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* CNBC…
Along with mayors, many Republican politicians down the ballot in state and federal offices have been avoiding Trump. Republicans in endangered seats, like Wisconsin Sen. Ron Johnson or Illinois Sen. Mark Kirk, have been particularly hesitant to endorse him, and in some cases have outright rebuked him. Struggling with a divisive nominee, The New York Times reported some GOP senators have even received fundraising help from an unusual source: former President George W. Bush.
* But, apparently, Bush won’t be helping Sen. Kirk…
Former President George W. Bush is lending a hand to vulnerable Republicans in competitive Senate races across the country this summer, CNN reported Friday, but Illinois U.S. Senator Mark Kirk is not among them.
Either Kirk is viewed as not vulnerable or not competitive, no explanation was offered.
Bush has attended fundraisers for Arizona Sen. John McCain and New Hampshire Sen. Kelly Ayotte, and will attend upcoming events for Missouri Sen. Roy Blunt, Wisconsin Sen. Ron Johnson and Ohio Sen. Rob Portman, according to The New York Times.
Well, we know he’s vulnerable, so that’s not a good explanation. Maybe it’s as simple as no events are scheduled yet.
But another reason might be that W was (and likely remains) hugely unpopular here. He got clobbered by John Kerry in 2004, while a certain Chicago state legislator launched his national career by running a largely anti-Bush campaign for US Senate.
Bush’s second midterm in 2006 was an unmitigated disaster here, and wound up handing the state Senate Democrats a super-majority. Also, people tend to believe the “polka” footage of George Ryan dancing with Judy Baar Topinka tanked her campaign. But the people I know in the Rod Blagojevich campaign swore that the video they used of her appearing with Bush at a Chicago event did far more damage. Whatever it was, RRB won by ten points. The trend was most definitely his friend.
…Adding… My theory has been confirmed.
posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Jun 20, 16 @ 1:43 pm
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Bush getting “clobbered” isn’t the answer about why he’s not coming here. He did plenty good in lots of counties downstate, and besides, even when he was getting “clobbered” here himself, he still came here to raise money.
Comment by Michael Westen Monday, Jun 20, 16 @ 1:47 pm
“W. won’t be helping Kirk”
Heh. That’s true whether the former president campaigns for him in Illinois or not.
Comment by 47th Ward Monday, Jun 20, 16 @ 1:50 pm
Why would Kirk want to go near him? Not much nostalgia here for the Iraq War/ISIS and the near return of the Great Depression.
Comment by Chicago Taxpayer Monday, Jun 20, 16 @ 1:56 pm
In 2010, Mark Kirk narrowly defeated a banker (48%-46.5%) in the most anti-banker climate in living memory. In 2016, his only hope will be to run as far and fast from his party as possible — but without alienating Republican voters. That needle can’t be threaded.
Kirk was an accidental senator. The accident won’t be repeated.
– MrJM
Comment by @MisterJayEm Monday, Jun 20, 16 @ 1:58 pm
I have a feeling a lot of people are going to be shocked when this election is finally over. Not saying Kirk is competitive, but anyone that thinks they have a handle on this thing is delusional.
You couldn’t dream up two pres candidates less desirable to moderates and crossovers. This is going to be about who can scare their party into showing up, which is going to be tough. But even then, when they look down ballot will the voters be in a “throw them out” mood or vote straight ticket?
Comment by m Monday, Jun 20, 16 @ 2:04 pm
Hey, Westen. Check the update.
You’re flat wrong.
Comment by Rich Miller Monday, Jun 20, 16 @ 2:04 pm
I doubt that a Bush is going to be helpful in Hillary Clinton’s home state.
Comment by Demoralized Monday, Jun 20, 16 @ 2:13 pm
M.
Spot on
Comment by Chungas revenge Monday, Jun 20, 16 @ 2:14 pm
Good thing Westen isn’t the general consultant for Kirk! “Hey guys, let’s get our already on the ropes candidate photographed with the least popular GOP president in decades in a blue state!”
Comment by Precinct Captain Monday, Jun 20, 16 @ 2:25 pm
“This is going to be about who can scare their party into showing up, which is going to be tough.”
Mr. Trump will be a blessing to a Democratic Party that has heretofore shamefully failed to secure the loyalty of Latino and suburban white women voters. (I’m equally certain that HRC will secure the straight, white male vote for the GOP, but exclusionary appeals to that demographic is a recipe for shrinking, not growing, the Republican Party.)
– MrJM
Comment by @MisterJayEm Monday, Jun 20, 16 @ 2:28 pm
I suppose it’s not surprising Bush is skipping this state after the RNC mostly pulled out. Kirk is on his own this time and should avoid Rauner as well as Trump.
Comment by Wensicia Monday, Jun 20, 16 @ 2:31 pm
This does not sound good for Kirk.
Comment by Mama Monday, Jun 20, 16 @ 2:31 pm
Guessing DC Goppies think CommandoMakeItUp is a goner but heck W probably has to change planes at OHare so they do a little dance in Rosemont and drag in some $$$
Comment by Annonin' Monday, Jun 20, 16 @ 2:42 pm
I thought that New York is Hillary’s home state?
Comment by Fries is Extra Monday, Jun 20, 16 @ 2:42 pm
@MisterJayEm: An accidental Senator like Carol Moseley-Braun or Peter Fitzgerald? And if Dick Durbin wasn’t an “accident”, keep giving me the accidental ones, please.
Comment by Indochine Monday, Jun 20, 16 @ 2:55 pm
George Bush the younger is a political pariah in my neck of the woods, and hes not into helping K because K supported Mc Cain.
Mc Cainiacs they call then i believe.
who cares?
Comment by Team Warwick Monday, Jun 20, 16 @ 2:57 pm
Wasn’t there a spat about Bush’s choice to replace Patrick Fitzgerald that Kirk had a hand in?
Comment by Boone's is Back Monday, Jun 20, 16 @ 3:38 pm
Kirk’s opponent suffered serious injury in a war zone GWB is most known for deploying our troops into.
That’s reason enough.
Comment by A guy Monday, Jun 20, 16 @ 3:46 pm
“An accidental Senator like Carol Moseley-Braun or Peter Fitzgerald?”
Exactly like them.
Unlike Durbin — re-elected three times — Kirk will soon join Carol and Peter as one-term wonders.
– MrJM
Comment by @MisterJayEm Monday, Jun 20, 16 @ 4:15 pm
I have a feeling with the GOP being bought and paid for by the gun lobby, Kirk will lose.As will other Senators in the mid-west,doing nothing except saying no will not work.There are a lot of people very angry about guns.
Comment by mokenavince Monday, Jun 20, 16 @ 7:45 pm