Dold Rejects GOP Extremism

Rejecting the Tea Party conservatism which led to a 16-day shutdown of the federal government last month, former Rep. Robert Dold (R-Kenilworth) opened his campaign office today in Libertyville in his effort to regain the 10th Congressional District seat he lost to Rep. Brad Schneider (D-Deerfield) a year ago.

Dold greeted more than 300 people during a three-hour open house today as people scurried around with nominating petitions which are due next month. He also talked about what he would have done had he been representing the District as the shutdown neared.

“I was against using the Affordable Care Act as a wedge,” Dold said. “The President (Barack Obama) was never going to sign it. I would have focused on things we could pass in a bipartisan House (Senate Majority Leader) Harry Reid (D-NV) was against (and) we could have gotten (through negotiation).”

During his term in the House of Representatives, Dold frequently criticized Reid and the Senate Democrats for failing to pass a financial plan as he voted twice for budget crafted by Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI).

Dold felt then it was important to have the Senate and House resolve their fiscal differences. Then the country could have a permanent spending plan which would negate the continuing resolutions that led to the shutdown and frequent brinksmanship during his term. He was criticized then but felt it was the best option available that could pass.

“I voted to support the Republican budget proposal because this blueprint provides a clear vision of what this country needs to do to get our skyrocketing debt and deficits under control and put us back on a path to prosperity,” Dold said in March, 2012. “I appreciate the importance of both looking at the big picture and the pragmatic need to find a way to get things done.”  

In March, the upper chamber passed a budget significantly different from the one authored by Ryan. Republican House leadership never made the effort to meet with their Senate colleagues to agree on a final plan.

“I reject that. The Senate and House are supposed to come together and resolve their differences. That’s how it’s supposed to work,” Dold said. “I’m glad to see Paul Ryan and (Sen.) Patty Murray (D-WA) are going to get together and work out their differences.”

Dold also found time to talk about local issues, particularly Wal-Mart’s decision Friday to withdraw its application with the Village of Northbrook to put a store at 1000 Skokie Blvd. “I believe in local control,” he said. “Northbrook didn’t want it. Now maybe another town will.”