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* WaPo…
Donald Trump’s private meeting Thursday with Senate Republicans – designed to foster greater party unity ahead of the national convention in Cleveland — grew combative as the presumptive presidential nominee admonished three senators who have been critical of his candidacy and predicted they would lose their reelection bids, according to two Republican officials with direct knowledge of the exchanges. […]
Trump also called out Sen. Mark Kirk (R-Ill.), who withdrew his endorsement of Trump last month citing the business mogul’s racially-based attacks on a federal judge, and said he did not approve of the senator’s action, said the officials.
Characterizing Kirk as a loser, Trump vowed that he would carry Illinois in the general election even though the state traditionally has been solidly Democratic in presidential contests. Kirk did not attend the meeting with Trump.
Unreal.
But it’s good for Kirk if you believe a spat with Trump will help.
…Adding… Sen. Kirk’s response…
“As I stated last month, I have come to the conclusion that Donald Trump lacks the judgment and temperament to lead our military and our nation.”
*** UPDATE *** AP…
Asked about them later, Kirk told The Associated Press: “I’ve run for election six times in Illinois. Really tough races for the Congress and for the Senate and won every race. Otherwise I wouldn’t be here.”
On why Trump would say Kirk would lose: “I guess the bully side of him. We haven’t seen a personality like his too much in the Midwest. Eastern, privileged, wealthy bully. Our bullies are made of better stuff in Illinois. We’re much more practical and polite.”
Kirk joked that he’s not on Trump’s Christmas card list anymore.
* And speaking of the presidential race, here’s the Democratic Party of Illinois…
This morning, Republican Mark Kirk took a peculiar detour from his partisan attack on Secretary Clinton by once again stating his intention to write in disgraced former CIA Director David Petraeus for President. Petraeus resigned in disgrace, had his security clearance revoked, hid classified material in his attic, and plead guilty to intentionally sharing classified information with his biographer, who was also his mistress. Kirk made the comments on a radio interview with WGN. In response, Democratic Party of Illinois spokesperson Sean Savett released the following statement:
“Is Mark Kirk serious with this? Immediately after leveling a partisan attack on Secretary Clinton, he encouraged others to join him in voting for an individual who isn’t running for President and did something the FBI said was ‘far worse’ by lying to investigators and knowingly leaking classified information, for which he plead guilty. It’s one thing for Kirk to reverse himself on supporting Donald Trump, the toxic presumptive Republican nominee who had Kirk’s support right up until his Illinois poll numbers went south — that’s just politics, and Kirk is nothing if not a typical politician. But to encourage others to throw away their votes on the disgraced former CIA director who isn’t seeking the office is absurd, and yet another reason it’s hard to take Mark Kirk seriously anymore.”
Here’s an abridged transcript of what Kirk said this morning. To listen to his full comments about Secretary Clinton and David Petraeus, click here.
COCHRAN: I share your concerns about Trump every day with people. And then I look at the alternative choice and I never thought I’d be in a position to even consider voting for Hillary Clinton. And yet here we are with those being our two main choices. I don’t know what to say to people when they say every day, ‘Well, what are we supposed to do?’
KIRK: Cochran, I got a way out for you. I’m gonna, I’m gonna write in Petraeus when I vote. And I encourage you too. I want to see Petraeus get a lot of votes so that just shows that there are thinking people out there that are really concerned about the security of the United States. Thinking that someone who has an outstanding potential as Commander-in-Chief and can be, should be, our new leader. With these two choices that you almost think it’s Tweedle-Dee Dumb and Tweedle-Dee bad.
Write-in votes aren’t counted in Illinois if the candidate isn’t registered in each county. It’s a complete waste of effort and Kirk undoubtedly knows it.
* On the Petraeus front, here’s FBI Director James Comey today…
But Petraeus clearly did show evidence of intentionally violating the law, Comey said.
