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* John Kass…
How about Sen. Mark Kirk, the kinda-sorta Republican? Kirk’s campaign manager Kevin Artl ran wiggling to a blogger, shrieking that a Tribune reporter had asked harassing questions for a possible story.
Way to go Team Kirk/Artless Artl. Reporters ask questions. Deal with it.
Kirk, time to retire. And Artless? A month of Moutzas just for you
Kirk’s not really a Republican?
posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Oct 6, 15 @ 11:38 am
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It’s Kass, Jake.
Comment by the Other Anonymous Tuesday, Oct 6, 15 @ 11:41 am
Kinda-sorta Republican = not really a Republican?
Comment by Georg Sande Tuesday, Oct 6, 15 @ 11:42 am
Much more accurate would be that Kass’ is a kinda-sorta columnist.
Comment by PublicServant Tuesday, Oct 6, 15 @ 11:42 am
Reading a John Kass column makes us all just a bit dumber than we’d otherwise be if he didn’t exist.
Comment by 47th Ward Tuesday, Oct 6, 15 @ 11:42 am
That is the line some of my fellow GOP members are using, those primarily with views to the right of Mr. Kirk and myself.
His refusal to defund Planned Parenthood was the last straw to them. Of course, he has been pro-choice for over 15 years in public office, and there have been multiple “last straws” over the years, but . . .
Comment by Louis G. Atsaves Tuesday, Oct 6, 15 @ 11:43 am
When you have Kass again’ ya, you’re doin’ sumptin’ right.
I’m with Artl and Kirk.
If Kass is trying to “define” a Republican, I can’t think of someone more excluding than Kass, but then again, I’m not on a roof waiting to be rescued, or thinking those who “are” on thise roofs as “rock stars”.
Artl,
I’m more of a Cannoli guy, but already knew that. Dessert always taste better after getting past the meal, no matter how salty it’s served.
OW
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Oct 6, 15 @ 11:45 am
I guarantee if you gave me enough time I could think of someone more pointless than John Kass, it’s just that I can’t think of one right now.
Comment by The Captain Tuesday, Oct 6, 15 @ 11:49 am
“How about Sen. Mark Kirk, the kinda-sorta Republican?”
So, that means the same applies to Judy Baar Topinka, Jim Thompson, Jim Edgar, Richard Olgilvie, Everett McKinley Dirksen … ??
Comment by Anyone Remember Tuesday, Oct 6, 15 @ 11:50 am
I’ll give Artl this much: he’ll say anything, and I mean anything, to defend his guy.
And when I say “his guy”, I mean anyone who is paying his salary.
Comment by Colin O'Scopey Tuesday, Oct 6, 15 @ 11:52 am
Kass is a Richard Mourdock Republican — intellectually, ideologically, theologically, culturally.
He took great pleasure, in print, when that big brain beat Sen. Lugar in the Indiana primary. Mourdock is his kind of Republican and statesmen.
As Sheriff Bart would say, “you know, morons.”
Comment by Wordslinger Tuesday, Oct 6, 15 @ 11:57 am
Maybe I am missing something, but it seems to me that Artl successfully turned the conversation/story from having to react to a (probable) front page story about Kirk Beats Staffers to a story about Kirk vs. Tribune. And so far, no Trib article. After their initial strong defense of their reporter, we have heard only crickets from the Tribune. If they had been able to get anyone on the record by now, the story would have run. It didn’t, and Artl headed it off at the pass. Score, Artl 7, Trib 0.
Comment by Team America Tuesday, Oct 6, 15 @ 12:00 pm
===Maybe I am missing something, but it seems to me that Artl successfully turned the conversation/story from having to react to a (probable) front page story about Kirk Beats Staffers to a story about Kirk vs. Tribune.===
Slow down, Speed Racer, no one is out of the woods yet. The Trib might now sit on it when people are actually paying attention, or before a debate.
The last thing I’d say is that Artl’s move, today, is a victory or “proven”.
Lots of playing field yet to be seen.
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Oct 6, 15 @ 12:04 pm
kinda-sorta Republican means “not a far right-wing whack job”
Which is what it used to be as an Illinois Republican
Comment by Groundhog Day Tuesday, Oct 6, 15 @ 12:13 pm
==- The Captain - Tuesday, Oct 6, 15 @ 11:49 am:==
On a national scale, Tom Friedman.
Comment by Precinct Captain Tuesday, Oct 6, 15 @ 12:25 pm
===The Trib might now sit on it when people are actually paying attention, or before a debate.===
Meh. “The Kirk campaign has wholly mischaracterized Lighty’s diligence and thoroughness,” Tribune Editor Gerould Kern said in the statement. “Lighty has been direct, open and honest at all times with the Kirk staff in his reporting. He is a meticulous and professional journalist.”
