Released from SoapBlox/Chicago
TOM CRUZE/SUN-TIMES
Well Dick Cheney came to town yesterday to raise money for Peter Roskam, the Republican running for Henry Hyde's old seat in IL-6. Plenty of news coverage of the event: The Sun Times, Tribune, Associated Press, ABC7 Chicago, CBS2 Chicago, and Chicagoist.
The event pulled in $200,000 for Roskam, again showing where his support is coming from. The event was as lavish as could be expected, with the Sun Times reporting that "Supporters entering the room were greeted by a 2-1/2-foot-tall ice sculpture spelling out 'ROSKAM.' Inside, they dined on a mix of hors d'oeuvres, with a chocolate fountain available for desserts."
As I wrote earlier, Cheney's approval rating is at 18% and in November of 2005, the last time state by state approval ratings were taken for the vice president, Illinois was in the bottom 10% of states for Cheney approval.
The DNC released a statement about Cheney's visit as well.
Tonight, by bringing scandal-plagued Vice President Dick Cheney to Addington for a special interest fundraiser, Republican Congressional Candidate Peter Roskam is sending the people of Illinois an important message. Faced with a choice between offering Illinois voters real change or more of the same Republican culture of corruption, Roskam chose more of the same.
Tonight, Roskam will accept thousands of dollars raised by a Vice President referred to as the "Velcro Veep" because of his central role in the Bush Administration's long list of scandals. (USA Today, 12/5/05)
"Illinois voters expect and deserve better from their elected officials. Instead of siding with Republicans who have shortchanged our security, engulfed our government in a culture of corruption not seen since the Nixon days, and failed to stand up for working families in Illinois, Roskam should join Democrats in fighting for real reform. Illinois voters don't need more of the same; they need real leaders who stand up for them. That is why Democrats are fighting to keep our communities safe and secure, ensure economic security for America's working families, and provide Americans the honest leadership and open government they deserve." [Said Democratic National Committee spokesman Damien LaVera].
Also we'll note that Peter Roskam has been the DCCC's "GOP Crony of the Week" for at least the last couple of months.
Sun Times:
While Cheney's approval ratings have skidded beneath 20 percent in some national surveys after an accidental shooting during a hunting trip last month, he remains a popular figure among suburban Republicans.
Tribune:
Cheney's "favorable" rating may have stood at just 23 percent in a CBS-New York Times poll, but his presence was enough to draw quick shots from Roskam's Democratic opponents, Rolling Meadows software engineer Christine Cegelis, Wheaton College professor Lindy Scott and Iraq war veteran Tammy Duckworth of Hoffman Estates.
Scott called the appearance a "bad move," noting that Cheney "misled" the nation about intelligence estimates of Iraq in the buildup to the war.
Duckworth linked Cheney's work on the Bush Administration's energy policy and Roskam's nearly $45,000 in campaign contributions from oil and energy industry sources, saying he would be a "reliable supporter of Big Oil in Congress."
And the Cegelis campaign said in a statement, "Peter Roskam may be able to cash in at tonight's fundraiser, but voters aren't going to buy a Roskam/Cheney/Bush ticket in November."
ABC7 Chicago:
CBS2 Chicago:
Cheney was applauded in all the right places, but veteran politicians concede that with Democrats gaining strength in DuPage County, including some who were outside protesting the Vice President's presence Monday night, the GOP cannot take the seat for granted.
When asked if Cheney's presence would energize the Democrats rather than bolster the Republicans, Roskam said: "The Deomcrats are already energized, so I don't thin there's a danger. They've got a three-way primary that's a pretty divisive thing right now. I think what's helpful for me to get someone fo the Vice President's stature that comes in and says, 'This race is important, this race matters, and I'm willing to take the time to come in and campaign for this candidate."
Chicagoist:
If that's not enough incentive to vote Democrat, then we don't know what is. Cheney's approval rating stands at 18% nationwide, and even lower in Illinois. He doesn't really seem to be the best man to have in your corner, but Cheney is still popular with the guys who write the big checks.