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* Twice in this new 60-second ad, Republican Congressman Bobby Schilling says “it’s not a Democrat or Republican issue,” and then says “It doesn’t matter if you’re a Democrat or a Republican.” The former Tea Party darling is obviously trying to run hard to the center. Rate it…
* Meanwhile, in other campaign news, the Illinois Republican Party has highlighted two recent pieces by central Illinois columnists about claims made by in a DCCC TV ad that 13th Congressional District Republican nominee Rodney Davis worked for “Gov. George Ryan”…
Tom Kacich, Champaign News-Gazette, 9/2/12:
“The truth is that Davis never worked for Ryan while he was Governor. The DCCC’s own opposition research (still available online last week) said that Davis worked for Secretary of State Ryan from June 1, 1993 to January 2, 1997. Ryan, now in federal prison, didn’t become governor until 1999.”
“Gill can claim that he had nothing to do with the spot produced and paid for by the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, but he could also distance himself from the misleading attack ad and even ask that it be pulled. So far he hasn’t done either.”
Bernie Schoenburg, Springfield State Journal-Register, 9/2/12:
“…Davis never worked for Ryan as governor. He left the secretary of state’s office in 1997, while Ryan became governor in 1999.”
* But Will Reynolds reminds us that Davis took a paid leave of absence from George Ryan’s Secretary of State office to run for the Illinois House…
*** UPDATE *** Comptroller records show that Davis actually took an unpaid leave of absence, so the Alton Telegraph article linked to by Reynolds was incorrect. I’ve left Reynolds’ post up (with a strike-through on the untrue part) because he still asks some decent questions.
In 1996, Rodney Davis was
given paid leave from his Secretary of State job to run for State Representative. Getting paid to not work at your government job while you run for political office is a pretty big favor!For a little historical context, it’s important to remember John Shimkus’ connection to the George Ryan scandals. Deb Detmers, who would later work on staff for John Shimkus, testified that Secretary of State employees under George Ryan were expected to raise funds and do political work, often during state taxpayer-funded time.
Some Secretary of State employees helped John Shimkus with their “volunteer” time and major fundraising efforts during his 1996 race for Congress. The George Ryan political machine got Shimkus elected to Congress. Even after Ryan was convicted, Shimkus expressed appreciation for “everything that George Ryan did for me in the past and his support.”
Several Ryan employees went to work for Shimkus after his election, including Deb Detmers and Rodney Davis, who spent 15 years with the Congressman.
This raises all sorts of questions I’d like to hear a reporter ask Davis. Did he see the same corruption in the office that others saw? Did he object to it? Was he asked to do political work or raise money on state time?
* And Democrat David Gill is taking some heat for his past remarks…
Democrat David Gill has made it a point to emphasize he will not accept money from corporate PACs as he attempts for the fourth time to win a seat in Congress representing Illinois’ 13th district.
In January, he even went as far as to accuse his Democratic primary election opponent of being “indirectly corporate funded” because the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee was supporting him.
“Wall Street banks will not buy David Gill,” the emergency room doctor from Bloomington said at the time.
Flash forward to last week when the DCCC unveiled an ad blasting Gill’s opponent, Republican Rodney Davis of Taylorville.
Republicans said Gill was flip-flopping.
* Gill’s latest radio ad makes the claim that he’s not taking a penny from Wall Street…
And the Republican Party is attempting to rebut the claim via a barrage of press releases, including this one…
Last week, Democratic Congressional Candidate David Gill released a radio ad filled with misleading claims and hypocrisy. Here are some of the those claims:
Misleading Claim #1: “David Gill doesn’t take a penny from Wall Street lobbyists or corporate PACs.”
Fact: The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) is spending hundreds of thousands of dollars on TV ads in the 13th Congressional District on behalf of David Gill. Just this year, the DCCC has received contributions from Wall Street PAC’s like Bank of America, US Bancorp, and ING.
Gill should refuse assistance from the DCCC and their corporate money to maintain any ounce of credibility.
Misleading Claim #2: “Dr. David Gill will demand that millionaires and billionaires pay their fair share of taxes just like teachers, cops and nurses.”
Fact: David Gill supports a tax increase that will force small businesses to pay higher taxes and will make it harder for small businesses to hire new workers. Gill also supports increasing billions of dollars in income taxes on families and businesses, capital gains, and gasoline, and he opposes the elimination of the “Death Tax.” The “teachers, cops and nurses” Gill claims to support would all be hit with tax increases under his plan.
Unlike Gill, Rodney Davis opposes tax increases and will work aggressively to curtail federal spending and reduce our national debt.
Misleading Claim #3: “And David Gill will make it his top priority to protect the Medicare and Social Security we’ve earned.”
