Inevitable: GOP Senate candidate applies for Palin endorsement
posted at 2:20 pm on November 4, 2009 by Ed Morrissey
Some political analysts have tried to cast the NY-23 special election results as a disaster for Sarah Palin, but not everyone has ignored the obvious power and momentum she brought to a previously-obscure candidate over the course of two weeks. The Washington Post’s Chris Cillizza confirms that Rep. Mark Kirk has written to Palin asking for her endorsement in the upcoming Senate race in Illinois for the seat now occupied by Democrat Roland Burris:
Illinois Rep. Mark Kirk penned a memo to Republican poobah Fred Malek hoping to secure an endorsement from former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin for his Senate candidacy, according to a copy of the memo obtained by the Fix.
After noting that Palin will be in Chicago later this month to appear on “Oprah”, Kirk writes that “the Chicago media will focus on one key issue: Does Gov[ernor] Palin oppose Congressman Mark Kirk’s bid to take the Obama Senate seat for the Republicans?”
Kirk goes on to write that he is hoping for something “quick and decisive” from Palin about the race, perhaps to the effect of: “Voters in Illinois have a key opportunity to take Barack Obama’s Senate seat. Congressman Kirk is the lead candidate to do that.”
Kirk hasn’t exactly made himself a darling of the conservative movement lately. The boss has written extensively on Kirk’s support for cap-and-trade and his vote for Waxman-Markey, as well as his back-and-forth on running for the Senate seat at all. It doesn’t make for an auspicious start. The excuse that he did it to pander to his district doesn’t help his cause, either:
Specifically — a video of Mr. Kirk’s speech is posted on YouTube — a congressman known for his pro-environmental stances said he voted the way he did on this issue because, “It was in the narrow interests of my congressional district.
“But,” he quickly added as some in the Republican crowd booed, “as your (senator), representing the entire state of Illinois, I would vote ‘no’ against the bill coming up, and that’s because we are manufacturing, agriculture and coal state.”
Not exactly a Profile in Conservative Courage, there. And his letter can be interpreted as less of a request than a demand or a dare, but even that only exists if Kirk acknowledges the power of Palin and her ability to create momentum for a candidate. Kirk obviously wants her endorsement to establish credibility with the Tea Party movement, where the energy of the national party exists. That makes hash of the argument that Palin somehow diminished herself by endorsing a conservative in a Congressional race that resulted in forcing a liberal Republican to withdraw at the end.
Will Palin endorse Kirk? I’m guessing that he’ll have to do a lot more groveling on the cap-and-trade issue first.
Update: Well, perhaps even more groveling, as DoublePlusUndead notes:
For starters, the guy isn’t just vaguely pro-choice like a few GOPers, the guy is rabidly pro-abortion, he’s got a 100% rating from the ghouls of NARAL and similar high ratings from Planned Parenthood.
On top of that, he’s also a gun-grabber, and has a D rating from the NRA. I remember reading that he was endorsed by the Brady Fascists at one point, so there’s another thing. (Actually, I’m seeing elsewhere he now has an F, but I don’t have anything solid, if anyone wants to confirm this, that’d be great)
On energy, Kirk voted to allow more refineries, but of course knocked down any efforts to actually tap for more oil and gas, voting to bar drilling in ANWR and offshore.
Actually, a lot more groveling.
Blowback
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God, don’t endorse him, Governor! NOOOOOO!
Enoxo on November 4, 2009 at 2:21 PM
Especially since Palin had her facebook concerning Cap and trade and more or less telling the POTUS to take is and shove it up that boney thing he calls a butt.
upinak on November 4, 2009 at 2:23 PM
Stolen comment: “my Chocolate Messiah melted and all that is left is the hard liberal nougat.”
/I am not endorsing this message
faraway on November 4, 2009 at 2:23 PM
If NY23 is a disaster for Sarah Palin and she never set foot in the district – then tell me what New Jersey is for Obama considering he practically moved there to get Corzine relected (and lost)?
