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* Yesterday, when a group of veterans, some of them with Democratic ties, blasted Congressman Mark Kirk for not telling the truth about his military record, Kirk made sure reporters knew about those Democratic ties (the Tribune story reprinted most of the talking points) then rolled out an endorsement from the Vets for Freedom PAC, which has endorsed only Republicans this year. The VFF PAC didn’t endorsement didn’t mention the blowup over Kirk’s military record.
Today, Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias was endorsed by the Sierra Club and the League of Conservation Voters, which have both endorsed Kirk’s congressional campaigns in the past. So, Kirk unveiled an endorsement from a group called “Republicans for Environmental Protection.”
* I suppose it could go on forever like this, considering the ways of DC. One guy gets an endorsement, another guy quickly announces a counter-endorsement from a ready-made partisan organization.
As far as I know, however, Kirk hasn’t yet found a Republican pro-choice group to endorse him in the wake of losing NARAL’s support. Then again, maybe he’d rather not. Probably the same goes for some other groups as well. He’s trying to look moderate, not liberal.
That’s why this comment is kinda ludicrous…
I’ll bet some right-wing Republicans are beating their heads against a wall, thinking “If we weren’t going to get the support of the gays and the enviros, why didn’t we just go ahead and nominate a real conservative?”
The object was to run a moderate, not a hardcore liberal.
posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Jun 8, 10 @ 2:50 pm
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mainstreetpac.org the prochoice republican group endorsed him, they might want to take down their charlie crist endorsement…
http://www.mainstreetpac.com/2009-10CandidateProfiles.pdf
There’s also a log cabin republicans to watch-the gay rights gop group which I think has supported him in the past and might again.
Comment by shore Tuesday, Jun 8, 10 @ 2:57 pm
“Alexi Giannoulias is the best choice to represent the interest every Illinois citizen has in a healthy environment and the transition to a clean energy economy,” said Jack Darin, Director of the Sierra Club, Illinois Chapter. “As our Treasurer, Giannoulias has been a key leader in developing new environmental programs that helped clean the air and grow clean businesses, and as our Senator he will stand up to the special interests to protect the water we drink and the air we breathe.”
Okay, I’ll bite. Just what in the heck environmental programs has Alexi even been associated with, much less a “key leader”?
Comment by Team America Tuesday, Jun 8, 10 @ 3:00 pm
Shore, that group really isn’t pro-choice. It lists itself as an “incumbent protection PAC” and has endorsed John McCain, who is pro-life.
Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Jun 8, 10 @ 3:09 pm
shore-
I don’t think he should be touting that mainstreetpac.org endorsement so much. You may not have noticed, but your link goes to their statements on different candidates they support. Under Kirk, it states “..won the Intelligence Officer of the Year Award”
Whoops. I think mainstreetpac.org mis-remembered that part.
Comment by Lester Holt's Mustache Tuesday, Jun 8, 10 @ 3:12 pm
http://www.opensecrets.org/politicians/pacs.php?cycle=2010&cid=N00012539§or=Q&seclong=Ideological/Single-Issue&cat=Q15&induslong=Abortion+Policy/Pro-Choice&newMem=N
Republican Majority for Choice $7,500
Comment by shore Tuesday, Jun 8, 10 @ 3:12 pm
–Vets for Freedom PAC–
Are there vets against freedom?
Comment by wordslinger Tuesday, Jun 8, 10 @ 3:12 pm
a lot of pacs have a staffer tops and maybe an intern, they still have the charlie crist endorsement up so I doubt they went through and scrubbed for kirk’s record.
I also think there’s a better shot of governor blagoyevich being given a standing ovation on the floor of the statehouse than Mark Kirk touting pro-choice endorsements given his problems with the conservative base of the party, so it’s not a shock he hasn’t touted his pro-choice bonafides.
Comment by shore Tuesday, Jun 8, 10 @ 3:15 pm
kirk’s also on their advisory board which I am sure pat hughes could have used against him if he had been smarter than pat hughes…
http://www.gopchoice.org/meet.asp#national
Comment by shore Tuesday, Jun 8, 10 @ 3:17 pm
True about the interns. I laughed, and just couldn’t help but to point it out.
But I would think that after losing NARAL, he would want to show the endorsement of at least one or two pro-choice groups. Being a moderate Republican and appealing to independent women is how he got his House seat. I’m sure he’ll get them to fix that statement before too long, so he can at least send mailers out to targeted demographics.
Comment by Lester Holt's Mustache Tuesday, Jun 8, 10 @ 3:29 pm
Dem-lite will lose to real Dem. Kirk can’t compete with a real Dem to get the endorsement of usual Dem clients. [Besides the Dem clients want to ensure O’s agenda continues. Though Kirk is no conservative, he may frustrate that agenda some.] He has no where else to go for endorsements b/c he doesn’t espouse the positions of the GOP base. He is not pro-life and won’t get an endorsement there. He’s not even fiscally reliable, eg, his vote for cap & tax. He’s not reliable for either party.
