Lauzen puts no stock in poll funded by Oberweis

A new poll commissioned by Jim Oberweis' congressional campaign shows the dairy magnate commanding a double-digit lead over GOP rival Chris Lauzen.

Conducted by Republican pollsters McLaughlin & Associates, the poll shows 46 percent of voters choosing Oberweis and 34 percent favoring Lauzen; the rest were undecided. It is based on a survey taken Dec. 18 and 19 of 300 likely voters in the Feb. 5 Republican primary for the 14th Congressional District.

When asked to qualify their opinion of each candidate, 66 percent said they have a favorable opinion of Oberweis, compared to 49 percent for Lauzen. The survey has a margin of error of plus or minus 5.7 percentage points.

Lauzen doesn't take much stock in the results.

"I would challenge Oberweis to release the entire methodology so you and others can evaluate it," Lauzen said. "Many times people can pay to get the result that they want."

Oberweis' campaign spokesman refused to release the entire poll.

The poll is a marked improvement for Oberweis over the one he commissioned in October, which showed the two neck and neck.

Hastert on the stump: Meanwhile, the man Oberweis and Lauzen are trying to replace stumped for Republican presidential hopeful Mitt Romney in Iowa this week. But even with former House Speaker Dennis Hastert's help, the former Massachusetts governor finished in a disappointing second place. In a phone interview a few hours before the caucus, Hastert said Romney has "the ability to win a presidential election and be a good president."

"I worked with Rudy (Giuliani), I've worked with (John) McCain," Hastert said. "Not to take anything away from those guys, but I think Romney is the guy that can win and be a great president."

He touted Romney's success overseeing the 2002 Olympic Winter Games in Salt Lake City, where the two first met when Hastert was serving as honorary chairman of the Games.

Before Romney took over, the Games were "steeped in crisis," Hastert said. "He stepped in as a volunteer, put his name on the line, made it one of the most successful Olympics in recent years. He has the ability to bring people to the table and get things done."

Foster, Laesch endorsements: Two of the Democrats seeking to replace Hastert trumpeted additional endorsements this week. Bill Foster earned the backing of several Republicans, including former Newark Mayor Roger Ness. Foster is also endorsed by Kane County Board members Gerry Jones, Bonnie Lee Kunkel and Rudy Neuberger, and Aldermen Chuck Brown of Geneva, Mike Saville of Aurora and Jim Volk of Batavia.

John Laesch, meanwhile, announced he is supported by VETPAC, the Veterans Alliance for Security and Democracy, the Independent Voters of Illinois-Independent Precinct Organization, the United Auto Workers, Region 4, and best-selling Chicago writer Studs Terkel.

Also running are Democrats Joe Serra and Jotham Stein and Republican Michael Dilger.