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* So, according to US Sen. Mark Kirk, Tammy Duckworth hired a criminal under orders from Rod Blagojevich? Really? Where did that even come from? As we’ve already discussed, a criminal was allegedly hired at the Anna Veterans’ Home in 2007 by the facility’s acting manager, not by Duckworth. And he was told to get out the next day. Nobody has ever said that Duckworth knew about the hiring in advance (in fact, one of the whistleblowers in this bizarre case said under oath that the acting manager was solely responsible) and nobody has ever once alleged that Blagojevich played a role in it.
* Here is a transcript of Sen. Kirk talking to reporters yesterday with his most absurd comments highlighted for your reading convenience…
KIRK: I will be able to send you the picture of me in Qalat, Zabul Province in 2009, where I went on a foot patrol walk with the locals. And I’ve done three served assignments in Afghanistan. I know Tammy would like to take that away from me. I actually went to Afghanistan and I worked for General Vick Nicholson, who is now the commander of ISAF. Let me take a moment; take it one of you wanted to about this man Jesse Bell. That is the center of the case against Tammy Duckworth. The two whistleblowers that came forward, who said to us that the entire dispute was between Tammy Duckworth and the people at Anna nursing home Was over hiring this convicted felon, who was a convicted felon. Let me read you his rap sheet.
Guilty Of Felony For Possession Of Stolen Vehicle, Guilty Of Felony For Knowingly engaging in domestic Battery, Guilty Causing Bodily Harm; Guilty of Fleeing Police, Guilty of elder abuse, Guilty Domestic Battery. In the case of…let me be very specific, Jessie Bell committed his greatest crime after Duckworth hired him is now in the Pinckneyville prison for murder. That shows you the kind of person that he was. We cannot have someone running for the Senate who picks people this questionable taking care of our veterans. This disqualifies Tammy Duckworth from office. By, under orders from Rod Blagojevich for whatever reason she wanted to pick up this multiple convicted felon taking care of veterans in the Anna facility and the whistleblowers were exactly correct in saying that this man should not be taking care of veterans.
Reporter: And you know they already responded he did only work for 24 hours?
Kirk: I would say that putting someone this questionable in charge of, and you know, when you look at the whistleblowers, they really heavily objected to this and they were correct to do that and if a normal, like for me it was very easy for my staff to get his prison pictures online.
Reporter: Are you saying that Duckworth had a direct role in hiring the bad guy?
Kirk: She, uh according to the uh, I talked to the uh, my staff talked to the uh, talked to the plaintiffs. They highlighted the battle with Tammy Duckworth was over Jessie Bell, this convicted murderer…
Reporter: Are you saying that Duckworth had a direct role in hiring that man?
Kirk: According to the — my staff talked to the plaintiffs. They highlighted the battle with Tammy Duckworth over Jessie Bell, this convicted murderer. Who committed this murder after he was involved with the Anna nursing home facility.
Reporter: So you have Duckworth hiring this person, correct?
Kirk: She was insisting that this person could come in and that’s why the whistleblowers — let me point out the whistleblowers were right here and highlight my record on whistleblower protection. In the last VA appropriations bill, I put the Kirk whistleblower protection act in there to make sure that people who may be a convicted murderer should be taken care of veterans so they have protections. We’ve got to protect the protectors here.
Man, is that ever weird. Again, if you need a refresher, click here.
* Audio…
* Response from the Duckworth campaign…
“Mark Kirk has floated plenty of lies, but this one is absurd. Tammy had no role in any unauthorized individuals entering the Anna facility, and virtually nothing he said today is supported by the court record — or reality. This is a new low, even for Kirk, and he should be ashamed of himself.” - Matt McGrath, campaign spokesman
Kirk was accused by the Duckworth campaign yesterday of deceptively pumping up his military service record. Instead of focusing on blowing that out of the water, he talked about Rod Blagojevich. Weird.
* Related…
* Judge Vacates Duckworth Trial Date
* United in refusal to back Trump, Kasich stumps for Kirk
* Sen. Mark Kirk Campaigns in Chicago with Ohio Gov. John Kasich
* Mark Kirk in Electoral Vise as Republican in Illinois Senate Race
posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Aug 5, 16 @ 11:29 am
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===She, uh according to the uh, I talked to the uh, my staff talked to the uh, talked to the plaintiffs.===
So…no? The answer is no, Duckworth had no direct role in hiring this guy.
But, but, but…
Comment by 47th Ward Friday, Aug 5, 16 @ 11:34 am
what the what indeed. in fact, what the blerg!!!!!
