Editorial: Halvorson TV Ad `Misleading, Misquotes`

Press Release

"If any politician wants to quote us in their campaign ads, that's fine. But, quote us. Don't rearrange the words to serve your purpose. We are very disappointed that Rep. Halvorson allowed her campaign managers to create this misleading ad. She put her own credibility on the line since, after all, we hear her say in her own voice, "I approved this message'." - Kankakee Daily-Journal Editorial, September 18, 2010

Kinzinger calls on Congresswoman to remove dishonest spot

Republican Congressional nominee Adam Kinzinger is calling on Rep. Debbie Halvorson to remove the television ad she launched last week after the Kankakee Daily-Journal revealed that the piece misrepresented its article, and following a separate revelation that an "out-of-work" constituent featured in the commercial is in fact a retired firefighter and Union leader.

In its Editorial, the Daily-Journal reveals that Halvorson distorted a news articles to attack Kinzinger and falsely accuse him of supporting "tax breaks for shipping jobs overseas." The usage "clearly crosses the line from stretching the truth to complete fabrication," the newspaper concludes.

"This is yet another instance where the Halvorson campaign has been less-than-honest with voters in its on-going effort to discredit my candidacy and distort my positions -- and it has to stop," Kinzinger said. "The Daily-Journal is the latest news organization to call out her campaign for its underhanded tactics, and the Editorial should serve as a wake-up call. It is time for Congresswoman Halvorson to demonstrate that she understands the problem by taking down the advertisement and not repeating the mistake again."

Beyond distorting the newspaper article, Halvorson's advertisement purports to feature out-of-work constituents whose jobs have been sent overseas. The 30-second spot concludes with one of those individuals charging, "Young man, you have no idea what you are doing." That individual has since been identified as Jim Schrepfer, a retired firefighter and Labor leader who most recently served as the Central District Vice President of the State Fire Fighters Union.

The commercial fabrications come just weeks after revelations of the Halvorson campaign working to discredit Kinzinger's military service in Chicagoland media. And the distortion coincides with new revelations about the Halvorson campaign organizing a protest in the city of Joliet that included signs of Kinzinger and other conservative leaders depicted as Adolph Hitler. In both instances, the campaign initially denied any involvement before evidence proved otherwise.

"Leaders must be honest with the people they seek to serve," Kinzinger said. "There are plenty of dramatic differences in this campaign without peddling half-truths and distortions. The Congresswoman has an opportunity in these final weeks of the campaign to demonstrate her commitment to an honest dialogue, and she can start by taking down her inaccurate advertisement."

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