Illinois's right-leaning Eighth District has felt like a parallel universe this election. The Democrat, Rep. Melissa Bean, is the one whose website barely mentions her party, and Bean promotes herself as an economic conservative and social moderate. Meanwhile, her opponent, Republican David McSweeney, has been touted by a parade of Republican heavy hitters, including the president, vice president, first lady, and House majority leader. "We even had Dan Quayle," McSweeney says proudly.

In a race that has already had more than its share of star power, both Rep. Melissa Bean and Republican challenger David McSweeney will turn to popular figures in their parties to give them a final boost before Election Day.

Illinois Republican David McSweeney suggested scrapping the congressional page program, citing Rep. Mark Foley's lurid electronic messages with former pages along with other scandals in the past.

Congressional Republicans gave Democratic Rep. Melissa Bean their "Sitting Duck" award in June as a sign of her vulnerability in this fall's election. But if a new Democratic poll is any indication, Bean will be sitting pretty come November.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce has endorsed Illinois Rep. Melissa Bean, crediting her business-friendly voting history with the group's relatively unusual decision to back a Democrat.