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* If anyone still has doubts about whether US Sen. Mark Kirk is running for reelection, they should take a look at this from his campaign…
Rich-
I wanted to let you know first that Senator Kirk held a record setting fundraiser this week with pro–Israel supporters in NYC that raised over $400k in a single event. He will have over $2mill cash on hand now.
The event invitation is here. It was hosted by some pretty major heavy hitters, including the Managing Director of Goldman Sachs, the Managing Partner at Clarion Capital, etc.
posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Dec 12, 14 @ 11:45 am
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Kirk running for re-election?
Molotov.
Comment by 47th Ward Friday, Dec 12, 14 @ 11:50 am
Message to the Club for Growth types that a primary wont come cheap.
Comment by Wordslinger Friday, Dec 12, 14 @ 11:52 am
Thank you Citizens United!
Comment by Union Leader Friday, Dec 12, 14 @ 11:56 am
Des Moines Register reports TV spending alone in iowa senate race this year was $41.2 million. Obviously that includes IEs. The question is whether any potential primary challenger can get the IEs to open their checkbooks in a significant way. Will be interesting to see how Kirk votes the first six months in the majority.
Comment by Put the Fun in unfunded Friday, Dec 12, 14 @ 12:09 pm
47th, I love you. (Not in a bad way.)
Comment by Soccermom Friday, Dec 12, 14 @ 12:12 pm
Someone in Wisconsin needs a new spell checker for Christmas
Comment by Bill White Friday, Dec 12, 14 @ 12:13 pm
No one should be surprised. Sometimes when a guy repeats multiple times he’s running; he does.
The GOP has been very active in laying the groundwork to prevent a primary at all or at least of any significance. I don’t know of a gag rule, but I do know a number of folks who are uncharacteristically treading more lightly than they’re known for.
Comment by A guy... Friday, Dec 12, 14 @ 12:15 pm
Pro tip — Spell check will only tell you when you have misspelled molotov — it doesn’t know that it’s being used by an idiot.
Comment by Soccermom Friday, Dec 12, 14 @ 12:22 pm
Guy, who are these activists laying the groundwork to prevent a 2016 primary? Presumably they were pretty busy up to last month on other matters.
What are they busy doing?
Comment by Wordslinger Friday, Dec 12, 14 @ 12:23 pm
I’m sorry Sling, did I use the word “activists?” No, of course I didn’t, that was you. State Party folks, County Chairs of the Party, Township Chairs, not activists, have been very vocal in their support of heading into 2016 with Mark Kirk in the number 2 spot on the ballot. I’ve visited a number of township meetings (Christmas parties in December) and the chatter is consistent at all of them. We have no idea who are standard bearer for President will be, but having Kirk near the top of our ticket is seen as important to making strides.
They’re busy talking to precinct captains and committeemen. Are you being a dork on purpose, or is it just a gift?
Comment by A guy... Friday, Dec 12, 14 @ 12:30 pm
There are more than 2,000 managing directors at Goldman.
Comment by Just sayin Friday, Dec 12, 14 @ 12:31 pm
It will be interesting to see if there is a challenge. Kirk is very unpopular among many rank and file conservatives in the party but is strongly supported by the business establishment.
He will have a lot of money and that alone may dissuade any truly viable challenger.
If so, do not be surprised by a Libertarian candidate who could suck away a significant number of votes from Kirk in the general election.
Comment by Federalist Friday, Dec 12, 14 @ 12:34 pm
The Molotov salutation was definitely not kosher. Meshugganeh, even.
Comment by Wordslinger Friday, Dec 12, 14 @ 12:37 pm
That $2 million dollars won’t do much good in downstate Illinois. Sen. Kirk is going to have to travel Republican strongholds downstate for county dinners and town-halls to make sure they are on board. Not being 100% healthy makes this even more complicated.
I’ll stress again downstate was more anti-Quinn vote than supporting Rauner. Kirk will do worse downstate than Rauner did.
Comment by Almost the Weekend Friday, Dec 12, 14 @ 12:43 pm
I am guessing “Pro-Israel supporters” poll tests better than Wall Street financiers?
Comment by hisgirlfriday Friday, Dec 12, 14 @ 12:49 pm
Kirk will need lots of $$$. His will be one of the seats the Dems need to take. Of course, recruiting a good candidate…
Comment by Pot calling kettle Friday, Dec 12, 14 @ 12:50 pm
He can raise a $100 million, but if the Democrats recruit a good challenger, he’s toast.
Money is nice, but this is still a blue state.
Rauner won because people never liked Quinn. Judy won because she was Judy. Republicans don’t win here.
Comment by Gooner Friday, Dec 12, 14 @ 12:59 pm
What Kirk needs to do is begin showing us what he has done as our senator. He is going to lose if he can’t do that.
He won during a Republican wave year. To maintain that voter base, Kirk needs to contact them over the next two years. While he had not given us reasons not to reelect him, that isn’t going to be good enough.
