The Mike Bertelsen Project

A poll conducted by We Ask America for the 17th Congressional District has Bobby Schilling leading incumbent Phil Hare. 1250 people were used for the survey and a margin of error is at +/- 2.77%.

	AFFILIATION
	Total	Republican	Democrat	Independent
CHOICE FOR CONGRESS
(D) Phil Hare	38.41%	9.60%	73.09%	22.63%
(R) Bobby Schilling	41.15%	79.66%	8.75%	44.41%
(G) Roger Davis	3.85%	1.13%	2.84%	7.82%
Uncertain	16.60%	9.60%	15.32%	25.14%

If you notice... the party affiliation segment of the results is drawn very well. It is the independent block that comes into play. Schilling leads by 2.74%, within the margin of error.
This poll was conducted on September 8th.

The "uncertain factor" still has a chunk of independent uncertains (25.14%) and Democrats (15.32%). The Republicans are solidly in Schilling's corner. Hare, on the other hand, is having issues within his own party! With the uncertain independent and Democrat total at 40.46% respectively, this has the makings of one of he biggest upsets in the nation. This race has evolved into the national spotlight and will continue to do so. If the Republican structure can turn these poll results into money, more volunteers and a strong get out the vote campaign, Schilling will be taking the seat.

Bobby Schilling, Republican candidate for the 17th congressional seat in Illinois, is gaining attention. This is good for the candidate who has traveled the far reaches of the district to garner support among the voters. His strengths are with the common sense approach to government which means less spending and more attention to the free enterprise system.

The Weekly Standard published an article about the race and Schilling sure stands out. The incumbent Phil Hare has gone along with all the Obama proposals. The article mentions economic philosophies, but about the only philosophy Hare has shown is to go along with Obama.

This will be a race to watch.

The Mercer County Republican Central Committee held their Lincoln Day Dinner at the Mercer County VFW in Aledo on Saturday, February 20th. We were honored to have as our guest speaker, Robert Enriquez, Republican for Secretary of State. Mr. Enriquez spoke about the great free market and enterprise system in America. We take our freedom too much for granted and we must always take a moment to reflect on our freedom and just how important and cherished it is.

Mr Enriquez announced that if elected, he has chosen Andy Andrejewski, who ran for Governor, to coduct a forensic audit of the Secretary of State's operations. His sound management style will be a welcome change to Illinois. We thank Robert for his commitment to the Republican Party in Illinois.

Bobby Schilling, 17th Congressional Candidate also spoke along with all of us local candidates. We appreciate the kind support.












Pictures: above, left: Bobby Schilling, right: Robert Enriquez
below: left:BillHanford, Bobby Schilling campaign coordinator and Vicki Bull, candidate for Mercer County Clerk
right: Vicki Bull and Mike Bertelsen, Mercer County Treasurer and
Mercer County GOP Chairman

Oakview Country Club was the location for the meet and greet with Bobby Schilling, Republican candidate for the 17th district, U.S. House. A good contingent of folks braved the weather on January 25th to hear what Bobby had to say. I had the honor of introducing Bobby, as I have known Bobby for about a year.

Bobby's town hall meeting thus far on health care have received a very positive response. Bobby has also received more campaign contributions in Q4 of 2009 than his democrat incumbent opponent.

Other candidates that were there included me for Mercer County Treasurer, Vicki Bull for Mercer County Clerk and Jason Soseman for Mercer County Sheriff. County Board member Bob Vickrey, who is running for re-election was there along with Jason Connell who is running for Mercer County Board within the city limits of Aledo, the Mercer County seat.

The issues we face today are more serious than in 2008. Be sure to watch the State of the Union on Wednesday the 27th.

Bobby Schilling, Republican candidate for the 17th Congressional District, has announced a jobs tour to support his efforts to bring jobs to the 17th district. Schilling's primary goal is meting with concerned citizens, community leaders and employers throughout the district. This is the first of many job tours Schilling will conduct throughout the district.

