* This interview with Mark Kirk was obviously a frustrating experience for the AP staff…
While insisting Illinois voters deserve “more honesty” from politicians, Republican Senate candidate Mark Kirk repeatedly ducked questions or fell back on stock answers Tuesday when pressed about his military record, attacks on his opponent and other issues in one of the nation’s most-watched Senate races.
In an interview with The Associated Press, Kirk repeated his past apologies for exaggerating his accomplishments in the U.S. Naval Reserve, but would not comment in detail about the false claims or say why he made them. […]
Kirk refused to say whether he agrees that Alexi Giannoulias, his Democratic rival for the Senate seat once held by President Barack Obama, is a “failed mob banker” — a label used almost daily by Republican allies and his own campaign. […]
Kirk was so precise during the hourlong interview that he described Giannoulias’ actions with virtually the same phrase — “he lent a tremendous amount of money to mobsters and felons” — eight times. […]
Kirk also has suggested he came under fire while an observer on flights over Kosovo and Iraq, but he repeatedly refused Tuesday to discuss those incidents or even confirm whether they took place.
I get that Kirk’s past problems with the truth means he has to watch every word he says, but constantly avoiding questions by repeating the same phrase over and over again will drive reporters absolutely batty.
On the other hand, give him props for staying on message. What some candidates fail to realize is that just because a reporter asks you a question more than once doesn’t mean you have to answer it.
* In other news, the Daily Caller takes a look at Alexi Giannoulias’ campaign attempting to inform voters through the media that the Libertarian Senate candidate is the only pro-life, pro-gun person in the race…
Brian Gaines, an associate professor of political science at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and a member of the Institute of Government and Public Affairs, expressed doubts that either a Green or Libertarian candidate with little money and little name recognition could steal a significant number of votes to make a difference. “For Giannoulias, the risk of mentioning [Labno] at all is that it smacks of desperation,” he told The Daily Caller in an e-mail. “In his bid to ridicule Kirk, he could end up looking like a guy grasping for straws, wasting his breath on trivial points in the absence of a compelling message.”
He may be right if it’s only an earned media message, but since I first commented on this development I’ve been hearing about a planned paid media message via direct mail through an independent expenditure. We’ll have to see if it comes to fruition.
* Speaking of earned media…
First lady Michelle Obama will visit Chicago on Oct. 13 to help raise money for state Democrats leading up to the Nov. 2 mid-term elections.
Obama will appear at a fundraiser for Senate candidate Alexi Giannoulias and at a joint fundraiser for Reps. Bill Foster and Debbie Halvorson and House candidate Dan Seals, her office announced today.
Don’t expect the first lady to take sharp aim at the Republicans.
Instead, an official said, Mrs. Obama will talk about how the country is beginning to turn a corner in terms of strengthening the middle class. She will highlight insurance coverage for children with pre-existing conditions, protection from hidden credit-card fees, work-life balance and other topics, the official said.
That visit will be covered heavily, and, of course, it ought to raise a whole bunch of cash for paid media.
* Related…
* Education Secretary Arne Duncan will campaign for Democrats: Duncan also mentioned plans to campaign for Virginia Rep. Tom Perriello and Illinois Senate hopeful Alexi Giannoulias.
* LeAlan Jones Says “Meet the Press” Is Blacking Him Out
* DSCC Attacks Mark Kirk on Jobs in New Ad
* Truthish or Falsey: DSCC Says Kirk Is Indifferent to the Unemployed, Minimum Wage Earners
* New exchange in Kirk/Giannoulias TV war
- A.B. - Wednesday, Sep 22, 10 @ 12:43 pm:
Smart play by Kirk. Stick to the message and don’t allow those issues to be a story again in the campaign. If the only story is that there is no story, he’s in good shape.
It is rather funny to me that some media entities told Kirk that they would no longer cover the race if all they talked about was the Giannoulias failed bank and mob ties. However the media continues to dig on Kirk’s military background and want to pull out more dirt on that topic…hypocritical??? maybe…
- Rich Miller - Wednesday, Sep 22, 10 @ 12:47 pm:
===some media entities told Kirk===
That was one producer for one station. And he quickly backtracked. Try not to embellish. lol
- A.B. - Wednesday, Sep 22, 10 @ 12:50 pm:
…eh, there’s been a lot going on, so the memory might be a bit fuzzy, but I still find it comical.
Wondering when the media is going to start hammering AG over when he was or wasn’t a bank employee and when he did or didn’t know about the criminal dealings of his professional”acquaintances”.
- A.B. - Wednesday, Sep 22, 10 @ 12:51 pm:
I guess what I’m actually saying is, when the heck are we going to move on to some of the real issues facing the US Senate?
- bored now - Wednesday, Sep 22, 10 @ 1:06 pm:
wow. kirk ducked questions. who could have foreseen that???
