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* Greg Hinz thinks it’s past time that the media got some answers about Sen. Mark Kirk’s current condition and prognosis…

Can he do that job? Apparently not today. Will he be able to do it in a month, a quarter, or a year? No one is saying.

In the days after Mr. Kirk’s stroke, his physicians repeatedly met with the media and pretty much answered all questions. But it’s been months since the public, via the media, got anything except a statement of a paragraph or two in a press release that his recovering “is continuing,” or some such.

That’s insufficient.

Illinoisans deserve full representation in the Senate and almost certainly are inclined to give the senator the time he needs to recover. But it’s been long enough now that voters deserve some answers so that they and the political establishment can begin to plan for a perhaps changed world.

Kirk suffered his stroke on January 21st, about a week shy of three months ago.

* The Question: Should the media pressure Sen. Kirk’s office for more information about his condition and prognosis, or is it still too early for that? Explain, please. Thanks.

posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Apr 11, 12 @ 12:33 pm

Comments

I’m not a fan of Kirk, but I think it’s still too early to pressure him for more info. As for my explanation, see Johnson, Tim (D-SD).

Comment by 47th Ward Wednesday, Apr 11, 12 @ 12:38 pm
No, it’s much too early. He had a stroke at the end of January. He had brain surgery, for crying out loud.

Hinz is way out of line. I haven’t met an Illinois voter who’s clamoring to find out when Kirk will be back to work. I suspect he’s just honked off that Kirk’s doctors are choosing to honor their patient’s privacy and not fill him in on every detail.

I didn’t vote for him, but Kirk can take as long as he needs as far as I’m concerned. I’m sure we’ll all muddle through somehow.

Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Apr 11, 12 @ 12:49 pm
No, it’s not ‘too soon’. If he were in any other job, under any other title he would either need to be on Long Term Disability, or let go. And a replacement would be hired.

If he can’t do the job he was elected to do, he needs to step down and a replacement either named or elected.

He should be concentrating on recovery. But the peoples business also needs to be taken care of.

Comment by How Ironic Wednesday, Apr 11, 12 @ 12:49 pm
South Dakota Sen. Tim Johnson (D) didn’t return to work for nearly 10 months after he suffered bleeding on the brain and had to undergo emergency brain surgery that left him in a coma for an extended period and required a lot of speech, physical and occupational therapy to restore him to a functioning condition. His speech is still slurred. Don’t recall the media clamoring for answers from him, but I understand there’s always a higher standard for Republicans on these matters. The physician’s statements and those who’ve spoken to him since the surgery don’t seem to suggest his situation was as precarious as Johnson’s.

Comment by Interested Observer Wednesday, Apr 11, 12 @ 12:50 pm
No, the period of recovery can last from months to years and varies with each patient, as does the level of recovery. I don’t believe anyone should be pressuring Kirk or his doctors for updates, predictions or some kind of timeline. His progress up to date has already been quite significant.

Comment by Wensicia Wednesday, Apr 11, 12 @ 12:51 pm
To be fair, Rep. Gabrielle Giffords remained in office for more than a year after she was shot. If I remember the reports following Kirk’s stroke, he and Giffords suffered injury to roughly the same part of the brain. Give him time.

Comment by transplant Wednesday, Apr 11, 12 @ 12:56 pm
It hasn’t even been 3 months. Cut the guy some slack and show some compassion. It takes time to recover from these things and the media probably hasn’t heard anything new because there is nothing new to report.

Comment by kerfuffle Wednesday, Apr 11, 12 @ 12:57 pm
I’d definitely give him more time. I saw no problem with giving that to Gabby Giffords, and I think he’s due the same respect.

Comment by ChicagoR Wednesday, Apr 11, 12 @ 12:58 pm
–If he were in any other job, under any other title he would either need to be on Long Term Disability, or let go. And a replacement would be hired.–

It’s not like “any other job.” He was elected to the United States Senate. No one gets to un-ring that bell (unless, under the Constitution, two-thirds of the Senate votes to expel him).

Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Apr 11, 12 @ 12:59 pm
I don’t think it should require “media pressure.”

Kirk’s office should give us some sense of when they expect him to be reporting back for duty and who is really in charge while he’s gone.

Other than that, I don’t need details of how his recovery is going. We were told two months ago by his doctor that his recovery would take weeks or months, and its been months, so an update seems in order.

No offense to Kirk, but we still remember the John Stroger fiasco. If we need to have another election, the time to do it is fast approaching.

Comment by Yellow Dog Democrat Wednesday, Apr 11, 12 @ 12:59 pm
No. I think if you look at the grace shown to Gabby Gifford, PRESSURING Kirk’s office would be inappropriate. That’s not to say that the media can’t make inquiry, but Kirk should be allowed to work on recovery.

Comment by JustaJoe Wednesday, Apr 11, 12 @ 1:00 pm
Absolutely not. As I’ve said earlier, Obama was a noshow when he ran for president for 2 years. Burris was a noshow for other reasons. Democrats and the media did not cry foul then nor did democrats in Illinois worry about ted kennedy or robert byrd or tim johnson’s ability to serve even though they faced far tougher and longer health battles.

“Illinoisans deserve full representation in the Senate and almost certainly are inclined to give the senator the time he needs to recover. But it’s been long enough now that voters deserve some answers so that they and the political establishment can begin to plan for a perhaps changed world.”

1. Voters went to the polls 2 years ago and elected kirk, they go back in 4 years. They can deal with it then.

2. Voters don’t care what this “political establishment” thinks.

3. If you’ve spent anytime with mark kirk you’ll know that a) the chances of him stepping down from this seat ever are none and none b)speculating on a “changed world” is rubbish until you actually see him in action again.

