Three Cheers For Jim Oberweis On Marriage Equality

The Milk Dud changed.  Nice.  We're proud of the campaign Oberweis is running this time around.  He still is a long shot, but he's not shooting himself in the foot this go-around.  The wingnuts have to be going absolutely crazy.

GOP Senate nominee Jim Oberweis said he would support a federal marriage-equality measure at Wednesday’s debate with rival Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., after voting against a gay-marriage bill as a state senator and maintaining his opposition throughout his Senate bid. 

“I think there is no arguing it any longer. At this point, I would say yes,” Oberweis said as he reversed his long-held objection to gay marriage at the debate, televised by ABC7 in partnership with the League of Women Voters of Illinois.

Some Conservative Wingnut Endorsed Jim Oberweis For Senate

US Senate candidate Jim Oberweis is out this am touting his latest endorsement in his race against incumbent Dick Durbin: Eagle Forum and Phyllis Schlafly.

From those wingnuts:

Eagle Forum PAC, a conservative public policy organization founded by pro-family leader Phyllis Schlafly, is proud to endorse Jim Oberweis for the United States Senate. 

“Jim Oberweis would make a great senator,” said Schlafly. “He is always ready to take on the Establishment and provide leadership for the pro-family agenda.” 

“Dick Durbin exemplifies all that is wrong in Washington,” added Schlafly. “From taxes to immigration to national security, he supports policies that weaken our country and undermine families struggling to get ahead. It’s clear that his priority is cheerleading for President Obama instead of helping the citizens of Illinois.”

Our take?

Listen...we don't mean to pick on Oberweis here.  He's actually done what we thought was un-doable: run a campaign where he didn't become his own worst enemy. 

But...what *exactly* does this endorsement get him?  Who else were the fringe crazies going to vote for if not The Milk Man?  Is there going to be a huge influx of cash from wingnuts around the country?  We doubt it.  

By taking and promoting this endorsement, he's basically helping one person:  Phyllis Schlafly.

He's making her somewhat relevant and that's, frankly not good for anybody.  

Oberweis: Keep Calm And Dump Dick Durbin

US Senate candidate Jim Oberweis is out today with an ask of his supporters:  if enough folks sign up to request a "Keep Calm and Dump Dick Durbin" sign, they'll get 'em printed up and shipped.

They've put up a site for ordering them and it based on the comments, the campaign is taking PayPal as a payment method.  The site is: www.keepcalmanddumpdurbin.com.  Order one of these and you'll be sure to get some folks on your block's attention.

From the Oberweis campaign:

Want one?

Go to www.keepcalmanddumpdurbin.com and order yours today. We need to place a minimum order of 200 signs.

If we get 200 people to sign up, we will order the signs and mail them directly to your home.

Tell your friends. Tell your neighbors. Order one today.
www.keepcalmanddumpdurbin.com

Jim Oberweis Opens Campaign Office On South Side

From the Twitters:

Dick Durbin Hems & Haws On IRS In Front Of Trib Ed Board

US Senate Candidate Jim Oberweis had Senator Dick Durbin on his heels when it comes to Durbin's office involvement with the IRS as it relates to Karl Rove's Crossroads organization.

U.S. Senator Dick Durbin was caught lying today at the Chicago Tribune editorial board session when asked about his role in the IRS scandal.

Durbin was asked unequivocally whether he or his U.S. Senate staff had ANY contact with the IRS during the IRS scandal other than the well-publicized letter he wrote asking the IRS to target Crossroads GPS on Oct. 10, 2010. 

Durbin responded that there was no other correspondence upon questioning by opponent Jim Oberweis, a Republican state senator from Sugar Grove. 

Oberweis then produced an email from a Durbin staffer to an IRS staffer two days after the Crossroads letter. The email was first revealed by the U.S. House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform in its June 16, 2014 report titled, "How Politics Led the IRS to Target Conservative Tax-Exempt Applicants for the Political Beliefs." 

"Dick Durbin flat-out lied to the Tribune editorial board. This is important because we don't know how deep Dick Durbin's role was in the IRS scandal that he himself characterized as reminiscent of the worst abuses of the Richard Nixon era," Oberweis said.

Candidate Facebook Weekend: Bost, Demmer, Jo Daviess GOP, Mendoza, Oberweis

Just 36 days to go until Election Day!

What were the candidates up to this weekend?  Check out our Weekly "Candidate Facebook Weekend" recap to see:

Congressional Candidate Mike Bost was out meeting voters in Waterloo.

State Representative Tom Demmer was 'firing up' the 'faithful' at the Lee County GOP Oktoberfest.

The Jo Davies Republicans were out putting up 'big' signs across the County.

Chicago City Clerk Susana Mendoza attended her spokesman Patrick's wedding.

US Senate Candidate Jim Oberweis spoke tot he Wheeling Township Republicans.

And...the last we heard (on Facebook) from Treasurer Dan Rutherford, he was out jogging.

What Does Joe Walsh Think Now? Mark Kirk To Stand With Jim Oberweis According to IR

We're thinking that Joe Walsh can come down off the ledge.  (You'll recall that Joe Walsh proclaimed that Senator Mark Kirk 'announced' that he was no longer a Republican' a few weeks back).

