Kirk tries to make lemonade
Wednesday, Oct 19, 2016 - Posted by Rich Miller
* US Sen. Mark Kirk responds to the Tribune’s decision to endorse Tammy Duckworth in a Trib op-ed today…
When I went back to work in the Senate, I knew the judgments would be quick and furious. I walked differently, talked differently and even looked different than a year before. But I was going to force people to judge me by my actions, and here’s what I did:
• I became one of the first Republican senators to support gay marriage and actively lobbied for its passage in the Illinois legislature.
• I led the effort to build bipartisan coalitions to reauthorize the Export-Import Bank — protecting over 47,000 Illinois jobs.
• I secured $18 million each year starting in 2013 to combat gangs of national significance, including Chicago’s Gangster Disciples.
• I supported comprehensive, compassionate immigration reform to unite families and bring so many in our community out of the shadows.
• I created a bipartisan majority that enacted sanctions against Iran that ultimately crippled the Iranians’ economy and forced them to the negotiation table.
• I fought to reform our Veterans Administration system, to protect whistleblowers and better fund veteran health care. […]
I’m not the same man I was in 2010. I’ve had to accept it, but not everyone has.
Instead of judging me for the work I’ve done in the Senate, the Chicago Tribune Editorial Board sought to “sucker punch” me by judging me on my health. It would be comparable to the Pulitzer Prize Board judging the ability and skills of reporters solely on the financial solvency of the paper they write for. Neither standard makes any sense.
I’ll be the first to admit I cannot run as fast, jump as high or swim as quick as I used to. But each day I go to work fighting for Illinois families and I’m proud of my results.
Thoughts?
- Upstate - Wednesday, Oct 19, 16 @ 4:16 pm:
very, very well done
- Huh? - Wednesday, Oct 19, 16 @ 4:20 pm:
As much as Senator Kirk is trying to make lemonade, and it is a good try, it is too little and too late.
On the snarky side, he forgot to mention the numerous times he has inserted his foot into his mouth.
- Ron Burgundy - Wednesday, Oct 19, 16 @ 4:20 pm:
Nice piece, but I doubt it will help.
- Responsa - Wednesday, Oct 19, 16 @ 4:22 pm:
Classy response by Kirk. Substantive, sincere, concise.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Oct 19, 16 @ 4:22 pm:
It’s really good and the Kirk Krew should feel proud of what is in the letter and giving it back where they think they were slighted.
Sadly, honestly, I don’t see it moving people off the endorsement.
It should feel good for them. No snark.
- Steve Schnorf - Wednesday, Oct 19, 16 @ 4:22 pm:
Yes, well done, Senator.
- crazybleedingheart - Wednesday, Oct 19, 16 @ 4:24 pm:
Trib Ed Board was as wrong on Kirk as on everything else, which gives him an unnecessarily persuasive retort.
His words and actions indicate he shouldn’t be Senator, not under any circumstances.
But how many of the stupid things he has said and done might be linked to his health is a matter for him and his doctor to discuss.
He should be resoundingly defeated based on his political record, not his health.
The Tribbies don’t seem to care about his record, as much as they just sound embarrassed that Ayn might not consider him a strong proud clean wise fearless heroic being anymore.
- Try-4-Truth - Wednesday, Oct 19, 16 @ 4:27 pm:
He’s right. I will not vote for him,, but his disability has nothing to do with that decision.
- Keyser Soze - Wednesday, Oct 19, 16 @ 4:27 pm:
Probably too late. But, following today’s Tribune story of the opponent, there seems to be little reason to vote for her.
- SAP - Wednesday, Oct 19, 16 @ 4:28 pm:
More like this please.
- Wensicia - Wednesday, Oct 19, 16 @ 4:28 pm:
It’s a very good response. The Tribune was wrong to focus on his physical limitations in their endorsement of Duckworth, though I think they picked the right person for the Senate.
- Earnest - Wednesday, Oct 19, 16 @ 4:30 pm:
Great response. I wish he’d been putting those positives out there like that the entire campaign.
