The Kirk For Senate campaign launched its first television ad of 2016, titled “Security.” The ad highlights the growing threat of ISIS and the stark national security contrast between Senator Mark Kirk and Rep. Tammy Duckworth. The statewide ad buy begins today.
Statement from Kirk For Senate Campaign Manager Kevin Artl:
“Rep. Duckworth’s delusions on national security endanger Americans. Rep. Duckworth has repeatedly ignored reports that ISIS is printing fake Syrian passports and that terrorist plotters have already been arrested on U.S. soil posing as refugees. Her calls for allowing 200,000 Syrian refugees into the United States, despite grave concerns from our nation’s top security advisers about the vetting process, prove once again she is naive and reckless.”
The terrorists referred to above were Iraqis who were plotting an attack in Iraq, not the US.
* Whatevs. Kirk needs to shore up his name ID, which is low, and his GOP primary support, which could be better. I also agree with much of this [slightly altered by me] e-mail from a Democratic pal…
Looking at his buy (which essentially matches and in some places exceeds Duckworth’s) this looks like an attempt to keep Duckworth’s numbers in some check to make sure there’s no post-primary polls that show this out of reach. If Duckworth has airwaves to herself with positives, she might build a 10-15 point lead…and everyone would decide he’s toast. He’s got to keep it close.
But it’s also interesting that they’re spending so much. They’ve been telling everyone that they’re going to have that big post-primary COH advantage because of Duckworth’s ‘messy’ primary… And yet he may spend more than she does. Too bad for them Zopp is such a disaster
AUDIO OF DUCKWORTH: I signed on for 200,000 Refugees. (:02)
TEXT: Tammy Duckworth Supports Bringing 200,000 Syrian Refugees to America.
AUDIO: Even though the FBI says there’s no way to guarantee they aren’t terrorists.
TEXT: 15 Refugees Involved in Terror-Related Cases.
AUDIO: Mark Kirk is leading the fight to stop refugees until it can be done safely.
TEXT: Mark Kirk, Stop Syrian Refugees Until It Can Be Done Safely
AUDIO: Who do you trust to protect your family? Mark Kirk
AUDIO OF KIRK: I’m Mark Kirk and I approved this message.
*** UPDATE *** Response…
Senator Mark Kirk, routinely labeled the most endangered incumbent U.S. Senator, is out today with an incredibly dishonest new campaign ad attacking Tammy Duckworth. The ad is virtually identical to one his campaign aired in December, and which fact-checkers referred to as ‘bogus,’ ‘exaggerated,’ and something for which Kirk ‘[s]hould be ashamed.’
In response, Duckworth campaign spokesman Matt McGrath issued the following statement:
“First, Senator Kirk didn’t tell the truth about his military record, now he’s not telling the truth about Tammy Duckworth. The last time Kirk ran an ad like this independent fact checkers said the attacks were false, and they saw it for what it was: shameful and deceptive fear-mongering. But let’s be clear: this issue speaks to a real difference in this campaign: Tammy Duckworth believes in leading through strength and not fear, and that America is safest when we stand firmly by our values. Kirk is once again resorting to dishonesty and the lowest common denominator to paper over his record of being wrong about every major foreign policy decision of the last 15 years, and now he’s all too willing to embrace the odious, anti-Muslim politics and tactics of Donald Trump, which make us less safe.
“At any rate, all you need to know about Kirk’s campaign and his standing with Illinois voters is that his first ad of 2016 is an attack on Tammy Duckworth — and a totally dishonest one at that. It’s an unfortunate and undignified path for Senator Kirk to pursue, regardless of his desperate political situation.” — Matt McGrath, campaign spokesman
Let’s be pragmatic here: the US has gotten too comfortable w the state of our national security. Kirk is one of the only politicians calling on people to be aware and prepared and to put proper measures in place to prevent disaster. Conveniently, his opponent also has said nothing about said proper measures. I like that he’s using it against his opponent. It is a legitimate attack to make.
Tammy is not a factor in this race. It is all on Kirk to prove he is capable. I know this sounds cruel, but he is not. Drag him out in public and pepper him with non-stop questions about his health and mental acuity and he will melt. He is not the man he was beating Giannoulias. Sadly, he is diminished, and everyone knows it, especially Tammy’s handlers. Chalk this seat up as a gift, back to D. It will stay that way a long time. Thank you for the gift, IL GOP.
