Congressional ad battle focuses on George Bush
Both sides in the ad battle fueled by a fierce North suburban congressional election agree on one thing: Keeping their distance from President George Bush.
Democratic challenger Dan Seals' theme is to tie himself to Barack Obama and incumbent Republican Mark Kirk to Bush.
The Wilmette businessman's latest broadcast ad launched Friday uses audio clips of Kirk calling Bush "decisive" and saying Seals supports the "Obama agenda."
On the other side, Kirk's ad blitz touts the theme "thoughtful independent leadership."
His latest ad says the Highland Park Republican "stood up against President Bush" to vote against Medicare reimbursement cuts.
Seals lost his first run against Kirk in 2006 with 47 percent.
National players are targeting the race and pumping in their own ads because the 10th District as traditionally voted for Democrats at the top of the ticket.
Seals is hoping that high turnout for Barack Obama, who polls well in the district, may push him to victory.
Kirk is counting on voters to split their ballots as they have in the past.
When it comes to Seals' attempt to paint him as a Bush lackey, Kirk points out he has been backed by Democratic-leaning groups, including teachers unions, the Sierra Club and Planned Parenthood.
"They have recognized that I'm an independent leader," Kirk said.
Seals aired his first campaign ad of the season during Obama's historic acceptance speech, saying he was proud to support the Chicago Democrat's record.
The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, independent of Seals, is running ads in the district attacking Kirk as a "rubber stamp" for Bush.
"In this district we have found that voters are overwhelmingly ready for a new direction," said Seals spokeswoman Elisabeth Smith.
Ad Watch
Dan Seals' campaign launched a new TV ad trying to tie Republican Mark Kirk to George Bush in the 10th District congressional race.
What the ad says:
The ad runs audio of Kirk saying, "Does anyone doubt that George Bush has been a decisive president? He's absolutely been a decisive president."
What else you should know:
The audio was taken from a gathering of Wheeling Township Republicans on April 10 of this year. Kirk has supported several of Bush's landmark proposals, including the Iraq war. But he has opposed many as well, including stem cell research restrictions and the recent troop surge.
What the ad says:
The ad runs another clip of Kirk saying, "Dan Seals wants to back the Obama agenda." Then Seals says, "Mark Kirk attacks me for backing the Obama agenda. Well you bet I do..."
What else you should know:
The audio was taken from the same Republican meeting. Seals does support many of Obama's positions, including a plan to withdraw troops from Iraq. But Seals does not support all of Obama's positions, including his windfall profits tax on oil companies to provide an "energy rebate" to consumers.