Five-term Congressman and Navy veteran Mark Kirk today unveiled his first general election television ad focusing on his thoughtful, independent record in Congress, long-time military service and a pledge to restore fiscal discipline and end corruption in Illinois.
The 30-second spot, entitled “Independent,” highlights Congressman Kirk’s independent and effective record including his support for stem cell research, strong defense of Lake Michigan, opposition to the “Bridge to Nowhere,” votes for lower taxes and 20-year service as Navy Reserve Intelligence Officer.
“The coming election offers the people of Illinois a clear choice to change direction,” campaign spokesman Eric Elk said. “Congressman Kirk brings a thoughtful, independent and effective record of standing up to special interests and party leaders to help Illinois families while Alexi Giannoulias brings a failed record of poor judgment, association with criminals and loss of public funds. Congressman Kirk wore the uniform of our country, fought for stem cell research and defended Lake Michigan from polluters while Alexi Giannoulias pushed risky ‘hot money’ lending schemes, authorized loans to organized crime figures like Michael ‘Jaws’ Giorango and wiped out $70 million in Bright Start college savings funds for Illinois families. After Rod Blagojevich and Roland Burris, we won’t get fooled again.”
“Independent,” which will air across Illinois, comes on the heels of new ethics woes for Democrat Alexi Giannoulias. One week ago, Crain’s Chicago Business reported the Giannoulias family could receive $10 to $15 million in tax benefits from the collapse of their family bank. On Thursday, one of Giannoulias’ top campaign contributors was arrested for bank fraud.
An ad script and fact check are included below.
“Independent”
Ad Script and Fact Check
I’m Mark Kirk, the independent-minded Republican for US Senate.
For 2009, the non-partisan Congressional Quarterly rated Mark Kirk’s voting record at the exact center of the House. Only one Republican member of Congress sits on the 50% line for presidential support: Mark Kirk.
For 2009, the non-partisan National Journal rated Mark Kirk’s voting record as the fifth-most-independent Republican centrist.
I’m a 20 year Naval intelligence officer, and served in Iraq and Afghanistan.
“Few members of Congress can match Kirk’s grasp of national defense or veterans issues. A Navy Reservist whose district is home to the Naval Station Great Lakes, Kirk often serves his monthly active-duty rotation in the Pentagon war room. In December 2008, he went to Kandahar – not to get his political ticket punched but to serve a three-week tour of duty.” – Chicago Tribune Editorial, January 11, 2010
“No candidate in either party for this seat can match this Navy Reservist’s foreign policy chops, whether it’s from his up-close view while deployed in Afghanistan or from his work with the Pentagon on Capitol Hill.” – Peoria Journal Star Editorial, January 23, 2010
“On the war, the naval reserve intelligence officer speaks with the authority of firsthand experience. Having just completed his second deployment to the war zone, Kirk offers a sobering analysis of the challenge of building the 400,000-strong Afghan security forces necessary for a significant U.S. withdrawal.” – Chicago Sun Times Editorial, January 11, 2010
During Operation Northern Watch (Iraq), Mr. Kirk deployed as the Air Intelligence Officer of VAQ-209, a Navy Reserve EA-6B Prowler Squadron. Mr. Kirk flew missions patrolling Iraqi airspace during March and April of 2000. – Official Navy Officer Fitness Reports
In 2008, Mr. Kirk became the first member of Congress to serve in an imminent danger zone since 1942. He served as a Navy Reservist in Kandahar, Afghanistan under BG John Nicholson, USA from December 15, 2008 through January 2, 2009. Mr. Kirk returned to Afghanistan as a Reservist a second time from December 19, 2009 through January 4, 2010. – Official Navy Officer Fitness Reports
I’m known as a budget hawk on spending.
“He’ll draw you a chart graphing how and when he believes the Democrat-sponsored bills will break the federal budget. He is a deficit hawk.” – Peoria Journal Star Editorial, January 23, 2010
“Kirk is all about fiscal responsibility. He wants to reduce the national debt, balance the budget and stop the disgraceful practice of earmarking billions of taxpayer dollars for politicians’ pet projects.” – Chicago Tribune Editorial, January 11, 2010
I helped stopped the infamous “Bridge to Nowhere”
“Rep. Mark Kirk (R-Ill.) added an amendment that would ban the spending of federal money to design or build the bridge, or even to reimburse the state for the project.” – Chicago Sun-Times, “After lots of heavy spending, maybe Congress sees the light,” June 14, 2006
And voted to cut taxes 40 times.
