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* At first blush, this Bobby Schilling press release looks pretty darned serious…

U.S. Rep. Cheri Bustos (D-East Moline) has received a lot of help from the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee—more than $1 million so far according to OpenSecrets.org. However, the DCCC’s advertising has come under fire for its dishonest content and false claims.

Now, the DCCC and its Chairman, Congressman Steve Israel (D-New York), are facing a House of Representatives Ethics Committee investigation for a clear cut violation of House ethics rules in a TV ad attacking Bobby Schilling (R-Colona) on behalf of Congresswoman Cheri Bustos.

A Peoria taxpayer has filed an official complaint with the Office of Congressional Ethics for the blatant violation of House ethics. The complaint is attached.

Jon Schweppe, communications director at Bobby Schilling for Congress, released the following statement:

“Now here’s a story deserving of a front page headline in Sunday’s paper,” Schweppe said. “Congresswoman Cheri Bustos should immediately condemn the DCCC for their incredibly false advertising as well as their blatant House ethics violation. Will Bustos stand up against the corrupt outside money she claims to so vehemently oppose?”

Wow. What could this front page-deserving story be?

* Well, read the complaint. Or check out Illinois Review’s report…

The Democrat Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) is being accused of violating U.S. House rules in using a photo of Bobby Schilling when he was a congressman sitting in a House committee in its most recent ad, “Heart.”

In the new ad, the DCCC infers that Bobby Schilling is responsible for Illinois losing thousands of jobs overseas.

Peoria resident Ruby Arms wrote in a complaint letter to the Office of Congressional Ethics mailed October 1 that, “The DCCC, a Member-driven political committee organized under House Rules, violated the rules regarding the use of House committee footage, as well as those governing the use of official resources for campaign activity and political gain. House Rule 114(b) explicity prohibits the use of committee footage as partisan political campaign material.”

Ms. Arms went on to urge the Office of Congressional Ethics to enforce rules and hold the DCCC, Chairman Steve Isarel and Members of the DCCC “accountable for the ethics violations they committed.”

Sigh.

The two candidates debate tonight at 6:30 on WQAD TV, which will stream it live on the interwebtubes. It’ll be the only televised debate of the campaign.

posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Oct 9, 14 @ 11:09 am

Comments

One debate!

Is this something that both parties wanted or did one candidate insist upon such limited public discourse?

Anybody know?

Comment by Federalist Thursday, Oct 9, 14 @ 11:25 am
It is clear to me that Schilling and his team think the public is stoopid.

This is the most ridiculous charge I have ever seen. I guess you grab at any floating thing when you’re sinking.

Comment by Knome Sane Thursday, Oct 9, 14 @ 11:30 am
This appears to be payback for the front page Sunday article that ran last week outlining how the Schilling Campaign has violated the FEC rules by not properly listing the disclaimer.

Comment by NW Illinois Dem Thursday, Oct 9, 14 @ 11:45 am
I sense snark in Schilling’s statement with the front page comment… that’s probably a reference to the Dispatch-Argus front page headline last Sunday about the Bustos-filed FEC complaint.

Comment by Amateur Hour Thursday, Oct 9, 14 @ 11:46 am
=outlining how the Schilling Campaign has violated the FEC rules by not properly listing the disclaimer=

Now that’s a story with some meat on its bones. *sigh*

Comment by Knome Sane Thursday, Oct 9, 14 @ 11:49 am
Over the top.

That may be par for the course in modern campaigns, but it is still annoying.

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Oct 9, 14 @ 12:03 pm
Anonymous 12:03 was FKA. Scusi.

Comment by Formerly Known As... Thursday, Oct 9, 14 @ 12:04 pm
I will look forward to seeing the debate.

In local conversations, the Republicans continue to support Schilling. The Democrats continue to support Bustos. The independents I’ve spoken to are leaning more towards Bustos. The issue that seems to be most on their minds is what each did or didn’t do to retain or bring business to the area. The area has certainly seen more economic recovery in the last two years than in the previous two years. There is a certain amount of fortunate timing for Bustos on that.

One of the things the women are commenting on is that they want to see how Schilling behaves towards Bustos in the debates.

Comment by Aldyth Thursday, Oct 9, 14 @ 12:08 pm
You know Bustos started off with a commanding lead a in 2013. Schilling has done a good job of tightening things up over the course of the past few months. But as of recently I haven’t seen anything solid coming out of the Schilling campaign.

Bustos is also known as a great debater and had a career in journalism. I don’t see her doing poorly in tonight’s debate either.

Comment by IL17mania Thursday, Oct 9, 14 @ 12:55 pm
So I guess this is what you do when you are 9 points down in the polls? Talk about a sinking ship…

Comment by Chicago_Finest Thursday, Oct 9, 14 @ 1:11 pm
Yeah, this in response to Bustos from last week. She got petty so he reciprocated.

Comment by Peoria guy Thursday, Oct 9, 14 @ 1:14 pm
Hope Mr. Schilling shows up for the debate. The other GOP candidates up here agreed to several debates, then never showed up. They didn’t care for the moderator selected. Hope they got someone the candidates like tonight. Should be a good debate.

Comment by lil enchilada Thursday, Oct 9, 14 @ 1:25 pm
Schilling’s problem is fundraising. None of the national groups stepped up for him in a big way.

Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Oct 9, 14 @ 2:14 pm
I seriously can’t wait for this election to be over so we never have to hear from Bobby Schilling again.

I’ve said for weeks she’ll win by 8 and it could very well be more. His operation is a joke and that’s why national republicans are sitting this race out. If he wanted to be taken seriously he would have brought some pros in earlier. But he didn’t. Jon Schweppe is just horrendous.

Kudos to Bustos for running a tight ship. That’s how you win in the NFL, Bob.

Comment by Up and Adam Thursday, Oct 9, 14 @ 4:11 pm
Schilling extended an invitation for several Debates, Bustos declined. However, the debate moved little except for one Bustos claim of bringing 1100 jobs. the economy in the Quad City area is horrible right now and this is extending accros the district. Meat factory in Galva closing, Met Life in Peoria, John Deere layoffs, as well as the countless others. yet Bustos is claiming 1100 for Thompson prison, only trouble is not a single person has been hired yet and we have heard 1100 jobs from politicians for the past 14 years. It’s a little arrogant to claim these jobs as delivered when a single person has not been hired.

Comment by Oracle Thursday, Oct 9, 14 @ 10:48 pm