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* UPDATED x3 - “Manufactured misfire” * NRCC ad goes all class war against “millionaire” Dem candidate

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* Usually, this sort of stuff is specifically designed to depress Democratic turnout. So, rate this NRCC ad attacking Democratic congressional candidate Cheri Bustos on that basis, please…

*** UPDATE 1 *** A DCCC official says Bustos isn’t a member of that or any country club…

This is completely manufactured misfire from national Republicans who don’t understand a local issue.

*** UPDATE 2 *** From the DCCC…

Fact Check: Congressman Bobby Schilling Voted to Protect Exclusive Country Club-Style Perks For Members of Congress

Cheri Bustos doesn’t belong to any country clubs, but national Republicans are desperate to manufacture a false and misleading line of attack connecting her to one . However, Washington Republicans’ own Tea Party Congressman Bobby Schilling voted to make sure Members of Congress get perks in Washington as if being in Congress was like being in a private country club. Congressman Bobby Schilling voted to protect exclusive perks for Members of Congress even though he supported ending Medicare and making seniors pay thousands more for their health care.

“Illinois seniors would have to pay thousands more for Medicare just so Congressman Bobby Schilling can keep his country club style perks for Members of Congress in Washington,” said Haley Morris of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. “Congressman Bobby Schilling certainly made himself at home in Washington, and he wants to keep his Members only gym and dining room even if middle class families lose the Medicare guarantee to foot the bill. By doubling-down, national Republicans are exposing just how out of touch Congressman Bobby Schilling’s priorities in Washington are with Illinois.”

Background

Congressman Bobby Schilling Voted Against Cutting Funding for Member Gym. In 2012, Congressman Schilling voted against a Democratic budget proposal that would task the Committee on House Administration with identifying ways to cut subsidies paid to the House gym, Barber shop, Salon, and the House dining room. “The Committee on House Administration shall review the policies pertaining to the services provided to Members of Congress and House Committees, and shall identify ways to reduce any subsidies paid for the operation of the House gym, Barber shop, Salon, and the House dining room,” the amendment stated. [Section 412 of Van Hollen Amendment #6, House Report 112-423; H Con Res 112, Vote #150, 3/29/12]

Congressman Bobby Schilling Voted for Ryan Budget That Ends Medicare. Congressman Schilling voted for two budgets authored by Congressman Paul Ryan. The budgets would end Medicare’s guaranteed benefit, protect $40 billion in tax breaks for big oil, provide people earning more than $1 million a year with an average tax cut of $265,000, and create incentives for corporations to shift profits and jobs overseas. Additionally, the Congressional Budget Office estimated it will increase health care costs by an extra $6,359 by 2022 for future Medicare beneficiaries, while a household making between $50,000 and $100,000 would face a tax increase of at least $1,358. [H Con. Res. 34, Vote #277, 4/15/11; H Con Res 112, Vote #151, 3/29/12; Center for American Progress, 3/20/12; Center for American Progress, 3/20/12; Center for Budget and Policy Priorities, 3/27/12; Tax Policy Center, Table T12-0078 and T10-0132; Citizens for Tax Justice, 3/22/12; Joint Economic Committee, 5/20/11; Joint Economic Committee, 6/20/12]

If you’re explaining, you’re losing, goes the old saying. We’ll see.

*** UPDATE 3 *** From the Bustos campaign…

Bustos Campaign Statement on False National Republican Attacks

Cheri Bustos’ campaign today released a statement following the latest false attack from national Republicans desperate to cover up Congressman Schilling’s record of shipping jobs overseas and cutting taxes for the wealthiest Americans on the backs of working people.

Already, the Director of City Engineering pointed out the absurdity of national Republicans’ claims noting that the City Council unanimously approved the first of a two-phase water main project years before Bustos was even elected locally. Now national Republicans are doubling-down and lying about Bustos’ connection to a country club to which she doesn’t even belong. In fact, she’s never been a member of a country club in her life.

“National Republicans are doubling-down on the kind of lies and toxic games that have broken Washington and it’s clear neither Congressman Schilling or his Washington backers understand local issues here in Illinois. The truth is that a bipartisan City Council unanimously approved a water main project to solve a local problem affecting the community, and Cheri Bustos doesn’t even belong to the Short Hills Country Club or any country club,” said Allison Jaslow, campaign manager for Cheri Bustos for Congress. “National Republicans are desperate to keep Congressman Schilling in Washington because he’s proven he will vote with his Party. Schilling supports tax cuts for the richest Americans while saddling seniors with $6,400 in out of pocket costs and even raising taxes on the middle class.”

posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Sep 18, 12 @ 11:50 am

Comments

Wait a minute, I thought the word millionaire had been replaced by “job creator”, what gives?

Comment by Small Town Liberal Tuesday, Sep 18, 12 @ 11:53 am
I give it a blah. If you live in East Moline you know she wasn’t in office when this was first decided. What I’m waiting for is the commerical made that’ll be made with the anti-hispanic comments Schilling made (per our local newspaper today).

