Fact Check: New Phil Hare Ad Factually Bankrupt

From the Schilling for Congress campaign (17th District)…

“On Our Side” commercial cites a survey that Schilling never took

EAST MOLINE, IL–Congressman Phil Hare has released another baseless attack ad against Bobby Schilling. The claims in the commercial are so misleading one might call them “factually bankrupt.”

The commercial cites the Project Vote Smart survey to claim “Bobby Schilling refuses to let Medicare negotiate volume discounts on prescriptions. Maybe he thinks it’s not fair to the drug companies.”

There are two major problems with this claim.

First, Bobby Schilling never actually took the survey in question.

Second, Project Vote Smart clearly displays a disclaimer on their website disallowing campaigns from using their data for campaign activities. The disclaimer reads: “Project Vote Smart does not permit the use of its name or programs in any campaign activity, including advertising, debates, and speeches.” The Hare campaign clearly violated this disclaimer by citing Project Vote Smart in “On Our Side.”

The commercial also stated that “Phil’s always protected our Medicare and our Social Security.” This is patently false. Rep. Hare voted for H.R. 3590 “The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act” which cut $500 billion from Medicare. He also voted to raid Social Security by $47 million when he voted for H.R. 1586.

Terry Schilling, campaign manager, said that broadcasting this type of deception is a disservice to voters in the 17th District.

“Phil Hare has not been a defender of Medicare and Social Security,” Schilling said. “In fact, he has voted to strip nearly half a trillion dollars from Medicare and has repeatedly raided the Social Security budget. At this point, one has to wonder if the Hare campaign is just going to make stuff up for the next four weeks as a last ditch effort to save a failing Congressman. It’s a shame they’re resorting to such scummy tactics, but I guess they’re out of options – it’s not like they can talk about his failed record.”

Bobby Schilling, a native of Rock Island, graduated from Alleman High School and attended Black Hawk College. Schilling, a local business owner, is the Republican candidate for the 17th Congressional District in Illinois. Bobby is running on a platform of bringing jobs and real representation back to the 17th District. Earlier this year, Schilling conducted a 34-city “Bob’s for Jobs” tour, where he met with voters and employers all across the 17th District. Schilling was recently named an official ‘Young Gun’ by the National Republican Congressional Committee in their Young Guns program of top tiered races.

For more information about Bobby Schilling, please visit his website at www.bobby2010.com.


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