4.

Comment by Shore Wednesday, Apr 11, 12 @ 1:04 pm
I don’t think they should preasure his office, but they have the right to ask and report if they are getting a run around. It’s a little too early to make big demands.

Anyway, it’s my understanding that he has the mental capacity but is just getting physically ready.

Comment by Ahoy Wednesday, Apr 11, 12 @ 1:05 pm
I could be wrong but I don’t recall pressure being put on Abby Gifford to explain her condition fully. Maybe it’s because there were violent circumstances that led to her injury, or maybe because she was a woman or maybe because the people that covered her had a little more class.
Also a a person who has had a family member who had a stroke you don’t always have an exact prognosis. Even the Doctors cannot tell you what the outcome will be. It is a day by day with progress sometimes being so slight you don’t notice it.
From what I have read and heard about Senator Kirk, I don’t think he is going to be one to be content to sit in bed if he could be working. So to me the statements that he continues to mend are sufficient. Wanting to know every little detail of the Senator’s recovery so it can be splashed across the pages is something one would expect from the rags that are sold in the checkout lanes. If the roles were reversed would Mr. Hinz want his publication to replace him if he were temporay sidelined?

Comment by Irish Wednesday, Apr 11, 12 @ 1:05 pm
I suspect that Senator Kirk’s silence has been from speech difficulties and getting his hair to grow back before any photos are taken. The doctors have described him as cognitive, competent and communicative. It sounds like he could vote on the Senate floor if absolutely required. Gabrielle Giffords did not step down for over a year.

Comment by 42nd Ward Wednesday, Apr 11, 12 @ 1:08 pm
Sorry - “Gabby Gifford”

Comment by Irish Wednesday, Apr 11, 12 @ 1:08 pm
–Kirk’s office should give us some sense of when they expect him to be reporting back for duty and who is really in charge while he’s gone.–

I imagine the same people are in charge who were in charge before the stroke. I doubt if Kirk was answering the phones and emptying the garbage cans.

It hasn’t been three months yet. Is there any example as to how Illinoisans are being shortchanged because Kirk is not on the Senate floor?

Heck, Mel Price represented the Metro East for decades and people weren’t even sure he was alive. But he still delivered for Scott AFB.

Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Apr 11, 12 @ 1:10 pm
A little more info would be good. I like Kirk. I’ve heard he’s ambulatory and has an aggressive rehab routine. He’s kinda in a can’t win situation as people speculate regardless of what is said or done.

Shore, great points about Obama who probably set some sort of senate record for highest percentage of votes missed in a career.

Comment by Kirk Fan Wednesday, Apr 11, 12 @ 1:10 pm
I think (just about) everybody is right. Kirk shouldn’t be pressured, and he should have plenty more time. But he is a U.S. Senator, and his office should voluntarily be giving intermittent (at least monthly?) updates about his recovery.

Comment by Anonymour Wednesday, Apr 11, 12 @ 1:11 pm
way too soon to ask . . . pure and simple . . . give the man some space!

Comment by Blue Grass Wednesday, Apr 11, 12 @ 1:12 pm
@GiffordsFans:

First, let me thank all of my Republican friends/Kirk Staffers for recounting their fondness and affection for Rep. Giffords.

A quick Google search reveals that Giffords’ staff was providing updates on her recovery as soon as a month after her shooting.

Again, I don’t think that an update is reasonable. No one is or should be talking about pressuring him to step down. But it is reasonable to want to know when we can expect him to return to his duties.

Perhaps the update could come through Durbin’s office to remove any partisan sting.

Comment by Yellow Dog Democrat Wednesday, Apr 11, 12 @ 1:13 pm
I’m fine with wishing Kirk the best in his recovery, and waiting for many more months on a prediction as to when he’s likely to return to full duty.

Comment by mark walker Wednesday, Apr 11, 12 @ 1:15 pm
For the uber-partisans out there who think Kirk is being held to some higher standard because he’s a Republican, wake up.

The only one putting any “pressure” on Kirk is Crain’s Chicago Business. They’re not exactly a house organ for the Democratic Party.

Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Apr 11, 12 @ 1:18 pm
@wordslinger:

CNN: Giffords, a month later

Gifford Doctors’ Presser: Two months after shooting

CBS News: Katie Couric interviews Giffords’ family

For the third time, let’s stop the comparison to Giffords. Her office was VOLUNTARILY forthcoming with information about her recovery.

Kirk’s office is doing him a disservice by not keeping the public better informed.

Again, no one is suggesting he should step down. But is he gonna be back next week, next month, this summer, next year?

Those are reasonable answers to expect.

Comment by Yellow Dog Democrat Wednesday, Apr 11, 12 @ 1:28 pm
He should be given as much time as he thinks he needs. It’s not like the Senate is doing a lot now anyway. Plus, Durbin is still there as is Sen. Kirk’s office should any constituent services be needed.

I would say there is a difference between Sen. Kirk and Gabby Giffords. Gabby was shot (by a deranged fool) because she was a US Rep. That’s almost like getting shot in the line of duty which I feel is different from just a health emergency such as Sen. Johnson and Sen. Kirk suffered.

Comment by cermak_rd Wednesday, Apr 11, 12 @ 1:30 pm
To call the Gifford and Kirk cases congruent is a farce.

Gifford was shot in the head during an assassination attempt.

Kirk was the victim of a stroke.

Yes they both involve acute injuries to the brain, but that’s where the similarities end.

