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Kirk stands by his man

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Illinois

* From the same guy who advised China not to buy American bonds…

While some Republicans have begun to criticize Gov. Bruce Rauner’s demands in the budget battle, U.S. Sen. Mark Kirk isn’t among them.

Kirk has close political ties to Rauner, being a staunch supporter of his campaign and having several former aides now working in Rauner’s administration. Kirk says he’s heard concerns about the state defaulting on its debt due to the impasse, and says he’s tried to put those fears to rest by talking up Rauner.

“When I was in New York, I get a lot of people asking about when is Illinois going to default, and they were asking questions about an inevitability about some sort of financial collapse here,” Kirk said. “I wanted to make sure people that knew that we had a reformist governor, and if his reforms go through, we would have a much better financial shot.”

We’re not going to default, so he’s right about that part.

posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Oct 20, 15 @ 11:38 am

Comments

Kirk and Munger will be the first victims of the Rauner way. Sorry folks.

Comment by Ducky LaMoore Tuesday, Oct 20, 15 @ 11:40 am
Who was on that trip with Kirk? None other than Richard Goldberg

Comment by Grass Bowl Tuesday, Oct 20, 15 @ 11:42 am
Kirk can allow himself to be with Rauner far more than Munger.

This is a National race, his re-election, and the monies totaled on both sides will top $150 million.

It’s going to be more about Kirk, his competence, and Duckworth and her own, in the prism of a national discussion and national talking point Ads.

The two Crews, Kirk and Rauner, are really one humongous Crew, serving two shops; one way or another.

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Oct 20, 15 @ 11:43 am
How does Kirk feel about nuking unions?

Comment by Precinct Captain Tuesday, Oct 20, 15 @ 11:44 am
Were they in New York with Ken Dunkin?

Comment by 360 Degree Turnaround Tuesday, Oct 20, 15 @ 11:47 am
“An honest politician is one who, when he is bought, will stay bought.” — Simon Cameron, American financier & politician (1799-1889)

– MrJM

Comment by @MisterJayEm Tuesday, Oct 20, 15 @ 11:55 am
Like he has a choice.

The GOP is defending 24 Senate seats in a presidential year. Lot of demand on money. Kirk will need every dime he can get from the Rauner network, because the smart national money already has him as a loser.

Heck, Rauner already had to swat down former big-heat Gidwitz for Kirk.

Seriously, does anyone really believe “people in New York” are asking Kirk anything about Illinois finances? Why would they? If he means Wall Street types, theyd already know a lot more about the situation than he would.

He likes to make up stuff.

Comment by Wordslinger Tuesday, Oct 20, 15 @ 12:01 pm
So when did Kirk get as mean as Rauner? I heard we need to ask one of his staffers.

Comment by VanillaMan Tuesday, Oct 20, 15 @ 12:29 pm
Mark Kirk was talking about Illinois’s debt service and bond ratings when he was a Congressman. He ratcheted it up when he became Senator.

Comment by Team Sleep Tuesday, Oct 20, 15 @ 12:44 pm
TS, Kirk revealed a goofy ignorance of finance in his T-Bonds comments to the Chinese.

Governments and corporations around the world buy T-Bonds not for returns but because they are the only universally accepted instrument of liquidity.

Questioning their soundness was the same as saying international finance is not possible.

Comment by Wordslinger Tuesday, Oct 20, 15 @ 12:52 pm
Logically, Rauner’s reforms have nothing to do Illinois’ immediate cash flow problems or its ability to pay its debts.

Anyway, Kirk lost my support when he through Illinois under the bus by saying he would never support federal fiscal help for the state. The federal government can bail out auto makers, banks, and insurance companies. But not a state that sends billions to the federal government? Kirk is not being an advocate for the state that elected him and needs to be replaced.

Comment by A Jack Tuesday, Oct 20, 15 @ 2:47 pm
A reformist? An abolitionist seems more appropriate.

Comment by CrazyHorse Tuesday, Oct 20, 15 @ 2:58 pm
AJack,

I agree with your comments Hopefully Illinois legislator who supports this Governor over the interests of Main Street Illinois citizens will find problems being re-elected

Comment by JB Tuesday, Oct 20, 15 @ 5:55 pm
I voted for Kirk last time, but I won’t do it again if he doesn’t demonstrate Illinois’ poor and middle class mean more to him than Rauner’s money. In other words, it won’t happen.

Comment by Neveranonymous Tuesday, Oct 20, 15 @ 7:13 pm