HondaV65 on November 4, 2009 at 2:23 PM
Wow, smart move on his part. If she doesn’t, it endears him to indies and moderate Dems. If she does, some conservative cred. Hmmm.
changer1701 on November 4, 2009 at 2:23 PM
If she endorses him would that make her a RINO?
changer1701 on November 4, 2009 at 2:23 PM
Sarah Palin is more in demand than ever.
The liberal MSM still can’t touch her! LOL!
cubachi on November 4, 2009 at 2:23 PM
I wouldn’t expect her to endorse anyone until after the filing deadline has passed.
notropis on November 4, 2009 at 2:24 PM
All out hari-kari is more like it.
Rogue on November 4, 2009 at 2:25 PM
My comments have been “Palin endorsed”. I have a vest patch and a hat.
faraway on November 4, 2009 at 2:25 PM
Support Hoffmann for senate in IL. Not that Hoffmann.
WashJeff on November 4, 2009 at 2:26 PM
Speaking of Palin, Drudge just posted this:
“Sean Hannity lands first cable interview with Sarah Palin in primetime… to air on November 18th…”
I’m shocked she’s not going on Keith Uberskank’s show first.
As for Mark Kirk, the guy can rot in hell as far as I’m concerned. That townhall clip where he said he voted for crap-and-betrayed as a House member but would vote against it in the Senate was pathetic. If any Dem said something like that, we’d rake them over the coals for it and deservedly so. Kirk doesn’t warrant any better treatment.
Doughboy on November 4, 2009 at 2:26 PM
don’t do it. you do it and you lose a lot in the eyes of people (myself included)
Doctor Zhivago on November 4, 2009 at 2:27 PM
Looks like Kirk forgot one little fact: Palin has a spine.
She could beat him about the head with this by stating why she isn’t endorsing him at this time, but my guess is she’ll try to ignore it/ cite the early timing and watch the race play out. Meanwhile, Kirk will just look foolish twisting in the wind.
cs89 on November 4, 2009 at 2:27 PM
It’s a Trap!!!
portlandon on November 4, 2009 at 2:27 PM
Hey, maybe Scozzafava should’ve asked for Palin’s blessing!
Yeah, right.
Maquis on November 4, 2009 at 2:27 PM
I think a Palin non-endorsement should speak as much as her endorsement of Hoffman.
clement on November 4, 2009 at 2:28 PM
She’s the new Messiah.
Grow Fins on November 4, 2009 at 2:28 PM
She is also going to be on ABC with Bawabw Waters
upinak on November 4, 2009 at 2:28 PM
The fact that he’s demanding and not asking (and I’m sure he’s behind the so-called “leak”) do not bode well.
SarahCuda does not strike me as the sort to give in to demands like this.
Poorly played, Mr. Kirk, poorly played.
BlueStateBilly on November 4, 2009 at 2:28 PM
Doesn’t matter if she endorses him or not. The fact that he is requesting it speaks volumes.
davek70 on November 4, 2009 at 2:28 PM
I have a real strong feeling my Sarah is WAY too smart to support anyone who does not agree with how she feels on issues.
L
letget on November 4, 2009 at 2:29 PM
jealous much. And no she is not the messiah, as much as you would love to believe her to be so you can start your meme chant on she is the next coming of ________.
upinak on November 4, 2009 at 2:29 PM
Barf.
Grow Fins on November 4, 2009 at 2:29 PM
Sure seems like she’s got you all doing back flips at a wink of her purty li’l eye.
Grow Fins on November 4, 2009 at 2:30 PM
Whoops! Still recoverying from last election night, the H name messed with my head.
Hughs for Senate in IL.
WashJeff on November 4, 2009 at 2:30 PM
“I never had stump speech with that Governor, mr Corzine.” Obama.
the_nile on November 4, 2009 at 2:30 PM
That sounds like the prudent thing, unless there is a candidate who is just knockout perfect, which Kirk is not.
Mark Kirk is a moderate Republican, and he’s proven he can get elected in the greater Chicago area, which is no mean feat, I assure you. But that Cap and Trade vote really worries me. I live in IL (though not his CD) and I will probably vote for him in the general election, assuming he’s the Republican candidate, simply because the Democrat is guaranteed to be horrible. But as for the primary, all bets are off. If he wants my vote, at the very least he had better say no to Cap and Trade, with no hedging and no ambiguity.
jwolf on November 4, 2009 at 2:31 PM
Do NOT let the time since Pelosi’s Crap and Tax went through with the help of the 8 traitors lessen your fury. He knew damn well he had stabbed Conservatives nation wide in the back, or he’s too stupid to leave his house without a guardian.
