Only in the Heartland could a disqualification from a state fair hog contest (10 years ago) qualify as an October Surprise.
From the Quincy Herald-Whig:
[Democratic Congressional Candidate] Colleen Callahan said political foes are bringing up an old state fair disqualification in an effort to keep her from gaining ground in the 18th District congressional race.
...
The swine in question was entered in the barrow class, but judges and other competitors protested that the swine had an undescended testicle, which disqualified it from competition.
The hard-hitting expose continues:
Marty Lathom, who was secretary-treasurer of the Illinois Purebred Swine Council at the time, said a judge in Ohio had already given the swine low marks in a competition there and warned Callahan and her family that the animal showed signs of cryptorchidism.
That did not stop the family from entering the swine in the Illinois State Fair, where it won a championship in its class and reserve champion overall. A competitor later protested and a veterinarian was called in to confirm the animal's condition.
Whatever. My question has to do with something that appears later in the story:
Pre-election polls had shown Schock with a commanding lead as recently as two weeks ago. Those numbers began to shift after it was reported that Schock's father testified in a court case that Schock notarized a backdated document.
What polls are they talking about? I've only seen one poll for the 18th District of Illinois and that was commissioned by the Schock (R) campaign last summer. Has anyone else seen anything?
Will this latest "scandal" move the numbers? Only time will tell. Oh well, let the ball jokes begin!