Kirk should not be removed, but there should be more information flowing from his office about his recovery.

Maybe he is just getting ready for his first public appearance at the Illinois GOP Convention in June. That would be something.

Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Apr 11, 12 @ 1:31 pm
I avoided this post, but I have to agree with “Way Too Soon”.

I have yet to hear from anyone but Hinz clamoring about the status, and further, this is the United States Senate, not where Dilbert works, or any of our workplaces.

The staff does some heavy lifting of “Garbage detail and phone answering or paper clip ordering” … so I think Illinois is ok with the running of an “office”

Talk to me around the end of Summer … lemme see at the BBQ circuit how often Kirk’s recovery is on the tongues of the attendees.

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Apr 11, 12 @ 1:31 pm
Lets give him more time,on Kirks worst day he’s still better than Burris. We should give him till November.

Comment by mokenavince Wednesday, Apr 11, 12 @ 1:36 pm
Give the guy and his family time. I didnt vote for Kirk and probably wont if he runs again. But i wish him and his family the best and think its too early to be asking for a return date. I dont know of anyone bringing this up except this gentleman. I think most people are willing to give him time.

Comment by vandalia Wednesday, Apr 11, 12 @ 1:38 pm
Pressuring for info is not the same thing as pressuring him out of office.

It’s way too early to pressure him out of office, but not at all early just to ask his office staff what’s going on and what the short/medium/long term range plans are.

Comment by hisgirlfriday Wednesday, Apr 11, 12 @ 1:39 pm
Let’s be clear that there are two issues here - information about his status, and giving him the time to recover.

I don’t think anyone is suggesting he should resign at this point if his recovery is going to be prolonged. It’s fine if it’s going to take six months or a year. Folks have already noted the similarities to Johnson and Giffords.

It is, however, reasonable to suggest that there should be more information given to the public about his condition and expected time of recovery. As YDD pointed out, Giffords’ office was giving regular updates.

Comment by Don't Worry, Be Happy Wednesday, Apr 11, 12 @ 1:47 pm
@hisgirlfriday -

Apparently, a lot of Republicans don’t know the difference between asking someone for information and asking someone to step down.

Downright Nixonian in their secrecy.

Comment by Yellow Dog Democrat Wednesday, Apr 11, 12 @ 1:50 pm
@Don’t Worry -

My mom had a brain aneurysm when I was in college. I’ll be the last person trying to rush Kirk back or push him out the door.

The silence from his office about his projected return, however, fuels speculation and conspiracy theories. Tim Johnson, John Stroger…with all due respect to Giffords’ fans everywhere, this ain’t Arizona, this is Illinois.

Comment by Yellow Dog Democrat Wednesday, Apr 11, 12 @ 1:53 pm
Reluctantly, I’m siding with people who want answers and some progress reports. It is not so much the “when” he will be back as it is the “if” he will be back.

If doctors say it is going to take a year, so be it. Illinois will survive a year with one Senator. However, if the answer may be never, then it would be nice to get the ball rolling on some representation.
He’s our Senator. We should know the odds on whether he is going to return to his job.

Comment by Skeeter Wednesday, Apr 11, 12 @ 1:55 pm
YDD, et al – please note that the question is whether or not Kirk’s office should provide MORE information, not whether they should provide information at all. Heinz even acknowledges that Kirk’s office has been brief statements on the Senator’s condition. Did Gifford’s staff provided more frequent or detailed reports?? I’m seriously asking. Maybe the did, in which case your point still stands. If not, then you need to drop the point and move on.

Comment by grand old partisan Wednesday, Apr 11, 12 @ 2:06 pm
=If the roles were reversed would Mr. Hinz want his publication to replace him if he were temporay sidelined?=

It doesn’t sound to me as if Hinz was calling on Kirk to resign. However, to answer the question regarding updates, tongues are wagging because Kirk’s staff is usually very fond of sending out press releases on everything all time. Therefore, my answer is:

“What would Kirk and his staff do if the shoe were on someone else’s foot?”

(And I hope that this unfortunate situation taught them something about respect and compassion for others.)

Comment by The REAL Anonymous fka Anonymous Wednesday, Apr 11, 12 @ 2:08 pm
Sorry. “…everything, all the time.”

Comment by The REAL Anonymous fka Anonymous Wednesday, Apr 11, 12 @ 2:09 pm
We are lucky to have Durbin. He’s been carrying the weight of being both senators, on and off, for quite sometime.

Comment by Because I say so... Wednesday, Apr 11, 12 @ 2:16 pm
Just one other thing in reply to what grand old partisan said. Perhaps a look into what Ms. Gifford’s staff did while she was recovering with regard to *other* press releases and work should be considered as well as it’s probably the most recent precedent that has been set on that issue.

I did vote for Kirk–not his staff. I like to be assured that if his office is still making decisions that affect voters, budgets, etc. that they are being done under HIS direction. Considering some of the “history” during the campaign regarding “moral compasses,” etc., I as a voter, would like to know that HE is making decisions and not people who were NOT elected into office by the voters–or even other Senators for that matter.

Comment by The REAL Anonymous fka Anonymous Wednesday, Apr 11, 12 @ 2:18 pm
No disrespect to Senator Durbin intended. I’m glad he is willing to help him out, and would not cross the “fine line” I mentioned in my last post between helping, driving, and deciding.

Comment by The REAL Anonymous fka Anonymous Wednesday, Apr 11, 12 @ 2:20 pm
I don’t think it’s out of line to ask when/if he will return to the chamber. I’m sure Congressional Republicans are curious about the same thing. I think the media can pressure at least that much and not violate the Senator’s right to privacy regarding exactly where he is in the rehab process. (Especially when medical professionals can so easily use the HIPA way out.)