Fact: David Gill supports the Obama health care law that cuts $741 billion dollars from Medicare spending, gives fifteen unelected bureaucrats the power to restrict seniors’ access to medical treatments and care, and raises taxes on the middle class.
Gill also supports a government-run health care system that goes even further than President Obama’s health care law and that would require tax increases to pay for it.
Rodney Davis believes that we have made a promise to our seniors that Medicare will be there for them to assist with their health care needs in retirement.
Misleading Claim #4: “Dr. David Gill, not a penny from Wall Street.”
Fact: The DCCC is spending hundreds of thousands of dollars on TV ads in the 13th Congressional District on behalf of David Gill. Just this year, the DCCC has received contributions from Wall Street PACs like Bank of America, US Bancorp, ING.
Gill should refuse assistance from the DCCC and their corporate money to maintain any ounce of credibility.
posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Sep 5, 12 @ 11:07 am
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Great intro spot. Schilling puts his name in enough times to create a heuristic for later. Hints at the issues without drowning people in them. Just what a solid intro spot should be, name association and a hint at the issues.
A
Comment by NIref Wednesday, Sep 5, 12 @ 11:18 am
I think the Schilling spot could have been edited down to a nice :30 second spot, or two :30 second spots. It’s kind of meandering and repetitive at :60.
That’s just my opinion — it’s not a Democratic or Republican issue, lol.
He threw me at one point when he started talking about “with a fair, level playing field, we can compete with anyone in the world.” I thought he was going into unfair trade practices, a la China, which is always a big issue in manufacturing centers like the Quads and Rockford. But then he said “we just need to get government out of the way.” Non-sequitur, to me.
I doubt if the 6,000 DOD workers on Arsenal Island are looking for the government to get out of the way anytime soon.
Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Sep 5, 12 @ 11:29 am
“The former Tea Party darling is obviously trying to run hard to the center.”
So are jobs a partisan issue, Rich? I guess someone associated with the Tea Party can never be bi-partisan, or say that an issue should be addressed in a bi-partisan fashion.
“I’ve left Reynolds’ post up (with a strike-through on the untrue part) because he still asks some decent questions.”
===In 1996, Rodney Davis was given paid leave from his Secretary of State job to run for State Representative. Getting paid to not work at your government job while you run for political office is a pretty big favor!===
There is nothing true in this paragraph. Nothing.
Comment by Cincinnatus Wednesday, Sep 5, 12 @ 11:31 am
===There is nothing true in this paragraph. Nothing. ===
Which is why it was stricken.
Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Sep 5, 12 @ 11:33 am
Correct me if I’m wrong, but all the things that Ryan was convicted for happened while he was SOS, not Governor. Wouldn’t Davis rather be linked to Governor Ryan instead of SOS Ryan? I’m not sure that stating that you never worked for Ryan as Governor is a very good comeback, the problem lies with the SOS work.
Comment by Ahoy! Wednesday, Sep 5, 12 @ 11:36 am
If he wants to sound like a centrists, he should learn to say “Democratic or Republican issue” not “Democrat or Republican issue.” Because leaving the ‘ic’ off is a Tea Party trick.
Comment by Cheryl44 Wednesday, Sep 5, 12 @ 11:38 am
–I guess someone associated with the Tea Party can never be bi-partisan, or say that an issue should be addressed in a bi-partisan fashion.–
I’m sure Tea Party types would agree with you. Isn’t that the unifying principle?
Perhaps you have some examples where that hasn’t been the case?
Certainly Cruz in Texas and Mourdock in Indiana bashed their GOP opponents relentlessly for ever having worked with Democrats on anything. Use the google.
Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Sep 5, 12 @ 11:39 am
I like the candidate talking while driving himself. Has a nice normal guy feel to it.
Comment by BFro Wednesday, Sep 5, 12 @ 11:53 am
Because Bobby is a tea partier - IC (or as I say, ICK).
Comment by Lil Enchilada Wednesday, Sep 5, 12 @ 12:10 pm
== I’m not sure that stating that you never worked for Ryan as Governor is a very good comeback, the problem lies with the SOS work.==
My thoughts as well. Having your Davis’ people clarify that he only worked with Ryan when Ryan was doing stuff he got convicted for seems like a gift. I would think that Gill &/or the DCCC would pick up an that and run with it.
Comment by Pot calling kettle Wednesday, Sep 5, 12 @ 12:25 pm
Davis is what the party does not need which is guys who harken back to the past. No thanks.
Last week we saw a pretty extensive oppo file on Bobby Schilling, why are the democrats not using that stuff and isn’t that his 3rd wife in the commercial?
Comment by Shore Wednesday, Sep 5, 12 @ 12:30 pm
Can someone explain to me why certain governments facilitate unpaid leaves of absence? It seems to call into question the value of the position if the organization can function without it. Makes me wonder if government positions are created for the purpose of allowing campaign workers to have gainful employment during non-campaign times. Anyone?
