Nov 1, 2008 8:25 pm US/Central
Candidates Continue Push For Voters This Weekend
CHICAGO (CBS) ―
Candidates say they won't let the last few days before the election go to waste.
They're pushing to meet as many voters as they can in person and maybe change a few minds before Tuesday, as CBS 2's Pamela Jones reports. She caught up with candidates in the 10th District Congressional race Saturday.
Excitement churned in the stands and on the field at Saturday's playoff game at Glenbrook South. But before football fans headed into the game, U.S. Congressman Mark Kirk (R) tossed them his political pitch.
It's the end of a long day campaigning that began with a rally.
"We had hundreds of volunteers coming out and especially my fellow veterans because we saved a hospital, stopped the pollution of Lake Michigan, and swept all the newspaper endorsements," Kirk said.
Opponent Dan Seals hit the phones with his team Saturday.
"Some people think that it's a recording, you know they get these robo calls and they'll actucally hang up. So I've got to call them back and say no this is me," Seals said.
He remembers coming close in his run against Kirk back in 2006 with 47 percent of the vote.
But he believes public anger over the economy will give him an edge this time.
"We have 1,600 foreclosures and rising in our area. Our unemployment rate is higher than the national average. And folks have had enough," he said.
Kirk says a close score at the polls Tuesday is not part of the Republican game plan.
"We have run now, five to ten points ahead of my opponent, the whole way through," Kirk said. "And it just reflects a decision that the district made that they wanted me to represent them in Congress last time. And they're still making that choice this time."
Kirk says one of the main differences between this campaign and last, is both campaigns have spent more money this time.
So far, Kirk's campaign has spent $500,000 more than in 2006.
Seals has spent almost $900,000 more.
Sunday, Seals' campaign says they'll begin airing a new radio spot featuring Barack Obama.
(© MMX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
Comments