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Duckworth hit again on VA issues

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* The NRSC is airing an ad that is approved by the Mark Kirk campaign which attacks Tammy Duckworth again on the VA whistleblower issue…

I’m told the Kirk campaign has found no images of Duckworth with Speaker Madigan. Too bad. They’re about the only campaign in the state without a “Because… Madigan!” angle.

* Tribune…

The ad features two whistleblowers at suburban Edward Hines Jr. VA hospital who said they voiced concerns to Duckworth as a congresswoman and said she failed to act.

“I think the reaction Congresswoman Duckworth had was one of avoidance and denial,” said Dr. Lisa Nee, a cardiologist. Germaine Clarno, a union social worker, said of Duckworth, “Nothing happened. I’m yelling and screaming that our veterans are being harmed.”

A female narrator closes the ad by saying, “Tammy put political ambition before our veterans. That’s shameful.” […]

Duckworth’s campaign has said it raised $4.1 million from July through September and had $4.3 million left to start the month. Kirk’s camp had not revealed similar numbers that are due Saturday.

* In other news, here’s the Sun-Times…

A super PAC created specifically to bolster Sen. Mark Kirk’s GOP re-election bid is a stark example of how mega-donors legally skirt federal caps on individual contributions.

Fueled by jumbo donations, the Independent Voice for Illinois super PAC has spent more than $1 million in negative television ads attacking Kirk’s Democratic opponent, Rep. Tammy Duckworth. […]

As of June 30, the latest FEC report, the largest donors to Independent Voice are two of the biggest Republican donors in the nation.

Chicago’s Ken Griffin, the founder of the Citadel financial services firm, pumped $350,000 into Independent Voice.

Paul Singer, the New York hedge fund mogul who in the last week made the Washington Post’s list of the 10 mega-donors of the 2016 cycle, sent $250,000 to the fund.

The GOP wing of the Cubs-owning Ricketts family sent $50,000 through one of their super PACs, too.

* Related…

* Kirk endorsed by animal rights group

* ABC7 to host debate with US Senate candidates Mark Kirk, Tammy Duckworth on Nov. 4

* Duckworth gets fundraising assist from Obama during Chicago visit

* IL Senator Mark Kirk hears from Veterans in Reynolds, talks Trump

posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Oct 12, 16 @ 9:28 am

Comments

And cue the response from the male combat veterans in their American Legion hats calling Kirk a liar. And Duckworth being treated in VA hospitals.

Kirk has a great positive spot geared toward suburban women. I think I’ve seen it twice on air.

Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Oct 12, 16 @ 9:43 am
As much as I agree Cong. Duckworth doesn’t have much to be proud of from her IL and Fed VA stints, I’m pretty tired of hearing about it. At the same time I’m tired of her running on her war record instead of her record as a public official. I guess I’m just tired of it all, then.

Comment by Ron Burgundy Wednesday, Oct 12, 16 @ 9:52 am
If Kirk is doing his legally coordinated ad spending with the NRSC, doesn’t the disclaimer have to say paid for by the NRSC and approved by Kirk?

Comment by Precinct Captain Wednesday, Oct 12, 16 @ 11:05 am
This commercial hurts more than the earlier one about the Illinois Veterans Home in Anna, Illinois.

@wordslinger:

The American Legion DOES NOT endorse candidates for political office and its policies are for its members to avoid being photographed while wearing uniform caps so as to avoid the appearance of favoring one candidate over another.
The difficulty is that the candidates (Duckworth, Kirk and others) always try to circulate such photos to make it appear as if they were endorsed.

Comment by SAL Wednesday, Oct 12, 16 @ 11:19 am
Is it Nov. 28th yet?

Comment by Amalia Wednesday, Oct 12, 16 @ 11:47 am
The “write in candidate” (Chris Aguayo) is beginning to look like a more viable alternative to the two major US Senate candidates who are equally objectionable.

Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Oct 12, 16 @ 1:51 pm