He will have primary challengers. He is vulnerable if he can’t give us reasons to reelect him. Kirk has always been a charisma-less candidate edging out his opponents. He is going to have to find something within himself to win this time.
I really have no idea what he has done during his term in office except recover after an untimely stroke. He might be able to use that human story as an angle to describe his determination and dedication to Illinois and something like that, but that isn’t going to tell me what he’s done as senator.
Kirk is definitely vulnerable. I can see Schock or Kinzinger beating him in a primary.
Comment by VanillaMan Friday, Dec 12, 14 @ 1:20 pm
He looked really rough in that ad with Bob Dold. Is he really up for a tough campaign?
Comment by SammyG Friday, Dec 12, 14 @ 1:26 pm
Vanilla- I do not see Schock or Kinzinger going after Kirk in a primary. They both appear to like and support Kirk and they are in safe congressional districts. I think a Joe Walsh or Erika Harold is more likely. Just my $0.02
Comment by It is Friday! Friday, Dec 12, 14 @ 1:27 pm
==What Kirk needs to do is begin showing us what he has done as our senator. He is going to lose if he can’t do that.==
Oh jeez. Here we go again with VMan’s sage wisdom on elections.
Comment by Demoralized Friday, Dec 12, 14 @ 1:36 pm
Friday - Outside of Champaign County, Harold has whatever’s less than zero credibility. Her challenge to Davis was ill-advised from the get-go and the execution was criminally incompetent. She blew any future she might have had in state politics with that farce.
Also worth noting that Kirk outperformed Brady downstate last time around. And Citizens United has nothing to do with this particular shindig? This was a fundraiser for the committee, presumably everyone in the room was above the $200 disclosure threshold, etc.
Comment by DuPage Expat Friday, Dec 12, 14 @ 1:38 pm
DuPage- I never meant that Erika taking on Kirk would be a wise move by her…just like taking on Davis was not a wise move either. It is just a prediction I have. She’s still a darling of the far right/Tea Party.
Comment by It is Friday! Friday, Dec 12, 14 @ 1:44 pm
What has Kirk done? Let’s review:
- supported torture
- lied about the deficit (his official Senate website says the deficit is currently over $1 trillion, that is categorically false)
- attempted to bully a veteran
In short, he’s done nothing.
Comment by Precinct Captain Friday, Dec 12, 14 @ 1:47 pm
I wait for - VanillaMan - to call my a Dope fir not backing a Republican, than say the person isn’t a Republican at all, lol
- A Guy - is plugged in, abd speaking for everyone as always. Now he speaks for a strategy wo years from now. Simply amazing his own self importance.
To the Post,
As much as this is about the money and truth about running, it’s also about putting on notice that if you are going to Primary Kirk, “bring it on, I can get the cash”.
It’s not about the General, it’s all about the Primary.
One race at a time.
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Dec 12, 14 @ 1:50 pm
Correct as usual Mr. Friday: No way do Aaron or Adam run. Probable primary win from a conservative challenger, whoever that will be.
Comment by MisterRogersNeighborhood Friday, Dec 12, 14 @ 1:54 pm
Demoralize,
Do you really want to witness another bad campaign full of negative attacks? Or do you just want these guys to tell us what they did for us lately, and what they plan to do for us later?
Sooner or later, someone is going to figure out Dick Durbin’s success in campaigning and copy it.
And It is Friday! - you are right that Walsh and Harold have nothing to lose and a lot of ambition, but frankly Kirk can lose to either Schock or Kinzinger because ILGOP would be a bit worried about Kirk if the Senator can’t appear strong and confident during the campaign and doesn’t have a solid message for reelection.
All Kirk needs is a day where he looks like he can’t do the job anymore. That would confirm to a lot of voters that love him or not - he needs to retire.
A fall. A relapse, god forbid. Any of that happening between now and Election Day 2016 would be a hurtle for Kirk.
Comment by VanillaMan Friday, Dec 12, 14 @ 1:55 pm
Just telling you what I’m hearing Wilbur. If that’s speaking for others, it’s sure lost on me. Seems like what I’ve been hearing has been a tad more accurate than what you’ve been hearing. Of course, you mostly hear your own voice.
Comment by A guy... Friday, Dec 12, 14 @ 1:57 pm
- A Guy -,
But what does Pat Quinn’s mom think?
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Dec 12, 14 @ 1:59 pm
OW - I don’t care who you support. I just feel sorry for the person you don’t because having you against them means thousands of postings on this blog.
Well, yeah - and I would feel sorry for all of us too, we’d to have to endure your postings.
BTW - Maybe Evelyn would run against Kirk.
Comment by VanillaMan Friday, Dec 12, 14 @ 2:00 pm
kinzinger…… Hahaha never would win statewide ….his teaparty baggage sealed that a long time ago!
Comment by Staton Friday, Dec 12, 14 @ 2:02 pm
- VanillaMan -,
I’ll just wait till you contradict yourself which usually isn’t too long of a wait, lol.