Comment by Dirty Red Wednesday, Apr 11, 12 @ 2:20 pm
Kudos to Greg Hinz for stepping up and saying what everyone else has only been whispering about. The IL press has done a horrible job of reporting on this, they are so in love with Mark Kirk’s “moderateness.” We’ve just been asked to accept representations from people with a proven history of being less than honest.

If the senator in question was a right-wing Republican (like Peter Fizgerald) there would have been all kinds of calls for answers by now, and Mark Kirk’s people would have been leading the ginning up.

Remember how the “moderate” wing called for Fitzgerald’s head just because he didn’t “get along with people.” And he showed up to work everyday.

Comment by too obvious Wednesday, Apr 11, 12 @ 2:23 pm
i was suprised how much info the dr’s gave regarding his medical procedures. Hippa? and while i didn’t vote for him, (voting for gianoulis was very painful), i think he could be out for a year or two and the senate would be just fine.

Comment by spring Wednesday, Apr 11, 12 @ 2:23 pm
–If the senator in question was a right-wing Republican (like Peter Fizgerald) there would have been all kinds of calls for answers by now, and Mark Kirk’s people would have been leading the ginning up.–

I think you’re looking for John Kass’ column. It’s in the Tribune.

Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Apr 11, 12 @ 2:27 pm
Way too early.

See:

Biden, Joe
Glass, Carter
Johnson, Tim
Johnson, Lyndon Baines

Or any one of multiple other examples from the Senate. Plus, they have been sharing progress reports when appropriate - it’s not as if the public knows nothing.

Give the man some time. And some understanding.

Glad to see most of the commenters feel the same.

Comment by Freeman Wednesday, Apr 11, 12 @ 2:32 pm
@GOP:

This just out from WLS:

We asked how Kirk’s recovery is going.

“Everything I hear is very good. It’s gonna be a long process, but I know he is a fighter,” [Cong.] Hultgren said. “We need him back as quickly as possible but we need him to do everything possible to be back to full health.”

But is there a timeline for Kirk’s return?

“No timeline,” Hultgren said. “We just want him to be healthy. We want him to do what he needs to do.”

Kirk’s staff said any specifics about Kirk’s condition will come from the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago at the appropriate time.

If Kirk’s office or his doctors have released info since right after his surgery, Google can’t find it.

However, the Chicago Tribune did have this a few weeks ago:

Kirk’s condition after stroke is closely guarded

In the week after Kirk’s first surgery, Northwestern held two news conferences, and reporters were free to ask questions. But since then, officials have handled news on Kirk by issuing statements.

“The family was pretty clear about limiting what they wanted released to the public about the senator’s care,” Kris Lathan, director of media and public relations at Northwestern Memorial, said this week.

Gloria Wooden, spokeswoman for the rehabilitation institute, said it planned weekly statements on Kirk.

>> If anyone has seen those weekly statements on Kirk’s condition, I sure haven’t.

Comment by Yellow Dog Democrat Wednesday, Apr 11, 12 @ 2:33 pm
Sen. Kirk will cast as many key votes as Dick Durbin between now and next January because Harry Reid isn’t about to let anything that is a remotely close vote get the floor of the Senate for the remainder of his term as majority leader.

So, it isn’t as though Sen. Kirk is missing out on some great, productive congressional actions.

As far as the day-to-day responsibilities of his office, that can easily be handled by his staff, just as it would be whether or not he was in the office.

If Republicans take the Senate and if Romney wins the White House, then Kirk’s vote might be needed, but until next January, nothing important is going to take place in the Senate.

Comment by No Harm, No Foul Wednesday, Apr 11, 12 @ 2:37 pm
=Plus, they have been sharing progress reports when appropriate - it’s not as if the public knows nothing.=

Yes, but the discrepancy is that his office claims to be “fully functional” and is still AGGRESSIVELY sending out press releases on issues that can influence votes of others, set public opinions, and otherwise “weave” perceptions pertaining to his position on issues. If they’re “maintaining” and providing constituent services according to current practices of his office, that’s one thing. If, on the other hand, they are doing the former, the question becomes “How can they be ‘fully functional’ (except for voting), if HE may not be there yet”?

His illness, for most, is often a “life changing” experience, and again, HE was the one voted into office not his staff or his “inner circle.” And, if some of his positions, views, etc. have changed based on this experience, then so be it…we voted him in and therefore should be willing to accept the “good, bad, and the ugly if any such changes have occurred.

For example, quite a few people have been nagging him policies related to healthcare, leaves of absence, etc. There’s a possibility that his views might have changed to a certain degree (but then again, maybe not). Who would know except for him? Therefore, moving forward full speed ahead under the perception that “all is as it always has been” seems to be a illogical and possibly a disservice to voters…unless again, the public are confident that he, in fact, is the one making those decisions.

Comment by The REAL Anonymous fka Anonymous Wednesday, Apr 11, 12 @ 3:01 pm
Sen. Kirk is an ELECTED United States Senator. Unless something has changed in the Constitution, he is entitled to that office until the next election.

It might be nice to know the status right now but I still think it is too soon. It’s quite possible they just don’t know yet how long it might take. That’s what they have said so far and I’m willing to leave it at that for now. In my opinion we are being told enough right now. Keep your noses out of his business for right now and let him recover. Some of you are vultures.

