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Duckworth, others to Kirk: Apologize for real

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Illinois

* Gov. Bruce Rauner on Sen. Mark Kirk’s hot mic gaffe…

“I heard about Sen. Kirk’s comments. Inappropriate. My understanding is he has apologized. That is the right thing to do. And that’s all I’m going to say about it,” Rauner said at a stop in Vernon Hills to talk about his pro-business, anti-union agenda that’s part of a Springfield stalemate.

But has he really apologized? Not according to Tammy Duckworth today…

Duckworth called a statement from Kirk’s office last week a non-apology.

“I just don’t think it’s an appropriate way for a United States senator to speak,” Duckworth said. “What about to all the women he referred to as ho’s, which I assume refers to all women. … I think as a United States senator, step up, and apologize. It’s that simple. … I think it’s a continued demeaning of women and our roles. It’s really derogatory.”

* From a press release…

During the keynote address at an EMILY’S List 30th Anniversary event today in downtown Chicago, Congresswoman and Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate Tammy Duckworth made the following statement regarding the controversy surrounding her opponent, Senator Mark Kirk:

As a woman, a wife and the mother of a baby girl, I am personally offended. I think every woman in Illinois needs to hear an apology from Senator Kirk personally, something that he has so far refused to do.

But Senator Kirk’s so-called joke was not only demeaning to women, it was horribly offensive to the African-American community as well. This is not the first time Senator Kirk has made callous, racially insensitive remarks, and he owes a personal apology not just to South Siders, but to everyone who is offended by racial stereotypes.

It’s Day 5, Senator, and it’s time to come out of hiding and say you are sincerely and personally sorry.

Unfortunately, as bad as Senator Kirk’s remarks were, his voting record is pretty offensive to women as well. He has repeatedly voted against equal pay, and he’s voted against affordable child care. These are not just women’s issues — they’re family issues. They’re economic issues.

Last week, Kirk was caught on a hot mic referring to Senator Lindsey Graham as a ‘bro with no ho,’ which he further qualified as something “we’d say on the South Side.” A Kirk staffer issued a statement saying Kirk was sorry “to anyone offended,” which has been called, among other things, a “bogus” “nonapology” and a “weasel-worded faux apology” by Illinois observers. It was also reported that Kirk apologized personally to Lindsey Graham.

The Duckworth campaign also passed along some other links.

* Chuck Sweeny…

I think Kirk can get past the remark if he makes a heartfelt apology. Instead, a staffer issued a weasel-worded faux apology: “Senator Kirk was joking with his colleague and immediately apologized to anyone offended by his remark, spokeswoman Danielle Varallo said in an email to The Associated Press,” CBS St. Louis reported. Which means to me that if anyone was not offended by his remark, Kirk doesn’t have to apologize to them. Bogus.

* Southern Illinoisan…

Kirk was hoping to make a private joke, riffing off of Graham’s also awkward comment about a “rotating first lady” should he win the White House. But it would be too easy to let Kirk off the hook with the classic “boys will be boys.” This was a committee room in the U.S. Capitol, not a locker room. Regardless, we would expect more from a senator from Illinois, especially while making light of the plight of historically unprivileged Americans. […]

(T)here’s something particularly unsightly about a group of powerful white men making cracks at populations who’ve spent generations clawing for equality. Kirk’s “bro with no ho” gaffe is more than a privileged white guy making a cultural reference that’s clearly beyond his comprehension.

In four short words, Kirk minimized decades of oppression and suffering. And he did it while seated comfortably within the halls of power.

* Sun-Times…

Is this all about political correctness, as Kirk’s apologists are saying?

No. In 1915 it might have been, but not in 2015.

Thoughtful people just don’t make Polish jokes anymore, or Helen Keller jokes, and they don’t say what Kirk said Thursday. They are above that. Their thinking is above that.

* SJ-R…

History has shown you never know what might come out of U.S. Sen. Mark Kirk’s mouth. It could be a falsehood, a stretch of the truth or a really bad attempt at humor.

Lately, odds are it may be something insensitive. Not good for a Republican who is up for re-election in 2016 and is considered one of the nation’s most vulnerable senators.

* Tribune…

Kirk says he was just backslapping with his friends in Congress. That must make a lot of them cringe.

Our advice to Sen. Kirk: Find a microphone. Make sure it’s on. Apologize. Repeat.

posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Jun 15, 15 @ 3:04 pm

Comments

==History has shown you never know what might come out of U.S. Sen. Mark Kirk’s mouth. It could be a falsehood, a stretch of the truth or a really bad attempt at humor.==

And THAT is the real danger here. He’s getting a rep as the guy who you’ll never know what he’ll say that. Extremely ideological states will tolerate that in ideological fellow travelers (See: Inhofe in OK, or Biden in DE). Illinois and Kirk is another matter.

