* This may not be the response that Democratic US Senate candidate David Hoffman was expecting when his campaign slammed Alexi Giannoulias earlier today for accepting SEIU’s endorsement. The Hoffman campaign’s prediction was that the Republicans “are going to have a good morning with this endorsement.”
From the IL GOP website…
The Illinois Republican Party called on Illinois Senate candidate David Hoffman to renounce his endorsement by Illinois State Senator Jeff Schoenberg – a leading recipient of SEIU campaign contributions and the man who introduced Hoffman at his campaign kick-off event. […]
According to the Illinois State Board of Elections, Schoenberg accepted $13,400 in campaign contributions from SEIU. In addition, state records show Schoenberg also contributed $12,500 to Rod Blagojevich’s campaign.
“David Hoffman can’t have it both ways when it comes to Rod Blagojevich and SEIU,” Illinois Republican Party Chairman Pat Brady said. “When you do business with Illinois Democrats, you do business with Rod Blagojevich and the SEIU. If David Hoffman is serious about changing Illinois, he should call on Jeff Schoenberg to return all SEIU campaign contributions or else renounce his endorsement.”
Welcome to the game, Mr. Hoffman. Enjoy.
…Adding… From the Giannoulias campaign…
The working men and women of SEIU have fought for progressive policies, independent leaders and middle class families and Alexi Giannoulias is proud to stand with them and their fight to change Washington. It is not lost on us or progressives to see Hoffman, a guy who worked for ultra conservative judges Rehnquist and Jacobs, echo a Republican smear campaign against working families.
…Adding More… From the Hoffman campaign…
It’s odd that the Giannoulias campaign would highlight Hoffman’s long resume, where he has worked in the highest levels of all three branches of national government. We welcome a comparison of achievements and experience levels between these two candidates.
We also welcome a closer comparison of business associates between the two. That’s comparing the Chief Justice of the US Supreme Court with some of the shady characters who have received loans from the Broadway Bank.
This is all the Giannoulias campaign has to offer against David’s candidacy. It’s not much. We look forward to February 2.
* Meanwhile, since SEIU and ACORN have been tied together by some, here’s a recent article by CBS2 that has been completely ignored…
Denise Dixon was once president of ACORN Illinois, and Madeline Talbott was a top organizer. But two years ago, in a move that now looks prophetic, they and other Chicago activists quit ACORN.
“We just felt things were not right at the top. There were different people in charge then,” Talbott said.
“After I left and others left, we had heard that steps were being taken to get rid of the bad apples in the barrel and to straighten it out,” she added. “I still believe that’s true. But it’s very clear they didn’t get all the bad apples yet.”
Talbott and Dixon complained that ACORN’s then-national leader, Wade Rathke, put his brother in charge of finances, was concealing key money moves and was, in short, a scandal waiting to explode.
Still, they’re stunned by video from a recent conservative group’s sting.
Also, this claim by GOP gubernatorial candidate Dan Proft that IHDA gave ACORN Housing - which does have a Chicago office - $100,000 appears to be false. The money was approved, but Gov. Blagojevich stopped the entire program. However, the group appears to have gotten a much smaller grant several weeks ago for an anti-foreclosure program. Working on it now.