Comment by Demoralized Wednesday, Apr 11, 12 @ 3:01 pm
He needs the time to recover. I do not see anything wrong with some updates, but I can also see those updates being used as rationale for arguments for and against him. If RIC is saying he is doing well and has good cognitive skills, that should be enough right now. They have a pretty good reputation on stroke recovery. He is not the first member of any legislative body who stepped out for a lengthy medical issue. There are no close votes coming in Congress where Kirk will be the tie breaker. Give him time.

Comment by zatoichi Wednesday, Apr 11, 12 @ 3:03 pm
His FMLA rights that the rest of the country operates under expires on or about April 21. As his employer, we have a right to know what his intentions are so we can hire a replacement if necessary. I hate to be harsh, but if 90 days recovery time is good enough for those he seeks to represent, then it should be good enough for him as well.

Comment by Chevy owner/Ford County Wednesday, Apr 11, 12 @ 3:13 pm
=Keep your noses out of his business for right now and let him recover. Some of you are vultures.=

Who is calling for him to step down right now, Demoralized? Sounds to me as if people are either agreeing and/or trying to ensure that the people are represented by HIM (based on his increasing capabilities until he recovers fully) and not someone else.

That would seem to be supportive of him. The only people who would seem to feel they have the “right” to be insulted by that would be those who would have their wings clipped by that sentiment.

Comment by The REAL Anonymous fka Anonymous Wednesday, Apr 11, 12 @ 3:17 pm
Before Greg Hinz wrote this did he contact Kirk’s office and ask questions that they refused to answer?

I think Hinz is way off base and it seems just mean spirited actually. Truthfully, it may be wrong - but Senator Kirk doesn’t have to answer to anyone. He can give information, or not, as he sees fit. There is no constitutional requirement that he updates us more frequently.

Comment by siriusly Wednesday, Apr 11, 12 @ 3:29 pm
Chevy owner - I agree with your sentiment, but the law is not on the side of your argument. Senators don’t work for us and they don’t have to operate under FMLA rights or normal workplace rules. They don’t even have to show up to their offices or do any work, neither do Governors: see Rod Blagojevich.

Comment by siriusly Wednesday, Apr 11, 12 @ 3:32 pm
Must be a slow news day. Or else he wnt to stir the pot regarding who would get appointed to the vacancy.

Comment by Plutocrat03 Wednesday, Apr 11, 12 @ 3:32 pm
== Yes, but the discrepancy is that his office claims to be “fully functional” ==

Oh yeah! Similar to the service provided and function levels of Gabby Giffords’ office while she recovered. And Tim Johnson’s office. And Joe Biden’s, etc.

Please.

The public knows everything from Sen. Kirk’s prognosis for mental recovery, to the nature of his paralysis, to the areas affected and the side of his body impacted, to the fact he watched the Super Bowl, who has been visiting him, who has called him and who he has called (including on primary night).

We also know their thoughts and observations on his status, as well as the fact that Sen. Dick Durbin, Sen. Joe Manchin and others have kindly stepped up to help lead on issues of particular importance to Sen. Kirk.

And if you don’t know these things, well… perhaps you need some help working the interwebs.

Comment by Freeman Wednesday, Apr 11, 12 @ 3:45 pm
Paraphrasing Steve Brown: “you need to feed a bone to the media every now and then, otherwise they get real hungry and bite off your leg” (or something to that effect.

I agree we need to give Kirk time to recover - without the partisan wrangling or naysaying - but you would think his office is smart enough to heed the sage advice from one of Springfield’s best political pr guys. Say something, rather than nothing. Silence just fuels all the tinfoil hat people, on both sides of the aisle.

Comment by anon sequitor Wednesday, Apr 11, 12 @ 3:53 pm
Let’s set aside the obligations of Kirk, his mother and his staff.

There are specific people who made specific claims (e.g. McConnell, Shimkus, Netanyahu) in specific media outlets.

Let’s nail down whether these individuals and these media outlets were telling the truth.

Shimkus’ story didn’t make sense on its face. He describes having this detailed conversation with Kirk about policy and a trip abroad. But when Kirk wants to discuss faith (never something Kirk pushed before) he’s making gestures toward the side of the room with the Bible. Uh huh.

I suspect that if these people were telling the truth, they would say the conversations they attributed to Kirk were really with either Kirk’s mother or, more likely, Kirk’s “special staffer”.

And the media outlets that carried these stories had enough information to be skeptical.

But we don’t live in a world where there’s much expectation for media outlets to tell the truth anymore. They are more interested in selling a narrative of lies that don’t offend people in power.

Comment by Carl Nyberg Wednesday, Apr 11, 12 @ 3:54 pm
As for anonymous Kirk fans making claims about Kirk being ambulatory, these are the same partisan hacks who would claim Kirk was a big war hero on this same blog.

Kirk supporters are as dishonest as Kirk himself.

Remember, Kirk was the guy who said he’d seen the classified info and Iraq definitely had WMD. Oops.

Comment by Carl Nyberg Wednesday, Apr 11, 12 @ 3:56 pm
First, I wish Senator Kirk nothing but the best and I hope that his recovery is as complete and speedy as possible.

That said, I guess I’ll have to be the contrarian here. I think we need an update, and I think we need to know how long it will be before he can function adequately enough to do his job. And, if he can’t do it for an extended period of time (I would say as “little” as a year), then I personally think he should step down.

Yes, he’s an ELECTED US Senator and perhaps he’s entitled to his job to a degree. Is he also entitled to deprive us of representation?

Further, the job of a US Senator is an important one. Staff can and will manage the constituent side of the equation, but can they sit down with Leader McConnell and request the same things, with the same effect, that Kirk can? Or Leader Durbin? Or Majority Leader Reid? The answer is unequivically no. While Republican leadership will do their best to prop him up while he’s sidelined, that is no substitute for the gravitas of having an actual US Senator make those requests.

