Across the Aisle

A compilation of news and views regarding the race for the 17th District Congressional seat

“All Governments, including the worst on earth and the most tyrannical on earth, are free Governments to that portion of the people who voluntarily support them.” – Lysander Spooner

New Poll: Bustos opens up 4 Point Lead

On Monday, October 22, 2012, Cheri Bustos’s campaign released a new poll showing Bustos with a 4 point lead over Congressman Bobby Schilling. The poll conducted Oct. 16-18, show Bustos ahead 49-45 and comes on the heels of 3 recent polls which showed a statistical tie.

“Our campaign continues to gain momentum as we enter the final two weeks. Voters understand that Cheri Bustos will protect Medicare and Social Security and make job creation her No. 1 priority,” said Bustos Campaign Manager Allison Jaslow. “Congressman Schilling has the wrong priorities and voters are rejecting his plan to end Medicare’s guaranteed benefit.”

Gerstein Bocian Agne Strategies in Washington D.C. was the firm hired to conduct the poll.

Schilling Pulls Away from Bustos in New Poll Despite Being Outspent By Outside Groups

U.S. Rep. Bobby Schilling (R-Colona) today released a new poll from Public Opinions Strategies showing that, despite millions being spent against him by outside groups in recent weeks, Schilling is starting to pull away from his opponent, Cheri Bustos (D-East Moline).

At the same time, Schilling released impressive fundraising totals for the third quarter, raising $617,826.37 in that span and pushing his total fundraising efforts for the 2011-12 election cycle over $2.1 million. This record-setting fundraising haul leaves the campaign with $839,000 cash on hand.

The Public Opinion Strategies poll surveyed 400 likely voters and gave Schilling a 51-44 lead over Bustos. 45 percent of voters had a favorable opinion of Schilling, while 34 percent of voters had an unfavorable opinion of him. Meanwhile, just 34 percent of voters had a favorable opinion of Bustos, while 38 percent of voters had an unfavorable opinion of her. The poll also found that President Obama leads Mitt Romney in the Illinois 17th District by a 50-44 margin.

Schilling said that the next three weeks are the most critical stretch of the campaign.

“There’s no doubt we’re working hard,” Schilling said. “We continue to meet our goals, and our staff and volunteers are working double and triple shifts. At this point, it’s all about our ground game and spreading our message of creating jobs, balancing the budget, preserving and protecting Medicare, and leading by example.”

Schilling noted that most of his campaign’s contributions come from individuals inside the Illinois 17th District.

“This has always been a grassroots campaign with a grassroots message,” Schilling said. “I’m proud that most donations to my campaign come from folks in our district. This isn’t a Republican or a Democrat seat—this is the people’s seat, and through hard work and determination, the people will keep this seat on November 6.”

The Elephant in the Room: Thomson Prison According to Bustos

Thursday, Oct. 18, Speaker of the House John Boehner headlined a $2,500 per person fundraiser for Congressman Bobby Schilling. The Speaker has fought to stop Thomson Prison from opening, robbing the region of 1,100 good paying jobs and $200 million annually in economic impact. Congressman Schilling has been part of the group road-blocking the opening of the prison. Last month, Pres. Obama and Sen. Durbin acted to open the prison.

“Congressman Schilling stands with the Speaker of the House who has pledged to fight tooth and nail to stop 1,100 jobs from being created in our region,” said Bustos Campaign Manager Allison Jaslow. “Rep. Schilling gave the Speaker an A but the American people give Congress an F. Congressman Schilling puts partisan politics over people and job creation in the region. He just has the wrong priories.”

Schilling Receives Key Endorsements

U.S. Rep. Bobby Schilling (R-Colona) has received the endorsement of the Peoria Journal Star and Freeport Journal Standard over his opponent, Cheri Bustos (D-East Moline). Schilling is running for his second term representing the Illinois 17th District in the U.S. House of Representatives.

The Journal Star spent several paragraphs delineating the clear contrast between Schilling and Bustos, and argued that Schilling “speaks with more specificity and depth” on the issues.

The Journal Star highlighted Schilling’s support for pro-growth jobs policies and criticized Bustos for policies that would “make it harder” for businesses “to locate and grow here.”

The Journal Star also criticized Bustos and her party for having yet “to put forward any real plan” on “runaway entitlement spending” and “unprecedented borrowing.”

The Freeport paper endorsed Schilling on Friday, Oct. 20.