Not only was Petraeus caught on tape telling his mistress and biographer that there was “code word stuff” in the “highly classified” material he slipped to her, the retired general also lied about a cache of classified material he had hidden in his attic, Comey said, comprising obstruction of justice and further evidence that he “knew what he was doing was a violation of the law.”
“We found [the classified materials] in a search warrant hidden under the insulation in his attic, and then he lied to us about it during the investigation.”
“That is the perfect illustration of the kind of cases that get prosecuted,” Comey said. “In my mind, it illustrates perfectly the distinction between this case.”
posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Jul 7, 16 @ 12:03 pm
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Kinzinger also laid into Trump in the WaPo article:
Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-Ill.) described Trump’s remarks in the meeting as “a lot of stream of consciousness” akin to what he says at rallies but “less cheery.”
He said Trump brought up his recent comments about Saddam Hussein “in the context of how unfair the media has been to him.” Trump has praised the former Iraqi dictator for being “so good” at killing terrorists while adding that’s all he thinks was good about a “bad guy, really bad guy.”
Kinzinger called Trump’s previous comments about Hussein “disgusting and despicable.” He said it was “awkward” to hear the GOP nominee defend his remarks in the room.
Comment by John Gregory (ex-IRN) Thursday, Jul 7, 16 @ 12:12 pm
“… then he lied to us about it during the investigation.”
It’s ok to lie to the American public to win such minor elected offices as President. Just don’t lie to the FBI during an investigation.
Comment by Huh? Thursday, Jul 7, 16 @ 12:12 pm
Trump predicted a win in illinois? For which candidate?
Comment by Harvest76 Thursday, Jul 7, 16 @ 12:19 pm
Republicans LOVE everything that Trump says! They have been waiting YEARS for a candidate like this.
As to Kirk. Who cares.
Comment by Doug Simpson Thursday, Jul 7, 16 @ 12:20 pm
Petraeus’ attic sure was an interesting place!
Comment by Amalia Thursday, Jul 7, 16 @ 12:22 pm
“It’s ok to lie to the American public to win such minor elected offices as President. Just don’t lie to the FBI during an investigation.”
Not ok ≠ crime
Not a crime ≠ ok
– MrJM
Comment by @MisterJayEm Thursday, Jul 7, 16 @ 12:28 pm
Ummm, no….
Comment by OneMan Thursday, Jul 7, 16 @ 12:43 pm
The party of “NO” may be progressing to “NO WAY!”. If the Republicans could not stop Trump, then by gosh, Trump may to do it all by himself.
Which just kind of confirms the speculation that Trump really never intended to win even the primary.
Comment by Vole Thursday, Jul 7, 16 @ 12:45 pm
I guess the real question is will Trump win California or Illinois by a larger margin since he has predicted both
Comment by Former State Employee Thursday, Jul 7, 16 @ 12:54 pm
I’m a Republican, don’t subscribe to any of what stands for, touts, or the persona that is Trump.
===Republicans LOVE everything that Trump says! They have been waiting YEARS for a candidate like this.===
We don’t. Please stop.
Look around. Not many way to g to share a stage with Trump, heck Gov. Walker, in a tweet, “endorsed”… “the nominee”… without saying the name “Trump”.
That’s been the rule, not the exception.
Capiche?
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Jul 7, 16 @ 12:57 pm
@oneman:
Ummmm, yes.
I guess if you mean the Conservative brand of the Republican Party….I suppose your right.
But to me its all the same, Republican is Republican. Paul Ryan is a Republican and has endorsed him. Bruce Rauner is a Republican and has just said he wont attend the Convention but I guess that means he still endorses him.
At least Mark Kirk has taken a stand.
They just act like he’s everybodys crazy uncle at Thanksgiving dinner.
Comment by Doug Simpson Thursday, Jul 7, 16 @ 1:05 pm
And I thought hidding valuables under the attic insulation would be a good idea. Those Federal guys look everywhere.
Comment by zatoichi Thursday, Jul 7, 16 @ 1:07 pm
===I guess if you mean the Conservative brand of the Republican Party….I suppose your right.===
No. You’re wrong.