AS others have said, if most of us found ourselves in the same predicament, we would soon be on long term disability, replaced on the job, and forced to look for work when fully recovered.

I understand well that the job of US Senator is vastly different than the jobs you and I hold. However, the commenters who bring up Johnson, Giffords, and others who have “served” while incapacitated are making a specious argument (with the possible exception of Giffords, whose situation is quite different than any other example listed). Just because it has been done repeatedly throughout history neither makes it right nor proper. Many things have been done repeatedly throughout history that we would no longer tolerate. It smacks of the “if everyone jumped off a bridge, would you?” question.

I recall that our country was founded on what was then a simple notion - taxation without representation. As long as Kirk is incapacitated, we are lacking representation. Is that fair to us? Say what you want about what we “know” about his condition, but I know one thing for certain - he’s incapacitated enough not to do his job, or he’d be doing it.

I know this is an unpopular argument here, so flame away, but you’re not changing my mind on this one…

Comment by Thoughts... Wednesday, Apr 11, 12 @ 3:58 pm
I agree with all of the posters making the important distinction between asking for an update and asking for him to step down. Asking for an update - not out of line. Asking for him to step down - way too soon and inappropriate.

Also, for the people asking why wasn’t “the media” on this during Tim Johnson/Gabby Giffords, can I make the point that this is coming from a CHICAGO business publication? Of course we didn’t see any call for it here. They aren’t/weren’t local legislators. They wouldn’t have been as invested in whether or not they were getting updates on Johnson’s and/or Giffords status. Kirk is local, however, and it’s a different issue. We’d need to compare the SD and AZ local media to this in order to see if it’s different.

Comment by Katiedid Wednesday, Apr 11, 12 @ 3:58 pm
Thank you for the drAma, Freeman, which I’d say proves my point when it comes to “weaving perceptions” with regard to accurately interpreting what others actually say, think, believe, and feel–and their intentions overall, especially within the context of supporting their own personal agendas.

You must have missed or were unable to comprehend my 2:18 post and choose to disregard my thoughts as to the impact the inability to “instill confidence” into this situation could have.

But then I was at least attempting to be logical in my approach. How about you?

Comment by The REAL Anonymous fka Anonymous Wednesday, Apr 11, 12 @ 4:04 pm
I think we should adopt a process for temporary appointments that legislator who needs leave can keep their seat without there being a vacancy on the floor. Leave could be limited to health causes and military service- not scandal.

I don’t think Kirk needs to explain anything at this point and I dislike the article, but Hinz does make a fair point.

Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Apr 11, 12 @ 4:04 pm
I think that Greg Hinz has offended a great many people with his comments about US Senator Mark Kirk.

I cannot recall if Hinz made similar demands concerning former Cook County Board President John Stroger a few years ago, but I wonder if partisanship factors into his latest column? Was he protesting when Roland Burris was appointed to the US Senate and a federal lawsuit had to be filed because nobody wanted to call a special election? Is this a case of Kirk not recuperating quickly enough to satisfy Hinz?

As we all get older, it takes longer to recuperate from injuries and surgery. Former US Senator Ted Kennedy was mortally ill, but continued serving in office almost to the very end.

Maybe, if Kirk had been sidelined for six months, I would feel differently, but all I know is that US Senator Richard Durbin has said that Kirk is getting better.

Comment by Esquire Wednesday, Apr 11, 12 @ 4:06 pm
=We also know their thoughts and observations on his status, as well as the fact that Sen. Dick Durbin, Sen. Joe Manchin and others have kindly stepped up to help lead on issues of particular importance to Sen. Kirk.

To “balance this,” you might also want to talk about Republicans that are helping out, too, if you want to keep things peaceful and calm. I don’t really have an opinion one way or the other, but others might–and there’s no reason not to credit where credit is due to both sides of the aisle if you’re truly bipartisan on this particular issue.

Comment by The REAL Anonymous fka Anonymous Wednesday, Apr 11, 12 @ 4:10 pm
==Before Greg Hinz wrote this did he contact Kirk’s office and ask questions that they refused to answer?

Siriusly raises an excellent question. Perhaps Rich Miller can ask his colleague at Crain’s if he did so. In fact, since Miller used his blog to republish, I would think he’d want to know the answer. Hinz has been known to hit people with stories without asking their side first. You know, it might actually interfere with his narrative.

Comment by phocion Wednesday, Apr 11, 12 @ 4:17 pm
I would guess that Kirk’s cognitive skills are not nearly as impaired as his motor skills, and he’s performing his duties to the best of his abilities from his hospital room. We haven’t seen him because he’s not ready to be seen looking like a recovering stroke patient. I don’t blame him at all (and no, I didn’t vote for him).

Comment by Cheryl44 Wednesday, Apr 11, 12 @ 4:21 pm
I don’t understand why commenters are upset at the idea that the public (whom Sen. Kirk serves) has the right to know when their elected official will return to work. Of course, we all have compassion for the senator, and everyone wants him to fully heal. And if he can’t do the job for a few months, I’m sure we’re all okay with that. But what if it’s a few YEARS? Don’t we have the right to have some idea about his recovery? Please, spare me the cheap shots about lacking compassion. Everyone wants Mark Kirk to fully recover and is willing to give him a reasonable amount of time.

Comment by View from the Cheap Seats Wednesday, Apr 11, 12 @ 4:26 pm
Hold up…

@siriusly

What did you mean by this?