- 47th Ward - Wednesday, Sep 22, 10 @ 1:06 pm:
A.B. raises a good point. Yesterday the Senate voted on the defense authorization bill that also had the amendments on DADT and the DREAM Act. The Republicans successfully blocked a vote despite the fact that 56 votes in support were present.
Why can’t the media pin down the candidates on where they stand exactly on DADT, DREAM Act, immigration generally, and the filibuster. I mean, that’s actual news, isn’t it? And it would tell us a lot about both candidates.
- 10th Indy - Wednesday, Sep 22, 10 @ 1:12 pm:
… or what plans they have to reduce the national debt, bring jobs to illinois, compete in a global economy, reduce waste, etc? I know Kirk is talking about these issues. I assume Alexi is but these issues don’t make for clever headlines …
- Louis G. Atsaves - Wednesday, Sep 22, 10 @ 1:13 pm:
I’ll put my partisan hat on for this one. And congratulate Kirk for staying on message.
The press doesn’t seem to be harping on the Giannoulias banking issues, including his not paying income taxes (ala Brady), and the family taking out $75 million in “dividends” just before the bank started to tank, and then didn’t put back a dime of it. He oversaw a number of loans to some pretty shady characters, and has come up with different explanations as to how these coincidentally took place.
But Brother Dimitri now runs a Giannoulias bank in Brooklyn, NY. Go figure! No one in the press mentions that these days.
In fact, I don’t see too many Giannoulias press conferences, which the press doesn’t seem to be harping about. Kirk may have actually had more than Alexi post primary.
So why is the AP still harping on Kirk?
What ever happened to the days when the media would harp on both guys?
- The Captain - Wednesday, Sep 22, 10 @ 1:15 pm:
With the announcement yesterday that the First Lady is coming to town it sounds like Pat Quinn was auditioning for a speaking role.
- Cincinnatus - Wednesday, Sep 22, 10 @ 1:26 pm:
Rich said,
“I get that Kirk’s past problems with the truth means he has to watch every word he says, but constantly avoiding questions by repeating the same phrase over and over again will drive reporters absolutely batty.”
Since I am not a reporter, can you explain why after two, three, four, five, six, and seven times asking the same question, why would a reporter expect an different answer on the EIGHTH time?
If you were interviewing me, I’d say, “Let’s move on, if you have any other questions to ask me.”
- Cincinnatus - Wednesday, Sep 22, 10 @ 1:33 pm:
47th Ward said,
“Why can’t the media pin down the candidates on where they stand exactly on DADT, DREAM Act, immigration generally, and the filibuster.”
You know there was consensus on the DREAM act, and that some of its sponsors voted for filibuster because it was attached to the Defense Appropriations Act. Same with DADT.
My point is that it doesn’t really matter what a candidate thinks about a specific piece of legislation any more. No bill stands alone with this Congress, and the way Congress is operation makes even supporters of certain legislation vote for filibuster. The better question would be what a candidate thinks about Harry Reid’s (and Nancy Pelosi’s) leadership of the Congress. That’s an answer I’d like to hear.
- Wumpus - Wednesday, Sep 22, 10 @ 1:41 pm:
Kirk is reminiscent of Jack!’s campaign..ducking and hiding. Kirk has no excuse because he should know asd he is apolitician
- bored now - Wednesday, Sep 22, 10 @ 1:46 pm:
Louis G. Atsaves: the media is “still” harping on kirk because he lied to them. that’s the same reason why members of congress won’t trust him. the only people that don’t seem bothered by that pathology are certain voters in illinois. but this is illinois!
- John Bambenek - Wednesday, Sep 22, 10 @ 1:46 pm:
That paid mailer is an interesting tactic. I’d bet cash there are two, one that talks abortion, another on cap and trade. Specifically to head off the lame duck session argument Kirk has been making.
My guess it’s Tim Gill that’s spearheading that move. That’s his style.
- Rich Miller - Wednesday, Sep 22, 10 @ 1:47 pm:
===why would a reporter expect an different answer on the EIGHTH time?===
Because sometimes it works.
- Louis G. Atsaves - Wednesday, Sep 22, 10 @ 1:48 pm:
bored now, you have been anti-Kirk for years. Giannoulias has also lied to the press.
Harping by the press should be a two way street.
- 47th Ward - Wednesday, Sep 22, 10 @ 1:50 pm:
Cinci, I know what you think and frankly I don’t care. I’d prefer to know what Kirk thinks about issues that he expects to vote on in the Senate. And I don’t think it’s too much to ask reporters to ask the actual candidates about this stuff.
And while I’d hardly believe anything he says, it would be fun to track Kirk’s flip-flops going forward.
- Cincinnatus - Wednesday, Sep 22, 10 @ 1:55 pm:
- Rich Miller - Wednesday, Sep 22, 10 @ 1:47 pm:
===why would a reporter expect an different answer on the EIGHTH time?===
“Because sometimes it works.”