H.R. 3, 3/8/01; H.R. 6, 3/29/01; H.R. 8, 4/4/01; H.R. 10, 5/2/01; H.R. 586, 5/15/01; H.R. 1836, 5/16/01; H.R. 622, 5/17/01; H.R. 1836, 5/26/01; H.R. 7, 7/19/01; H.R. 2563, 8/2/01; H.R. 2884, 11/13/01; H.R. 3090, 10/24/01; H.R. 3529, 12/20/01; H.R. 622, 2/14/02; H.R. 3090, 3/7/02; H.R. 3762, 4/11/02; H.R. 586, 4/18/02; H.R. 4626, 5/21/02; H.R. 4800, 6/4/02; H.R. 4823, 6/4/02; H.R. 2143, 6/6/02; H.R. 4019, 6/13/02; H.R. 4931, 6/21/02; H.R. 5063, 7/9/02; H.R. 1307, 3/20/03; H.R. 2, 5/9/03; H.R. 2, 5/23/03; H.R. 8, 6/18,/03; H.R. 7, 11/17/03; H.R. 4227, 5/5/04; H.Res. 637, 5/12/04; H.R. 8, 4/13/05; H.R. 4297, 12/08/05; H.R. 5970, 7/29/06; H.R. 5638, 6/22/06; H.R. 4297, 5/10/06; H.R. 5140, 1/29/08; H.R. 5140, 2/7/08; H.R. 6081, 5/20/08; H.R. 6275, 6/25/08; H.R. 7005, 9/24/08 (Clerk of the U.S. House of Representatives)
Newspapers call me “independent” and “effective” because of my record on stem cells, protecting Lake Michigan, and more.
“He does–steady now, folks–think independently.” – Chicago Tribune Editorial, January 11, 2010
“Also to be commended is an independent record of bucking the GOP on some issues…Kirk is firmly in the moderate camp.” – Chicago Sun-Times Editorial, January 11, 2010
“He has been an extraordinarily effective representative of the independent-minded 10th Congressional District for a decade.” – Chicago Tribune Editorial, January 11, 2010
“An effective five-term congressman from the north suburbs, Kirk has pro-growth views on the economy, a personal commitment to the military and a moderate stance on social issues that could attract independent voters who favored Democrats in recent elections.” – Chicago Sun-Times Editorial, January 11, 2010
“He’s an intelligent, hardworking independent who strives to model bipartisan ethics in a system that is choking on its partisanship.” – Daily Herald Editorial, January 10, 2010
“One of the most thoughtful, independent and effective members of the House.” – Chicago Tribune Editorial, October 21, 2008
“Mark Kirk, Mr. Independent” – Daily Herald Editorial, August 30, 2008
“Republican Congressman Mark Kirk, a leading backer of the bill, says universities and research institutions in his Chicago-area district are complaining that some of their top talent is leaving for places that offer stem-cell-research programs.” – Time Magazine, “Stem Cells: Why Bush’s Ban Could Be Reversed,” May 16, 2005
“With regard to medical research, science should triumph over politics. Stem cell research offers the best promise of ending diabetes, Parkinson’s, and cancer. Americans strongly support the treatment of disease, but we are passionate about finding cures.” – Mark Kirk, Congressional Record, July 19, 2006
“On the local front, Kirk has been a leader in efforts to protect Lake Michigan.” – Chicago Sun-Times Editorial, January 11, 2010
“[Kirk] fought hard to stop BP from dumping more waste into the lake” – Chicago Sun Times Editorial, October 13, 2008
“He’s attentive to the needs of his district, working for jobs, economic development and environmental causes, including a massive Great Lakes restoration initiative…” – Chicago Tribune Editorial, January 11, 2010
I’ll work to stop wasteful spending in Washington and end the corruption in Illinois.
“Kirk is all about fiscal responsibility. He wants to reduce the national debt, balance the budget and stop the disgraceful practice of earmarking billions of taxpayer dollars for politicians’ pet projects.” – Chicago Tribune Editorial, January 11, 2010
“On the domestic front, he cites the economy and integrity as related issues. Kirk sees businesses choosing to invest in neighboring Indiana because of a more honest political and government environment. He relates a sad tale about this state’s reputation. On Kirk’s most recent deployment, an Afghan official identified the congressman as a politician from Illinois and quipped: in Afghanistan, ‘We know corruption, but not like that!’” – Chicago Sun-Times Editorial, January 11, 2010
I’m Mark Kirk and I approved this message.
