Billy Dennis admits he’s optimistic about Colleen Callahan’s chances of winning the 18th Congressional District seat in the U. S. House of Representatives this November:

Think about it: More than 700 people crowded into a basement of a tiny building on the outskirts of Kickapoo, Ill., to show their support for a woman whom all the experts say cannot win…. Laugh at my optimism if you must, but this has the makings of a people power movement, right here in the River City…. Election day is three months and two weeks away. A lot can happen in that time.

On the other hand, Monday’s Word on the Street (written this week entirely by Karen McDonald) offers a not-so-rosy picture of Callahan’s campaign:

Former Journal Star assignment editor Terry Towery was hired as Democratic congressional candidate Colleen Callahan’s press secretary, but now her news releases list him as campaign manager…. A changing of the guard so close to an election (it’s in November) is not common. In fact, it’s practically unheard of unless the campaign is in trouble….

The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee named Callahan to its list of 20 “emerging races” where candidates have generated excitement in their districts and are being watched…. But DCCC still doesn’t appear to be terribly interested.

DCCC recently…targeted three House seats with significant television ad buys at more than $1 million each…. The 18th Congressional District was not one of them.

Love him or hate him, Schock is going to win this election. Callahan is not a strong enough candidate to overcome the Schock juggernaut of money, gerrymandering, and demonstrably superior campaign strategy. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, I’m no fan of Aaron Schock, but if the kid can seriously suggest selling nukes to Taiwan and skate to a majority win in a three-way race, might as well start printing up stationery…. unless the Democrats put up a strong contender with a lot of national backing. Callahan is not that contender.