Ontological - If Ms. Duckworth wins, just how will a freshman, back bench senator be a disaster for border security and immigration? What power or authority will she have in the Senate?
This is a well crafted, easy to understand political ad using real news footage and Tammy’s own words. Kirk has a battle ahead of him to retain his senate seat. But Duckworth is certainly making it easier for him than it might otherwise have been.
==If Ms. Duckworth wins, just how will a freshman, back bench senator…What power or authority will she have in the Senate?==
==
Heh. Very compelling argument there. Just what Illinois needs and is crying for– a back bench senator. I hope for her sake you do not work for the Duckworth campaign.
–Tammy Duckworth is clueless on national security.–
I guess Brent Scowcroft, Zbignew Brezinksi, George Schultz, Gen. Petraeus, Henry Kissinger and all these other former generals, national security advisors, CIA chiefs and secretaries of defense and state who signed the letter below are clueless, too.
Or maybe they’re “fools,” as Sen. Kirk would say of those who share their views.
–Refugees are victims, not perpetrators, of terrorism. Categorically refusing to take them only feeds the narrative of ISIS that there is a war between Islam and the West, that Muslims are not welcome in the United States and Europe, and that the ISIS caliphate is their true home. We must make clear that the United States rejects this worldview by continuing to offer refuge to the world’s most vulnerable people, regardless of their religion or nationality. –
The link to the full letter is below. These lightweights might not have the national security bona fides of Sen. Kirk — whatever those are — but those with open minds might find it informative.
Thank you Wordslinger! Honestly. Some 25 year old reporter decides we should all be terrified of all Muslims; it gets picked up as a “meme;” and now otherwise intelligent people on this blog think that we are faced with hoards of foreign terrorists. Mind boggling.
And props to “Huh?”: “We are at much greater risk from a Uber driver randomly shooting people in Kalamazoo than we are from an ISIS attack.”
Kirk (pre-stroke) told some real whoppers in his day. Who could forget his “near-death experience” on Lake Michigan or his being named the Navy’s intelligence officer of the year.
–The U. S. should not be a collaborator in its own destruction.–
LOL, do you consider that a “drop-mic” comment or something?
Perhaps you could expand with facts, history, reason — those sorts of things, in regards to Syrian refugees admitted to the United States.
Once you’ve done that, perhaps you can explain why refugees from Iran, Afghanistan Somalia, Sudan, Libya, Eritrea, etc., are not the existential threat that you and Sen. Kirk see from Syrian refugees.
I’m with you Senator! Besides the security issue we need to take care of our own! How is it our veterans go without care but bleeding hearts like Duckworth can find all this money to take in 200,000 refugees? I’m tired of the United States being the world’s babysitter.
Smart ad. Hits her hard on an 80%+ issue, and, at the same time, throws some red meat out there before the primary that even conservatives in his own party can’t disagree with him on. Very smart.
Although I don’t agree with Senator Kirk on everything, at least he’s an independent thinker. Tammy Duckworth will do whatever she’s told. She was a failure at running the state’s VA system, and an even worse failure at the Federal level. If she couldn’t take care of them when she ran either department, how do I trust her to take care of me and my family when it comes to matters of national security.
- Nope, Nope, Nope - Wednesday, Feb 24, 16 @ 10:55 am:
Hate to break this to you Mark, but until you’re willing to drop the R after your name, it doesn’t matter what you say.
- CornerGuy - Wednesday, Feb 24, 16 @ 11:00 am:
Good contrast ad for Kirk. He needs to stay on the national security angle. Duckworth has real vulnerability in a national security focused election.
- Sharon - Wednesday, Feb 24, 16 @ 11:00 am:
Tammy Duckworth is clueless on national security. She can barely represent us in the House. How would she be able to do so in the Senate?
- Anonymous - Wednesday, Feb 24, 16 @ 11:04 am:
Duckworth’s pandering on immigration will come back to haunt her in the general.