Comment by Peggy SO-IL Tuesday, Jun 8, 10 @ 3:34 pm
I would bet that Kirk is waiting to see what Planned Parenthood does before coming out with a GOP pro-choice endorsement. NARAL’s never been in Kirk’s corner, but Planned Parenthood has endorsed him in the past.
I doubt he’s positioning himself in the middle, trying to say that’s why pro-life and pro-choice groups didn’t endorse him. If pro-choice groups endorse Giannoulias and pro-life groups stay out of it (I can’t see them endorsing Kirk), that’s a win for Giannoulias.
Comment by the Other Anonymous Tuesday, Jun 8, 10 @ 3:34 pm
If Kirk winds up out of politics what are shore and Team America going to do with all that free time? Boy, I hope someone takes up a collection, just in case.
Comment by Screwball Tuesday, Jun 8, 10 @ 3:35 pm
===Kirk is waiting to see what Planned Parenthood does before coming out with a GOP pro-choice endorsement. NARAL’s never been in Kirk’s corner===
NARAL claims they never endorsed against Kirk, and Planned Parenthood has already endorsed Giannoulias.
Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Jun 8, 10 @ 3:48 pm
Don’t worry about those two, they’ll be fine. Steve Rauschenberger will be back by then.
Comment by Lester Holt's Mustache Tuesday, Jun 8, 10 @ 3:51 pm
lol
Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Jun 8, 10 @ 3:59 pm
Capt. Kirk has been endorsed by “Republicans for Environmental Protection” and “Klingons For Peace.”
http://twitter.com/CaptKirk4Senate
Comment by Capt. Kirk for Senate Tuesday, Jun 8, 10 @ 4:01 pm
===Capt. Kirk has been endorsed by… “Klingons For Peace.”===
Kapla!
http://www.urbandictionary.com/products.php?defid=1394978
Comment by Team America Tuesday, Jun 8, 10 @ 4:09 pm
=* I suppose it could go on forever like this, considering the ways of DC.=
I am very impressed. Does that mean that the last one to get an endorsement prior to the polls’ opening wins, or is it the number of endorsements each one gets that determines who wins?
I have to say that I am finding all of this quite inspiring. I am now working on a new entertainment concept along the lines of Kampaign Karaoke.
Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Jun 8, 10 @ 4:37 pm
I just looked at that Republicans for Environmental Protection site. They’ve got some press release about something with a picture of Ronald ‘trees cause acid rain’ Reagan on it.
Comment by Cheryl44 Tuesday, Jun 8, 10 @ 4:49 pm
I’ll bet the site is going to be down soon with the number of Republicans hitting it. (Not sure whether I am serious, or whether it was an attempt at snark. Will have to get back to you on that.)
Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Jun 8, 10 @ 5:02 pm
Team -
Our endorsement is based as much on Giannoulias’ record and commitment as on Kirk’s opposition to a clean energy/climate bill.
Illinois State Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias developed new ideas for using the power of the Treasurer’s office to promote environmental protection. His $1000 hybrid rebate program helped more IL drivers get into a hybrid, and helped build the case for cleaner cars in Illinois. He set up new assistance programs for renewable energy and energy efficiency, and led the charge for a new state law increasing fines for diesel trucks that pollute the air with excessive idling.
None of these programs existed when he took office. He showed the initiative to use his office to advance an environmental protection agenda, and we’re excited about what he can do for Illinois and the environment in the Senate.
Jack Darin
Comment by Jack Tuesday, Jun 8, 10 @ 5:12 pm
nothing makes me happier than to see Mark Kirk having problems. I dont agree with democratic stances on the issues, but I have disdain for Republicans who don’t support any of the conservative issues. Kirk is exactly that, a joke of a republican and I hope Alexi wins.
Comment by Living in Oklahoma Tuesday, Jun 8, 10 @ 5:20 pm
Thank you for your response, Jack. Notwithstanding your fair weather decision to bail on Kirk, out of curiosity, I would like to know if you know how many hybrid rebates were issued (with my and your tax dollars), and how effective these other programs were in actually protecting the environment, and how they stack up to Kirk’s 10 year record, notwithstanding your rejection of his position on Cap n’ Trade. Does this mean that Sierra Club has become a one-issue/bill organization?
I will have to look into the increase of fines for idling trucks. Didn’t know that was Alexi’s baby. You are certainly correct in your implication that this is a innovative (some might suggest well beyond the scope) use of the Office of the State Treasurer. Perhaps some of the Bright Start parents who lost big might wonder at where Alexi’s priorities lay, but I’m not blaming you or Sierra Club for that.
Comment by Team America Tuesday, Jun 8, 10 @ 5:21 pm
Living in Oklahoma, how do you get Egyptian Telephone service in Oklahoma? lol
Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Jun 8, 10 @ 5:37 pm
Team -
There are many other issues, I was just pointing out a few. Other differences we have with Kirk are his continued support for more aggressive drilling in the Gulf of Mexico, his opposition to “Home Star” energy-efficiency programs, support for 50 new nuclear power plants, etc.
