The candidates for U.S. Senate will face off in their first broadcast debate Wednesday night.
U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) has been trying to paint State Sen. Jim Oberweis (R-Sugar Grove) as a Tea Party Republican, claiming Oberweis wants to privatize Social Security and cut Medicare.
“My opponent, who may sell a lot of ice cream cones, but he sure doesn’t understand it when it comes to senior citizens,” Durbin said.
While Oberweis admits he agrees with certain Tea Party ideals like smaller government and lower taxes, he doesn’t use the label.
“If you ask anybody, any of my colleagues in the (Illinois) Senate, I think they will tell you that I’ve been very open to listening to the views not only of Republicans, but of Democrats as well,” Oberweis said.
Oberweis had originally asked for seven debates between himself and Durbin. Only two have been scheduled before Election Day.
