16
Oct
2014
EAST MOLINE, IL -- The Chicago Tribune has emphatically endorsed Bobby Schilling (R-Colona) in his bid against incumbent Congresswoman Cheri Bustos (D-East Moline).
The full endorsement can be found here.
Chicago Tribune endorses Bobby Schilling in the 17th Congressional District
Chicago Tribune Editorial Board
October 14, 2014
Two years ago, we supported Republican Bobby Schilling of Colona in his bid for a second term in the 17th Congressional District, freshly redrawn to favor a Democratic candidate. Then as now, Schilling had the courage to tell voters what it would take to get the nation's debt and spending under control.
Democrat Cheri Bustos of East Moline told voters what they wanted to hear, which was that she would protect the safety net. She didn't say how. She won.
Bustos has proved to be a hands-on representative in her district and a respectably moderate voice in Washington. She joined the Blue Dogs, a coalition of fiscally conservative Democrats, and has sided with her party on a relatively low 85 percent of votes.
But the questions she ducked remain unanswered. And the budget's still a mess.
In this year's rematch, Schilling's camp has put Bustos on the defensive by pointing out that she failed to keep a promise made in a meeting with the Tribune Editorial Board to give up 10 percent of her congressional salary if elected. Her explanation is that she made the pledge in Chicago, so it isn't binding in the 17th District. Say what?
What we most remember from that meeting is her frustrating refusal to own a position on how to rescue Medicare and Social Security from insolvency. It was all about "compromise and focused problem-solving," not about adjusting benefits.
This year, she has avoided making rash, nonbinding promises by refusing to do interviews outside her district, even by phone. She did complete our survey, and we found her answers much like before. Instead of committing to unpopular fiscal reforms, she championed nibble-around-the-edge measures or listed steps she would not take.
During his short tenure in Congress, Schilling twice took a politically risky vote to restructure entitlement programs in order to save them. He says he'd do it again. Schilling is endorsed.
Residents of the 17th District, which crawls along the western border of the state, are fortunate to have two distinct candidates waging a vigorous campaign. In other districts, voters have little choice.
The full endorsement can be found here.
Chicago Tribune endorses Bobby Schilling in the 17th Congressional District
Chicago Tribune Editorial Board
October 14, 2014
Two years ago, we supported Republican Bobby Schilling of Colona in his bid for a second term in the 17th Congressional District, freshly redrawn to favor a Democratic candidate. Then as now, Schilling had the courage to tell voters what it would take to get the nation's debt and spending under control.
Democrat Cheri Bustos of East Moline told voters what they wanted to hear, which was that she would protect the safety net. She didn't say how. She won.
Bustos has proved to be a hands-on representative in her district and a respectably moderate voice in Washington. She joined the Blue Dogs, a coalition of fiscally conservative Democrats, and has sided with her party on a relatively low 85 percent of votes.
But the questions she ducked remain unanswered. And the budget's still a mess.
In this year's rematch, Schilling's camp has put Bustos on the defensive by pointing out that she failed to keep a promise made in a meeting with the Tribune Editorial Board to give up 10 percent of her congressional salary if elected. Her explanation is that she made the pledge in Chicago, so it isn't binding in the 17th District. Say what?
What we most remember from that meeting is her frustrating refusal to own a position on how to rescue Medicare and Social Security from insolvency. It was all about "compromise and focused problem-solving," not about adjusting benefits.
This year, she has avoided making rash, nonbinding promises by refusing to do interviews outside her district, even by phone. She did complete our survey, and we found her answers much like before. Instead of committing to unpopular fiscal reforms, she championed nibble-around-the-edge measures or listed steps she would not take.
During his short tenure in Congress, Schilling twice took a politically risky vote to restructure entitlement programs in order to save them. He says he'd do it again. Schilling is endorsed.
Residents of the 17th District, which crawls along the western border of the state, are fortunate to have two distinct candidates waging a vigorous campaign. In other districts, voters have little choice.
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