Marcus on November 4, 2009 at 2:31 PM
I though it was going to be Rubio.
thevastlane on November 4, 2009 at 2:31 PM
The party MUST support Kirk. We have a chance to win that seat, and Kirk is experienced and has a strong and fresh foriegn policy voice.
This isn’t Florida. Rubio is the right guy for Florida, and Kirk is right for Illinois. This is how majorities are built.
brandozilla on November 4, 2009 at 2:32 PM
Maybe he assumes Palin would say no, therefore burnishing his moderate credentials. Cunning.
dIb on November 4, 2009 at 2:32 PM
Good move. Barbara Walters may be a lib, but at least she acts professional when doing interviews.
Doughboy on November 4, 2009 at 2:33 PM
Anyways, he may be pro cap and tax now. But if he gets enough of the whip, he might vote along with (R)’s to get along.
I wouldn’t chance it, but it is the people of Illinois decision.
dIb on November 4, 2009 at 2:34 PM
But what if she does it? Win/win situation?
thevastlane on November 4, 2009 at 2:34 PM
Principles, Sarah, Principles!
She has already shown that conservative principles are more important than just party I.D.
Has Mark Kirk shown a faithfulness to those principles. Doesn’t look that way.
The Cuda won’t bite on this one.
red winger on November 4, 2009 at 2:34 PM
Granted, there are certain core principles one needs to stand by if one wishes to wear the mantle of “conservative.” But there is the political reality that one also has to look out for the interests of one’s constituents. Some analysts are suggesting that Hoffman lost in NY-23 in part to his lack of knowledge of that district’s issues.
I’m not saying that Kirk has any ground to stand on with respect to his claims. I know neither him nor his politics well enough to pass judgement. But the broader point remains–there is a fine and subtle line that needs to be cared for when running for higher office. That’s one (of many!) reasons while I’ll probably never run for office myself. I’d be too hard-core with my libertarian values, and pretty much tell my potential constituents that they need to suck it up and understand that the bigger issue items I’m interested in trump their local issues.
Further, politics in Washington pretty much demands that you play the trading game. If you want something for your district, you have to be willing to support what someone else wants for their district. And that pretty much means you’ll do some pretty ugly horse trading. If you want to be re-elected, you have to show how you’ve “brought home the bacon.” So much for principle….
nukemhill on November 4, 2009 at 2:34 PM
You really had me wondering with the other guy. This makes a lot more sense, and Hughes merits a close look. Thanks for the tip.
jwolf on November 4, 2009 at 2:35 PM
awww does sugarbritches need a hug? poor abused wittle wiberal.. all along with his president sitting on his butt doing nothing.
grow up finny
upinak on November 4, 2009 at 2:35 PM
Haven’t we learned that it’s wise not to try to predict what SP will do – except that it will be smart, and not necessarily the most obvious thing?
CK MacLeod on November 4, 2009 at 2:36 PM
i’m always interested in who leaks these things to WaPo. Obviously someone in the Kirk team who is against it, imho.
the R’s are riddled with staffers, advisors, consultants who have deep sympathies with the Dem/Left. A lot of them will swing either way depending on who’s in power.
Anita Dunn bragged about what a disciplined campaign O ran last year. I agree with her, it forced the media to convey O’s message (centrist, post-partisan).
R’s would be good to follw that lead, but to do that you have to have loyal people who agree with where you are headed. And that is a huge problem within the R camp.
r keller on November 4, 2009 at 2:36 PM
Sarah Palin remaiuns the hottest thing in poloitics despite the attempt by the left not to just discredit her but to destry her. She is a wonderful American and the left wants her destroyed.
rjoco1 on November 4, 2009 at 2:36 PM
I am going to wait. Kirk doesn’t target me that he can do much of anything right concerning his stands on ceratin matters.