- illini - Wednesday, Oct 19, 16 @ 4:30 pm:
Great retort but I’m afraid it is “too little and too late”.
And I agree that the Duckworth response to an earlier post today was far too wordy, yet made many good points.
It is not quite time to sign “Turn out the Lights …’ but it is getting close.
- Streator Curmudgeon - Wednesday, Oct 19, 16 @ 4:31 pm:
All true.
Those of us who have been affected by serious illness are not the same as before. However, we must carry on as best we can.
Yet for 50 years I have been puzzled when elected officials, of both parties, act like heroes for doing their job. When you’re in the private sector, you do what you’re told to do and get a paycheck if you do it. No accolades, no parties–until you retire and then you’re gone.
This Senate race has been especially nasty. Most of the commercials I’ve seen on TV have sickened me. I’ll be so glad when the election is over.
- ChrisB - Wednesday, Oct 19, 16 @ 4:34 pm:
==It would be comparable to the Pulitzer Prize Board judging the ability and skills of reporters solely on the financial solvency of the paper they write for. Neither standard makes any sense.==
That’s a really sick burn.
- wordslinger - Wednesday, Oct 19, 16 @ 4:35 pm:
Very well done by Kirk.
The tronclodyte “reasoning” for not endorsing Kirk because of his stroke was nonsensical jibberish, like this bit:
–Our apprehension was reinforced by several sources who spoke confidentially about what they, too, have observed. And we’ll say up front: Not everyone agreed.–
Ooh, confidentially, inside dope, that we can’t share. Like John Kass’ alleged stable of “anonymous sources” in-the-know who remarkably always provide the perfect quote.
But what does that statement communicate, exactly? Absolutely nothing.
Basically, they spun themselves in circles in an attempt to burnish the only reason they gave: Kirk looked and talked funny at their dog-and-pony show.
That’s it. Deep thinkers, that crowd.
By their reasoning, that Stephen Hawking guy can’t cut the mustard on the science stuff, what with all the traveling to conferences, reading, researching and writing, teaching, etc.
- wordslinger - Wednesday, Oct 19, 16 @ 4:40 pm:
–Great response. I wish he’d been putting those positives out there like that the entire campaign.–
Terrible campaign strategy that he has not. He has a great positive spot directed right at suburban women.
But his campaign has poured their scant resources into trying to convince people that an American war hero who lost her legs getting blown out of the sky is bad news for veterans health care.
It has never made any sense, at all.
- dr. reason a, goodwin - Wednesday, Oct 19, 16 @ 4:47 pm:
Good response by Sen, Kirk. He should also have mentioned his willingness to meet with Supreme Court nominee Garland, unlike his GOP colleagues.
- LaSalle - Wednesday, Oct 19, 16 @ 4:53 pm:
I wonder if this candidate had worked in the private sector got sick, would he have continued to be paid a salary with full medical coverage? No I don’t really wonder… any one of us would have been immediately terminated and we would have ended up destitute. Not this candidate who will not support national health care yet derives a benefit from it every day. Hypocryte to say the least.
- Ron Burgundy - Wednesday, Oct 19, 16 @ 4:56 pm:
–No I don’t really wonder… any one of us would have been immediately terminated and we would have ended up destitute.–
Not after they won their lawsuit under the Americans With Disabilities Act, they wouldn’t.
- AlfondoGonz - Wednesday, Oct 19, 16 @ 4:56 pm:
Sounds to me like he is all too happy to be a victim.
- slow down - Wednesday, Oct 19, 16 @ 4:57 pm:
Here’s some other thins I did:
I accused the President of wanting to get nukes to Iran.
I accused the President of acting like the “drug dealer in chief” in his deal with Iran.
I claimed that an unmarried US Senator was a “Bro with no ho” and that “that’s what we’d say on the South Side” even though I live on the North Shore.
- Trapped in the 'burbs - Wednesday, Oct 19, 16 @ 4:59 pm:
Maybe the Trib sees him as a “bro with no ho.”
