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Hurckes to be hit with ethics complaint? Plus: Robocalls, Biggert, etc.

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* Ray Hanania reports today that Congressman Dan Lipinski’s Chicago chief of staff will soon get hit with a formal congressional ethics complaint…

Everyone by now knows that Jerry Hurckes, the trustee from the 1st District in Oak Lawn, is planning to run for mayor of Oak Lawn against popular incumbent Dave Heilmann.

A major part of Hurckes campaign was to showcase his effectiveness representing the interests of Oak Lawn in Washington D.C., as the chief of staff to Cong. Dan Lipinski (D-3rd).

But apparently, boasting about his successes in Washington D.C., may in fact be a no-no.

According to several observers, employees of congressional staff are not supposed to bring any kind of services to places where they work in or outside of a district. […]

Roll Call, the prestigious four-day a week newspaper of record for the U.S. Congress, reports that Hurckes may have violated ethics rules, although it would take another congressman to file for an ethics investigation.

My sources tell me that a congressman is in fact about to make that filing, investigating what Hurckes did or did not do. Stay tuned on this one.

* Meanwhile, Melissa Bean has proposed banning some campaign robocalls…

The plan, introduced Wednesday, mirrors a companion Senate bill. It would:

• Prohibit such calls between 9 p.m. and 8 a.m.

• Ban more than two calls per day to the same phone number from the same candidate, party or interest group.

• Require the sponsor of the call to be clearly identified at the beginning of the call.

• Require the caller’s phone number be displayed on the voter’s caller ID system.

* The Tribbies take a look at an uphill congressional battle…

Emboldened by the upset victory that claimed former House Speaker Dennis Hastert’s old seat, Democratic congressional candidates in the Chicago suburbs have high hopes heading into the November election.

In the 13th Congressional District, Democrat Scott Harper believes he stands a real chance of unseating popular, 10-year incumbent Republican U.S. Rep. Judy Biggert of Hinsdale. Harper released a statement Thursday bragging that he had shattered “every significant fundraising record ever held here (13th District) by a Democratic candidate.”

That wouldn’t be difficult, given that Democrats have not been competitive in the district for ages. Harper’s claim that he raised more than $247,000 so far is inflated by the $96,000 in loans he made to his campaign. It’s part of more than $115,000 in overall debt he listed on Federal Elections Commission paperwork filed this week.

* Another story is here

* More congressional stuff…

* Weller extols Colombia trade deal

* Keeping Score on the Colombia Trade Pact

* Latino Leaders to Release First-Ever Illinois Latino Policy Agenda at Statewide Summit in Chicago

* Bean, Manzullo honored by national chamber

posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Apr 11, 08 @ 9:34 am

Comments

Do campaigns really think robocalls are a benefit? Probably good for the PR firm who sold the idea that they are cost effective and can make bucks for each call they make. As the recipient of robocalls, they are a pain in the butt that last maybe 10 seconds before I hang up. I cannot think of a single robocall that ever got my support for a candidate or that I heard all the way through. Using robocalls is a good reason to not vote for that candidate. Leave my home time at home out of the game. Got more important things to ponder on the couch like American Idol or Top Chef.

Comment by zatoichi Friday, Apr 11, 08 @ 10:10 am
Robocalls are perhaps the most obnoxious form of marketing ever.

Comment by wordslinger Friday, Apr 11, 08 @ 10:17 am
Robocalls
“For when you care enough to call, but you are not important enough to have me do it personally”

I think it is funny, since MB’s robocalls were listed as out of area buy the caller ID during this last cycle…..

Comment by Plutocrat03 Friday, Apr 11, 08 @ 10:49 am
In 2006, Rep. Biggert received 58% of the vote, and she usually receives more than that. No Democrat can beat her. Harper should hope to increase his name recognition, in case he runs for the state senate or state house, in 2010.

Comment by PhilCollins Friday, Apr 11, 08 @ 11:22 am