• Radar
  • 7 Day Forecast
  • Live Weather Video

WEEK Weather

Radar
72 °F
M/SUNNY
WIND : NNE
3 mph
HUMIDITY : 52 %
September 5, 2008
More Weather
  • News
  • Weather
  • Sports
  • Features
  • YouNewsTV
  • Programming
  • Community
  • Inside WEEK
  • Contact Us
  • Olympic Zone
  • Local & Regional
  • US & World
  • Business
  • Health
  • Entertainment
  • Technology
  • Political
  • Closings
  • News Links
  • Traffic

Locals React to Bush's Visit

Tools

  • Save
  • E-mail
  • Print
  • YouNewsTV™
  • Most Popular
  • RSS Feed
  • Digg
  • Del.icio.us
Locals React to Bush's Visit

By Gina Ford

Story Published: Jul 10, 2008 at 9:09 PM CDT

Story Updated: Jul 10, 2008 at 11:07 PM CDT

The word is out...

Multimedia

  • Watch The Video

President Bush is making his second trip to the area since his presidency began.

Mr. Bush spoke at Caterpillar in early 2007, and this time, he returns in support of Aaron Schock, a young congressional hopeful.

"At 27 years, if elected he will be the youngest member of congress" said Steve Shearer, Schock's campaign manager.

And according to Shearer the President rarely makes trips to support congressional candidates.

"He's caught the President's attention and the President wants to come lend his help" said Shearer.

Congressman Ray LaHood says he also urged the White House to send President Bush back for another trip to central Illinois.

"Aaron decided that he wanted to raise a significant amount of money, and one way to do it would be to get the President to come" said LaHood.

...A significant amount indeed.

Tickets for the event are 500 dollars a pop, and the Republican National Committeewoman for the State of Illinois, says it's well worth the money.

"We believe Aaron Schock is the future of our country.
He's young, he's energetic and he has taken hold, not just in our state, but around the country", said Committeewoman Demetra Demonte.

Despite the President's low approval ratings, LaHood believes Mr. Bush will still be welcomed with open arms.

"He'll be well received at Aaron's fundraiser and I think they'll have a huge turnout. I think the President likes Peoria and Peoria likes the President" said LaHood.

The White House has not finalized all the details, but the plan is to hold the fundraiser at a private residence.

Two possibilities are Weaver Farms in Peoria and another farm near Morton.

Democratic Candidate Colleen Callahan told the Pantagraph she sees the President's visit as a sign Schock is taking her campaign seriously.

She also questioned the appearance suggesting Schock could be aligning his policies with the President.

Again, the tickets are 500 dollarsm and you can tack on 46-hundred if you'd like to get your picture taken with the President.

Tickets for the event can be purchased through the campaign office at (309) 693-9393.

View Oldest Comments First

Wednesday, Jul 16 at 8:06 AM mtnjak wrote ...

Peoria doesn't like Bush? Think again. Yes, many of you on this post are ridiculous. Bush is not the worst thing to happen to this country, liberalism is! You only have to "pay one dime" due to the fact that this is a FUND RAISER. I think it's great Bush is coming. Although, I don't know if Shock really needs the extra money to win this election. I think his odds of winning it right now are pretty high. He's a bright guy with a long career ahead of him.

Tuesday, Jul 15 at 5:49 AM Lona wrote ...

The future of our country is getting money from the destroyer of our country. That is not the future I want. You should pick your friends wisely Mr. Shock so if you are going to be a puppet I will not give you my vote.

Sunday, Jul 13 at 7:43 PM BK wrote ...

ERIN YES HE IS THE PRESIDENT OF OUR COUNTRY. HE IS A TERRIBLE ONE. I DID NOT VOTE FOR HIM I TAKE IT YOU DID. WE PAY HIS PAYCHECK AND HE GETS A HELL OF A PAY CHECK ALONG WITH ALL THE OTHER GOVERNMENT AND STATE PEOPLE SO YES THE PICTURE (WHO WOULD WANT ONE) SHOULD BE FOR FREE. HE HAS THROW THIS OUR COUNTRY IN QUICK SAND AND PEOPLE WANT TO PAY TO EAT AND HAVE THEIR PICTURE WITH HIM..HAVE A GOOD TIME WHOEVER GOES. GLAD IT IS NOT ME..ERIN OUGHT TO BE EMBARRASSED..SHOWS WHAT KIND OF POLITICIAN HE IS..

Friday, Jul 11 at 6:30 PM Jennifer wrote ...

I agree with Joke !!!

Friday, Jul 11 at 1:58 PM vonster wrote ...

Hey CH: How about the same people who pay whenever a Democrat does the same thing! FAIL

Friday, Jul 11 at 12:08 PM HAPPY TO BE IN USA wrote ...