I will wait for my friend in IL to hear about the those who put in and the deadline is over.
upinak on November 4, 2009 at 2:37 PM
Meh.
TheUnrepentantGeek on November 4, 2009 at 2:37 PM
I will probably vote for Hughs in Feb, but if Kirk wins the primary, he will have my vote in Nov.
WashJeff on November 4, 2009 at 2:37 PM
– Sarah Palin
Cicero43 on November 4, 2009 at 2:38 PM
You lie!
She is, however, a smart cookie who does stand for principles, including a belief that it is up to each individual to best make decisions for his own life. Something the elite snobs don’t understand in their quest for power.
rbj on November 4, 2009 at 2:38 PM
Unlike when you orgasm when you hear the sound of your master Obamas voice?
portlandon on November 4, 2009 at 2:38 PM
You want her and you know it!
Amadeus on November 4, 2009 at 2:38 PM
I smell a rat. Ed is substantially understating the position that Kirk has created in Illinois — he is despised by conservatives, and the list of his liberal positions is far more comprehensive than crap and tax.
- He was a sponsor of the assault weapons ban, and earns a D from the NRA, and an F- from the Gun Owners of America.
- He is a radical proponent of abortion in every form, and embryonic stem cell research.
- His illegal alien amnesty position is to the left of Bush’s.
- He is the sponsor of the pointless “hate crimes” legislation for gays.
- And, yes, he voted for Crap and Tax.
- His American Conservative Union ratings are:
Lifetime 55.67
2008 48
2007 40
Which is to say, he’s a liberal who voted with the Democrats more often than Republicans for the past three years.
I actually think he’s decided that having Sarah Palin as an opponent would give him liberal credibility in Illinois, since he’ll never get conservatives to vote for him. I think he’s insulting her, looking for Democrat votes.
Jaibones on November 4, 2009 at 2:39 PM
Look, it’s not like it’s unfathomable that Palin support a Republican who backs crap-and-betrayed. She was McCain’s running mate after all.
My problem with Kirk is how easily he’s willing to flip-flop on a major issue like this simply based on what’ll serve him best at that particular moment. That’s NOT the kind of representatives we need. And it certainly doesn’t seem like the type of individual Palin would endorse.
Doughboy on November 4, 2009 at 2:39 PM
Class warfare?
Grow Fins on November 4, 2009 at 2:40 PM
I am back at my sister’s near Rochester, NY after helping the Hoffman campaign in Watertown.
Dede’s endorsement of Owens and their 2-3 day blitz to get her supporters to vote for Owens turned out to be the difference despite all the things hurting Hoffman: third-party, no time to get up on issues, no GOP support until two days before election day, heavy TV/radio adds against Hoffman by both Dede’s camp and Owens.
And yet, Doug Hoffman almost pulled off the upset.
Who wins:
1) Doug Hoffman did what had to be done and destroyed the cancerous leftist tumor of Scozzafava and probably kicked-off efforts to fire most if not all of the 11 county GOP heads. In 2010, after a proper primary (of which Doug might win), the GOP WILL win this seat back assuming they back their candidate from beginning to end. He stepped in to tell the GOP leadership NO!!!! He da’man.
2) Sarah Palin proved to the country that her words about supporting libertarian and conservative candidates no matter what party mean what she said. She is FEARLESS and is leading us to reform the GOP for the future. She walked her own talk while EVERY other potential GOP 2012 POTUS candidate waffled and showed cowardice just as I knew they would and as I’ve predicted for almost a year.
3) Marco Rubio wins HUGE. He is now poised to slaughter Charlie Crist in the Florida Senate GOP primary next year. I suspect this will not even be close. Sarah Palin endorsement? UBETCHA!
Who loses:
1) Newt Gingrich is finished. He can not be taken seriously anymore as an activist, or possible POTUS candidate.
2) Dede Scozzafava showed us her true colors of BLUE to the bone and became the Judas of the GOP backed almost to the very end despite every fact telling the GOP leadership of the 11 counties, the state, and national party that she was a statist and leftist of truly epic proportions. It now is becoming apparent she took the ‘30 pieces of silver’ at some point.