My good friend - OneMan - wouldn’t classify my a traditional conservative and I’m not with Trump by any stretch.
===But to me its all the same.===
Ugh.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Jul 7, 16 @ 1:13 pm
= I guess that means he still endorses him. =
So not actually endorsing him = endorsing him. Got it.
Comment by Ron Burgundy Thursday, Jul 7, 16 @ 1:16 pm
Trump’s comments do help Kirk, but he needs to drop the Petraeus endorsement. Bad timing.
Comment by Wensicia Thursday, Jul 7, 16 @ 1:19 pm
OW — Party members own. They own Trump, and they own Rauner. Sorry, but they are your standard bearers. I owned Quinn and Blagojevich. It sucked, but I did.
Those are your guys.
Comment by Try-4-Truth Thursday, Jul 7, 16 @ 1:21 pm
Trump’s nomination is the GOP’s vilest chickens coming home to roost. And while Democrats smirk and sneer, their chickens lie in wait…
– MrJM
Comment by @MisterJayEm Thursday, Jul 7, 16 @ 1:23 pm
Willy, don’t feed the troll.
Comment by phocion Thursday, Jul 7, 16 @ 1:25 pm
Seeing that the Democratic State Senate committee is ponying up for a campaign worker for Corrine Pierog in the 25th could possibly mean-they don’t have enough races to spend their money on–or they are gambling that Trump will tank so hard in suburbia that this seat could possibly be in play-which is totally out of left field.
For Trump winning Illinois–in the eternal words of Bugs Bunny–”What a maroon”
Comment by train111 Thursday, Jul 7, 16 @ 1:30 pm
Well if you are going to use a monolithic definition of what a Republican is that fits your worldview then I suppose it can fit whatever you want. It is a bit like me saying after drinking a vodka (I am not a vodka drinker) that this vodka is what vodka drinkers are been waiting for and they are going to love this.
I don’t recall any time in my lifetime where a portion of major figures in a political party have distanced themselves from the presidential nominee like this. Senators saying they can’t support the candidate, I don’t recall that happening in my lifetime
Hell as someone who was a township party official in the GOP I do see something good coming out of this, if you are in fact right and he is what the GOP is than it will be that much easier for me to go Libertarian (on most social issues they are a better fit for me anyway).
But as someone who I suppose can still be referred to as a Republican, I can say he isn’t the candidate I have been looking for and he hasn’t said much (if anything) that I have been looking for a candidate to say.
Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Jul 7, 16 @ 1:30 pm
“vilest chickens coming home to roost”
I think I saw that. Was it by Hieronymus Bosch?
Comment by Bigtwich Thursday, Jul 7, 16 @ 1:44 pm
Trump won’t win Illinois. Kirk won’t win illinois. Trump will come closer than Kirk.
Comment by blue dog dem Thursday, Jul 7, 16 @ 1:44 pm
===OW — Party members own. They own Trump, and they own Rauner. Sorry, but they are your standard bearers. I owned Quinn and Blagojevich. It sucked, but I did.
Those are your guys.===
Nope.
I have a LONG history here why Rauner is a Raunerite, I am a Republican, and why during Rod’s unfortunate rule I swore to myself if the ILGOP had a person as completely destructive to Illinois as Rod came to lead my party I’d speak often and loudly my displeasure.
I’ve kept that promise to myself. Rauner has taken over the ILGOP, but the party is a name, a brand, and the politics are Raunerite politics.
I don’t own that, neither does Jim Edgar.
Where were those screaming at Rod? There were some, and they should be commended, but if you think for one second that I’m not a Republican, or that Rauner IS a Republican, and that I own policy and governing I continually rail against, nope, that’s not happening.
With great respect, a Party is not a religion, nor should people agree on all things, nor should anyone be required to agree on everything to BE a part of any party, but… the fundamentals of a party, when corrupted for an agenda, and hijacked for a cause and a man… no, I don’t own that, and not should any who see the truth.