Comment by Arsenal Monday, Jun 15, 15 @ 3:06 pm
Enough Already

Comment by Anonymous Monday, Jun 15, 15 @ 3:07 pm
“I said it. It was wrong. Saying it was wrong. I am sorry.”

It’s like those who refuse to properly apologize are immune to being humbled by mistakes

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Jun 15, 15 @ 3:07 pm
The Kirk peeps should have ended this on Day One with a short on-camera apology.

Why they’re choosing to let this continue day after day is beyond me. This ain’t a heavy lift.

Comment by Wordslinger Monday, Jun 15, 15 @ 3:13 pm
I think it maybe time for a replacement, if gop wants any chance of holding the seat. IMHO and I like mark

Comment by Not Alan Keyes Monday, Jun 15, 15 @ 3:13 pm
Duckworth might be waiting for a long time, I am still waiting for Kirk to apologize for running as republican.

Comment by William j Kelly Monday, Jun 15, 15 @ 3:14 pm
*a republican (you get the idea)

Comment by William j Kelly Monday, Jun 15, 15 @ 3:16 pm
The professionally offended class are really feeling their oats on this one. It was a joke. Not overly funny, but what is everyone driving at here exactly? Does anyone think Mark Kirk is a racist? Does anyone actually think Mark Kirk is a sexist? How about treating this for what it is, which is nothing.

Comment by John A Logan Monday, Jun 15, 15 @ 3:18 pm
Kirk often reminds me of Michael on The Office.

Comment by In the Middle Monday, Jun 15, 15 @ 3:31 pm
Kirk needs his frat boys back.

Comment by Norseman Monday, Jun 15, 15 @ 3:33 pm
Mary Schmich of the Trib wrote the best column about it. Here’s the end:

“Well, bro, I’m done ranting

I’m sure that you’re glad

And, honest, your words

Weren’t the worst of the bad.

But next time you say

What the voters won’t like?

Remember at least

To turn off the dang mic.”

Comment by Emily Booth Monday, Jun 15, 15 @ 3:38 pm
“Senator Kirk apologizes to anyone offended by his original non-apology apology.”

– MrJM

Comment by MrJM Monday, Jun 15, 15 @ 3:40 pm
== Does anyone think Mark Kirk is a racist? Does anyone actually think Mark Kirk is a sexist? How about treating this for what it is, which is nothing. ==

Here’s how I’m treating it: I truly don’t know if Kirk is a racist or a sexist. But when I hear him saying things I perceive to sound sexist and racist, it gives me pause. It erodes my confidence in him as a fair-minded public servant. It sure doesn’t make me want to vote for him. And that ain’t nothing; it’s something.

Comment by Linus Monday, Jun 15, 15 @ 3:50 pm
Oh, JAL, you hillbilly cracker, mind your own business and get your wife/cousin to clean up the meth lab trailer.

I kid.

See how that works?

Comment by Wordslinger Monday, Jun 15, 15 @ 3:51 pm
People who are easily “offended” are not respected. Like Sgt. Hulka said, “lighten up, Francis”

Comment by Anon Monday, Jun 15, 15 @ 3:53 pm
It would have been very simple to apologize immediately but he didn’t. It get more difficult everyday that he delays.

Comment by Belle Monday, Jun 15, 15 @ 3:53 pm
Folks, this is the way even well educated millenials talk, as well as women in the ages 18-26. I believe that’s a key demographic for her and the party.

Being offended by this just shows her as out of touch with that group, and that she and her party are just humorless beyatches.

This whole episode has just shown that the Dems are the humorless party of overly sensitive 60 somethings, like the anything but youthful Hillary, and made the young folks less likely to vote for her.

It’s not really that big of a deal, but all too often voter decisions are made on the spur of the moment in the voter booth over a simple impression like this.

Remebering her as a whiner about silly things like this certainly doesn’t make her more endearing to those thinking about voting for her.

BTW, has she ever publically shown any sense of humor that wasn’t written for her?

Comment by Arizona Bob Monday, Jun 15, 15 @ 3:56 pm
==The professionally offended class are really feeling their oats on this one.==

Yeah, delicate flowers like John Kass.

==Not overly funny, but what is everyone driving at here exactly?==

That he keeps saying dumb things, and since his job pretty much revolves around words, that’s a problem.

==Does anyone think Mark Kirk is a racist? Does anyone actually think Mark Kirk is a sexist?==

I think he has a demonstrated ignorance on race and gender issues. That’s a problem.

==How about treating this for what it is, which is nothing.==

None of the political actors involved think it’s “nothing”.

Comment by Arsenal Monday, Jun 15, 15 @ 3:59 pm
==Folks, this is the way even well educated millenials talk, as well as women in the ages 18-26.==

I’m a well-educated millenial, and this is the first time I’ve heard the phrase since the episode of the Office where Michael cried about “she ain’t your ho no mo’!”

