Obama presents ad in final days of fierce congressional race

With just days left in the campaign, Democratic challenger Dan Seals is landing an assist from Barack Obama while U.S. Rep. Mark Kirk rallies supporters under the banner "independence matters."

The Democratic presidential nominee has figured prominently in the hotly contested 10th District race, a battle that could play a role in determining the makeup of Congress under the next president.

Seals, who is making his second run at Kirk in the North suburbs, made his TV debut this campaign season with a one-night broadcast ad that aired during Obama's historic nomination speech in Denver.

With the ad that begins today, Obama picked Seals as one of a handful of congressional hopefuls he will help in the final stretch of the campaign. Obama cut a radio ad for him saying, "To Dan, change isn't just a word; it's a way of life."

Meanwhile, Kirk is rounding out his campaign with a TV ad touting newspaper endorsements as he holds district rallies under the banner "independence matters." On Sunday Kirk plans to visit African-American churches.

For months, Kirk's campaign has focused on touting his support from traditionally Democratic-leaning groups, including the Sierra Club and Planned Parenthood.

Kirk has tried to focus on his policies that don't jibe with the Republican Party in a district that voted for Barack Obama for Senate and John Kerry for president in 2004.

Early in the campaign, he organized a news conference featuring independent New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg praising his gun control proposals.

The Highland Park Republican largely bailed on the GOP convention in Minneapolis this summer, showing up for one day.

But at the same time, the national Democrats and Seals have spent millions of dollars on ads and mailers hammering home a Bush-Kirk connection. He has been called Bush's "rubber stamp" and portrayed as a puppet for the unpopular president.

Kirk acknowledges he faces an uphill battle. He concedes Obama may very well carry his district.

However, he says, "We come from the best-educated congressional district in the country where we vote the person, not the party."

Kirk also has had a superior war chest from which to challenge Seals' message and get his own into homes across the district. Kirk has raised more than $5.3 million to Seals' $3 million.

While touting his independence from the GOP, Kirk has bashed Seals as inexperienced. He has also tried to tie him to Gov. Rod Blagojevich and Cook County Board President Todd Stroger in TV ads that accuse Seals of wanting to raise taxes.

When it comes to policy, both candidates share similar stands. They support gun control, legalized abortion and alternative energy investments. Both supported the final financial sector bailout plan.

However, Seals opposes offshore drilling expansion and Kirk supports it. Seals supports universal health care backed by the government and Kirk opposes it.

Seals supports raising taxes on those making more than $250,000 a year, while Kirk says he opposes any tax increases.

The 10th District includes parts of Northwest Cook County and Eastern Lake County. Election Day is Tuesday.