- Steve - Wednesday, Oct 19, 16 @ 5:03 pm:
Goodbye Mark Kirk, Tammy is going to win the election. You are in the wrong state. An admitted socialist could be you. Illinois voters want bigger and bigger government without an apology.
- Get a Clue - Wednesday, Oct 19, 16 @ 5:04 pm:
AlfondoGonz - what an idiotic comment. No one would wish for stroke upon themselves. Shame on you.
- Pundent - Wednesday, Oct 19, 16 @ 5:16 pm:
While I agree that the letter was well-written it actually underscores the problem that Kirk faces. You appear before the editorial board or engage in a debate to make the case why you’re the better candidate. By all accounts and based on my viewing of the video Kirk failed to do so. And unfortunately his performance in front of the board called into question his fitness. In fact it speaks to why these types of spontaneous exchanges are important. If they weren’t we’d just have candidates write letters and essays on why they deserve to be elected which is what Kirk is resorting to here.
- Wensicia - Wednesday, Oct 19, 16 @ 5:25 pm:
==In fact it speaks to why these types of spontaneous exchanges are important.==
I’m not a fan of single, spontaneous exchanges. Neither a bad or good performance during a debate or before an editorial board should decide fitness for office.
- Chicago 20 - Wednesday, Oct 19, 16 @ 5:26 pm:
Well written, who were the authors?
If only Kirk was this eloquent in real life.
The Tribune crassly cast Kirk aside without any compassion for what he is going through.
Just as Kirk crassly refused to extend federal unemployment benefits after Wall Street shenanigans destroyed the economy and thousands lost their jobs through no fault of their own.
Goodbye Kirk.
- Cheryl44 - Wednesday, Oct 19, 16 @ 5:29 pm:
I thought the Trib was wrong to focus on his health.
But I still want to see him jobless in January.
- Michael Westen - Wednesday, Oct 19, 16 @ 5:45 pm:
Another inapt analogy from Mark Kirk. He also apparently cannot work as hard for the people of Illinois as he did before his stroke. He used to travel the state extensively. He was every where. Now he is virtually nowhere, rarely showing up for even important events.
- VanillaMan - Wednesday, Oct 19, 16 @ 5:59 pm:
What!?
NOW HE TELLS US?
It’s about time to vote and he finally figured out how to campaign?
You blew it Mark.
- People over Parties - Wednesday, Oct 19, 16 @ 7:45 pm:
Well done, Senator. Well done.
- People over Parties - Wednesday, Oct 19, 16 @ 7:54 pm:
===Goodbye Mark Kirk, Tammy is going to win the election. You are in the wrong state. An admitted socialist could be you. Illinois voters want bigger and bigger government without an apology.===
What? I thought this was a place for serious comments.
- Johnny's in the Basement - Wednesday, Oct 19, 16 @ 8:41 pm:
Toast. Well written, but still toast.
- Scott Cross for President - Wednesday, Oct 19, 16 @ 9:02 pm:
Pundent +1
The printed word comes from Kirk staff.
The in-person word come from Kirk.
- Old Lobbyist - Thursday, Oct 20, 16 @ 8:33 am:
Discrimination comes in many forms and iterations. The Tribune should be ashamed of using the Senator’s health care challenges to judge him.
- @MisterJayEm - Thursday, Oct 20, 16 @ 8:52 am:
Good enough to make you wonder how Kirk would have done if his campaign had taken the high road.
– MrJM
- downstater - Thursday, Oct 20, 16 @ 10:01 am:
Kirk will lose this race because he’s been bleeding support from conservatives down state who have pledged not to vote for him. Some county GOP chairman in southern Illinois have even said they’ll vote for Duckworth in protest of Kirk’s liberal positions on guns, abortion, immigration, etc. The Heritage Foundation actually scores Bobby Rush, Jan Schakowsky and Luis Gutierrez higher than Kirk.
- jerry 101 - Thursday, Oct 20, 16 @ 10:20 am:
Well written. The Tribune editorial board should be ashamed of this endorsement. I’d prefer to see Duckworth win than Kirk, but their medical histories have nothing to do with that.