The schedule is as follows:

Monday, December 28th

9 a.m. Erie
11 a.m. Sterling
2 p.m. Kewannee
3 p.m. Cambridge
4 p.m. Orion
5 p.m. Moline

Tuesday, December 29th

9 a.m. Canton
11 a.m. Abingdon
12 p.m. Roseville
1 p.m. Monmouth
2 p.m. Stronghurst
3 p.m. Oqkuaka
4 p.m. Galesburg

Wednesday, December 30th

9 a.m. Lewistown
10:30 a.m. Bushnell
11:30 a.m. Macomb
2 p.m. La Harpe
3 p.m. Carthage

Monday, January 4th

9 a.m. Decatur
11 a.m. Springfield
12:30 p.m. Chatham
2 p.m. Carlinville
3 p.m. Litchfield
4 p.m. Gillespie
4:45 p.m. Mt. Olive

Tuesday, January 5th

9 a.m. Pana
11 a.m. Ramsey
1 p.m. Staunton

Wednesday, January 6th

8 a.m. Quincy
1 p.m. Aledo
2 p.m. Rock Island
3 p.m. Colona
4 p.m. East Moline


Bobby Schilling is a local business owner AND has 13 years labor union experience.

Bobby Schilling, Republican candidate for the U.S. House, 17th District in Illinois, had two town hall meetings recently. On Tuesday night in Aledo and Wednesday night in Quincy. Bobby's meetings were about health care reform. He showed the bill, which weighs in at about ten pounds!

Bobby basically wants to see those with private health insurance coverage be able to keep it. He also would like to see tort reform involved with the legislation.

Quincy Herald Whig story

Schilling Holds Standing Room Only Health Care Town Hall Forum

ALEDO, IL--Bobby Schilling, Republican candidate for the 17th Congressional District of Illinois, held a town hall forum to discuss the current state of our health care system, at the Livermore Restaurant in Aledo. Over 40 people gathered to discuss medicare, medicaid, end of life decisions, tort reform and portability of health care.

"It is not in anyone's interest to put Washington bureaucrats in between patients and their doctors," said Bobby Schilling, "This bill does just that. It doesn't address necessary changes that will truly lower costs such as opening up competition nationally instead of state to state, health care savings accounts and tort reform."

"It meant a lot to have a candidate take time to come hear our concerns," said Mike McCutchan, resident of Mercer County, "After last night, I know that Bobby really cares about our thoughts and concerns regarding our health care system."

Bobby Schilling is a native of Rock Island, Illinois. He is a local business owner, father of nine and a candidate for U.S. Congress. For more information about Bobby Schilling please visit his website at www.bobby2010.com.

Jonathan Wallace is setting up a question and answer session with Republican 17th Congressional District candidate Bobby Schilling. This is tenative, but put Thursday, July 9 on your calendar. This is planned at the Moline Public Library at 6 PM.

See Jonathan's blog for more information.

On Saturday, June 27, the Rock Island Republican Central Committee held their upper Rock Island County event at the Civic Center in Cordova. This is the second year for this and it was a great time. Bobby Schilling, candidate for the U.S. House was there and spoke about getting the 17th District back to a more stable foundation to keep and provide jobs. State Representative Jerry Mitchell from Dixon adressed the gathering and mentioned that the state legislature goes back to Springfield to hopefully get the capital plan in place. The Democrats are holding it up since Governor Quinn decided to take on House Speaker Madigan, at the expense of much needed projects around the state.

Eric Wallace announced his candidacy for the U.S. Senate. I like Eric. we first met at the Illinois State GOP Convention in Decatur last year. I extended my support and I hope you do too.

The event was hosted by Rich and Betsy Morthland. Rich is a member of the Rock Island County Board, having won his seat last year. I thank them for their hospitality and friendship.

Pictures: left, Rich Morthaland and Johnathan Wallace; center, Me and Bobby Schilling; right, State Representative Jerry Mitchell