3) NY State GOP and National GOP are the ones ultimately that gave this seat to Owens and the Dems. Have fun fighting for Crist against Rubio.
The American people proved they don’t want ‘business as usual’ and that the economy and jobs are very important issues, and that growing government is NOT the answer.
Sapwolf on November 4, 2009 at 2:40 PM
The media would not tell what they already got that could derail obama.
the_nile on November 4, 2009 at 2:40 PM
Coming from a guy who lives under Obooba’s desk…
Akzed on November 4, 2009 at 2:40 PM
Kirk is good on some issues but we can find better. Sarah should not endorse him.
georgealbert on November 4, 2009 at 2:40 PM
That’s, errr…completely different.
Don’t ask me how, it just is, okay?
Bob's Kid on November 4, 2009 at 2:41 PM
Looks like that.
the_nile on November 4, 2009 at 2:42 PM
Kirk is hoping to hurt Sarah by getting her to endorse him. I wouldn’t put it past him that he is talking with DC GOP leaders.
Sarah is way to smart to fall for that I think.
Her backing Kirk so early would immediately damage her credibility.
Now, who in the GOP in Illinois is a fiscon we can run against Kirk?
Sapwolf on November 4, 2009 at 2:43 PM
A nuclear holocaust?
darwin on November 4, 2009 at 2:44 PM
Sarah and her supporters are like that germanic barbarian tribe that migrates into the Roman Empire, and Rome is scared sh*tless of what they are gonna do because they know they are too soft and corrupt to kick them out so they need to buy them off.
But the Cuda is not easily gonna be bought off.
Sapwolf on November 4, 2009 at 2:46 PM
How about holding them horses and let the deadline finish first.
Patience is a virtue.. remember.
upinak on November 4, 2009 at 2:46 PM
Is Mr. Kirk one of those folks who is suppose to be the best we can do in a blue state? Sounds like he needs work.
I feel the same way about Gov. Crist. I am working for Mr. Rubio but I will vote for Gov. Crist before I let Rep. Meeks win.
Cindy Munford on November 4, 2009 at 2:46 PM
Da Coach also endorses Pat Hughs.
Neo-con Artist on November 4, 2009 at 2:47 PM
Simple: she’s just needs to say:
“Not just no, but HELL NO!”
Then give him no more press. You swat insects like this, then don’t give them another thought.
michaelo on November 4, 2009 at 2:47 PM
Word. He did everything except go door to door for the guy.
Scott P on November 4, 2009 at 2:48 PM
Then get your Kirkian a*s out there to Illinois and build your majority big government, high tax, infant shelving, Orwellian paradise.
Sapwolf on November 4, 2009 at 2:50 PM
Palin is too smart to get involved with Kirk and Kirk appears to be a slimy Chicago politician.
Forget it buddy. Conservatives shouldn’t touch you with a 10 foot pole.
ORconservative on November 4, 2009 at 2:51 PM
Yes. He can be categorized like that, but we have a primary in February (way too early) to try to get someone that is more conservative.
You want not want him as a GOP leader in teh senate, but he would not be like Snowe or Collins. I do not see him screwing over the GOP (and the country) as a swing vote a la the Maine sisters.
WashJeff on November 4, 2009 at 2:52 PM
When Kirk asks, Sarah is really really going to have to calm down because the urge to laugh uproariously will be gargantuan.
Sapwolf on November 4, 2009 at 2:52 PM
A “Palin-approved” candidate is only going to work if she sticks to the principles that made her popular with the conservative base. The minute she drops that criteria is the same minute she loses her mojo. You have to be very selective in whom you endorse, so that the very endorsement carries weight, win OR lose.
search4truth on November 4, 2009 at 2:52 PM
Peter Roskam is popular, bright – and sounds pretty conservative. Why isn’t he interested in the seat? Appears to me he would make a dynamite leader for conservatives in Illinois – a state that desperately needs a conservative leader.
Daley is more conservative than most of the Republican leadership in Illinois.
ManUFan on November 4, 2009 at 2:52 PM
I’ll be the first:
Kirk, the Dede of Illinois.
Sapwolf on November 4, 2009 at 2:53 PM
I did not know that. Hughes is going have a tough time getting his name and message known with this stupid early primary.