IAM GLAD SOME OF YOU DON'T WANT TO GO, LEAVES MORE ROOM FOR THE REST OF US

Friday, Jul 11 at 11:51 AM ME RT(R) wrote ...

They are charging so much for the picture because they are raising the money for Aaron, not because he's worth that much. You all have to remember that. I won't pay that much for a dinner or a picture, so I'm not worried about it.

Friday, Jul 11 at 11:51 AM no fan wrote ...

I think lahood should speak for himself...peoria does NOT like bush, the worst president we ever had and i very seriously doubt he would be welcomed with opened arms. five hundred dollars can go towards more important things like cilco and gas! just my opinion

Friday, Jul 11 at 10:40 AM Erin wrote ...

i think you people are ridiculous. He is the president of OUR country. Do i agree w/ everything he does and sais... NO, but i still back him as the president of OUR country!

Friday, Jul 11 at 10:09 AM CH wrote ...

I WOULD LIKE YOU TO HAVE A STORY ABOUT WHO PAYS THE EXPENSES FOR SECURITY AND SUCH FOR THE FUNDRAISER

Friday, Jul 11 at 9:00 AM GC wrote ...

I was ready to vote for Schock (I am a democrat)but there is no way I will vote for him now!

Friday, Jul 11 at 7:41 AM THE AMERICAN PEOPLE wrote ...

JOKE IS RIGHT

Friday, Jul 11 at 6:00 AM Fed Up wrote ...

Shock must be desparate to agree to let Bush anywhere near. Shock isn't ready for the 'big league', and we certainly don't need any more career politicians like Shock.

Thursday, Jul 10 at 11:32 PM Just Me wrote ...

I wouldnt pay a nickel to see him

Thursday, Jul 10 at 10:59 PM LS wrote ...

And once again Colleen Callahan thinks this is all about her.

Thursday, Jul 10 at 9:25 PM Joke wrote ...

$5000.00 To get a photo with this guy? What a joke he should be honored to stand next to us not the other way around. We put him here right or wrong it's done. If I want my photo with him I shouldn't have to pay one dime. I'm an American and I pay taxes I shouldn't have to buy time to stand next to the President. He owes me the 30 seconds it would take and he owes us all a huge Thanks for all we do for this country.

Add a comment

Name:

Comment: 500 Characters Left

Comments are moderated and will not appear on this story until after they have been reviewed and deemed appropriate for posting.

WEEK News 25 and its affiliated companies are not responsible for the content of comments posted or for anything arising out of use of the above comments or other interaction among the users. We reserve the right to screen, refuse to post, remove or edit user-generated content at any time and for any or no reason in our absolute and sole discretion without prior notice, although we have no duty to do so or to monitor any Public Forum.

Most Popular

  • Obama's Health Care Plan
    Watch Video
  • Farm Bureau Endorses Aaron Schock
    Watch Video
  • Gordon Wins 92nd Race
    Watch Video
  • "A Smashing Success"
  • The 92nd District Heats Up
    Watch Video
This content requires the latest Adobe Flash Player and a browser with JavaScript enabled. Click here for a free download of the latest Adobe Flash Player.

Alexander Travel

When your journey from a dream to a great story includes us, you travel better.

Special Features

  • Week Your Health Matters Week Your Health Matters
  • Whos Hiring Whos Hiring
  • PSA PSA
  • Contests Contests
  • Buddy Check Buddy Check

On Demand

  • All Video All Video
  • News 25 @ Your Desk News 25 @ Your Desk
    Watch Video
  • RSS Feeds RSS Feeds
  • News 25 Notifier News 25 Notifier
  • Mobile Edition Mobile Edition

Stock Quotes

What's On TonightFull Schedule

7:00
Stand Up to Cancer
8:00
NFL Opening Kickoff 2008
9:00
Dateline NBC
Local Business Dir

Most Popular

  • Mackinaw Residents Saddened by the Loss of Town Grocery Store
    Watch Video
  • Schock Urges Republicans To Go After All Voters
    Watch Video
  • Water runoff and Sewage overflow into Illinois River
    Watch Video
  • Dunlap Valley Middle School
    Watch Video
  • Fire Reduces IGA Store to Rubble
    Watch Video
  • YouNewsTV: Mackinaw IGA burns to the ground
  • On The Move
    Watch Video
  • YouNewsTV: IGA Burns To The Ground
  • Hate Leaflets Found in Peoria Neighborhood
    Watch Video
  • Fatal Tazewell County Crash
    Watch Video

Poll

Bloomington-Normal Residents: How Do You Feel About the Twim Cities Crime Rate in the Past Four Years?

  • Crime is up
  • Crime is down
  • Crime is about the same
Copyright © 2008
WEEK, a Granite Broadcasting Station
Privacy Policy
Terms of Use
NBC
Powered by Broadcast Interactive Media.