Now it is common for people in Illinois to say that both Kirk and Giannoulias deserve to lose. The race has been nicknamed the liar-liar campaign. So this is not a fairy tale about a good man going into public service. It is a reality tale about why most serious people don’t want to go into politics at all.

The system will inflame your weaknesses (Kirk’s mistakes were serious and he has apologized for them). Then the bad will come to define you, and the good you’ve achieved will be forgotten…

The reality is, Kirk has led a life that is extremely impressive in most respects. The oddest thing about him is that he’s willing to go through this process. And the larger question is: In the years ahead, how many other talented people will be willing to do it, too?