Our very own Obama-Romney race

Our newspaper has received many letters endorsing either Barack Obama or Mitt Romney. Some local residents even have posted presidential campaign signs.

But that won't have any effect on the race's outcome. Illinois is not a swing state; it's decidedly in the Democratic column, with its electoral votes going to Obama. A Republican hasn't won the Land of Lincoln since 1988.

Romney has no hope of prevailing here, just as Obama has no chance in Texas.

Rest assured, though, voters in the 17th Congressional District, which includes Whiteside County, have a mini-Obama-Romney race. Rep. Bobby Schilling, R-Colona, generally agrees with Romney, while Cheri Bustos, D-East Moline, is aligned with Obama.

Lee County, which is in the 16th Congressional District, doesn't have a real race. Rep. Adam Kinzinger, R-Manteno, is far ahead. He has raised nearly $2 million, much more than the $34,000 raised by his Democratic opponent, Wanda Rohl, D-Ottawa.

The Democrats aren't putting up a fight in that district, which was designed for Republicans.

So you don't see much about that race. At the same time, Schilling, Bustos and their allies are blanketing our airwaves.

If you happen to catch a radio or TV ad for Romney or Obama, you're probably tuned into an Iowa or Wisconsin station. Those are actual battlegrounds.

David Giuliani is a reporter for Sauk Valley Media. He can be reached at dgiuliani@saukvalley or at 800-798-4085, ext. 525.