Comment by Lil Enchilada Tuesday, Sep 18, 12 @ 11:55 am
“anti-hispanic” … pshhhhh, that’s ridiculous and you know it, enchilada. Anyone who’s taken Spanish 101 or French 101 knows that, in order to learn a new language, you have to learn the fundamentals of your own first.

He could’ve said it a lot better, but it’s obvious what he meant.

Comment by Blue and true Tuesday, Sep 18, 12 @ 12:01 pm
@STL,
So either she pushed for the project or did nothing to stop it. Either way, its a waste of taxpayer funds that benefits Bustos.

Comment by WhatRecession? Tuesday, Sep 18, 12 @ 12:11 pm
I rate it - OUCH!
This is the same tatic that is being used against Romney. Interesting to see it used against a Democrat.

Comment by WazUp Tuesday, Sep 18, 12 @ 12:20 pm
EFFECTIVE AD - Dick Durbin did the party a disservice in his work clearing the field for Bustos to be the nominee, as her votes during the very brief time she held office in East Moline leave her vulnerable to multiple attacks like these.

Comment by Mike Huntoon Tuesday, Sep 18, 12 @ 12:21 pm
In my opinion not a very effective advertisement. Obsure facts about an obsure project, that just shows that democrats can be sucessful too. Might even garner her some rebublican votes.

Comment by downstate hack Tuesday, Sep 18, 12 @ 12:21 pm
“Millionaire citycouncilwoman.”

There’s two words you don’t hear jammed together very often.

Comment by Yellow Dog Democrat Tuesday, Sep 18, 12 @ 12:34 pm
Millionaire…her husband is a cop and she worked as an administrator with a healthcare group….where did the money come from?

Comment by He Makes Ryan Look Like a Saint Tuesday, Sep 18, 12 @ 12:38 pm
=== A DCCC official says Bustos isn’t a member of that or any country club. ===

Oh, the media is going to have a field day with that one.

Can’t wait to read the quote from the head of the country club.

Comment by Yellow Dog Democrat Tuesday, Sep 18, 12 @ 12:38 pm
Or how about how it make the City of East Moline look? That street and it’s utilities had been in dire need of repair for many, many years.

Comment by Lil Enchilada Tuesday, Sep 18, 12 @ 12:45 pm
“Butros doesn’t belong to the club. Doesn’t belong to any club. That was an important piece of information, don’t you think?”

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Sep 18, 12 @ 12:45 pm
Properly speaking Spanish, does not make it easier to learn English. Just ask Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor. She read books written for children to help her learn the difference between English sentence construction and Spanish sentence construction. She was criticized by Republicans for that admission.

Comment by Paul Tuesday, Sep 18, 12 @ 12:56 pm
=== If you’re explaining, you’re losing, goes the old saying. We’ll see. ===

True. If Schilling is forced to defend the ad, forced to defend his vote to keep the Congressional gym open, its a win for Bustos.

If not, my guess is Bustos’ ignores the ad or counters with one attacking Schilling for voting to protect Aaron Schock’s abs.

Comment by Yellow Dog Democrat Tuesday, Sep 18, 12 @ 1:32 pm
Brings back memories of the ads attacking Rezin during her State Rep run. Kind of the same deal, big house, ritzy neighborhood. I don’t think either has much merit.

Comment by MadManMad Tuesday, Sep 18, 12 @ 1:40 pm
Good to see Schilling is spending some money other than through the Congressional frank.

As you know, it’s impossible in 2012 to communicate with constituents without spending half a million in taxpayer dollars on mail.

Comment by wordslinger Tuesday, Sep 18, 12 @ 1:48 pm
This is why Rep Schilling never talks. It was easy to see that Schilling has no education and only talks in these safe type environments. His son Terry who is paid by lobbyists to be the official spokesman for the dad speaks for him and that is why you never even see Rep Schilling quoted.
Rep Schilling goes so far as to have his wife speak at forums for him why he stays at home and watches all of the kids.

At least The Washington politician Schilling knows his limitations.

Comment by Sally Tuesday, Sep 18, 12 @ 1:56 pm
Is this the best attack ad that the NRCC can come up with? Boring!

Comment by Esquire Tuesday, Sep 18, 12 @ 2:51 pm
So on their map they show she doesn’t even live on the street that they are beating her up for voting to repair? Weak sauce.

But thanks NRCC for reinforcing the idea that rich people are untrustworthy in case any Iowans whose presidential votes matter are watching this in the Quad Cities market.

Comment by hisgirlfriday Tuesday, Sep 18, 12 @ 6:41 pm
When we first saw the NRCC ad on a Peoria market station, my wife said, “if that’s all they got on Bustos, it’s pretty weak.” Now when I see Bustos responding by saying that Schilling wants to keep the Congressional Gym opening, I think that is pretty weak, as well. Neither side came out a winner in this skirmish.

Comment by G'Kar Tuesday, Sep 18, 12 @ 7:30 pm