But don’t let the fact that you’re completely wrong stop you from telling people how they talk.

Comment by Arsenal Monday, Jun 15, 15 @ 4:03 pm
==Being offended by this just shows her as out of touch with that group, and that she and her party are just humorless beyatches.==

Oh man, I completely missed this part on my first read through. You MUST be a false-flag operation, planted here by Duckworth’s campaign.

Comment by Arsenal Monday, Jun 15, 15 @ 4:04 pm
Case dismissed.

AZ Bob just gave you the 411 on the hipsters and young women. It’s off the hook.

Fo shizzle, groovy, how about those Beatles with the long hair and the “yeah, yeah, yeah” music? Ring-a-ding-ding.

Comment by Wordslinger Monday, Jun 15, 15 @ 4:05 pm
==Being offended by this just shows her==

Who’s “her”? Governor Rauner? Chuck Sweney? The SI, S-T, SJ-R, or CT?

Comment by Arsenal Monday, Jun 15, 15 @ 4:08 pm
I said on Day One that the non-apology would be a problemo.

Comment by Juvenal Monday, Jun 15, 15 @ 4:08 pm
“It’s not really that big of a deal, but all too often voter decisions are made on the spur of the moment in the voter booth over a simple impression like this.”

I don’t agree with you on much but I do here. Just like the Frerichs add where he was just walking around being nice without bashing Willy’s buddy who was running against him. Won him an election Willy said could never happen.

Comment by Anonymous Monday, Jun 15, 15 @ 4:10 pm
==I don’t agree with you on much but I do here.==

So because Duckworth didn’t laugh off Kirk’s pretty-much-universally-derided Dumb, people are going to vote for Kirk?

Comment by Arsenal Monday, Jun 15, 15 @ 4:12 pm
I seriously love everything about this gaffe, including all the defenses that just make matters worse.

Comment by Arsenal Monday, Jun 15, 15 @ 4:14 pm
===Won him an election Willy said could never happen===

Hit the search key;

I said often, very often, that the Treasurer’s Race would be the closest race, by far.

Please, your revisionist history is quite sad.

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Jun 15, 15 @ 4:16 pm
Maybe, Willy…but tell the truth; your heart skipped several beats and you missed several putts. lol

Comment by A guy Monday, Jun 15, 15 @ 4:34 pm
==- Arizona Bob - Monday, Jun 15, 15 @ 3:56 pm:

Folks, this is the way even well educated millenials talk, as well as women in the ages 18-26. I believe that’s a key demographic for her and the party.

Being offended by this just shows her as out of touch with that group, and that she and her party are just humorless beyatches.==

As someone who falls in the well-educated millennial category and regularly interacts with the women ages 18-26 category, I’m utterly baffled by how out of touch this comment was with both of those groups. If anything, I’m used to defending, particularly the younger generation, for being TOO politically correct.

Also ==humorless beyatches== - really? You think it’s a good idea in this context to call the Democratic party and a woman specifically a variation on a female slur and profanity because they’re offended?

Comment by Excuse Me? Monday, Jun 15, 15 @ 4:38 pm
“Remebering [Duckworth] as a whiner about silly things like this certainly doesn’t make her more endearing to those thinking about voting for her.”

Congratulations, Arizona Bob.

It takes a special kind of someone to call a woman who lost both of her legs and much of her right arm flying combat missions as U.S. Army helicopter pilot “a whiner”.

Even in a world where partisans will say anything to tear down an opponent, you have truly distinguished yourself from the rest of the pack.

Take a bow, Bob.

– MrJM

Comment by MrJM Monday, Jun 15, 15 @ 4:46 pm
@ 3:56 pm: ==Folks, this is the way even well educated millennial talk, as well as women in the ages 18-26.==

The millennials do not tolerate the demeaning of any group of people by name calling or discriminating against them in any way.

The people of Illinois and especially the people of the south side of Chicago deserve a senator who is always on their side.

Comment by Enviro Monday, Jun 15, 15 @ 4:51 pm
If Tom Cross would just return my calls, I’d golf with him.

I’m one more Cross inquiry away from being banned at Fox Bend.

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Jun 15, 15 @ 4:57 pm
Sure it sounds bad. But anyone here that doesn’t acknowledge deep down that this is probably mild for how these guys (and/or gals) in Washington talk among themselves is delusional. Somehow the PC movement has caused lots of folks to forget that many of us are, indeed, adults.

Comment by BigDoggie Monday, Jun 15, 15 @ 6:04 pm
MrJM at 4:46 pm with the win……

Comment by btowntruth Monday, Jun 15, 15 @ 6:32 pm
Basically the gop will realize he can’t win, when it’s too late for a replacement

Comment by Not Alan Keyes Tuesday, Jun 16, 15 @ 10:04 am