FeedPolitics: Big turnout for the Callahan fundraiser
July 26, 2008 in Statehouse & Capitol Tags: Aaron Schock, Colleen Callahan
Colleen Callahan’s fish fry was a huge success.
I had to leave at about 6 p.m., before I really wanted to. But the basement of the Kickapoo Sportsman’s Club was getting too crowded and a little too warm to be comfortable. It was a hard to get out, though, because of the huge, honking line of people to waiting to get in.
They ran out of catfish. But they kept coming.
Randy Stevens, a Democratic activist, told me later that by 7 p.m., about 700 people has showed up, and no doubt more showed up after that. At $15 a person for food that couldn’t have cost more than a few dollars to produce, I’m guessing the campaign racked up about $8,000. Lord knows how much money they raised with the 50/50 drawing and the church-lady-style bake sale.
Granted, just two photographs with President Bush generated more cash for all the various funds who were dipping their beaks into the cashed raised at the fancy soiree at Weaver Farms.
But, then people weren’t necessarily paying money to see Aaron Schock. They were paying for access to the president. Hell, they were paying money for access, period. If you are running a business or running for office, it doesn’t hurt to have your name on a list of people who coughed up five grand to pretend to be close pals of the president.
What did the working class people who attended Callahan’s soiree get out of it? These are people who are just sick of the way the country has been run for the past eight years. They are sick of war, and they want the Iraqis to take over. They want a government that doesn’t authorize torture and doesn’t spy on citizens.
They resent being told by the pundits that Aaron Schock has just too much money, too many connections, too much of a lead and too much fo a head start for a nobody like Colleen Callahan to win. They think Schock is too young, too reckless and too ambitious to be good for the 18th District and for the nation. Nukes to Taiwan? Are you serious?
Think about it: More than 700 people crowded into a basement of a tiny building on the outskirts of Kickapoo, Ill., to show their support for a woman whom all the experts say cannot win.
Laugh at my optimism if you must, but this has the makings of a people power movement, right here in the River City.
Election day is three months and two weeks away. A lot can happen in that time. Honestly, I don’t think she needs money (although more wouldn’t hurt). What she needs is to get lucky. Something needs to happen to put a crack in that aura of invincibility that Schock has carefully constructed around himself.
And three months is a looooooong time.
July 26th, 2008 at 3:39 pm
I’m disappointed I wasn’t able to make it last night…it sounds as though everyone had a wonderful time speaking with the candidate(s), sharing their stories and generally getting to know the candidate. It sounds as though the two events could not have been less alike.
July 26th, 2008 at 4:48 pm
Colleen Callahan held a fundraiser in Kickapoo on Friday
By Laura Michels
Friday, July 25, 2008 at 6:07 p.m.
Aaron Schock’s democratic opponent for the 18th district Congressional seat also held a fundraiser Friday, but this one was on a smaller scale.
Colleen Callahan’s fundraising dinner was held in Kickapoo.
Dozens of people came out to show their support.
Callahan, who grew up on a farm says the issue of most importance to her is agriculture.
“There are only 25 out of 435 current congressmen and women who have an agriculture back ground. This is an opportunity to send someone to Congress to not only represent our district but an industry as well,” said Callahan.
We wanted to know what Callahan supporters thought of President Bush visiting Peoria.
We didn’t find many President Bush fans in Callahan’s corner.
“My opinion my honest opinion I wouldn’t walk across the street to spit on him,” said Louise Emanuels, a Callahan supporter.
Sue McGill, another Callahan supporter told us, “I’m certainly not a fan of this administration so his being here is no big significance in my book.”
Besides Callahan and Schock, Green Party candidate Sheldon Schafer is also running for the spot. He passed out flyers on the Riverfront Friday highlighting his campaign and some of the need in the Heart of Illinois.
July 26th, 2008 at 5:26 pm
“Dozens”
Apparently the reporter didn’t wait through the line.
July 26th, 2008 at 5:34 pm
The reporter was there at the start and did a nice long interview with the candidate.
July 26th, 2008 at 6:38 pm
Down spin
July 26th, 2008 at 6:40 pm
don’t forget to save me a seat at the blogger bash, fish-breath.
July 26th, 2008 at 6:57 pm
Bill, you left around 6? I saw a guy with a balding head and a goatee beard and wasn’t sure if that was you.
I was with my 13 year daughter and was wearing an Obama shirt.
July 26th, 2008 at 9:23 pm
You left way too early! The tables were set up outside and it was quite comfortable there. There were still people there when I left, somewhere around 8:45. Seems a lot more people showed up than they expected. All in all, a very nice evening. Forgot to take the camera, so I am glad that some of the other bloggers posted theirs.
July 26th, 2008 at 10:11 pm
I’m thinking maybe I’ll serve fish sticks before the blogger bash. That place doesn’t serve food does it?
July 26th, 2008 at 11:23 pm
Joseph’s serves food. No fish sticks need to be served in the parking lot beforehand.
July 27th, 2008 at 12:09 am
ollie, you were there too? Man, I missed everybody.