- pragmatic - Wednesday, Feb 24, 16 @ 11:04 am:
Let’s be pragmatic here: the US has gotten too comfortable w the state of our national security. Kirk is one of the only politicians calling on people to be aware and prepared and to put proper measures in place to prevent disaster. Conveniently, his opponent also has said nothing about said proper measures. I like that he’s using it against his opponent. It is a legitimate attack to make.
- wordslinger - Wednesday, Feb 24, 16 @ 11:05 am:
–Who do you trust to protect your family?–
A true war hero who put her life on the line in defense of her fellow soldiers and country and sacrificed greatly for it?
Or a guy who made up stories about kinda, sorta, doing so?
Sure you want to ask that question? Because the spot in response writes itself.
- Century Club - Wednesday, Feb 24, 16 @ 11:06 am:
Well, I’m sure Duckworth’s proposal is anyone with a Syrian passport gets into the US, right?
- megan - Wednesday, Feb 24, 16 @ 11:10 am:
Let me just say…the fear mongering is a litttttle aggressive in this ad. BUT Tammy’s ad from this week SUCKED. looked like my 8 y o created it.
I’ll be voting for Mark for many reasons, but especially because he knows how to create a compelling spot
- Huh? - Wednesday, Feb 24, 16 @ 11:12 am:
We are at much greater risk from a Uber driver randomly shooting people in Kalamazoo than we are from an ISIS attack.
Just when I was starting to think that Senator Kirk was making a change from his usual nutty comments, he jumps off his leash.
- Dale Cooper - Wednesday, Feb 24, 16 @ 11:12 am:
== Sure you want to ask that question? Because the spot in response writes itself. ==
Wordslinger, I think you might be misremembering.
- wordslinger - Wednesday, Feb 24, 16 @ 11:15 am:
–Wordslinger, I think you might be misremembering.–
What do you mean?
- Anonymous - Wednesday, Feb 24, 16 @ 11:24 am:
Mark Kirk clearly has the upper hand on national security issues and a better grasp of the threat from ISIS.
- Touré's Latte - Wednesday, Feb 24, 16 @ 11:24 am:
Tammy is not a factor in this race. It is all on Kirk to prove he is capable. I know this sounds cruel, but he is not. Drag him out in public and pepper him with non-stop questions about his health and mental acuity and he will melt. He is not the man he was beating Giannoulias. Sadly, he is diminished, and everyone knows it, especially Tammy’s handlers. Chalk this seat up as a gift, back to D. It will stay that way a long time. Thank you for the gift, IL GOP.
- Ontologica - Wednesday, Feb 24, 16 @ 11:25 am:
Kirk at least gets this right. Duckworth would be a disaster for border security and immigration.
- Huh? - Wednesday, Feb 24, 16 @ 11:43 am:
Ontological - If Ms. Duckworth wins, just how will a freshman, back bench senator be a disaster for border security and immigration? What power or authority will she have in the Senate?
- Caitie - Wednesday, Feb 24, 16 @ 11:46 am:
@ Huh? - Just displacing Kirk is enough to be a disaster on the Senate.
- Responsa - Wednesday, Feb 24, 16 @ 11:50 am:
This is a well crafted, easy to understand political ad using real news footage and Tammy’s own words. Kirk has a battle ahead of him to retain his senate seat. But Duckworth is certainly making it easier for him than it might otherwise have been.
- Responsa - Wednesday, Feb 24, 16 @ 12:04 pm:
==If Ms. Duckworth wins, just how will a freshman, back bench senator…What power or authority will she have in the Senate?==
==
Heh. Very compelling argument there. Just what Illinois needs and is crying for– a back bench senator. I hope for her sake you do not work for the Duckworth campaign.
- wordslinger - Wednesday, Feb 24, 16 @ 12:07 pm:
–Tammy Duckworth is clueless on national security.–
I guess Brent Scowcroft, Zbignew Brezinksi, George Schultz, Gen. Petraeus, Henry Kissinger and all these other former generals, national security advisors, CIA chiefs and secretaries of defense and state who signed the letter below are clueless, too.
Or maybe they’re “fools,” as Sen. Kirk would say of those who share their views.