WashJeff on November 4, 2009 at 2:53 PM
OK HotAir, tell me I went too far.
:)
Sapwolf on November 4, 2009 at 2:53 PM
OT:
I really am dumbfounded.
Just turned on the TV and there’s Obama giving a speech in Madison, Wisconsin, at some school, bragging about how his policies have led to the economic recovery we are now experiencing. Went on and on about how bad things were when he took over, nearly catastrophic, blah, blah, blah, in essence the same boring friggin speech he has been giving for the last six months.
He’s not a president, he’s a TV personality.
Why, please tell me why, isn’t he back in the White House working on his strategies for Afghanistan? Is brainwashing school children in Wisconsin really that much more important than helping our commanders and troops fighting a war thousands of miles from home?
What a narcissistic loser. I am so sick of seeing his mug on TV and hearing his droning voice.
I don’t think he is capable of acting presidential, or accomplishing anything worthy of admiration or respect.
fogw on November 4, 2009 at 2:54 PM
I imagine lose/lose.
She has a head to know who is a conservative and who is a squish. And as a fail-safe, All he has to do is send e-mail laying out a select few of his policy positions- like pro tax and trade, which is an anathema to “drill, baby, drill”.
dIb on November 4, 2009 at 2:54 PM
Maybe she’ll respond quickly by endorsing someone else. Is there someone else with better conservative cred?
thevastlane on November 4, 2009 at 2:54 PM
Why doesn’t 7 of 9′s husband…Jack Ryan get back into the fray up there in Illinois? His big crime was that he wanted to have sex with his wife right? He was a sure win until Barry Obama sued to get his divorce records opened up.
portlandon on November 4, 2009 at 2:54 PM
He is not that bad. He is going to agree with fiscal conservative positions 70% of the time. If the primary does not work out, I’ll put in a stake at 70% and try to move it again at the next election.
WashJeff on November 4, 2009 at 2:55 PM
When I read of Kirk’s seeking Palin’s endorsement, I’m reminded of the scene from The Godfather when the undertaker goes groveling to Vito Corleone for justice for his daughter.
Kirk: “Will you be my fried, Godmother?”
Palin: “Now, there may come a day, and that day may never come, when your Godmother will call upon you to do a service for her.”
Kirk sounds like a weasle. Endorse carefully, Godmother.
BuckeyeSam on November 4, 2009 at 2:55 PM
The 80′s had Max Headroom.
We have Barrack Oba..ba..ba..bama.
portlandon on November 4, 2009 at 2:56 PM
Or win/loose, since it it would give Palin a bit more of the pragmatist/moderate appearance.
dIb on November 4, 2009 at 2:56 PM
Yeah, I would probably agree. There is something about the tone of the letter that seems off.
thevastlane on November 4, 2009 at 2:56 PM
I’ll follow Sarah.
Haunches on November 4, 2009 at 2:56 PM
Kirk is proably trying to get to Sarah before she gets to Hughes to avoid Hughes from getting name recognition. He does not want a “Hoffmann” surge for Hughes.
WashJeff on November 4, 2009 at 2:57 PM
If we’re going to argue NY23 wasn’t a disaster for Palin, then why are we implying (or outright saying) that NJ was a disaster for Obama? Of course it was a disaster for Palin.
It made news because it was a special election, the GOP chose a pro-gay marriage, pro-abortion candidate, and it was one of only a handful of big elections last night. If you have an election night with only 5 elections, they’re ALL going to be covered, so let’s not pretend Palin somehow made an obscure race larger than what it was. 24 news cycles demanded it.
TheBlueSite on November 4, 2009 at 2:57 PM
3) Marco Rubio wins HUGE. He is now poised to slaughter Charlie Crist in the Florida Senate GOP primary next year. I suspect this will not even be close. Sarah Palin endorsement? UBETCHA!
–Sapwolf, I think you’re wrong about this one. It’ll be a squeaker at best for Rubio.
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
The contest for the 2010 Republican Senate nomination in Florida is a little closer this month, but Governor Charlie Crist still holds a 14-point lead over former state House Speaker Marco Rubio.