Why?  Well...because according to the Illinois Review, Senator Mark Kirk is saying that he's supporting the full Republican ticket.  That seems to jive with what Jim Oberweis has been saying all along.

Much ado about nothing, right?

Here's how IR covers it.  Notice the use of 'belatedly':

U.S. Sen. Mark Kirk has belatedly agreed to support fellow Republican U.S. Senate candidate Jim Oberweis. 

In a brief statement on Tuesday, Kirk told Michael Calhoun of the Illinois Radio Network “I will be campaigning for Jim Oberweis.”

A month ago Kirk said he would not campaign for Oberweis, in order to protect his working relationship with Durbin. The announcement angered many Republicans and alienated conservatives who have been suspicious of Kirk's close relationship with Durbin.

To us there's a difference between supporting/campaigning 'for' someone vs. 'against' someone else.  We're expecting that you'll see Senator Mark Kirk supporting the entire ticket, but not going out there and blasting Senator Durbin.  Which...if I were Jim Oberweis, I'd be happy with.  Mark Kirk isn't the attack dog needed in this case, in our eyes.  

Back to Walsh...we're hoping that between his NYC gig and this news, he'll back off going after Kirk here.  Mark Kirk - and now Bruce Rauner - are leading the ILGOP.  They're the path forward.

The Jim Oberweis in Florida Story Gets Richer

Jim Oberweis the Snowbird.  Hey!  We'd take the $50K exemption, too!?!  (But then again...we're not running for the United States Senate.)

US Senate Candidate Jim Oberweis Skips Town - Confident in Primary Victory?

News percolating out of the US Senate GOP Primary here in Illinois has that despite his best efforts - and impeccable credentials - Republican Candidate Doug Truax can't quite seem to overcome the name recognition and polling lead of his rival Jim "The Milkman" Oberweis.

As any candidate with what appears to be such a sizeable lead would do, Oberweis hasn't really directly engaged with Doug Truax.  He's appeared 'above it all'.

Now, however, it seems that Jim Oberweis isn't even interested in being around Illinois in the run-up to the Primary Election next week.

From the Sun-Times story entitled:  'Arrogant' Oberweis in Florida days before U.S. Senate primary:

U.S. Senate hopeful Jim Oberweis' opponent on Tuesday called the dairy magnate an "arrogant" "timid snowbird" for skipping out on debates and heading to Florida less than a week before the Illinois primary.

Oberweis' Republican primary opponent, West Point grad and Army veteran Doug Truax, said Oberweis, a state senator from Oswego, was disrespecting voters by leaving the state just before Tuesday's primary.

Our take on what appears to be the 'ultimate 1%-er' ILGOP Ticket?

Aaron Schock Endorses Doug Truax for US Senate

In the uphill - but worthwhile battle to beat out Jim "The Milkman" Oberweis for the right to take on Dick Durbin as the GOP Nominee for United States Senate, challenger Doug Truax has picked up some new support from one of the GOP leaders in Illinois:  Congressman Aaron Schock.

From the Sun-Times:

Congressman Aaron Schock, R-Peoria, put his support behind Republican candidate Doug Truax in the U.S. Senate Republican primary, Truax’s campaign announced today. 

Truax is going up against state Sen. Jim Oberweis, R-Sugar Grove, who so far has significantly more name recognition and money.

“Doug Truax represents the type of young and energetic leader Republicans want to embrace. Truax has fresh ideas to shrink government and grow the economy and a strong work ethic to carry those ideas through,” Schock said in a statement. “Doug Truax has served our nation in the military and is ready to serve our nation in the U.S. Senate. As a businessman he brings an understanding of the private sector and deep expertise on health care. As a family man he is rooted in tried and true conservative principles.”

Unless we want the ultimate "1 Percenters" at the top of the GOP Ticket in the fall, we should rally behind Doug Truax.  

Doug Truax Wants/Needs Jim Oberweis to Show Up for Debates

GOP Senate hopeful Doug Truax has come out swining in a press release where he calls on his primary opponent - Jim Oberweis - to stand up and debate him mano-a-mano.  

In the release, Truax campaign details how Oberweis has been 'ducking' any joint appearance.

Jim Oberweis has dodged all joint appearances covered live by the news media. He has turned down or failed to answer invitations to appear with Truax on WGN AM 720, WLS AM 890 and WTTW-Chicago Tonight television. 

“Someone who wants to be U.S. Senator can’t be afraid to debate his opponent,” said Truax, a West Point and Army Ranger school grad, Army veteran and successful businessman. “Jim Oberweis is trying to win the nomination solely on his past, failed name identification. That shows a lack of respect for Republican voters.” 

When Truax challenged Oberweis at a joint appearance before the Chicago Tribune editorial board Feb. 10, Oberweis denied he was ducking debates. However, since then he has made no attempt to confirm invitations and he remains uncommitted to any media appearances with Truax. 