Who knows what Evelyn might do, but right now I am guessing snagging a state job finally, and thinking about all those cows she can tip are keeping her mighty busy.
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Dec 12, 14 @ 2:03 pm
Who will be his Dem challenger?
Comment by D.P.Gumby Friday, Dec 12, 14 @ 2:03 pm
==All Kirk needs is a day where he looks like he can’t do the job anymore. That would confirm to a lot of voters that love him or not - he needs to retire.==
It’s funny. In one breath you complain about negative campaigning and in the next breath you raise the issue of his health. I fully expect the truly sleazy to go there before this is all over. I just didn’t expect it from you.
Comment by Demoralized Friday, Dec 12, 14 @ 2:05 pm
I know Kirk is not the only one doing this, but going to New York to raise money smells bad. Especially from Goldman Sachs.
Comment by DuPage Dave Friday, Dec 12, 14 @ 2:06 pm
No Rauner dollar for dollar match?!
Comment by Ducky LaMoore Friday, Dec 12, 14 @ 2:08 pm
Erika Harold as a candidate??!! LOL! She has no credibility among Republicans. Again, during the 2014 election she sat on the sidelines and did nothing for Republican candidates. Her 15 minute of fame and glory are over. Now, if she wants to run for the state Senate seat in Champaign, she may have a shot at that seat.
Comment by Apocalypse Now Friday, Dec 12, 14 @ 2:15 pm
Evelyn will be busy running IL while Mitt tries to trade his bonus points in for President …”Yup I am the rich guy who won Obama/Hilary state….call me the UnbeatenMitt”
Comment by CircularFiringSquad Friday, Dec 12, 14 @ 2:25 pm
Demoralized
I said “god forbid”.
Negative campaigning that isn’t. I certainly don’t wish him ill, he’s been through enough. What I am acknowledging is as normal as it would be with any candidate. Old candidates have these issues as well. You know how much I love my old candidates, right?
Is it negative to point out that Hillary Clinton would be as old as Ronald Reagan if she is elected in 2016? No - just a fact. I remember when Bob Dole fell off that platform and when he mentioned the Brooklyn Dodgers. It wasn’t negative to point out that he did and said those things.
BTW - I love Bob Dole, but he had an age issue.
Comment by VanillaMan Friday, Dec 12, 14 @ 2:31 pm
OW -
I’ll just wait till you contradict yourself which usually isn’t too long of a wait, lol.
Yeah - you never do that because you keep repeating the exact same thing thousands of times.
You kept writing wonderfully poignant eulogies for Judy. Best stuff you ever wrote. You got it in you! Very heartfelt. Then when someone pointed out how great it was, you’d take a bow and thank them. That was so damn cute. So you.
Comment by VanillaMan Friday, Dec 12, 14 @ 2:37 pm
He can raise a $100 million, but if the Democrats recruit a good challenger, he’s toast.
————————-
I am a Democrat, and I like Kirk. I can’t think of Democract (Lisa, Duckworth etc.) that might get in that I would support over Kirk.
Comment by Niles Township Friday, Dec 12, 14 @ 2:37 pm
Well VMan, we can agree to disagree on this point. Nothing is more negative in my book than bringing up his stroke.
Comment by Demoralized Friday, Dec 12, 14 @ 2:42 pm
- VanillaMan -,
This is when I start to feel sorry for you…
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Dec 12, 14 @ 2:42 pm
Just like last time, there will be several small-time conservative vanity candidates who have each convinced themselves in their own mind that they can be “the guy” who will take out Kirk, because hey, they are right on the issues and everyone will flock to their banner as soon as they hear the candidate’s message. The egos involved will not let these candidates all agree to simply have ONE conservative go mano-a-mano against Kirk. That strategy might even work, but we’ll never know.
Comment by Team America Friday, Dec 12, 14 @ 2:50 pm
When did the Cap Fax comment section turn into a video game forum?!
Comment by Team Sleep Friday, Dec 12, 14 @ 2:50 pm
=== Oswego Willy - Friday, Dec 12, 14 @ 1:59 pm:
- A Guy -,
But what does Pat Quinn’s mom think?===
I’ll ask her next Wednesday. My mom may enjoy catching up with her.
Comment by A guy... Friday, Dec 12, 14 @ 4:35 pm
- A Guy -,
That is either the saddest attempt to show someone is connected to someone in politics…
Or the most hilarious backfire of trying to seem too cool for school.
“I’ll ask my mom”
I laughed so hard tears came out.
“My mom”, now that’s priceless
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Dec 12, 14 @ 5:29 pm
A guy here: No Wilbur. It means if my elderly mom is up to it, she’ll go to the Memorial Service for Judy. In going, she’ll see Pat’s mom (probably) and they’ll have a chance to say hello. My parents and Pat’s parents were extremely close. Both our dads have passed away, so our moms do not see each other as often.
BTW, I am far too cool for your school. Keep those tears flowing.
Comment by Anonymous Saturday, Dec 13, 14 @ 8:26 am