OW
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Jul 7, 16 @ 1:46 pm
OW have the courage of your convictions.
Either you are a Republician with Trump and 1.4% as the political standard bearers.
Or you say that Trump and 1.4% do not represent your views of the Republican party and withdraw from the party like George Will did.
There is nothing wrong with being an independent, right or left. So come on in. The water is fine.
Comment by Huh? Thursday, Jul 7, 16 @ 1:53 pm
Kirk rarely disappoints when it comes to his own unique brand of weird.
Why Petraeus, though? What’s the attraction? Why not Colin Powell? Petraeus steps all over today’s “Hilary scandal” message that the team is flogging.
Of course, last week, the team was screaming for Comey to make the call instead of Lynch. Now that it didn’t go their way, Comey is supposedly in on the conspiracy.
The No. 2 guy in W’s Justice Department, in the tank for Clinton…..
These guys can’t get out of their own way. No wonder Trump is the national leader.
Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Jul 7, 16 @ 1:54 pm
===and withdraw from the party like George Will did.===
Who the heck cares what George Will does?
Seriously.
There are no “either or’s” in life. There are many paths than can be followed. And he, or me, or anyone else, do not have to succumb to your silly constructs.
Either stop arguing like a child or leave.
Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Jul 7, 16 @ 1:57 pm
Too bad Roskam couldn’t be convinced to take Kirk’s place on the ballot. At least he’s a Republican and he may have had a shot against Tammy.
Regarding supporting Trump, I wish someone with more gravitas could’ve gotten the nomination, but none of the other 17 understood the issues most on the minds of the Primary voters. Trump expressed the people’s rage of the corrupt Washington elite, and it resonated.
Lots of parallels with Rauner there. He showed no knowledge or plan to deal with Illinois’ problems either politically or operationally, but he understood the disgust of the voters regarding Springfield and the crooked Ill government in general.
At least Trump has some good advisors on policy lined up who DO understand the issues, the politics and policies…and he listens to them. I wish we could say the same of Rauner.
Comment by Illinois Bob Thursday, Jul 7, 16 @ 1:58 pm
Trump has never been my candidate. His record has been clearly Democratic, especially on social issues, than Republican. I don’t support him.
Two years ago, I felt the same about Rauner.
I remember Democrats being stuck with turkeys under their party banner. I never claimed that those turkeys represented the Democrats. When Blagojevich was their candidate, I wanted to see my Democratic friends denounce him - they didn’t. Lisa Madigan didn’t endorse him. We all knew why.
So let’s stop wrecking friendships over Trump. Stop talking lIke he’s wanted by the Illinois GOP. Claiming he is-is an obvious mistruth.
Both parties are on the verge of anointing turkeys. Neither Trump or “OJ” Clinton is more attractive than the 20 other presidential candidates that ran this year. Watching both parties decompose with these turkeys at the top is going to suck.
Imagine if the next gubernatorial election was between Rauner or Jerry Springer. Everyone is owed better.
Beating one another over the head as to whom has the biggest turkey candidate doesn’t help us forget that they are both complete turkeys.
CapFax folks deserve better, regardless of our politics.
Comment by VanillaMan Thursday, Jul 7, 16 @ 2:01 pm
“… a Party is not a religion, nor should people agree on all things, nor should anyone be required to agree on everything to BE a part of any party, but… the fundamentals of a party, when corrupted for an agenda, and hijacked for a cause and a man… no, I don’t own that, and not should any who see the truth.”
OW - I agree with everything you wrote. However, recent history has shown that the party is a religion and everybody must agree to the agenda to be a member of the party. Regardless of the party being hijacked for an agenda or by a person, party members blindly follow along no matter how damaging.
