“Mark Kirk voted to reward corporations with tax breaks for shipping jobs overseas,” says the ad’s narrator. “Now the Chamber of Commerce is spending over $75 million to help Republicans like Mark Kirk get elected. And where has the Chamber been getting some of their money lately? From foreign corporations in countries like China, Russia, and India — the same companies that threaten American jobs. It’s time to connect the dots. Exactly who is Mark Kirk working for? Because it sure isn’t Illinois.”
…Adding… The Kirk campaign says it can find no evidence yet that the ad is actually running on TV stations or cable right now.
It’s certainly true that millions are being spent without public disclosure, and that much of the money is coming from corporations taking advantage of a Supreme Court ruling easing restrictions on political spending. But using foreign funds to finance political ads is still a legal violation. Accusing anybody of violating the law is a serious matter requiring serious evidence to back it up. So far Democrats have produced none.
* MSNBC’s “Morning Joe” program took a look at the Kirk vs. Giannoulias debate last night. The NRSC posted the segment about the mob banker back and forth…
* Now, on to the dueling polls. From the DCCC today…
The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee today released a new Benenson Strategy Group poll that shows Representative Bill Foster leading Republican challenger Randy Hultgren by 10 percent.
In the initial head-to-head in the race for Illinois’ 14th congressional district, Foster leads Hultgren 48 percent to 38 percent. Conducted October 4-6, the poll surveyed 400 likely voters and has a 4.9 percent margin of error.
“After it was revealed Randy Hultgren’s business was profiting off of the bank bailouts in an offshore investment fund, voters learned Hultgren is nothing more than a slick Springfield politician who is only out for himself,” said Gabby Adler, Midwestern Regional Press Secretary for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. “This poll proves the last thing Illinois voters want in Washington is another Springfield politician like Randy Hultgren.”
Republican state Sen. Randy Hultgren led Rep. Bill Foster (D) by 6 points in a new poll taken for the Republican’s campaign. Foster won the seat in a March 2008 special election after former Speaker Dennis Hastert (R) retired.
The poll showed Hultgren with 44 percent of the vote and Foster with 38 percent. Sixteen percent of voters were undecided, and 4 percent chose Green Party nominee Daniel Kairis. The Tarrance Group, a Republican firm, surveyed 400 likely voters Oct. 3-4, and the poll’s margin of error was 4.9 points. Neither the campaign nor the Tarrance Group released any other numbers from the poll.
The poll showed a slight improvement for Hultgren over similar polls conducted for the campaign in May and September.
Much has changed in the race in the past month. Foster went up on broadcast TV in late September in the expensive district directly west of Chicago, and the National Association of Realtors and the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee are airing cable ads on his behalf. The Democrat’s campaign accused Hultgren’s investment firm of profiting off the federal bailout in an ad.
* More stuff and more videos…
* Quinn, Brady campaign as early voting starts today
* Politicians Stepping off with Columbus Day Parade
* President Barack Obama has cut a radio ad/robocall for Gov. Pat Quinn. Listen…
I’m told the radio spot will run in heavy rotation on black stations. The idea behind it is to push turnout. Transcript…
This is President Barack Obama calling on behalf of Pat Quinn. In all my experience, one lesson stands out: if you want change, you have to get involved. Today, across the country and here in Illinois our communities face serious threats. There’s a real push to force us back to the failed policies of the past. We can’t let them get away with it. We need to vote, and vote for Governor Pat Quinn.
I know Pat Quinn. Over the years, I’ve seen firsthand his courage to take on powerful interests, his character to do what’s right, and his commonsense that’s getting our state moving again. He’s fighting to create jobs, strengthen our schools, and protect our neighborhoods.
On Election Day, I’ve voting for my friend, Pat Quinn, and I hope you’ll join me. We can’t afford to stay home - because the best thing you can do for me in the White House is to vote to keep Pat Quinn Governor. Thank you.
* Related and a roundup…
* Quinn getting White House help with three weeks to go in governor’s race
* There wasn’t a whole lot of new news on Sunday’s Meet the Press debate between Congressman Mark Kirk and Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias. We’ve pretty much seen it all before. Others who haven’t been paying attention might not agree, however. Watch the whole thing if you want…
* Debate coverage roundup…
* Transcript of Alexi Giannoulias-Mark Kirk Debate on NBC’s ‘Meet the Press’
