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Obama thanks Kirk on Garland

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Obama

* This note from President Barack Obama to US Sen. Mark Kirk about Kirk’s recent meeting with Supreme Court nominee Merrick Garland was sent to me last night by the Kirk campaign…

Obama endorsed Duckworth this week, but Kirk got a decent little consolation prize.

posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Apr 7, 16 @ 9:05 am

Comments

Mark Kirk, our next ambassador to Cuba.

Comment by frustrated FOP Thursday, Apr 7, 16 @ 9:07 am
The kiss of death. Better than a third place endorsement.

Comment by weltschmerz Thursday, Apr 7, 16 @ 9:10 am
Classy. Helps preserve the bipartisan ideals of an independent judiciary, to coin a phrase.

Comment by olddog Thursday, Apr 7, 16 @ 9:11 am
There’s the business of governing and the business of politics. Sometimes they cross, other times they don’t, but this note makes clear that politics and governing cross, and a thabk you is/was warranted, and in November, the President will be with Duckworth, and Kirk will remind us all he tried and personally didn’t hold up the President’s Nominee.

Cool note.

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Apr 7, 16 @ 9:13 am
History will be kind to President Obama. Republicans though…who knows?

Comment by Jerry Thursday, Apr 7, 16 @ 9:15 am
A classy thing to do by both gentlemen.

Comment by Stones Thursday, Apr 7, 16 @ 9:23 am
Classy move by the President.

A 25 page rebuttal from the Duckworth campaign in 3 . . . 2 . . . 1 . .

Comment by Louis G. Atsaves Thursday, Apr 7, 16 @ 9:29 am
Countdown to conservatives’ minds being blown in 3…2…1…

Comment by Just Me Thursday, Apr 7, 16 @ 9:38 am
Saw this morning that the University of Virginia Center for Politics Crystal Ball run by Larry Sabato doesn’t even list this race as a “toss up” and has it going to Duckworth. The 5 toss up states are Nevada, Ohio, Florida, Pennsylvania and New Hampshire. Kirk’s got a steep hill to climb.

Comment by slow down Thursday, Apr 7, 16 @ 9:40 am
Cook and others rate the race as a toss up

Comment by CornerGuy Thursday, Apr 7, 16 @ 9:57 am
Another prime example of Speaker Madigan and the President he controls…

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Apr 7, 16 @ 9:59 am
== Kirk got a decent little consolation prize. ==

In a sane world, yes.

But I wonder what the Illinois Review readers will think of this.

A “win-win” for Tammy Duckworth.

Comment by Bill White Thursday, Apr 7, 16 @ 10:00 am
That this note was released publicly just reinforces my cynicism that Kirk is being just as political as his Republican colleagues who refuse to meet with Garland. It’s just that in Kirk’s case it’s more politically beneficial to not be seen as obstructing Obama. If the politics were different I don’t think Kirk would be doing the right thing.

Comment by hisgirlfriday Thursday, Apr 7, 16 @ 10:19 am
For those who claim this is all politics, remember Kirk supported Lynch for AG. Pretty consistent if you ask me

Comment by Peets Thursday, Apr 7, 16 @ 10:39 am
Nice to see this. We need more in our current environment. Washington, Springfield and other capitols are not bad places and the people who serve there are for the most part honorable. Electorate across the board needs to understand that.

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Apr 7, 16 @ 10:45 am
Nice to see this. We need more in our current environment. Washington, Springfield and other capitols are not bad places and the people who serve there are for the most part honorable. Electorate across the board needs to understand that. Sorry for the double post. Handle did not auto populate.

Comment by Valour Nail Thursday, Apr 7, 16 @ 10:46 am
To Oswego Willy: It was the 1st Mayor Daley who said: Good government is good politics, and good politics is good government.

Comment by Johnny Justice Thursday, Apr 7, 16 @ 10:50 am
- Johnny Justice -

Yep.

If you haven’t, read “American Pharoah”, great book

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Apr 7, 16 @ 11:03 am
===That this note was released publicly just reinforces my cynicism that Kirk is being just as political as his Republican colleagues who refuse to meet with Garland

Accusing a politician of being political is a bit redundant, isn’t it? We want politicians unable to be influenced until we want them to do what we want. Doing something because that’s what your constituents want isn’t a bad thing.

Comment by ArchPundit Thursday, Apr 7, 16 @ 11:07 am
Not statesmanship on Kirk’s part. Purely self preservation.

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Apr 7, 16 @ 11:14 am
===If you haven’t, read “American Pharoah”, great book

Next up on my reader.

Comment by ArchPundit Thursday, Apr 7, 16 @ 11:15 am
McConnell’s vulgar announcement within an hour of Scalia’s death put vulnerable GOP incumbents like Kirk in a real trick bag.

You can’t feed the rabid base and reach out to independents at the same time. But Kirk doesn’t have a chance without a big independent vote.

Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Apr 7, 16 @ 12:06 pm
Will this at least put an end to the stupid protests demanding Kirk unilaterally confirm Garland to SCOTUS?

Comment by JB13 Thursday, Apr 7, 16 @ 12:12 pm
The problem for Kirk is that he has voted for, and will continue to vote for, Mitch McConnell as Senate majority leader. So he’s empowering the very person who refuses to allow a hearing or a vote on the nomination. No amount of posturing about meeting with Garland can changes that fact.

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Apr 7, 16 @ 1:03 pm
Thanks so much Mark for your support of Justice Garland- BTW, Tammy sends her regards.

Comment by Slippin' Jimmy Thursday, Apr 7, 16 @ 1:05 pm
Frustrated,
Ambassador to Cuba? More like Ambassador to Israel.

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Apr 7, 16 @ 3:42 pm