - 47th Ward - Friday, Mar 6, 20 @ 1:46 pm:

    Looking at the poll, you have to wonder if Ted Gradel is kicking himself.

    *rim shot*

    I’m here all week folks.


  6. - Oswego Willy - Friday, Mar 6, 20 @ 1:47 pm:

    ===There’s absolutely no reason for the party to find itself in this situation. It’s entirely self-inflicted. They aren’t even trying at this point.===

    Congresswoman Underwood likes her chances…?


  7. - hisgirlfriday - Friday, Mar 6, 20 @ 2:00 pm:

    Curious how the Dem presidential primary could affect downballot Republican races like this one. If Bernie vs Biden is still a live controversy I would think that would be a good thing for the rightest of rightwing candidates in the event that moderate/swing voters decide they want to vote for Biden instead of pull a Republican ballot.


  8. - Jocko - Friday, Mar 6, 20 @ 2:01 pm:

    ==make sure our tax dollars are used to help Americans, not illegal aliens.==

    I didn’t know communicable diseases and life-threatening ER visits took citizenship into account. /S


  9. - Steve - Friday, Mar 6, 20 @ 2:05 pm:

    I said recently Jim isn’t really a good candidate for public office .


  10. - flea - Friday, Mar 6, 20 @ 2:23 pm:

    I told my wife to quit buying his milk.


  11. - Demoralized - Friday, Mar 6, 20 @ 2:28 pm:

    I’m pretty sure they don’t need any plan to get healthcare. Anyone that shows up to an ER has to be treated regardless of their citizenship status.

    Perhaps the Republican Party can steal a party name from the past - the Know Nothing Party.


  12. - Ducky LaMoore - Friday, Mar 6, 20 @ 2:51 pm:

    “I said recently Jim isn’t really a good candidate for public office .”

    I recall saying that in 2002… 2004… 2006… 2008… 2014…. If you think he’s bad, the people working for him in the early days were the worst, especially to rival republican campaigns.


  13. - Bertrum Cates - Friday, Mar 6, 20 @ 3:04 pm:

    This is a winning strategy for the fall and does not make him look desperate at all. Well done.


  14. - Dance Band on the Titanic - Friday, Mar 6, 20 @ 3:20 pm:

    That much churning only produces butter.


  15. - Proud Sucker - Friday, Mar 6, 20 @ 4:26 pm:

    I was thinking something similar 47th. Only two field goals, not an impressive game.


  16. - 47th Ward - Friday, Mar 6, 20 @ 5:10 pm:

    ===Only two field goals===

    It’s more like a missed extra point if you ask me.


Sorry, comments for this post are now closed.


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