“Jim Oberweis says he’s learned from past campaign mistakes but it looks like he’s the same old Jim Oberweis — disdainful to voters and seeking to buy his legitimacy,” Truax added. “We need something better if we want to turn around Illinois and America."

Why has Oberweis been less than up-front with being willing to debating Traux?  Could be that he's seeing the same polling information we've seen.  The Chicago Tribune had him up big over Truax:

Though he has yet to spend much money this time out, Oberweis has 88 percent name recognition among Republican voters. That’s due to not only the family’s namesake dairy stores, but also the millions of his own money that Oberweis spent during one campaign for governor and two U.S. Senate bids that date to 2002. Oberweis also lost special and general election bids for Congress before breaking through with a state Senate win in November 2012. […] 

Despite that, the poll indicated little voter fatigue among Republicans over Oberweis’ ambitious and frequent attempts to win public office and the sometimes controversial gaffes he committed along the way. 

As we've said many times, we think 2014 gives the GOP a shot to take back some of the offices.  What happens if the MilkMan is at the top of the ticket running against Dick Durbin?  If we get the 'same old  Jim Oberweis', it isn't going to help.

Talk about the ultimate 1%'er ticket:  Bruce Rauner - mega-millionaire for Governor, and Jim Oberweis - mega-millionaire who's wife lives in Florida to avoid taxes for Senate.

That's surely a ticket that'll help down ballot folks?

Let's help Doug Truax compete and win the primary.  Head over to his site and lend a hand.

Doug Truax Endorsed by Elk Grove Township GOP

While US Senate Candidate Doug Traux has been trying to get his primary opponent Jim Oberweis to debate one-on-one in the race, he also was busy picking up another GOP Township endorsement.

This time, it is the Elk Grove Township Republican Organization doing the endorsing.

From the Illinois Review:

The Republican Organization of Elk Grove Township held their endorsement session on Tuesday February 11th. Voting was open to Precinct Captains and Board Members and 60% of the vote was needed to garner an endorsement.

In contested races, the following candidates were endorsed:

• Doug Truax - U.S. Senate

Hey! That's Our Offensive Political Ad, Texas?!?

Dan Patrick, a Republican running for Lt. Governor in Texas posted this image on his Facebook profile on Super Bowl Sunday.  If the message looks familiar, that's because here in Illinois we've seen it before.

Remember this?  Our current candidate - Jim Oberweis - back in the day.

Based on the number of likes the Patrick post received, the message may be resonating more there?  Hopefully this doesn't give the Milk Dud's crew any ideas.  Let's not repeat the past, guys.

Jim Oberweis is "In" for US Senate. Let's Hope He's Sane This Time

3rd times the charm, right?  State Senator Jim Oberweis announced he's running for US Senate (again), but this time with what appears to be a little bit of a softer Jim Oberweis.  He's admitting to past mistakes and talks about bi-partisanship.

That's easy to do in an announcement video.  It is a lot harder once a consultant convinces you to get up in a chopper and fly over Solider Field, isn't it, Jim?

He's pushing hard to position himself against Dick Durbin.  But, first he has to beat a Doug Truax in the primary.  They're both reading from the same anti-Durbin playbook.

We here at the Truth Team aren't sure quite yet who we think is best, but what we do know is that having someone 'sane' at the top of the ballot is going to serve everyone better come next November.

The Chicago Tribune is running a series of pieces about wealthy businessman Bruce Rauner and his many multi-million-dollar homes across the country.  Saying...he's campaigning as a guy who understands budgeting, while at the same time living this lavish lifestyle.

Certainly, some folks are going to latch on to this.  Some conservatives will point to Dillard or Brady or Rutherford being 'more like us'.  That's the Sarah Palin mentality.  For some reason, she (along with LOTS of other Tea Party folks) have decided that they don't like "elites".  They point out that these "elites" have big Ivy League degrees and these houses all around the country.

Well, guess what folks?  We want our leaders  (That means President, but also Governor) to be an elite!  That's right...we said it.  The job of leading our state is tough and demanding.  We want someone who's up to the challenge.

Jim Oberweis is a very successful businessman, too.  Let's not hold that against him.

Unless he goes anywhere near a helicopter.

Senate Candidate Doug Truax Attacking Durbin in Digital Ads

A tipster sent the Truth Team this mobile screenshot that shows a "Don't Let Dick Durbin Hide From His Failures" ad on the right rail of this sports website.

See it there near the top?

Clicking on it takes you to a page for US Senate Candidate Doug Truax.   We didn't get the full URL of the landing page and we can't find it online?

He's recruiting folks in Illinois by picking on Durbin.  Not...his likely primary opponent Jim Oberweis.  Taking a page right from the Bruce Rauner book of attacking Quinn.

Either way, it is clear that Truax has someone doing something right for him in terms of digital.  Oberweis might be in for a fight here.  And, you know what?  That might be a good thing for the party.  Having Oberweis being our standard bearer in 2014 is trouble.  I, frankly, don't want to be a called a Jim Oberweis Republican when there are winnable races in 2014.  Let's beat Shelia Simon and Mike Frerichs and Pat Quinn.  That's harder to do with Oberweis at the top of the ticket, don't you think?