Joe Walsh Slams Opponent For Child Support Questions, Defends Herman Cain

U.S. Rep. Joe Walsh (R-Ill.) is vowing to make the race for Illinois' 14th District "issues-driven" after a poll taken by his GOP opponent questioned voters about his personal life.

Walsh has repeatedly denied claims made by his ex-wife that he owes her more than $100,000 in unpaid child support, but he has yet to make his case in court. Meanwhile, Walsh's GOP opponent in the 14th District, Rep. Randy Hultgren, has taken a poll to determine how Walsh's personal baggage might hurt him politically.

The Daily Herald reports:

Hultgren campaign spokesman Andrew Flach declined to release a script of the poll, but said “as far as the language is concerned, we only tested on things that were already in the media. We didn’t break new ground.”

Yet, after hearing from constituents that the poll contained a number of questions on child support and his financial past, Walsh is calling the effort a “push poll” — a political campaign technique designed to influence voters by disseminating negative and false information — and evidence of a dirty campaign.

“If he raises his voice and calls into question who I am as a father, I’ll punch him in the face, figuratively speaking,” Walsh told the Daily Herald.

The race for the 14th District is expected to be among the most watched in the country, and Walsh wants to keep personal issues out of it -- for obvious reasons. He told the suburban Chicago newspaper that he would sign a pledge to make his campaign against the low-key Hultgren "issues driven."

As Walsh dealt with the backlash of his own dirty laundry, he joined a chorus of House Republicans in dismissing sexual harassment allegations against GOP presidential hopeful Herman Cain.

“Tell us what it is and then let’s move on and talk about what you’re doing for the country,” Rep. Joe Walsh (R-Ill.) said of the allegations against Cain, according to the Washington Post. “Everybody’s got stuff. Your profession’s got to grow up. We as politicians need to grow up. The American people need to grow up.”

Walsh's pretrial conference in his child support lawsuit is scheduled for next week.

Comments

[Jerry Troutman]

11:18 AM on 11/21/2011

Another Tea bagger.Gets an award from some "family values group" as "true blue member" and he crows about it.He will get his day in court about his child support.Just show the court that you paid your support.If not,then cuffed,placed in jail.

[DrBill0620]

10:28 AM on 11/11/2011

He needs therapy - mental health counseling and serious therapy urgently.

Sad part, he doesn't have a clue - paints himself as the victim here - typical - and dangerous...

[kingalbert4u]

08:55 PM on 11/09/2011

This guy should go see a psychiatrist to unfortunately see if he's fit to finish his term.This is not the behavior of an elected official.If this guy is that enraged when he's hungry,imagine dealing with him when he's pissed-off.Lord have mercy!

[Nikkiru]

06:57 PM on 11/06/2011

The Family Research Council cited him for his "unwavering support of the family?"

I guess it's true: irony really is dead.

[thepoliticalcat]

02:21 AM on 11/07/2011

And it died a sad, lonely, unmarked, uncommemorated, yet slow and painful death.

I encourage all Christians who feel that such an award is unacceptable to write/email the Family Research Council and let them know how they feel. Thank you for your assistance in this matter. You can reach them at their Web site: https://www.frc.org/get.cfm?c=CHECKOUT&dmy=7CE55CF7-9B91-5EC0-3EFC5CDC67CAEEF0&CFID=11474916&CFTOKEN=4bd86f1804e44781-7CE55A64-EC7C-F651-7C8CC8002970AD48

Alternatively, you can write them at:

Washington D.C.:
Family Research Council
801 G Street, NW
Washington, D.C. 20001

Or telephone/fax them at:

Washington D.C.:
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]

[fredsmom]

12:04 PM on 11/09/2011

Te Family Research Council is an extremest right wing organization that is anti Planned Parenthood, anti choice, anti gay rights. They are not what their name implies and they voted for Walsh because he voted agains all the above not because he is a good father - which clearly he is not.

[Helloise]

09:23 AM on 11/06/2011

Don't count the scrappy Walsh out; I hear he's making big gains in the deadbeat dad vote.

[JMiler]

01:54 PM on 11/05/2011

Walsh or Hultgren? Who cares as they are both Republicans sworn to do nothing for anyone but the 1%. Does it matter who sets in Congress if all they are accomplishing is naming post offices that will probably be closed or passing redundant unnecessary abortion bills rather than pass any jobs bills. Walsh is a loud mouthed embarrassment but Hulgren has been setting on his hands also so throw them both out and save the money. No representation is no representation when you are talking Republicans.