The latest Rasmussen Reports telephone survey of likely GOP Primary voters in the state finds Crist outdistancing Rubio 49% to 35%. Four percent (4%) like some other candidate, and 12% are undecided.
In mid-August, Crist was beating Rubio by 22 points among GOP Primary voters – 53% to 31%. That was Rasmussen Reports’ first poll of next year’s Republican Primary race.
http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/elections2/election_2010/election_2010_senate_elections/florida/election_2010_florida_gop_senate_primary.
Jimbo3 on November 4, 2009 at 2:57 PM
Although it wouldn’t be a lose/lose necessarily for her.
thevastlane on November 4, 2009 at 2:57 PM
Kirk, the Dede of Illinois.
Sapwolf on November 4, 2009 at 2:53 PM
He is not that bad. He is going to agree with fiscal conservative positions 70% of the time. If the primary does not work out, I’ll put in a stake at 70% and try to move it again at the next election.
WashJeff on November 4, 2009 at 2:55 PM
–Kirk and whoever is holding onto Phil Crane’s old district are simply a reflection of the declining hold of social conservatives in Chicago’s near-in west and northwest suburbs. It used to be Phil Crane, Penny Pullen and Henry Hyde, among others, all very strong pro-lifers. They’ve all been replaced (or died, in Hyde’s case) by moderates.
Jimbo3 on November 4, 2009 at 3:00 PM
At least there is a primary although it is too bad that it so early. I disagree with comments comparing him to Ms. Scozzafavva but he doesn’t seem like the type Gov. Palin would endorse.
Cindy Munford on November 4, 2009 at 3:00 PM
Of course Sarah is in even more demand now. Remember, Hoffman was a distant 3rd at 23% in two polls when Sarah endorsed him. Even though he didn’t win, he doubled his vote share in less than 2 weeks, and got the highest vote share of any 3rd party candidate in NY state history.
The biggest losers of Election 2009 (Besides Obama) is the Huckster, Newt and Mitt Romney. Newt because he endorsed a RINO, Huckster because he delayed his endorsment due to some pathetic grudge, and Mittens was all crickets.
Norwegian on November 4, 2009 at 3:01 PM
I live in Kirk’s district. He blew it on Cap & Trade, there is no doubt. But he is strong on illegal immigration and stopping socialized medicine.
I’ll be voting for Kirk.
Remember folks, this is Illinois we’re talking about. Home of Obama, Blago, Daley, Ayres, Rev. Wright, G. Ryan, Jan Schakowsky, Durbin, Luis Gutierrez, Rahm Emmanuel, Axelrod, Valerie Jarrett, need I continue? This state is ground-zero for Statist ideologues.
visions on November 4, 2009 at 3:03 PM
Actually, she should call a meeting of national level RINOs, walk in and quote Gen Mattis:
That quote is from a meeting with tribal leaders that, more than any other single event, got the turnaround started in Iraq. It’s the type of turnaround the GOP needs.
michaelo on November 4, 2009 at 3:04 PM
Wait, I have a problem here. I’ve seen articles on HotAir denouncing congressmen who make a statement about voting against their constituents’ interests. Here, however, Kirk’s getting a bad rep for voting with them. Isn’t it right for him to represent the people who elected him as a representative? I mean look, I’m no fan of cap and trade, but can someone clarify the disconnect for me?
TouchingTophet on November 4, 2009 at 3:04 PM
Sarah Sunshine, spend your political capital wisely — please! Yours is rare and precious!
Yephora on November 4, 2009 at 3:05 PM
Sarah is smart enough to know who is real and who is just trying to use her. She’ll do the right thing.
suzyk on November 4, 2009 at 3:06 PM
If she’s smart enough to stay out of a nothing-but-toxic IL race, I might start supporting her agian.
And when I say nothing-but-toxic, think about:
Rostenkoski
Jesse Jackson Jr.
Jesse Jackson Sr.
Durbin
Daley the First
Daley the Second
Bagojevich
George Ryan
Daniel Walker
Doorgunner on November 4, 2009 at 3:07 PM
Mark Kirk: “I can see the base rising up against me from my house!”
SouthernGent on November 4, 2009 at 3:07 PM
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