Comment by Amalia Friday, Aug 5, 16 @ 11:35 am
I am a fan of Sen. Kirk. However, this transcript makes me wonder if he has problems,organic or other, more significant than I had believed. These aren’t just misstatements, they show real loss of not just articulateness, but perhaps of cognitive function. Sen Kirk, I urge you to take a look again as to whether it’s good for you to be in this race.
Comment by steve schnorf Friday, Aug 5, 16 @ 11:38 am
The main thing is keeping the poppy fields protected.
Comment by Term Limits, Like ONE! Friday, Aug 5, 16 @ 11:39 am
Where was the campaign/legislative staffer to yank the mic away or push a United States Senator out of the hall/into the hall, or otherwise physically prevent him from speaking short, prepared and practiced scripts.
Welcome to the meltdown.
Comment by Springfieldish Friday, Aug 5, 16 @ 11:44 am
Illinois Senate race mirrors Presidential race…..race to the bottom, and no good choice in either. Clinton will not fail to carry on the bad Clinton legacy, but anyone who considers voting for Trump is off the rails. Any jackass in a bar, coffee shop, whereever could spout off the same stuff as Trump. And they would have the same qualifications as he
Comment by Anonymous Friday, Aug 5, 16 @ 11:44 am
I think Sen Kirk must have spent too much time in the sun yesterday….sheesh what a mess.
Comment by allknowingmasterofracoondom Friday, Aug 5, 16 @ 11:45 am
How I wish we could have a total re-do on both party’s candidates in this senate race.
Comment by Responsa Friday, Aug 5, 16 @ 11:45 am
Two weird things: What Kirk actually said, and, that Matt McGrath still has a job there. Eek.
Comment by A guy Friday, Aug 5, 16 @ 11:54 am
Thank goodness Rauner provided a lifeboat for all those former Kirk staffers. They might have had to find real jobs next January.
Comment by Daniel Plainview Friday, Aug 5, 16 @ 12:03 pm
I’m with Steve and have been wondering same for awhile.
Comment by Politix Friday, Aug 5, 16 @ 12:04 pm
“I put the Kirk whistleblower protection act in there to make sure that people who may be a convicted murderer should be taken care of veterans so they have protections.”
I’d stick to written statements prepared by staff in the future.
Comment by Wensicia Friday, Aug 5, 16 @ 12:08 pm
It is really sad to the level this campaign is evolving to.
I respected the Senator for some of the positions he took early in his career abd his recent denunciation of Trump - never voted for him, but didn’t vote for Alexi either.
These lies and misstatements are unworthy anyone who wants to remain a member of “The Most Exclusive Club in the Country.” Sad.
Comment by illini Friday, Aug 5, 16 @ 12:09 pm
I sure hope Gidwitz is proud he stood up to Rauner about Kirk.
Oh that’s right, he laid down like a scolded child. I’ll give Rauner credit, he recognizes how easy it is to bully his fellow republicans.
Comment by Daniel Plainview Friday, Aug 5, 16 @ 12:10 pm
The opportunities to actually hear Kirk speak over the last couple of years have been limited. I did have an opportunity to see him question a witness at a Senate hearing on CSPAN several months ago and it was very sad to witness. As Schnorf commented above his comments were rambling disjointed and didn’t really follow any logical thought. It was almost as if someone gave him a script to follow and he was having a hard time remembering it. It was just sad to watch. I have a feeling that by the time the debates roll around we’ll all have a better appreciation for what his current challenges are. I’ve always liked the guy but its been clear to me for some time that his stroke has taken a pretty significant toll on him.
Comment by pundent Friday, Aug 5, 16 @ 12:22 pm
I’m glad that Schnorf said what many of us have been thinking.
Taking it a step further, it seems like Kirk may have lost some of the filters or impulse control. It could be age, the injury, or maybe he’s just been in the Senate too long, but he’s different from the person who went to Congress for the north shore.
It really is unfortunate.
Comment by Gooner Friday, Aug 5, 16 @ 12:27 pm
==Thank goodness Rauner provided a lifeboat for all those former Kirk staffers. They might have had to find real jobs next January.==
Please. Two can play this game. Thank goodness following her electoral loss to Roskam, Quinn provided a lifeboat job to Tammy at the state VA so she and Matt’d have something to put in ads.
Comment by Responsa Friday, Aug 5, 16 @ 12:33 pm
I think Kirk is attacking the wrong thing here.
It’s pretty obvious that Duckworth had no hand in hiring the individual. The damaging part of this story is the lack of leadership and judgement Duckworth demonstrated when she fired the whistle-blowers for “insubordination” and failed to look for ways to make sure the situation didn’t happen again showed.