That was on September 26. So where is the story? That would seem to be the best defense of their reporter and putting their money where their mouth is. Right now, it looks like Artl skunked them pretty good. It will keep seeming that way until they publish a story. If they had anything, they would run with it. Now.
Comment by Team America Tuesday, Oct 6, 15 @ 12:35 pm
Colin O’Scopey +1
Comment by Joe Bidenopolous Tuesday, Oct 6, 15 @ 12:37 pm
===That was on September 26. So where is the story? That would seem to be the best defense of their reporter and putting their money where their mouth is.===
No, the best way to win is to take a bite out of Kirk and Artl when they now feel it’s more impactful.
Doing a victory lap with your eyes closed now might lead falling down an open sewer man hole when you least suspect it.
You do realize this is a marathon, right?
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Oct 6, 15 @ 12:43 pm
OW, let’s remember that the Trib, despite their biases for and against on various issues, candidates and policies, is not the opposing candidate, so the “timing” aspect of when to maximize the impact of the story doesn’t implicate the same considerations. Presumably defending their journalist integrity trumps all else. They have taken the hit now. It smarts.
Comment by Team America Tuesday, Oct 6, 15 @ 12:49 pm
==Maybe I am missing something, but it seems to me that Artl successfully turned the conversation/story from having to react to a (probable) front page story about Kirk Beats Staffers to a story about Kirk vs. Tribune.==
Which helps him Kirk win an election…how?
Comment by Arsenal Tuesday, Oct 6, 15 @ 12:49 pm
===Which helps him Kirk win an election…how? ===
Damage control. I don’t think anyone ever suggested anything else.
Comment by Team America Tuesday, Oct 6, 15 @ 12:51 pm
==Kirk’s not really a Republican?==
Well, Kass isn’t really a journalist….
Comment by Ducky LaMoore Tuesday, Oct 6, 15 @ 12:51 pm
===OW, let’s remember that the Trib, despite their biases for and against on various issues, candidates and policies, is not the opposing candidate,…===
Hmm.
===Maybe I am missing something, but it seems to me that Artl successfully turned the conversation/story from having to react to a (probable) front page story about Kirk Beats Staffers to a story about Kirk vs. Tribune.===
- Team America -,
Pick a lane please.
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Oct 6, 15 @ 12:52 pm
For me, the bottom line?
Be careful of the crowing.
If I think you’re crowing, I must think you have something to crow about…
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Oct 6, 15 @ 12:57 pm
OW, “Kirk Beats Staffers” is a story designed to sell newspapers. That doesn’t turn them into the opposition candidate. Different considerations/motivations apply about when/if to run that kind of story. Simple fact is, Artl threw them off running a poorly researched and unsupported story. They may end up running the story, but it’s only going to be after they make sure they have their facts/sources nailed down. And if they do, it will be to prove their reporter correct and to sell papers, not to damage Kirk for the ‘maximum impact’ of it election-wise, as you suggest.
Comment by Team America Tuesday, Oct 6, 15 @ 1:02 pm
No, Kirk is not much of a Republican. That’s hardly disputed in the GOP base.
Kass does occasionally stumble into the truth.
Comment by too obvious Tuesday, Oct 6, 15 @ 1:02 pm
Am I the only one insulted by Kass’ seemingly dismissive description of this website?
Comment by Southside Markie Tuesday, Oct 6, 15 @ 1:06 pm
had no idea kass writes about things other than cooking and soccer.
Comment by DecaturGuy Tuesday, Oct 6, 15 @ 1:11 pm
Kirk supported Bush’S huge tax cuts for the rich and his war in Iraq. He is as good a friend of business as there is in the Senate. What’s not Republican about that?
Comment by Truthteller Tuesday, Oct 6, 15 @ 1:12 pm
Whatever you say, Mr. Kass. Thank God no one really listens to your “advice”.
Comment by Team Sleep Tuesday, Oct 6, 15 @ 1:14 pm
You don’t take advice from Kass Bowls, no matter who publishes it.
Comment by VanillaMan Tuesday, Oct 6, 15 @ 1:22 pm
@ O. W.: I think the article meant to say “Mountza”, and not Moutza.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mountza
Comment by Jockey Tuesday, Oct 6, 15 @ 1:59 pm
- Jockey -,
Sometimes I write a message to “one”, this time to Artl.
Respectfully.