Okay, granted. But I can’t imagine you reporting on it like it is, itself, the news like these AP guys did. Seems kinda weak. What are your feelings on their whole method and resultant story?
47th Ward,
“Cinci, I know what you think and frankly I don’t care.”
Sorry for engaging you in any kind of discussion. Perhaps you should just chisel you opinions on stone tablets and carry them from the mount…
- Ellen Beth Gill - Wednesday, Sep 22, 10 @ 2:14 pm:
This story isn’t just about the media. Kirk doesn’t seem to think his real story is anything the voters want to hear. Kirk and his supporters have mistaken plain old lying for political smarts. At this point, rather than hiding behind this unrealistic claim of precision, he should come out and say “this is who I am and this is what I’m for and this is what I’m against. If you like it vote for me and if you don’t don’t.” If he did something like that then he’d probably gain a lot of respect. That he doesn’t tells us a lot about him.
- just sayin' - Wednesday, Sep 22, 10 @ 4:57 pm:
Kirk demostrates the character actor ability that landed him the lead robot role alongside Will Smith in the movie, I, Robot.
- wordslinger - Wednesday, Sep 22, 10 @ 4:57 pm:
I never served in the military, and I’ve been lied to before, but I’m offended by a Congressman who uses his obvious status to parachute into hot spots and come back with breathless, grandiose, phony claims of service in front of cameras and in the well of the House of Representatives.
He got special treatment for a reservist with his short hitches. Most of those guys started at six months to a year.
- Cincinnatus - Wednesday, Sep 22, 10 @ 5:03 pm:
wordslinger,
How do you feel about Hillary’s hot landing under gunfire in the Balkans?
- wordslinger - Wednesday, Sep 22, 10 @ 5:07 pm:
I think she misremembered wrong, dude. What’s she running for?
- Cincinnatus - Wednesday, Sep 22, 10 @ 5:18 pm:
wordslinger,
You good with Blumenthal’s “Vietnam service?”
- wordslinger - Wednesday, Sep 22, 10 @ 5:32 pm:
Cincy, I’m against any lying about military service for gain. I’m also against Swift Boating of Vietnam volunteers, Roves innuendoes about McCain’s service, accusing Max Cleland of being soft on defense and of Dwight Eisenhower being a Commie pinko.
Is is just a partisan, GOP thing for you?
Kirk lied time and again, in wartime, about his military service to make himself look good, and used his special status as a Congressman to facilitate the bloviating. Defend him all day long for that.
- Rich Miller - Wednesday, Sep 22, 10 @ 5:38 pm:
OK, enough kids.
- 10th Indy - Wednesday, Sep 22, 10 @ 5:41 pm:
Kirk has served honorably for more than a decade. His fitness reports are all the defense he needs. They describe him as an exceptional, combat-tested officer. Yep he said in when he should have said during, and he got the name of a paper award wrong - he still served honorably. We need more veteran and active reserve service members in congress, not less.
- Charlie Ramp - Wednesday, Sep 22, 10 @ 5:51 pm:
47th Ward said: “Why can’t the media pin down the candidates on where they stand exactly on DADT, DREAM Act, immigration generally, and the filibuster. I mean, that’s actual news, isn’t it? And it would tell us a lot about both candidates.”
From the story you’re discussing:
On policy issues:
– Kirk said he doesn’t think this is the right time for legislation known as the DREAM Act to offer legal residency to young people in the country illegally, but he wouldn’t take a position on the basic concept.
– He wants to reverse the recent health care overhaul but said he probably wouldn’t pursue the idea immediately if elected.
– He wasn’t ready to take a position on reversing the military’s “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy until a military study is finished in December. Senate Republicans on Tuesday blocked an effort by Democrats and the White House to lift the ban on gays from serving openly in the military.
– He said the invasion of Iraq produced benefits for the United States and the Middle East, but he wouldn’t say whether the war ultimately was worth its cost in lives and money. “I think in the end we shouldn’t look back. We should say … what have we achieved? And we have achieved the end of a terrorist-sponsoring nation, we have achieved the end of a very unstable dictatorship,” Kirk said.
- The REAL Anonymous fka Anonymous - Wednesday, Sep 22, 10 @ 7:55 pm:
=Kirk is reminiscent of Jack!’s campaign=
Nope. Absolutely NOTHING between the two campaigns that could slightly muster even a weak comparison.
- The REAL Anonymous fka Anonymous - Wednesday, Sep 22, 10 @ 7:58 pm:
Except for, maybe, the quality of some of the blogging at various points–which was done nowhere near an Irish bar…at midnight.
- 47th Ward - Wednesday, Sep 22, 10 @ 10:45 pm:
Thanks Charlie Ramp, you’re right and I missed it the first time. I only read the first several paragraphs, and then gave up. After actually reading the full story, my questions above look kind of stupid. Next time I’ll try to read first, comment second.
- Charlie Ramp - Thursday, Sep 23, 10 @ 9:05 am:
No worries. It happens to us all.