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In less than 24 hours, Mitt Romney and Rick Santorum have made campaign appearances in Rockford, IL – our family's personal back yard – ahead of the Tuesday primary. While polls show former Massachusetts Governor Romney in the lead, some also show former Pennsylvania Senator Santorum surging, which may explain the change in the Romney campaign schedule to make more appearances here in IL. There is no doubt that Romney is the front runner, and Santorum is a longer shot in the primaries. Still, having attended events for the three top Republican candidates for president – including former House Speaker Newt Gingrich in Rosemont, IL – it is worth noting that others in the media I spoke with believe that Santorum is going to make it a race of it with the Romney campaign in IL.

Congressman Don Manzullo is locked in a tight race with Adam Kinzinger, both of whom are seeking re-election in a state whose districts were re-drawn to pit one those Republicans against the other. They too will be on our local ballot.

We have word that Congressman Manzullo will be supporting HR 3849, which is the Manufactured Housing Institute (MHI) backed “Preserving Access to Manufactured Housing Act” bill that would relieve our industry of some of the burdens that currently exist under the SAFE Act and Dodd-Frank. Manzullo has a 'conservative' rating in the high 90s. Being new to this area, I can only say that local businessmen believe that Manzullo is pro-business, and at today's rally, I heard he from locals that Manzullo was strong for the 2^nd Amendment and other passionately conservative causes.

Before or after live campaign events, it is pretty common fare to see local/state political figures get introduced before the candidate and main speaker is brought to the stage. With the above in mind, it is interesting to note that Congressman Manzullo attended Rick Santorum's rally this morning in Rockford. If he attended the Mitt Romney event yesterday, I can only say that I didn't see him nor was Congressman Manzullo introduced.

Having listened to supporters of each of the top three Republican candidates, one of the things that each offered up was that they would support their party's nominee in the fall. Many felt this upcoming vote was the time to vote their values over the 'electability' question, which many attendees I spoke with felt was no question at all. The party faithful I spoke with feel that Republicans will carry the field, and that they will capture the Senate and keep the House too. Most I heard from don't buy the argument that President Obama is unbeatable. They know too many unemployed, too many harmed by federal over-reach in regulations, too many oppose Obamacare, high gas prices and the like.

Come the fall, the people will decide. But right now…

If you are living in IL or in LA or one of the state's where a primary is coming up, now is crucial time to dig past the 'anti-ads' being run by Super Pacs and look at the candidates and their issues.

Being a believer in free speech, I happen to think it is what it is when a Super PACs spew their super mud. So I also believe in taking those attack ads with more than a grain of salt, since they often distort a record in an attempt to make their favored candidate's opponent look bad.

Please take 10, look at each candidates website and vote your beliefs and conscience. The future climate for personal freedom and a pro-business climate in America are among the keys that we are voting on. # #