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Oct 6, 15 @ 2:03 pm
When your only a tick to the right of durbin it may be time to hang it up or switch parties
Comment by Beatgrunt Tuesday, Oct 6, 15 @ 2:07 pm
==Damage control.==
That’s just “losing less badly”, not winning. And it looks more like he’s just traded one problem for another.
Comment by Arsenal Tuesday, Oct 6, 15 @ 2:10 pm
==- Team America - Tuesday, Oct 6, 15 @ 12:35 pm:==
The only evidence the story was about to run was the word of Kevin Artl. That very well could have been a ploy by him to get Rich to run the back and forth, by making the story seem imminent. We have no idea how close or not the story was to running–if at all.
Comment by Precinct Captain Tuesday, Oct 6, 15 @ 2:12 pm
anyone else offended by a “journalist/columnist” offering the subject of the column the greek equivalent of the middle finger? I had to look it up, but if he had said in his paper of record, “and Artl, a month of middle fingers to you” wouldn’t that be really objectionable if not internally sanctionable? I know we are so used to be crass in our society today, but that kind of “communication” is still offensive to me. Call me polyanna, but substance aside, that demands an apology by Kass.
Comment by Joe Cannon Tuesday, Oct 6, 15 @ 2:48 pm
Cat fight !
Comment by VoterVaultR Tuesday, Oct 6, 15 @ 3:04 pm
TS, I think what you missed was state, national and international coverage of allegations of verbal and physical abuse raised against Sen. Kirk by his campaign manager.
Comment by Wordslinger Tuesday, Oct 6, 15 @ 3:11 pm
Just wondering out loud…does the Trib have any influence left? If Kirks team is worried about this, then they are toast anyway. This Rauner thing going to hurt repubs.
Comment by Blue dog dem Tuesday, Oct 6, 15 @ 3:21 pm
===Kevin Artl ran wiggling to a blogger,====
Ahem, not just any “wiggling” and more importantly, not just any “blogger”.
Not precisely sure why everyone’s name is out there but the “reporter” and the “blogger” in this little diatribe. Oh wait, yes I am.
Comment by A guy Tuesday, Oct 6, 15 @ 3:32 pm
I was just ignoring this because, well…
“Because… Kass”
But, to the Post,
===…Kirk’s campaign manager Kevin Artl ran wiggling to a blogger, shrieking that a Tribune reporter…===
When you try to marginalize the manner that you’re outflanked doesn’t take away the fact you got outflanked.
As for the “blogger” alleged slight?
I don’t need to show how influential or important Capitol Fax is in Illinois or as it’s seen by the country. The mere fact the news industry looked at, reported, and saw this move as influencing the Tribune, and the Tribune felt the need to respond, that’s says it all, doesn’t it?
Well done Rich, a marginally talented columnist feels the need to try to downplay Capitol Fax as his own paper felt the need to respond to your platform.
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Oct 6, 15 @ 4:14 pm
Duh- Thanks to the people on here who keep all of the rest of us in the loop… Who the “blogger” was went right over my head, and I read the article when it was posted…
He probably meant it as an slight, but I think O.W. said it all- Well Done!!
Comment by downstate commissioner Tuesday, Oct 6, 15 @ 4:31 pm
– If they had anything they would run with it.–
Well, if they don’t “have anything,” it was kind of goofy to share what you thought they had with the world, wasn’t it?
Rather than giving it to to Rich, and have everyone and their brother picking it up and running with it, why not just dump it on the Tribbies editors to scare them off?
The abuse allegations made news all over the world. It’s just that the only source articulating those allegations was the Kirk campaign.
If pre-emptive damage control was the model for every possibly negative story reporters snoop around about, the tabloid newspaper industry would be saved, because politicians would be self-reporting en masse, and way juicy stuff, too.
Believe it or not, it’s not easy to get negative stories of a personal nature on politicians past all the layers of bureaucracy in a newspaper.
Every reporter’s best stories are told at the tavern. They’re the ones that got spiked somewhere up the ladder.
Don’t fire until you see the black on the newsprint.
Comment by Wordslinger Tuesday, Oct 6, 15 @ 4:49 pm
And therein lies the problem with the Republican party in Illinois. What he is really saying is that Kirk isn’t Republican ENOUGH. And if we assume Kirk is doing his job in representing his constituents, he is also saying Illinois isn’t Republican ENOUGH for his liking. Welcome to the reality, buddy. Stay a while.
Comment by Harvest76 Tuesday, Oct 6, 15 @ 7:41 pm
======Kevin Artl ran wiggling to a blogger,=====
High praise from the Moutza Man
Comment by Boone's is Back Wednesday, Oct 7, 15 @ 8:57 am