“Senators don’t work for us”

Comment by hisgirlfriday Wednesday, Apr 11, 12 @ 4:31 pm
The question of whether Hinz actually contacted Kirk’s office is interesting. Hinz has been known to throw hissy fits when his calls are not returned. Hinz does some interesting work, but a flaw in his work is that Hinz seems to take Hinz way too seriously.

Comment by Skeeter Wednesday, Apr 11, 12 @ 4:34 pm
2 words - Woodrow Wilson.

Back off, Hinz. You ain’t gettin much support here - from either side of the aisle.

Getting some updates is one thing. Expecting anyone to know “when their elected official will return to work” is unrealistic given the injury suffered. This IS brain surgery - it ain’t an appendectomy.

Comment by dupage dan Wednesday, Apr 11, 12 @ 4:34 pm
@siriusly and phocion,

Did you read the piece? Hinz was reporting on a press conference he attended with Kirk’s staff. From the piece:

“When reporters asked Mr. Kirk’s spokesman for an update on his condition, he said all health questions would have to be answered by the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago — and then almost literally fled from the room.”

Read more: http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20120411/BLOGS02/120419951/time-to-lift-the-veil-on-sen-kirks-health-status#ixzz1rlnXMEtd
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You can’t really say Kirk’s people would have been blindsided by a reporter reporting on a question and answer that resulted from a press conference called by Kirk’s people.

Comment by hisgirlfriday Wednesday, Apr 11, 12 @ 4:35 pm
I meant it in the legal and strictest definition of employment. Yes, they work for us and they have an obligation to us. But no, they really technically don’t work for us and they don’t work for the Senate. They are in charge of themselves. They are their own bosses. We can’t fire them, we can only not re-elect them.

Employment as we all know it is not the same for elected officials. It’s especially different for US Senators, Governors and Presidents. That’s what I meant.

Comment by siriusly Wednesday, Apr 11, 12 @ 4:37 pm
==Don’t we have the right to have some idea about his recovery?==

I don’t know, do we? Ask any neurologist, the prognosis on brain injuries is almost impossible to predict and success is measured over time. How can anyone demand an answer on when he’ll be able to return to full duties? From what I’ve heard, he hasn’t suffered cognitive damage, so probably is in touch with his staff. Can we lay off the demands for instant reports on his possible return date, please??

Comment by Wensicia Wednesday, Apr 11, 12 @ 4:44 pm
Siriusly, are you asserting that members of congress are independent contractors? Who pays their salary and who pays for their benefits? They receive a salary and they are, in fact, on the federal payroll. The American taxpayer funds their payroll and their plethora of benefits. They are, in fact, our employees. Granted, they have exempted themselves from virtually every employment law they have foisted on employers and the public at large. That does not change the fact that they SHOULD be accountable to the set of laws the rest of us must operate within. But then, I guess the assembly line worker that has stroke and is gone for three months does pose more of a burden to the employer than does a US Senator…and consequently must be replaced lest the company go belly up.

Comment by Chevy owner/Ford County Wednesday, Apr 11, 12 @ 4:48 pm
Chevy - I agree with everything you said. But that’s how it “should” be. In reality, we cannot fire them. Once elected, they are their own bosses. Not an independent contractor, more like a short term contract with virtually total autonomy.

I agree that they need to and should be extremely responsive to us. I am merely trying to make the argument that they don’t have to be. If Kirk doesn’t want to be seen in public until he’s fully recovered or an answer any questions, he doesn’t have to. I am not saying its right, I’m just saying - we don’t have any authority over the Senator.

Comment by siriusly Wednesday, Apr 11, 12 @ 4:52 pm
To those of you on Team Kirk whose response to handling criticism of your guy is attacking the integrity of Hinz as somehow being unfair in bringing up Kirk’s illness but not Strogers:

He wrote this in Crain’s on 3/20/06:

“Truth No. 2: There’s nothing unfair or disrespectful about asking whether Mr. Stroger, should he win Tuesday’s Democratic primary, actually will be on the ballot this fall.

Mr. Stroger has battled prostate cancer and diabetes, has undergone quadruple heart bypass surgery and now has suffered a stroke. His aides and allies insist he’ll be back, and I take them at their word. But no one can tell for sure yet. No one really knows, except perhaps Mr. Stroger himself.

That’s important, because if Mr. Stroger leaves the Democratic ticket, his spot will be filled not by voters or his backers but by a vote of Democratic committeemen from city wards and suburban townships. In other words, not people who necessarily believe in full funding for the county hospital and other Stroger hallmarks.

There’s no way to tell for sure if that will actually happen. But given the situation, it’s fair to at least ask whether a vote for Mr. Stroger ultimately will be a vote for Mr. Stroger.”

He also wrote this on 6/25/07:

“Mr. Stroger, of course, gained office amid a huge flap over whether his father, John, would have been renominated as county board president had voters been told more about the severity of the stroke he suffered a week before the March 2006 Democratic primary. John Stroger narrowly won that race, to be replaced on the November ticket by Todd Stroger, who in turn narrowly won the general election.

The flap had particular resonance because of widespread rumors at the time that Todd Stroger essentially was drafted into running by his family and by political associates with county patronage jobs.

For such reasons, Mr. Stroger should have said something about his medical condition then. He’s only human. Who can claim not to be at least a little distracted at work while an ailing parent fights for his life and they themselves have to confront cancer at age 44? While Mr. Stroger is entitled to his privacy, voters are entitled to know relevant facts about whether a candidate is up to the job.”

My apologies for no links, but if you pay for the archives I bet you’ll find ‘em.

