Bernard Schoenburg: Callahan says she's not a professional politician
COLLEEN CALLAHAN, the Democrat appointed by party officials to take on state Rep. AARON SCHOCK, R-Peoria, for the U.S. House seat from the 18th Congressional District, didn't duck when asked to compare herself to Schock at a Statehouse appearance this week.
The 57-year-old farm broadcaster, asked how she can convince voters to pick her over Schock, talked of her time with WMBD radio in Peoria, and how she is someone who "served her employer for 30 years, stayed at one place that entire time, educating, informing, communicating, representing."
She said she gave two years' notice before leaving to form her own consulting firm, providing time for training a successor.
"That's commitment," Callahan said. "That's reliability. That's responsibility. That's everyday, real-world life experiences … That's the differentiation."
So, what was she saying exactly about Schock?
"What I'm saying is that I have no intention of becoming a professional politician," Callahan said.
Asked if she was saying Schock is in that category, she responded, "It would appear that way so far. The career path would read that way."
"My hope is to use the political process to become a public servant, and to not use the position as a stepping stone or as a resting place."
Schock, 26, told later of Callahan's comments, said they are "the same theme" that his two GOP primary opponents - both older than him - used in the contest that Schock easily won on Feb. 5.
"I'm going to run on who I am, what I've done in office … and what I stand for," Schock said. "And I think … the voters will see the two of us and see that I'm the best … candidate to represent their values and be a productive member of Congress."
"The idea that she's held a position for 30 years or whatever, that's great," he added. "But I'm not sure that makes you a great elected official."
Schock said he's been employed in the private sector since before finishing college and until he took a leave of absence as director of development and construction for The Petersen Companies in Peoria to run for Congress. He worked mostly on hotel development there. He also said his four years on the Peoria School Board were unpaid, and about being a professional politician, Schock said, "I don't know how you're a career anything at 26 years old."
Schock also noted that he admires the work done by some people with long political careers, including U.S. Rep. RAY LaHOOD, R-Peoria, who is not seeking re-election, creating the opening in the 18th; and LaHood's predecessor, former U.S. House GOP Leader BOB MICHEL.
He referred to the presidential race of U.S. Sen. BARACK OBAMA, D-Ill., as he wondered rhetorically if Callahan wasn't criticizing Democratic primary voters who "don't seem too slow to nominate somebody who's served three years in the U.S. Senate to be their presidential nominee."
Callahan, by the way, said she shares respect for LaHood -- and while she's always pulled Democratic primary ballots, she and her husband, DICK BURNS, hosted a LaHood fundraiser at their farm in Kickapoo in 2006.
"Clearly, we're Democrats," she said, but they were "happy to do this because we believe in Ray and how he has served the agricultural community."
Does raising money for a Republican hurt her standing as a Democrat?
"I think it speaks well for my credentials in that the true spirit of good government is bipartisanship and to reach across the aisle, to make the kinds of things happen that are expected to happen within your district," Callahan said. "You can't do it effectively any other way."
Callahan was at the Statehouse to call for an end to the war in Iraq on its five-year anniversary, and came equipped with what many first-time congressional candidates might not have -- a picture of herself with troops in Iraq.
That's because Callahan, who has been president of the National Association of Farm Broadcasters, was invited for her role as a journalist on the 2003 trip of then-Secretary of Agriculture ANN VENEMAN. Callahan had recently started her own company, and paid her own way after being invited by Veneman, who was the first woman U.S. agriculture secretary.
Callahan also said that when she got into farm broadcasting in the 1970s, the ag industry was "completely dominated by men."
"I wasn't there in agriculture to prove a point," she said. "I was there because it was my genuine interest to broadcast, and to learn from others and then to share what I was learning with others on an everyday basis."
She said working in "an environment which is not necessarily everyday friendly" prepares a person for future tasks.
On Hill 'beautiful' list
A Jacksonville native working in Washington, D.C., for House Republicans and seeking her master's degree at George Washington University got some extra attention by being named one of the "50 most beautiful people on Capitol Hill" by the publication The Hill.
"The response has been really positive," said SARAH BARFIELD, 25, a staffer with the House Republican Policy Committee.
"I really did not expect the amount of attention I received from it. But it has been very positive, so no complaints. … The day it came out (and) several days thereafter, it was just crazy."
That was back in July, and I'm reporting it now because a colleague recently brought it to my attention.
Barfield's job involves research on issues, and her seven issue areas include agriculture and small business. She also handles some press duties.
A 2001 grad of Jacksonville High, Barfield graduated from the University of Missouri at Columbia in political science and communication, with minors in Spanish and public service. She got to Washington through an internship with U.S. Sen. KIT BOND, R-Mo., after working on his re-election campaign. She said she "fell in love" with Capitol Hill and D.C.
After finishing her degrees at Mizzou in 2006, she got a full-time position working for then-U.S. Sen. JIM TALENT, R-Mo., but he lost his position to U.S. Sen. CLAIRE McCASKILL, D-Mo. Barfield was out of a job, but able to join the House GOP policy committee that is led by Rep. THADDEUS McCOTTER, R-Mich.
"It's kind of like the internal think tank for the House of Representatives," Barfield said.
Barfield was Morgan County Fair Queen in 2003, and during college, was twice in the Miss Missouri USA contest. She placed in the top 15 once, and got an honorable mention -- meaning she was in the top 17 -- the other time.
So, does winning praise for her appearance cause anyone to give less credence to her thoughts?
"I have never had any problems with being taken seriously," she said. "All of my colleagues are extremely professional, and I think my work speaks for itself."
She is daughter of STEVE BARFIELD and DONA BARFIELD.
She said her master's in legislative affairs should be done sometime in 2008, and as for her future, "I'd like to play it by ear."
"I definitely am thinking of moving home at some point, back to central Illinois or Missouri," she said. "But for the long term, I am trying to keep all my options open."
As for running for an office herself, she said, the idea is "not out of the question at all."
Bernard Schoenburg is political columnist for The State Journal-Register. He can be reached at (217) 788-1540 or bernard.schoenburg@sj-r.com.