Comment by Foxfire Wednesday, Sep 5, 12 @ 1:06 pm
Schilling says “Democrat or Republican” three times, actually. And of course nowhere mentions he’s a Republican.
I think its a pretty good ad. That said, agree with earlier posters that a 30 second spot would have been better. Jobs or taxes, but not both.
Comment by Yellow Dog Democrat Wednesday, Sep 5, 12 @ 1:22 pm
Now that Schilling’s campaign is in serious political trouble, Bob wants all of us to get along. Bob should have thought about this before he voted against important local economic development projects, women and minorities. Schilling is 100% Republican and proved it with his dismal 8% labor record.
Comment by redrum Wednesday, Sep 5, 12 @ 1:26 pm
If I ran Bustos’ campaign I would just cut a 30 second ad of Michelle Bachman endorsing Bobby in 2010. She is toxic.
Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Sep 5, 12 @ 1:27 pm
Actually I am impressed. Any guy who can throw pizza dough in the air like that has got to be real!
Comment by WazUp Wednesday, Sep 5, 12 @ 2:10 pm
Foxfire-this is usually just political appointees in agencies and legislative aides and literally particularly on the legislative stuff, there’s nothing to do at campaign time. Not all states and legislatures do this. Texas I think only meets 90 days every other year so I am sure those aides just don’t get paid or take unpaid leaves of absence.
Comment by Shore Wednesday, Sep 5, 12 @ 2:43 pm
I didn’t rate the ad earlier so here it goes; I’d give it a 7 or 8 out of 10. It’s essentially an introductory ad since he’s campaigning in a new district and it leaves a decent first impression if you don’t know much about him. Of course, he’s been in Congress 2 years and it didn’t mention anything he’s done (probably because he can’t) and doesn’t want to sound like an incumbent.
This ad was about not looking like an incumbent house republican and focuses on jobs, which was a good campaign move.
Comment by Ahoy! Wednesday, Sep 5, 12 @ 3:27 pm
The ads down to earth but…anybody who knows him realizes that he could get a under the influence of koolaid ticket at any time driving that van. Wouldn’t that be a scandal? I mean not as big a scandal as voting with the minority on an issue but still very embarrassing.
Comment by Madison Wednesday, Sep 5, 12 @ 4:17 pm
Schilling ad is excellent. He’s headed towards reelection. Jobs is number one, and he’s making sure that everyone knows he knows it.
Who is the idiot who got Gill to utterly waste his precious time debating a an old man from over a decade ago? Lord, Ryan is pre-BUSH! For crying out loud, what a stupid waste of time. It isn’t even a smear. The longer he discusses this, the less time he has to introduce himself and discuss the damn issues. If I was Davis, I’d keep right on debating this STUPID “controversy” while all the while discussing JOBS.
Davis’ ad is freaking adorable. You don’t counter it with a stupid smear about a historical figure from last century. Good lord, can anyone play this game?
Foster is fading. Sorry, that is just what is going to happen. He beat Oberweis a while ago. Big deal. Foster hasn’t been a hit since. Once rejected, easier to be rejected the next time. Ask his only beaten opponent, Mr. Milk Dud. Judy is staying.
Comment by VanillaMan Wednesday, Sep 5, 12 @ 4:20 pm
VanillaMan, you’re missing the point. Davis is still trying to separate himself from Ryan. He’s obviously worried.
Comment by Former Downstater Wednesday, Sep 5, 12 @ 5:19 pm
@Former Downstater
You are correct, and he should be worried.
Over $1 million in taxpayer-funded salaries is a lot of money.
On the bright side, if he loses, his wife will still be able to get health care insurance thanks to President Obama.
Comment by Yellow Dog Democrat Wednesday, Sep 5, 12 @ 7:40 pm
Perhaps in your little world this whole Ryan business is important, but for the majority of voters, it is about as important as each candidate’s middle names.
Worried? No one gives a crap.
Comment by VanillaMan Wednesday, Sep 5, 12 @ 9:37 pm
In today’s political world, nothing is run without good polling to back it up. That’s evident by the fact that Davis has responded to it multiple times. If no one gives a crap, it would have been ignored.
Comment by Former Downstater Thursday, Sep 6, 12 @ 12:11 am
Pathetic attempts at whisper campaigns aside… and Amalia, really, shouldn’t you be working?… pretty sure Christie is Bobby’s first and only wife. Sheesh.
Comment by I see trolling Thursday, Sep 6, 12 @ 12:44 am
@ I see trolling,someone in the thread above posted that, I was wondering if that was the case, thanks for clarifying.
Comment by amalia Thursday, Sep 6, 12 @ 7:51 am