Jack Darin
Comment by Jack Tuesday, Jun 8, 10 @ 5:50 pm
Team says, “Okay, I’ll bite. Just what in the heck environmental programs has Alexi even been associated with, much less a “key leader”?”
Why, yes, you do bite.
Team, you ought to read Illinois Reason every now and then.
As Jack Darin noted just above, Giannoulias’ green programs through the Treasurer’s office have proven very successful. Smarter than just doling out gov’t grants, these low-interest, state-backed loans earn money for the state while helping Illinois’ farmers, businesses, and more go green.
So, yeah, Giannoulias has been an environmental leader as opposed to Kirk who was mocked by Sierra Club for having a PR conference and a boat trip and claiming those efforts somehow “stopped” BP from dumping toxins in Lake Michigan.
In fact, Rich skipped the harshest lines (like that one from Sierra’s Jack Darin) that the green groups had for Mark Kirk who is now being labeled by the non-partisan media as an “exaggerator”.
The League of Conservation Voters also noted Kirk’s flip-flop on environmental issues as well as his parroting of Sarah Palin’s refrain, “Drill Baby Drill” on the House floor.
I don’t think Sierra Club and LCV left Kirk so much as he threw them under a dirty-fueled bus driven by teabaggers.
Kirk knows how to exaggerate and do PR stunts… Doesn’t say much for any of his supposed ‘leadership’ qualities when it comes to helping we the people.
Comment by Rob_N Tuesday, Jun 8, 10 @ 5:50 pm
===
…Egyptian Telephone service…
===
Is that something new that we’ll be getting here, too? Can hardly wait! Good times just keep rollin’ on in.
Comment by The REAL Anonymous fka Anonymous Tuesday, Jun 8, 10 @ 7:03 pm
Jack Darin,
Mark Kirk voted FOR cap and tax in the House. You don’t really believe he’s now against it? He’s a fraud on so many levels, sadly. We had better GOP candidates in the primary. Sigh.
Comment by Peggy SO-IL Tuesday, Jun 8, 10 @ 8:05 pm
With all the problems we have in this country. How many people vote on social issues ?
Obama is bankrupting this country. We need someone who is fiscally conservative and not afraid to mention the words radical Islam. Someone to vote to seal our borders. That is not Alexi.
Comment by WindyCityGardener Tuesday, Jun 8, 10 @ 8:21 pm
Time for a song, V-Man!
Turn, turn, turn….
Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Jun 8, 10 @ 9:43 pm
Sorry, I MEANT to say:
Time for a song, V-Man!
Turn, turn, turn….
(In the OTHER direction!)
Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Jun 8, 10 @ 9:45 pm
Oh Boy…WindyCityGardener, is it now? OK.
That is not who we need. No, no, no. What we really need is someone who will spout obnoxious and ridiculous claims such as “Obama is bankrupting the country”.
Someone with the courage to grab the torch from great leaders such as Dick and Liz Cheney. Someone who will boldly, and without any apparent shame or respect for others, insinuate that certain someone(or someones) does not love America or secretly roots for the terrorists by using such terms as “afraid to mention the words radical Islam”.
You wouldn’t happen to know anyone like that, would you?
Comment by Lester Holt's Mustache Tuesday, Jun 8, 10 @ 10:30 pm
Just out of curiosity, what ever happened to Will County Woman? Timing of her disappearance from this blog seems “uncanny”.
Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Jun 8, 10 @ 11:57 pm
Wonder whether the self-proclaimed Democrat, who seemed to be fully backing an R candidate, is working for one of the campaigns now? And, if so, which one?
Wouldn’t it be a ?hoot? if she were working for the Rs?
Just sayin.
Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Jun 9, 10 @ 1:50 am
Peggy So-IL says, “Mark Kirk voted FOR cap and tax in the House. You don’t really believe he’s now against it? He’s a fraud on so many levels, sadly. We had better GOP candidates in the primary. Sigh.”
Kirk has repeatedly said he’s now against national security… oops, I mean he’s now suddenly against taxing the megatons of garbage that currently get dumped in our air for free. (”National security” was his original reason for voting FOR cap and trade.)
He’s already flip-flopped on the issue of cap and trade once in order to get whatever teabagger support he could.
He was also caught chanting Drill Baby Drill on the House floor of all places and voted for Big Oil Bailouts when the Bush White House put them on the table. He did that all on his own well before the 2010 primary.
You really think he’ll flip again? (Or, would that be a flop?)
Comment by Rob N Wednesday, Jun 9, 10 @ 6:48 am
Team:
Another swing and miss. Bright Start has just been named the Num. 1 529 program in the country by Business Week Mag. It was Num 47 under the last administration.
Comment by Sucka free Wednesday, Jun 9, 10 @ 9:16 am