July 27th, 2008 at 6:23 am
Postsimian: I was there early; my daughter and I had an errand to run and I didn’t want to torture her too much.
Did any of the “big name” politicos make it?
July 27th, 2008 at 9:57 am
I don’t always agree with your politics, Billy, but in this case I totally agree with you. I admire Aaron Schock’s ambition, but going for US House at such a young age is pushing it. You hit it on the head… Aaron’s getting too cocky, too reckless to represent us in the US House.
As I said, Schock’s ambition and achievements are to be admired, especially for someone his age (same as me, 27), but I think Colleen Callahan will be a better representative. She has life experience, she’ll represent the *people* not represent *her ambition.*
July 27th, 2008 at 11:22 am
The fish at the Callahan fry was walleye, not catfish. And it was delicious. They didn’t run out of fish but did run out of potato salad. Oh well, it was lotsa fun.
Quite a contrast to the Bush/Schock event, where, I heard, some people wore tuxes and gowns. In the daytime! (What would the good taste police say about that?)
July 27th, 2008 at 12:05 pm
Dems are historically disorganized & disfunctional.
Sadly, many working class people have taken the ‘guns, god & patriotism’ bait (distraction) of the well funded & organized Republicans, and voted against their own interests.
Colleen has a lot of work to do to get her support base away from their TVs, taverns & stock car racing.
July 27th, 2008 at 12:41 pm
Elaine, I didn’t see a tux or a gown…and contrary to what some are trying to paint, there were a lot of “working class” folks there. I wonder how many that are complaining wouldn’t think a thing about dropping $500 to see Jimmy Buffett, or the Jonas Brothers, or the dujour rock star of the moment. One person even suggested that it would have been more exciting to see a rock star than the Leader of the free world. Anyway, I’m done with this subject. I had an awesome time and make no apologies!
July 27th, 2008 at 1:01 pm
“I admire Aaron Schock’s ambition, but going for US House at such a young age is pushing it.”
It could be that Aaron Schock feels that he can be a more effective legislator and advocate for the people of Central Illinois in a national setting as opposed to a state setting. Just a thought.
July 27th, 2008 at 4:01 pm
Yeah, because he’s done so many great things for the Peoria area… *rolls eyes*
July 27th, 2008 at 4:53 pm
Diane — No tuxes & gowns? That’s odd. I was told that by someone who saw them crossing Rt. 150 and entering the grounds. Maybe they were the waiters and hostesses.
I’m glad you went because of the photos you were able to take. You documented the event and did a public service that way. I wish you also had recorded the remarks and put them on your blog, as well. The secrecy of this event is maddening.
Bush will be remembered as the worst president in modern times. For Schock to ally himself with Bush is odd to say the least. He did it for the money, I guess. That makes him a ???
July 27th, 2008 at 9:46 pm
Elaine, recordings and video’s were not allowed.
The reporting of the event by the PJStar in Saturday’s paper was outstanding. They summarized the key points of his address and also chronicled the day’s events.
Finally, it is your OPINION that President Bush will be remembered as the worst president. I don’t feel that way at all. If you’ve ever been to the Lincoln Museum in Springfield, check out the newspaper coverage of his presidency at the time. It will seem strangely familiar!
July 28th, 2008 at 8:25 am
Billy,
Three words that should be on the lips of every Callahan supporter. “K Street Kid” The average citizen knows that lobbyists and politicians game the system in their favor. Schock is a creature of the Beltway. All you have to do is check out the record of Eric Cantor who endorses Schock on the Schock website. Cantor had a sandwich named after him at Jack Abramoff’s Signature’s restaurant for Christ’s sake. Who’s been giving Schock Money? The ERICPAC Cantor for Congress, etc.
Hell, Schock’s rise to political fame isn’t even that unique. Check out an article about Patrick McHenry written in Washington Monthly written by Benjamin Wallace-Wells entitled “Getting Ahead in the G.O.P. Patrick McHenry and Defending the Indefensible” Tell me his bio doesn’t sound eerily like Mr. Schock’s. Google McHenry and see that many of the same rumors seem to dog his reputation. Hopefully, I can post about this by Tomorrow morning, but take a look, you get a charge by looking how Aaron’s fund raising prowess seems to mirror the “culture of corruption” that the American people overwhelmingly rejected in 2006.
July 28th, 2008 at 9:40 am
And at the center of all of that… Steve Shearer
July 28th, 2008 at 9:47 am
I would guess that most people who dislike Schock’s congressional race thus far, aside from the hardcore libs, feel such because of the way in which the strings have been pulled in the background by a guy who slithered his way into central Illinois politics and has been trying desperately to become the self appointed king ever since. He’s run for Peoria County chairman, 18th District Committeeman, he is Schock’s campaign manager and has been running that show since he beginning and has taken control of the Krupa campaign.
I would have no problem voting for Aaron in the fall in the absence of Steve Shearer. But having seen his track record locally and his prior employer, one of the most corrupt men in congress Jerry Weller, I know with Shearer in charge we can expect more of the same.
July 31st, 2008 at 12:34 pm
Nope, Senator Durbin and States Attorney Lisa Madigan never showed up.