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* Earlier this week, I told you about how Congressman Adam Kinzinger grossly distorted a newspaper columnist’s words. Well, when called on it, Kinzinger attacked the newspaper columnist. I kid you not…
On Saturday, Chuck Sweeney of the Register Star wrote an article saying Kinzinger had been taking his words out of context and twisting them in his campaign literature to misrepresent the voting record of his challenger, incumbent Don Manzullo. Kinzinger claims Sweeney compared Manzullo to Barney Frank, but Sweeney says his words were taken wildly out of context.
16th Dist. Candidate Rep. Adam Kinzinger said, “Chuck has made it very obvious in all of his columns who he’s supporting in this race. He has an opinion. He has someone he’s backing. That’s not an independent columnist–that’s doing independent reporting for a column. That’s an opinion columnist.”
“All of his columns,” eh? Really? Well, how about this one…
The race for the Republican nomination in the 16th Congressional District came down Monday to a question of age and longevity in office: With 20 years of service, should 67-year-old U.S. Rep. Don Manzullo of Egan be retired by voters to give the new kid on the block a chance?
Dave Winters thinks so. The veteran Republican state representative from Shirland has endorsed Manzullo’s March 20 primary opponent, 33-year-old U.S. Rep. Adam Kinzinger, R-Manteno. Winters is quitting his job after 18 years, and he believes Manzullo should have followed his example. Winters is 58. He wants voters to put Manzullo out to pasture.
The “I’m more conservative than you” campaign between U.S. Reps. Don Manzullo, R-Egan, and Adam Kinzinger, R-Manteno, is boiling on the front burner. Manzullo, first elected in 1992, and freshman Kinzinger are vying for the GOP nomination in the 16th District.
Monday, the Illinois Tea Party endorsed Manzullo: “Don is the true fiscal conservative in this race,” said Barb Offill, president of the Iroquois County Tea Party. “Don is an ethical man and a passionate conservative who always votes in line with his values. His 19 years of experience in (promoting) manufacturing, creating jobs, cutting wasteful spending, and reducing the deficit in Washington is a strength.” […]
I asked Kinzinger spokeswoman Brook Hougesen for comment, and she said: “Congressman Kinzinger is proud of the strong support he’s received districtwide, including his endorsement from Rockford-area state Rep. Dave Winters, R-Shirland, who chose a fresh conservative voice over the status quo. We need a break from the past — no more bailouts, earmarks or Obama spending projects like Congressman Manzullo has supported. The new 16th District needs someone like Congressman Adam Kinzinger who will bring representation to the area and has the energy and drive to advocate for local concerns and needs.”
* Meanwhile, Manzullo whacks Kinzinger in a new TV ad. Rate it…
posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Feb 29, 12 @ 11:19 am
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Rep. Winters is retiring after being removed from leadership in his caucus.
Comment by reformer Wednesday, Feb 29, 12 @ 11:50 am
Kinzinger is really showing his youth and inexperience in this race. He is unfortunately learning it’s easier to be an outsider thowing stones than to have the stones thrown at you.
Comment by Stones Wednesday, Feb 29, 12 @ 12:14 pm
Good ad. Incorporates tracking video, explains what votes mean instead of just adding them up, presents dichotomy between record and rhetoric.
Comment by Dirt Digger Wednesday, Feb 29, 12 @ 12:16 pm
Other than having boyish good looks what as Kinzinger done? Ask the people in 11,little or nothing.
Comment by mokenavince Wednesday, Feb 29, 12 @ 12:51 pm
Why are you shocked Rich?
These are pretty standard campaign tactics for a republican:
1. Make something up about your opponent
2. Get called on it
3. Pretend to be the victim and attack the messenger for being biased or part of the liberal media or attack their integrity or any one of dozens of other tactics to take the attention off the calling out of the lie.
There you have it - the lie lives on, and the individual who called you on it has their reputation tarnished. Victory.
Comment by jerry 101 Wednesday, Feb 29, 12 @ 1:27 pm
As someone who grew up reading & living down the block from Chuck Sweeney, he picked a stupid guy to pick a fight with. There’s no better known/respected columnist in the region, has a very good reputation, and is known for calling things from a very balanced perspective.
Manzullo is still going to need every bit of help he can get, but petty stuff like this could end up swinging a lot of low information voters against Kinzinger, if Manzullo could properly exploit it. I wouldn’t bet on it though, because Don has not had a serious political challenge in almost 20 years…too much rust going into a knife-fight.
Comment by Baines 4 Prez Wednesday, Feb 29, 12 @ 1:43 pm
Did anyone catch Rich’s fax this morning? Voters are more turned off than ever. In a year like this, I would assume most 11th CD primary voters will go for someone who has been in Congress for a little over a year as opposed to someone who is completing his 10th term.
Comment by Team Sleep Wednesday, Feb 29, 12 @ 1:58 pm
==In a year like this, I would assume most 11th CD primary voters will go for someone who has been in Congress for a little over a year as opposed to someone who is completing his 10th term.==
Plus, he’s dreamy!!! (swoon)
I found it very interesting that the Tea Party folks have chosen to back the experienced veteran over the Young Turk.
Comment by Pot calling kettle Wednesday, Feb 29, 12 @ 2:29 pm
It beats all that this brash young candidate (just turned 34 - should know better!)exhibits small respect for his voters. To “double down” by then attacking the political writer for the Rockford Register-Star, Chuck Sweeny, who had called Kinzinger to task for a MASSIVELY erroneous statement, makes a person doubt Adam K’s judgment. I, for one, will double check anything this candidate may tell me.
Comment by Jane Wednesday, Feb 29, 12 @ 3:56 pm
Ask most people around McLean County, Kinzinger did’nt do squat for us except tell us what we wanted to hear at the time. If Kinzinger gets elected in his new home district the folks there will be getting an empty suit as their congressperson.
Comment by JustSouthOfNorma Wednesday, Feb 29, 12 @ 4:06 pm
This is typical Kinzinger MO. Accuse anyone who does not accept what he says without question as being for his opponent. I saw him do it in Dixon.
Interesting that people expect the energy to be with Kinzinger, when all the Tea Party groups have endorsed Manzullo. I guess it will be a test of tea party strength–if the Tea Party still has breath, Manzullo will win; a Kinzinger victory will indicate the death of the tea party in northern Illinois.
Comment by Rail Rider Wednesday, Feb 29, 12 @ 4:08 pm
Why do current GOP candidates need to use the “I am more conservative than you schtick”? It seems they are purposefully driving away the independent moderate voter. Elections were more enjoyable when there were two credible parties.
Comment by Stateline Wednesday, Feb 29, 12 @ 4:23 pm
Kinzinger is really off the rails here. Somebody should advise him to dummy up.
Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Feb 29, 12 @ 4:24 pm
I can say that the tea party tried to give Adam every chance to be the representative that he promised us he would be but he does not vote the way he talks! Manzullo is the best choice. The game is not about who talks the best! Votes are what counts.
Comment by pattithepat Wednesday, Feb 29, 12 @ 4:53 pm