Embellishing the narrative on this story discredits the parts that are actually worrying and hurts the Kirk Campaign.
My vote is up in the air on this one now.
Comment by Chicago_Downstater Friday, Aug 5, 16 @ 12:37 pm
Kirk’s questioning begins at about the 1 hour 10 minute mark. Something definitely seems off these days.
https://www.c-span.org/video/?327077-1/richard-cordray-testimony-semiannual-report
Comment by pundent Friday, Aug 5, 16 @ 12:39 pm
Next thing you’re going to tell me is that his stair climb stunt after his stroke was a fake.
Comment by weltschmerz Friday, Aug 5, 16 @ 12:41 pm
- Two can play this game. -
Not well, apparently. Better check your timeline.
Comment by Daniel Plainview Friday, Aug 5, 16 @ 12:50 pm
Lots of talk nationally about ‘fit for office’. Does IL have a version of this too?
Comment by sal-says Friday, Aug 5, 16 @ 1:12 pm
Saying Kirk is “totally confused” is a charitable interpretation. But what if he’s just a desperate liar.
Comment by hisgirlfriday Friday, Aug 5, 16 @ 1:12 pm
Then-Secretary Duckworth was made aware of the background of the convicted felon, and she did not take steps to remedy the situation. Senator Kirk may have articulated his point poorly, but it doesn’t change the fact that Secretary Duckworth exercised poor judgment in not dismissing the employee.
Comment by John Charles Fremont Friday, Aug 5, 16 @ 1:23 pm
I think it could have been worded differently, but he’s on point. The buck ultimately stopped at TD. When the erroneous hire was brought to her attention, rather than dealing with the defunct employees, she fired the person blowing the whistle on it.
Comment by Terrible Towel Friday, Aug 5, 16 @ 1:24 pm
Whatever happened to honesty and truthfulness?
Comment by Mama Friday, Aug 5, 16 @ 1:25 pm
The good news for Republicans is that they can always write in the name of D̶a̶v̶i̶d̶ ̶P̶e̶t̶r̶a̶e̶u̶s̶ Colin Powell.
– MrJM
Comment by @MisterJayEm Friday, Aug 5, 16 @ 1:26 pm
Seems like there’s some kind of aphasia going on in Kirk’s circuitry. I kinda feel bad for him. I don’t expect we’re gonna see a debate . . .
Comment by Ray del Camino Friday, Aug 5, 16 @ 1:26 pm
I think its time for Senator Kirk to leave public office.
Comment by Mama Friday, Aug 5, 16 @ 1:27 pm
===rather than dealing with the defunct employees===
From what I gather, she had some words with that acting manager about it. Either way, it was already over by the time she got there.
Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Aug 5, 16 @ 1:28 pm
The relevant issue here is that the hiring of a felon (which occurred due to a lack of background checks) is reflective of Duckworth’s uninvolved, ignore-the-problems form of “leadership” while with the VA. It’s clear that she did not possess the skills necessary to oversee a large multilevel organization and/or she just didn’t care.
Comment by Dennis Friday, Aug 5, 16 @ 1:31 pm
Dennis:
Read this sentence:
“in fact, one of the whistleblowers in this bizarre case said under oath that the acting manager was solely responsible”
I’m not defending Duckworth’s tenure but this notion that she was involved or knew about it is ridiculous. Hiring gets done all the time without the involvement of a Director.
Comment by Demoralized Friday, Aug 5, 16 @ 1:42 pm
=Any jackass in a bar, coffee shop, whereever could spout off the same stuff as Trump. And they would have the same qualifications as he =
I saw this exact thing on the news the other night. They were interviewing a guy in a bar who claimed he was voting for Trump because, “he’s just like me.” The reporter noted that Trump was a billionaire and the dufus responded, “Yeah, but he’s still just like me.”
I thought, exactly the point. Trump is no more qualified to be president than that dufus in the bar.
Comment by MSIX Friday, Aug 5, 16 @ 1:44 pm
i hire you, you hire a criminal, i’m responsible. I thought it reasonable to expect that people know this….
Comment by nickname Friday, Aug 5, 16 @ 1:49 pm
===i hire you, you hire a criminal, i’m responsible.===
Yes, but that isn’t what happened. Using your example (and typing slowly):
A criminal is hired, then fired, then I get hired, how am I responsible?
Like Kirk, while it’s tempting to twist the facts into a helpful narrative, the truth can’t be twisted so easily.
Comment by 47th Ward Friday, Aug 5, 16 @ 1:56 pm
Facts are up for debate these days. How much weight they carry may depend on how much weight voters want to give them.
Comment by Jerry in Chicago Friday, Aug 5, 16 @ 4:14 pm