Even GOP rep. likes Obama

6TH DISTRICT | Roskam's Web site plays up his links to top Democrat

How worried are GOP congressmen in the western suburbs that a Democratic Barack Obama tidal wave will wash them away Tuesday?

Freshman Rep. Peter Roskam -- who supports Republican John McCain over Obama -- has launched ObamaVotersForRoskam.com.

The Web site opens with an Obama quote: "I'm a member of the mutual admiration society with Sen. Roskam. He is always terrific."

Roskam's opponent, former U.S. Army Reserve Col. Jill Morgenthaler, notes the quote is part of a larger one in which Obama explains he disagrees with Roskam.

Roskam is on the opposite side of "virtually every issue" -- the Iraq war, abortion, tax cuts for the wealthy, the bank bailout -- from Obama and Morgenthaler, she said.

"Roskam would continue President Bush's failed policies and [Obama] is supporting Jill Morgenthaler for Congress," Obama spokesman Ben LaBolt said.

Roskam's spokesman said the Web site was appropriate because 30 percent of Roskam supporters are voting for Obama.

Roskam represents the traditionally Republican 6th Congressional District, which sent Henry Hyde to Washington for decades.

But Democrat Tammy Duckworth came within two points of taking it two years ago. Duckworth had $8 million and strong support from national Democrats.

Morgenthaler has only $750,000 and no national buzz. But she will have Obama's coattails.

Republicans blame Illinois' "Obamamania" for Democrat Bill Foster's surprise win next door in Denny Hastert's old district earlier this year. The scientist and businessman is hoping to prevail in his rematch with Republican dairy magnate Jim Oberweis on Tuesday.

Morgenthaler has a longer resume than Duckworth. A veteran of Iraq and Bosnia, Morgenthaler went eyeball-to-eyeball with Gen. David Petraeus to try to get funding to train Iraqi woman to fight. Morgenthaler was drafted for the unpleasant task of being the Army's spokesperson on the Abu Ghraib scandal, she said.

Returning from the war, Morgenthaler was chosen to be what she calls Illinois' "Homeland Security Adviser." But Roskam notes her formal title was Gov. Rod Blagojevich's "Deputy Chief of Staff for Public Safety."

Roskam translates that in his attack ads against her as "Blagojevich's crony."

Morgenthaler took aim at Roskam over his support for a bill to ban Playboy on Army bases. His bill would have covered much more, including the advertisement Roskam ran of himself in his first race of him in a Speedo, she said.

Roskam, a lawyer and former state senator, touts his work keeping BP from polluting Lake Michigan in his commercials.

Next door in the 13th Congressional District, 10-year Republican incumbent Judy Biggert faces Democratic Internet entrepreneur Scott Harper, who calls her a "rubber-stamp" for President Bush. Biggert considers herself a moderate who opposes Bush on some social issues. She also faces Green Party software engineer Steve Alesch.