–Refugees are victims, not perpetrators, of terrorism. Categorically refusing to take them only feeds the narrative of ISIS that there is a war between Islam and the West, that Muslims are not welcome in the United States and Europe, and that the ISIS caliphate is their true home. We must make clear that the United States rejects this worldview by continuing to offer refuge to the world’s most vulnerable people, regardless of their religion or nationality. –
The link to the full letter is below. These lightweights might not have the national security bona fides of Sen. Kirk — whatever those are — but those with open minds might find it informative.
https://www.lawfareblog.com/letter-former-national-security-officials-refugees
- Cheryl44 - Wednesday, Feb 24, 16 @ 12:57 pm:
Mark Kirk also approved that message to Iran, which is enough for me to hold my nose and vote for Duckworth.
- Blago's Luxurious Grey Mane - Wednesday, Feb 24, 16 @ 12:58 pm:
Very well done ad. Exactly what he needs.
- Jerry Callo - Wednesday, Feb 24, 16 @ 1:07 pm:
Off topic, but how has Zopp been a disaster?
- History Prof - Wednesday, Feb 24, 16 @ 1:09 pm:
Thank you Wordslinger! Honestly. Some 25 year old reporter decides we should all be terrified of all Muslims; it gets picked up as a “meme;” and now otherwise intelligent people on this blog think that we are faced with hoards of foreign terrorists. Mind boggling.
And props to “Huh?”: “We are at much greater risk from a Uber driver randomly shooting people in Kalamazoo than we are from an ISIS attack.”
- Jocko - Wednesday, Feb 24, 16 @ 1:14 pm:
DC @ 11:12.
Kirk (pre-stroke) told some real whoppers in his day. Who could forget his “near-death experience” on Lake Michigan or his being named the Navy’s intelligence officer of the year.
- Larry - Wednesday, Feb 24, 16 @ 2:36 pm:
Mark Kirk is right on this issue. The U. S. should not be a collaborator in its own destruction.
- wordslinger - Wednesday, Feb 24, 16 @ 2:50 pm:
–The U. S. should not be a collaborator in its own destruction.–
LOL, do you consider that a “drop-mic” comment or something?
Perhaps you could expand with facts, history, reason — those sorts of things, in regards to Syrian refugees admitted to the United States.
Once you’ve done that, perhaps you can explain why refugees from Iran, Afghanistan Somalia, Sudan, Libya, Eritrea, etc., are not the existential threat that you and Sen. Kirk see from Syrian refugees.
- loveluray - Wednesday, Feb 24, 16 @ 3:50 pm:
I’m with you Senator! Besides the security issue we need to take care of our own! How is it our veterans go without care but bleeding hearts like Duckworth can find all this money to take in 200,000 refugees? I’m tired of the United States being the world’s babysitter.
- Peets - Wednesday, Feb 24, 16 @ 4:01 pm:
#rapidresponse??
kinda missed the news cycle on that one team duck
- Anon - Wednesday, Feb 24, 16 @ 4:59 pm:
Smart ad. Hits her hard on an 80%+ issue, and, at the same time, throws some red meat out there before the primary that even conservatives in his own party can’t disagree with him on. Very smart.
- Anonymous - Wednesday, Feb 24, 16 @ 6:00 pm:
This is a smart commercial. It is an issue that should be crucial to the way one votes this upcoming election!
- mark - Wednesday, Feb 24, 16 @ 6:02 pm:
This is a hot topic and I like the fact that Senator Kirk is addressing it! It should be at the front of everyone’s mind come election day!
- cannon649 - Wednesday, Feb 24, 16 @ 8:11 pm:
Not a Kirk fan but he right on this one.
Tammy you are over your head.
- Just because - Wednesday, Feb 24, 16 @ 9:36 pm:
Although I don’t agree with Senator Kirk on everything, at least he’s an independent thinker. Tammy Duckworth will do whatever she’s told. She was a failure at running the state’s VA system, and an even worse failure at the Federal level. If she couldn’t take care of them when she ran either department, how do I trust her to take care of me and my family when it comes to matters of national security.
- DivaBoricua - Thursday, Feb 25, 16 @ 2:58 pm:
Tammy Duckworth….YOU ARE FIRED!
By Latinas with Kirk