Comment by Huh? Thursday, Jul 7, 16 @ 2:04 pm
===However, recent history has shown that the party is a religion and everybody must agree to the agenda to be a member of the party.===
If you leverage $20 million against Caucuses, it’s more about falling into line then actually towing the line. A very large, distinct difference, and while I have my concerns with Leaders Radogno and Durkin, unlike Rauner, I root openly for the Leaders, and here’s the rub, many times my chastising them seems to run counter, I’d like to think they see my thoughts on their face as why they too might find issue with Raunerite policy as they tow the line, because others require all to fall into line.
===Regardless of the party being hijacked for an agenda or by a person, party members blindly follow along no matter how damaging.===
I’d point out in instance or 3 where Rauner’s grasp was too tight, and those “blindly following” threatened to rebel and got their way.
It’s how its perceived that’s driving this “absolutism”, not how it’s actually playing out?
With respect.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Jul 7, 16 @ 2:13 pm
–Too bad Roskam couldn’t be convinced to take Kirk’s place on the ballot.–
Huh? “Convinced” by whom, when? On this planet?
Did Kirk offer not to run? Did he offer to withdraw from the ballot after he won the primary?
On this planet, Gidwitz — who used to be big-money heat — made some noises about Kirk dropping out before the primary and within hours, literally, the Rauner crew had beaten him to a bloody pulp and had him crying uncle.
There’s only one boss of the Illinois GOP, Bob. On this planet.
Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Jul 7, 16 @ 2:33 pm
Mark Kirk sold out this country first, and the GOP second.
Comment by Cheryl44 Thursday, Jul 7, 16 @ 2:37 pm
Trump must really be compensating for something given that he has to make totally unbelievable brags all the time.
Comment by Albany Park Patriot Thursday, Jul 7, 16 @ 3:35 pm
@Wordslinger
=There’s only one boss of the Illinois GOP, Bob. On this planet.=
I assume that you’re speaking of Rauner, Word, and if he’s the one who was pushing for Kirk over better candidates, it’s pretty much consistent with some pretty poor political decisions he’s made since getting elected.
Comment by illinois bob Thursday, Jul 7, 16 @ 3:37 pm
I am an independent who can’t stand HRC. However Trump is simply a bafoon. I am praying the Rs come to their senses and nominate someone who actually can handle the job and dump Trump
Comment by Sue Thursday, Jul 7, 16 @ 3:50 pm
“Our bullies are made of better stuff in Illinois.”
What?
Comment by Springfieldish Thursday, Jul 7, 16 @ 4:02 pm
Sue,
that makes two of us…
Comment by OneMan Thursday, Jul 7, 16 @ 4:19 pm
My family has been in the party of Lincoln since Lincoln was a Whig. The delegates to the convention need to reject Trump as the nominee. Please put the country first.
Comment by Last Bull Moose Thursday, Jul 7, 16 @ 4:26 pm
kirk needs to endorse hillary to stem the flow, even then it is unlikely that he will survive.
Comment by atsuishin Thursday, Jul 7, 16 @ 4:27 pm
=Trump expressed the people’s rage of the corrupt Washington elite, and it resonated.=
No, that would be Bernie Sanders. Trump expressed the people’s rage over something very different and far more vile.
Comment by pundent Thursday, Jul 7, 16 @ 5:15 pm
== I am praying the Rs come to their senses and nominate someone who actually can handle the job and dump Trump ==
Sue, I can actually agree with that sentiment.
Comment by RNUG Thursday, Jul 7, 16 @ 5:31 pm
Jim Edgar is a maroon too. Rauner is he only Republican I’ve ever supported in this state.
Comment by Ron Thursday, Jul 7, 16 @ 5:51 pm
FWIW, the WSJ has reported that the Trump campaign is targeting 17 states as in play, and Illinois ain’t one of them.
All of our neighbors except Kentucky are on the list.
Trump’s crew also has Minnesota as in play. I’d like some of what they’re having for the weekend. The last time Minnesota went GOP was the ‘72 Nixon landslide.
http://blogs.wsj.com/washwire/2016/07/06/donald-trump-campaign-to-target-17-states-in-november-election/
Comment by wordslinger Friday, Jul 8, 16 @ 9:11 am