This is a nice endorsement for Democratic Congressional candidate Bob Abboud, especially because of General John Borling’s active involvement with Republican Presidential candidate John McCain’s campaign, including serving as a member of McCain’s finance committee.
General Borling, a fiscal conservative and social moderate, has a number of disagreements with current Republican Congressman Don Manzullo, who he launched an independent bid against in 2006. General Borling said at the time, “Brutally said, if you want to waste your vote, vote for more of the same.” Apparently General John Borling believes we still need change – and that Robert Abboud offers it for voters in the 16th Congressional District.
From the Citizens for Robert Abboud press release:
Major General John Borling Endorses Bob Abboud
Borling: Abboud is a Strong Leader Who Gets Results
ROCKFORD – In front of a crowd of more than 100 people Major General John Borling (USAF-ret) endorsed congressional candidate and nuclear engineer Bob Abboud, calling Abboud’s leadership and ideas ‘exactly what the 16th District and America need.’
“With gas prices out of control, the economy weak, unemployment a problem – especially in Northern Illinois – crushing national debt and skyrocketing health care costs, the 16th District and America need new, visionary leadership,” Borling said. “I have endorsed Bob because he has extraordinary judgment and an intelligence that we desperately need in Congress. He is the right man for the job, I support his candidacy because its time for a change in Illinois.”
General Borling, a highly decorated, 37 year Air Force veteran and fighter pilot, commanded major units across the globe. His high level staff duty included: The White House, The Pentagon, Headquarters North and The Supreme Headquarters in Europe, and Head of Operations for Strategic Air Command.
“I’ve known and been involved with the Abboud family for a long time,” Borling said. “Bob Abboud is a strong leader who gets results. A fiscal conservative and a social moderate, Bob needs to be our choice for Congress this November.”
….
“I am very grateful for the support of John Borling. I thank the General for his distinguished and continuing service to our country, his endorsement, and most importantly his counsel and friendship,” Abboud said. “His endorsement is a clear signal to Democrats, Republicans and Independents across the 16th District – a signal that this election is about more than party politics, it’s about the kind of change and results we want and need in the Congress and Northern Illinois. Please join and support us in that effort.”
Comments 10
Funny, I go to the guys web site and I don’t see the word Democrat do you?
Posted 09 Jul 2008 at 8:33 am ¶[Editor Note: Comment Removed]
Posted 09 Jul 2008 at 6:56 pm ¶Hi OneMan and Robert,
OneMan I did find “Democrat” on the home page in Bob’s flier at the beginning, “As an engineer, Democrat Bob Abboud [pdf]…,” but to your larger point, clearly Bob thinks he can attract a lot of Republicans and Independents. From what I know of the district, which is limited (although I have relations in the area), that strikes me as smart.
Robert, I have removed your comment not because I disagree strongly with it (although I do), but because my post had nothing to do with Presidential Candidate Barack Obama, Reverend Jesse Jackson’s relationship with Obama, or learning either Spanish or English in any context. I support everyone’s right to comment in a civil manner – but only if it’s on topic.
Take care.
Posted 09 Jul 2008 at 8:22 pm ¶Actually got the walkcard at the Genoa days parade and did notice the one mention. FYI, in my opinion a link to a PDF that mentions you are a democrat doesn’t really count.
I get the reaching out thing, but you shouldn’t really hide your party affiliation should you? Bill Foster didn’t and the 14th is fairly Republican.
Posted 10 Jul 2008 at 7:41 am ¶Any thoughts on alleged Abboud’s association with McCain and the oil industry?
If you google “abboud, mccain” this comes out at the top.
http://politicsnewsnetwork.typepad.com/politicsnewsnetwork/the_mccain_doctrine/index.html
Scott Summers looks like the only good progressive candidate in IL-16.
Posted 10 Jul 2008 at 12:14 pm ¶OK, HOW ABOUT THE FACT I SEE NOTHING WRONG WITH GOING WITH A PERSON WHO WILL PUT THE COUNTRY FIRST? I AM A DEMOCRAT WHO DOSE THAT. SO DOSE THAT GENERAL.
ROBERT JONES
Posted 10 Jul 2008 at 6:33 pm ¶Hi Drew and Robert,
Drew, I was unaware of the connections you mention and while I haven’t checked out everything, I do believe that Robert G. Abboud’s father is A. Robert Abboud, and that the elder Abboud did lead First National Bank of Chicago and later First City Bancorporation of Texas. The accusations against the elder Abboud are quite sobering, and if true, the younger congressional candidate Abboud should address his stance toward them, if he hasn’t already.
Scott Summers may be a well-meaning candidate with admirable ideas – but after viewing Summers’ announcement speech I think he has his work cut out for him to run a competitive race.
Robert, it isn’t personal, but only fair to ask you to stay on topic. Your most recent comment is pretty tangential to the topic at hand, but I’m not going to make a federal case out of it.
Take care.
Posted 10 Jul 2008 at 8:41 pm ¶Hi OneMan,
I largely agree with you – but I think anyone putting “Democrat” prominently on the literature that they hand out isn’t really hiding their party affiliation (or is doing a poor job of it) even if it pretty much isn’t on their website. You’d have to argue a difference in audience and an effort to target to convince me of such planning – and I’m just guessing (it is a guess) that it’s not happening here. That said, Abboud does seem to be minimizing the import of party affiliation.
Posted 10 Jul 2008 at 9:02 pm ¶Bob Abboud has zero chance of winning.
Posted 11 Jul 2008 at 9:14 am ¶One,
U R Grasping. At. Straws.
Rep. Manzullo currently has zero (zilch, nada) references to “Republican” or “GOP” on his campaign homepage.
None. Not even so much as an elephant.
Posted 13 Jul 2008 at 11:30 pm ¶