Ill. Congressional races: Foster and Halvorson out of touch

Rep. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) is the Chairman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee and even he is probably counting his losses in the year's midterm elections. He's in Illinois today to raise money for two of the most vulnerable House Democrats here, Bill Foster and Debbie Halvorson.

They voted for Barack Obama's stimulus bill, meanwhile, Illinois' unemployment rate stands at 11.1 percent.

Here's what the Republican National Committee says about the pair.

Democrats Out of Touch

No Doubt, Says Foster???

"There is no doubt that the stimulus has had a huge effect in halting and beginning to roll back the nationwide economic calamity that we were facing one year ago." (Congressman Bill Foster, Rep. Foster Issues Stimulus Report Card, Press Release, 2/17/10)

But There's Plenty of Doubt…

6 PERCENT: The Number Of Americans That Say Obama's Stimulus Created Jobs. (Stephanie Condon, "Poll: Economy Brings Down Obama's Job Approval Rating,"CBS News' "Political Hotsheet" Blog, 2/11/10)

Since The Stimulus Was Passed Last February, Over 143,000 Jobs Have Been Lost In Illinois. (U.S. Bureau Of Labor Statistics, www.bls.gov, Accessed 2/12/10)

Unemployment Rate Has Jumped From 8.6 Percent To 11.1 Percent. (U.S. Bureau Of Labor Statistics, www.bls.gov, Accessed 2/12/10)

Halvorson says Stimulus Would Create New Jobs in America.

"It's clear to me we needed to act right now. We must create new jobs and grow our economy. This package will do exactly that by saving and creating over three million jobs across America.” (Rep. Debbie Halvorson, ―Halvorson Votes 'YES' to Save And Create Jobs, Begin Long-Term Economic Recovery, Press Release, 2/13/09)

But Where are the Jobs?

Since The Stimulus Was Passed Last February, Over 143,000 Jobs Have Been Lost In Illinois. (U.S. Bureau Of Labor Statistics, www.bls.gov, Accessed 2/12/10) AND Unemployment Rate Has Jumped From 8.6 Percent To 11.1 Percent. (U.S. Bureau Of Labor Statistics, www.bls.gov, Accessed 2/12/10)

Besides the stimulus baggage, Halvorson has to contend with her time as head waiter for Rod Blagojevich in Springfield; she was the sate Senate majority leader while Blago misruled.

Related post:

Unhappy stimulus anniversary in Illinois

Technorati tags: news jobs economy unemployment Halvorson bill foster government democrat Illinois Politics illinois Blagojevich chris van hollen