* It’s not every day that a former presidential candidate and sitting US Senator cuts a robocall for a state House candidate, but that’s just what Arizona Sen. John McCain did for Rep. Mike McAuliffe (R-Chicago). Have a listen…

* Why did this happen? Subscribers have known about this brewing controversy for a while, but here’s some background…

Area veterans responded with support for State Rep. Michael McAuliffe (R-20th) after his Democratic opponent, Merry Marwig, challenged McAuliffe’s record.

A group of nearly 30 people, mostly veterans, gathered in Monument Park in Chicago’s Northwest side Edison Park neighborhood to respond to Marwig’s claims that McAuliffe claimed to be a military veteran. The rally, held near McAuliffe’s campaign headquarters, took place Friday, Aug. 26.

In letters to the editor published last September, McAuliffe referred to his “fellow” veterans. Marwig said that wording amounted to McAuliffe claiming to be a veteran when he is not one. McAuliffe said the reference amounted to a typo.

“Every function he’s (McAuliffe) ever been to, he’s said he is not a veteran, but appreciates what we do,” said Robert Fuggiti, an Army Vietnam veteran and retired 32-year Chicago police officer who helped organize Friday’s rally.

“I’m so tired of politicians taking one small issue and making it big,” Fuggiti said. “As far as things he’s (McAuliffe) done for us, he’s always listened to our grievances and been there for us.”

* More…

Take Michael McAuliffe, a 20-year state representative. Anyone who has watched broadcast television this summer, from the Olympics to the Cubs to game shows, has seen a McAuliffe ad featuring his wife, Kim, touting his re-election bid in the Northwest Side and northwest suburban district.

Since Aug. 1, the candidate’s 30-second ads have run at least 478 times — at a cost of at least $614,475, according to TV station records filed with the Federal Communications Commission. […]

But it is highly unusual for someone running for the Illinois House to buy August broadcast time in the expensive Chicago TV market. Not only are campaign funds usually too scarce for such a move, but it’s not viewed as good bang for the buck because only a tiny fraction of the people who see the ads will actually be able to vote on the race. After all, there are 118 Illinois House seats and 40 Senate seats on the Nov. 8 ballot.