SPRINGFIELD - A Bloomington man's friend has started a Web site urging him to take on U.S. Rep. Tim Johnson, R-Urbana, in a bid for Congress.
The Web site www.draftadam.com is aimed at Republican Adam Kinzinger in order to "draft" him into a 2008 campaign for the 15th Congressional District.
But Kinzinger, a National Guard pilot stationed in Milwaukee who maintains residence in Bloomington, isn't sure he's ready to run.
"It's interesting," Kinzinger said. "To be honest with you, I'm listening."
Kinzinger says a friend, Tim Norman, is responsible for the anonymous site. It lists basic information about Kinzinger and a form to submit for potential volunteers.
Johnson spokesman Phil Bloomer said he was surprised to learn of the site, saying Johnson was a friend of the Kinzinger family.
Kinzinger, 29, was elected twice to the McLean County board before resigning in 2003 because of his military service. His father, Rus, lost a bid for state Senate against Republican state Sen. Bill Brady in 2002.
Johnson hasn't faced a primary opponent since he was first elected in 2000. Kinzinger said he was upset by Johnson's vote for a non-binding resolution questioning the war in Iraq.
Kinzinger says Johnson should have backed President Bush. The Iraq war was a key campaign issue nationally in the 2006 election as Democrats took control of Congress.
Bloomer said that while the Johnson supports Bush, "he wanted to send a message that he's not happy with the execution of this war."
Bloomer noted that Johnson voted against a Democratic plan to set a timetable for the withdrawal of troops from Iraq.
Despite his displeasure, Kinzinger's congressional aspirations will be limited to the Web site for now.
"Obviously, I'm not going to jump into something I don't think I could win," he said.
