By Hal Dardick and Jim Tankersley
A potential Democratic challenger is trying to turn Rep. Jerry Weller's silence into a golden opportunity for his not-yet-official campaign.
Weller (R-Ill.) returned to Washington this week - after a week-long absence to care for his one-year-old daughter - but maintained his refusal to comment about questions surrounding his real estate investments in Nicaragua, which the Tribune outlined in a story last week.
Back in Weller's congressional district outside Chicago today, the continued silence drew fire a community college president who plans to run for the Democratic nomination to face the congressman.
“First, why have you or your staff not answered the questions raised in the Tribune article?” asked Jerry Weber, president of Kankakee Community College. “Second, when will you explain to the people of the 11th District what you’ve been doing in Central America?”
Weber, 56, of Bourbonnais, released his statement on stationary that read “Jerry Weber, Democrat for Congress,” but said a formal announcement of his congressional run won’t come until next month, when he will outline his platform. If he follows through, it will be his first run for public office, he said.
Today, Weber said he was more concerned with the questions surrounding Weller than himself.
“We know that voters are cynical about what goes on in Washington, but now they must also wonder what their congressman is doing outside this country,” he said. “We must add to these questions the most important one: how is Jerry Weller serving the citizens of the 11th District?”
Weber said he had not tried to contact Weller directly to ask him the questions he posed at his press conference, but he vowed “to pose these questions to him until he does answer.”
He added, “These are serious questions raised in that Tribune article, and they need to be addressed.”
Weller declined to comment for the Tribune report and has declined follow-up requests for comment this week. His office did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Weber's remarks this afternoon.
• 
• 
• 
Comments
"OH WELLER"
Negreponte Says its not me or my death squads this time.
Ollie North, has nothing to say, he's still shredding old White House correspondence.
Noriega, says its not me this either. I have nothing, I swear. I served my time, and I still can't tell the American People my side of the story. It wasn't my planes that......Seeeeeeeeee.
But Weller will.
Mr. Weller is now Mr. September aka Mr. Distractor for the silenced General Patreaus (enough already).
Democrats let him go his wife will tell the truth and nothing but the truth and stand by him.
Ceasar, Where Aut Thy Ceasar!
Now there's some National Political Reconciliation in the GOP Party!
BIG POPPY GEORGE SAID WHAT I SAY GO! WELLER!
But hey Condi Rice is back, Diplomatically we can all feel safer.
Posted by: Roger Morris | September 12, 2007 5:37 PM
THE Jerry Weber?
You know "Swamp" reporters are biased when they start giving free publicity to Democrats this obscure.
Posted by: Bruce | September 12, 2007 6:43 PM
OK Brucey, let me explain this to you.
"The Swamp" is the Tribune's blog on politics. As a blog, therefore, the reporters are free to bring up points for blog members to discuss. If you want to read the facts, then stick to the articles in the paper (or, in your case, watch Fox News). The bloggers here come to discuss the topic at hand. Not to determine the "impartiality" of the the Trib reporter posting the main item.
Posted by: BobinATL | September 13, 2007 9:33 AM
I wonder if he used any earmarks to improve the value of the property - just like Hastert did for his property west of St. Charles 2 years ago.
Posted by: BC | September 13, 2007 11:45 AM