C.J. Summers beat me to the punch by commenting on Monday’s Word on the Street column. Karen McDonald points out that the national Democratic Party has not been as forthcoming with financial support to Colleen  Callahan as many would like. This is nothing new, in my opinion. As long as I’ve been cognizant of politics, [...]

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 [...]

This is the Los Angeles Times take on Bush’s visit to Peoria:
For the first time in 14 years, George W. Bush’s name is not on the ballot. Not in Texas. Not anywhere in the United States.
And, given President Bush’ low approval ratings, Republican John McCain might be forgiven if he hopes the president will stay [...]

Is it really big news that Republican politicians (or those hoping to run for office again in he future) have endorsed GOP wünderkind Aaron Schock? Current 18th District Congressman Ray LaHood attended a press conference to officially endorse Schock, as did LaHood’s predecessor, Bob Michel. Also tossing their support to Schock were John Morris and [...]

I just received the following email:
AARON SCHOCK FOR CONGRESS
18th District Republicans are unified
(PEORIA) Former 18th District Congressman and House Republican Leader Bob Michel will be in Peoria and Springfield on Friday and Saturday campaigning for Representative Aaron Schock with Congressman Ray LaHood.
Mr. Michel and Congressman LaHood will join Schock at a news conference on Friday [...]

Aaron Schock is famous for finishing high school early, and then getting through Bradley University in record time.
Springfield Blogger Will Reynolds suggests Aaron “Nukes to Taiwan” Schock could benefit from this not-quite School House Rock episode:
Heh. I mostly agree with the video. But I should point out that the Sandinistas gained power thanks to some  [...]

From CQ Politics, a report that Aaron Schock is setting up a fund to pump money into other Congressional candidates campaign war chests:
It is hardly unusual for members of Congress to set up leadership PACs. These fundraising vehicles, which collect money from donors and mete it out to other candidates of the same party, once [...]

Via the State Journal-Register:
Admittedly running against “great odds,” Green Party candidate Sheldon Schafer is entering the race to replace U.S. Rep. Ray LaHood, R-Peoria.
Schafer, 59, of Peoria and a political novice, hopes to offer a different choice at the ballot box in November and advance the beliefs of the Green Party, which was established in [...]

Links via the Journal Star:

To the surprise of no one, OSF Health Plans has been old. The new owner will be Humana Inc. This sale was mentioned back when the city was deciding who employees’ health care provider would be. The decision to pick OSF over rival Methodist saved the city millions of dollars. Employees [...]

I looked over Colleen Callahan’s official web site, and I have to say that, so far, it lacks real content. Except for providing readers with some contact information and a way to donate, there’s not a lot there.
In other words, Aaron Schock’s site has Colleen’s beat all to Hell. Sorry. Maybe that will change. But [...]

Does Colleen Callahan have a campaign Website yet? Anyone who’s looking for one might stumble across this one: CallahanforCongress.com.
Methinks it’s NOT her site. Except for the disclaimer “Copyright. Callahanforcongress. All rights reserved” and a link to GoDaddy.com, the only content is a picture of a cute little girl (emma.jpg) wearing a shirt with a “Callahan [...]

The headline above Bernie Schoenburg’s article reads “Schock’s dad linked to alleged scheme.” The subhead is a bit more clear and a lot less accusatory in tone: “Filing lists him as customer of those charged with tax fraud conspiracy.”
Here’s my problem with the use of “linked” in headlines and lede paragraphs.* The average media [...]

I did a quicky with Jonathan Ahl tonight.
And by that I mean a two-minute telephone interview about Colleen Callahan’s chances of defeating Aaron Schock.
I don’t think any regular reader will be surprised by my assessment. Still, it wouldn’t hurt to tune in and listen.

Unless noted, all links are from the Peoria Journal Star:

I attended Woodruff High School, and walked up and down Abington Street hill more times than I care to remember. And being a stupid teenager, we goofed around. It was quite common to playfully “shove” a friend off the sidewalk and onto the street as a [...]

The answer: Maybe. But if it does, it won’t be for the same reasons.
For those Peorians who don’t follow state politics (thanks in no small part to the local media’s general disinterest in the subject) were was some huge news Saturday. Democrat Bill Foster, a political unknown, defeated millionaire GOP foe Jim Oberweis in a [...]