BY DAVE PARRO
In an interview with the Associated Press, congressional candidate Jim Oberweis says he has done a lot of soul-searching since his loss in the special election and talked to voters about what went wrong.
His conclusion? His negative campaigning might have backfired. "We're going to do everything we can to make sure this is a positive campaign based on a serious and respectful discussion of issues that are important to people in the 14th Congressional District," Oberweis said.
That would be quite a shift. But is it too late for Oberweis to change his public image after so many failed campaigns filled with personal attacks and distortions of the truth?
Oberweis also indicated he has no plans to step down to allow the GOP to slate another candidate who might have a better chance of beating Rep. Bill Foster in the fall. "The voters selected me ... as the Republican candidate," he said.
He certainly will have to win back voters in his own party who didn't support him because of his slimy campaign tactics. But will he be able to convince them his new positive attitude is sincere?
Here's an excerpt from an editorial running on Thursday's Viewpoint page, along with the AP story:
Forgive us, however, if we're not convinced of his sincerity. After years of running ruthless campaigns, Oberweis can't expect voters to accept this sudden change of heart at face value. It will be difficult to just forget about the mean-spiritedness Oberweis has demonstrated at times.
Don't get us wrong: We don't want to see a repeat of the Oberweis vs. Foster smackdown in November. But Oberweis has to prove over the next seven months this isn't just a calculated political move. Voters are smart enough to see through a smokescreen.
Oberweis has no other choice but to remain positive if he has any chance of beating an incumbent during a presidential year that will likely include Barack Obama on the ticket. But will voters be able to forgive the past and embrace a kinder, gentler Jim Oberweis?
Jim Oberweis insulted our intelligence by running four of the most nasty,insulting, and disrespectful campaigns imaginable. Now, he insults our intelligence again by asking us to believe that he is a reborn candiate that is full of goodwill and respect for others. A wolf in sheep's clothing is still a wolf.
Mr. Foster's tactics were also pretty nasty (remember the "dead cow" postcards?) The fact is, candidates nowadays will say anything in order to get elected. I don't necessarily blame Mr. Oberweis for his negative campaigning, but rather his advisors--most notably Bill Pascoe, who tried to sell us Alan Keyes a few years back. I know Jim Oberweis, and while I don't share all his political beliefs I've always respected him as an ethical businessman. I think he should concentrate on what he's best at--running his successful corporation.
I suspect that if someone from outside the area read the media coverage they would be surprised to find out that Foster ever sent out anything negative and it was Oberweis and Oberweis only that did anything negative.
Now then here is a question, if Oberweis remains positive in this entire race for November will we see another editorial that references past campaigns and uses the tone of those campaigns as a factor in giving an endorsement?
OneMan
So Jim Oberweis has been "born again"?
Sounds like just another of his dishonest campaign strategies.
Why would we want a Congressman who has been rejected over and over statewide by his own party.
Are we suppossed to be the dumping ground for Republican millionaires who seem to be living an extended mid-life crisis ??
Thank God Jim Oberweis brought a two party system to Kendall County.
For every robo-call, or mailing, we have decided to tally the numbers and go right down the ticket voting for DEMOCRATS. That should entitle us to 3 or 4 ballotts each!!!!!!
If the Republican party wants to have a chance this November in winning this Congressional seat, they will do whatever they need to do to get Oberwies to withdraw and slate Chris Lauzen. If Oberwies stays on the ticket, Foster will win again. And by the way, Annie is correct-Foster's hands are not "clean" as far as negative campaigning, but we don't hear much about it, either!
Annie & Anon: The 'dead cows postcards' were from Chris Lauzen during the Priamry, not from Bill Foster.
You may have confused it with the "Nooooo" commercials Foster ran later in the campaign cycles. However, those 'bovine pundits' were very much alive in those commercials
My bad, the last comment re: 'dead cows' was directed to both Annie and East Side Resident, not 'Anon'