Comment by hisgirlfriday Wednesday, Apr 11, 12 @ 4:55 pm
I will not take up the Stroger comparison. The Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago where I think the Senator is now and Northwestern Univ Hospital combined have among the very best stroke assessment and rehabilitation programs in the world today. The information that was publicly released after Senator Kirk’s stroke was that cognitive functioning was not impaired, we need to assume that was correct.

Ultimately, it is up to the Senator and his medical team to determine when he is prepared to return to Washington, clearly they are better qualified to do this than Greg Hinz. I also bet if Mr. Hinz had a stroke and was in a rehab program he would not be happy if his newspaper was demanding that he give them answers about his current condition and prognosis.

Comment by Rod Wednesday, Apr 11, 12 @ 5:17 pm
Greg Hinz should go find an important story to cover and let Mark Kirk recover in peace. His incident just happened in January. Spend your energy Greg trying to drive that indicted state rep from office.

Comment by amalia Wednesday, Apr 11, 12 @ 5:51 pm
It is absolutely too soon. Give the man time to rehab. He’s working hard to get back to his job. As has been mentioned before, Gabrielle Giffords was given ample time, & please note I’m not complaining about that. Hinz must not have much to do…I have a suggestion - ask the White House why POTUS didn’t wish Kirk well during the State of the Union. The Prime Minister of Israel had the class to do so when he was here. I’m still burned about that.

Comment by Southern Illinois Voter Wednesday, Apr 11, 12 @ 6:38 pm
Everyone has a right to some medical privacy. However, one who is incapacitated should not be able to hold a position for political advantage. If one needs the time to recover, great. However if one is on life support till the next election cycle, the public has a right to know.

Comment by anonymouse Wednesday, Apr 11, 12 @ 6:54 pm
I think it will soon be confirmed that Mark Kirk’s staff has duped everyone for their own selfish purposes.

Remember shortly after Kirk was hospitalized when they put out that Kirk had asked for his Blackberry? I think it’s obvious now that was a huge lie. And yet most reporters continue to play the patsy, except for Greg Hinz. Good for him.

We all wish Mark Kirk well. But there are lots of people in the hospital right now we also wish well who are not one of just 100 senators.

It’s long past time Kirk’s people were honest with the people of Illinois. There’s a first time for everything.

Comment by just sayin' Wednesday, Apr 11, 12 @ 7:10 pm
Too early.

Comment by wishbone Wednesday, Apr 11, 12 @ 7:54 pm
No and who’s Greg Hinz?

Comment by WazUP Wednesday, Apr 11, 12 @ 9:15 pm
At the very least, I think it’s time we know if what is now being attributed to Kirk, is actually coming from Kirk or from staff. Are the tweets Kirk’s actual tweets? Is he really making the comments regarding Iran? Did he really make the call to Tim Johnson himself? For now, knowing that would satisfy me. However, I do note well the comment that in any other job, any working American would be out of his disability and among the ranks of the unemployed and uninsured and fixing that for all Americans means more than whether or not we give Kirk a month or two more to recover.

Comment by Ellen Beth Gill Wednesday, Apr 11, 12 @ 10:06 pm
If Illinois was suffering at the D.C. level it might be a different story but we are not. And three months is relatively a short time to recover from a stroke. Gabby Gifford was gone for a year before she retired. I am not a Kirk fan but give the guy a break.

Comment by southernillinois Thursday, Apr 12, 12 @ 6:51 am
From a medical standpoint, stroke recovery can be evaluated at about the six-month point, and not before. It’s too early for a decision. It’s not too early to say he should either be close to full recovery in three more months or changes need to be made.

Comment by Excessively Rabid Thursday, Apr 12, 12 @ 8:23 am
Nyberg and Gill, stay classy. Someday one or both of you will say something nice about Kirk. It’s still too early although the reports received remain promising, including those visitors from the House and Senate that have stopped in to see him. The Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago is one of the finest rehab facilities in the nation and Kirk will return to his position, much to the permanent annoyance of Nyberg and Gill!

Comment by Louis G. Atsaves Thursday, Apr 12, 12 @ 9:33 am
US Senators have this thing called a Chief of Staff who runs things for the most part–I’m sure Kirk’s is doing fine. Other than voting nothing is being really lost and those aren’t the critical day to day things.

More information is always better if nothing else to keep Hinz happy, but at 3 months, let him be. Probably around 1 year is when the discussion about what should happen needs to be addressed, but I expect Kirk to be back and working by then.

Comment by ArchPundit Thursday, Apr 12, 12 @ 9:36 am
Ellen Beth Gill did not disappoint; and remnained true to her principles, that nothing is more important in this whole equation (or world) than her political agenda. It is noteworthy to point out however that she was elected by nobody, and does a fine job of representing nobody other than herself as a result.

Comment by Quinn T. Sential Thursday, Apr 12, 12 @ 10:05 am
“The media” inIlinois are a joke.
(CHICAGO) (APRIL 12, 2012) Independent Republican Presidential Candidate and conservative blogger Andy Martin will tell a Chicago news conference Thursday, April 12th that Senator Mark Kirk must either appear in public or face a lawsuit seeking to declare his public office vacant. Andy says Kirk’s reliance on the medical histories of other injured public officials is misplaced and inapplicable to the duties of a U. S. Senator responsible for the interests for almost thirteen million Illinois citizens.

Comment by Andy Martin Thursday, Apr 12, 12 @ 12:30 pm
Well, that’s something new–Andy Martin threatening to sue someone.

Comment by ArchPundit Thursday, Apr 12, 12 @ 1:09 pm