[fredsmom]

12:06 PM on 11/09/2011

That is why it is important to back the Democratic opponent - with money if you got it, phone calls or emails or anything else you can do. We need to vote these bums out of every district and get back to where America is supposed to be.

[mamadeus]

08:33 PM on 11/15/2011

Are you in the 14th also? I am going to work against them with everything I've got. He needs to be picketed and exposed for who he is.

[KadejaLatefah]

08:31 AM on 11/05/2011

you can try to dismiss the fact that you owe child support, you can try to dismiss the fact that you harrassed employees - but it will never mean it isn't true. If you go back in history you may find there was an entire war built around brainwashing a people into believing they should eliminate another people. we won't let that happen again. thank goodness for the internet communication - one can run but they cannot hide. no one is asking for perfection-just for fairness. there is nothing fair about not paying child support. there is nothing fair about harrassing woman in the workplace.

[Wandaz]

03:42 PM on 11/04/2011

"“If he raises his voice and calls into question who I am as a father, I’ll punch him in the face, figuratively speaking"- this is a member of our Congress...sad. Folks on the right question who Obama is as a person and citizen, and he remains calm, classy, and free from Walsh's brand of petulant rhetoric.

[KadejaLatefah]

08:33 AM on 11/05/2011

agreed. I did not vote for obama the 1st time but i am in full support of him now. i have never been a party-line voter -choosing instead to vote for individuals who merited my vote. unfortunately there are too many politicians who are willing to support others who have inflicted criminal harm - and I will not be a party to that.

[margoharris]

12:28 PM on 11/06/2011

Welcome to the light.

[yoyoming]

03:24 PM on 11/04/2011

Voters in the 14th District -- would you please vote this guy out ASAP -- before he embarrasses you anymore??

[jbad]

12:11 PM on 11/04/2011

Joe Walsh is a hypocritical big mouth who contradicts himself and dn deliver for his district. As a big mouth he is perfect for the job in the house of reps. but the 14th dn deserve an idiot like him. Not showing up and representing his constituents as the last Congress was called was imbecilic and not respectful to his voters or the the President of the U.S. That is why he will lose the next election and possibly the district for the GOP.

[pmc617]

11:46 AM on 11/04/2011

Irony of ironies - This mope was given an award by the Family Research Council Action Committee as a "True Blue" family guy. As long as you vote against women, gays, and health care you are a "True Blue" member of the Family Research Council.

He has yet to create a job for Illinois.

[KadejaLatefah]

08:35 AM on 11/05/2011

the only job he is worried about is keeping his. too bad his government paycheck isn't being garnihsed for his child support

[Paul Conrad]

11:26 AM on 11/04/2011

I guess when Joe Walsh says he paid his child support, he was "figuratively speaking" too.

[catboycolo]

10:29 AM on 11/04/2011

Is that why you no longer have a family, joe? You punched them in the face when they disagreed with you? (figuratively speaking, of course)

[margoharris]

12:29 PM on 11/06/2011

No he left his wife and kids for his young mistress.

[catboycolo]

03:24 PM on 11/06/2011

I would say that is figuratively punching your family in the face.

[Minnehaha]

10:28 AM on 11/04/2011

Joe Walsh is a sad piece of work, a very sad piece of work, a man that doesn't honor his children, voted into the halls of congress! Has anyone checked the water in his congressional district, it must be tainted with slim!

[little bob]

10:28 AM on 11/04/2011

Joe's kids don't have a child support problem, they have a SPENDING problem. They're just looking for a handout. What a bunch of deadbeats....sheesh. Why won't people leave poor Joe alone? He's working so hard to find cameras to get in front of....

[littleblackcat]

01:25 PM on 11/04/2011

Great turn-around-and-in-your-face comment! Sums up the entire republicant party.

[KadejaLatefah]

08:36 AM on 11/05/2011

please say you are joking? you are right?

[margoharris]

12:31 PM on 11/06/2011

He is joking but.....Can you see them saying it? I can.

[little bob]

11:56 AM on 11/08/2011

Joking, yes. To make a serious point...