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Congressman Mark Kirk is standing by his earlier comments that Illinois residents “are ready to shoot anyone who is going to raise taxes” as much as Gov. Pat Quinn is proposing.

As I’ve been telling people in comments, if Kirk believes this sort of language is perfectly acceptable and not irresponsible, then he ought to go ahead and make it a part of his campaign routine and see how that works for him.

Hint: It won’t.

…Adding… A commenter notes…

Can he imagine how quickly a student at school would be hauled down to the office if a student announced at school “Students are ready to shoot anyone increasing the homework load by that extent”?

Now do you get it?

And if you still don’t, substitute “student at school” with “employee at work” or some such thing.

*** 5:19 pm *** Chicago Public Radio has the Kirk quote…

“Shoots is a strong word, but it’s a political term of art. And when you fill out a tax form and hear about leaders that want to increase the bite that the government is taking out of your family income, people are mad. People are very mad.”

“Shoots” is not a “political term of art” that I’ve ever heard.

* 1:32 pm - Yikes. From a press release…

The Illinois seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for March is 9.1 percent, the highest level since November 1985, according to data released today by the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES). The March rate is +0.5 percent higher than February and the sixth consecutive month to record an increase.

Total non-farm payroll declined by –39,300 jobs in March 2009, the second largest over-the-month decrease on record (back to 1990). In March, the number of unemployed people in Illinois increased to 596,000 (+27,400), the highest level reported since September 1983. […]

In Illinois, the Manufacturing sector lost -14,200 jobs in March, its third largest over-the-month reduction since January 1992. In the last year, this sector has dropped by -60,800 jobs, more than 9 percent of its total workforce. The Professional and Business Services sector reported -13,200 fewer workers, the second largest decrease on record and its third decline in excess of -10,000 in the last five months.

* 2:12 pm - I gotta give props to Congressman Aaron Schock for not totally losing it on Colbert, but why do politicians eagerly subject themselves to interviews like this?

posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Apr 16, 09 @ 1:15 pm

Comments

On Chicago Tonight earlier in the week he kept on saying “kill” and “radioactive,” maybe’s he got internals that tell him he needs to look tough if he wants some teabaggin love

Comment by Alex Thursday, Apr 16, 09 @ 1:27 pm
If the use of that phrase “ready to shoot anyone . . .” is, in your opinion, indeed that inflammatory or “dangerous” I really must wonder why. Do you honestly believe there are that many unstable on the fringe of reality people needing only that little push to launch them into action? I think that proposition is absurd on its face and an attempt to muzzle rather clear speaking. Political correctness is a farcical invention.

Comment by A Citizen Thursday, Apr 16, 09 @ 1:35 pm
Those unemployment numbers are not good news. I think Illinois needs to redirect there thoughts on how to get us out of debt.

Comment by Boscobud Thursday, Apr 16, 09 @ 1:37 pm
Again, AC, let him go ahead and keep saying it if you think that’s OK, and see where it gets him.

Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Apr 16, 09 @ 1:37 pm
If jobs keep draining from IL, maybe there won’t be too many shooters left when the time for shootin’ comes.

Comment by Six Degrees of Separation Thursday, Apr 16, 09 @ 1:39 pm
You didn’t respond to my question - I really do wonder why you find that type of terminology so objectionable.

Comment by A Citizen Thursday, Apr 16, 09 @ 1:39 pm
AC, invoking violent imagery because of policy differences has, in my opinion, no place in a statewide campaign.

As I noted earlier today, I’d delete a comment like that on this blog and probably report it to the coppers.

Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Apr 16, 09 @ 1:42 pm
Rich, it’s not like this ’shooting’ comment is the only thing Kirk said in the interview. Yeah, let him go ahead and say it every once in a while. You said it yourself earlier, MSM barely even took notice of this. It was a quote given in context at the bottom of the Trib article. Why have you seized on this like Kirk is running a literally bloodthirsty campaign?

Comment by Sewanee Thursday, Apr 16, 09 @ 1:43 pm
Ya know, the guy can say and stick to anything he wants to. In my humble opinion I still think he needs to tone himself down–think before he speaks and be responsible in the words he chooses. Can he imagine how quickly a student at school would be hauled down to the office if a student announced at school “Students are ready to shoot anyone increasing the homework load by that extent” ?

And, no. I’m not anti gun, I’m anti arrogance that some people have who believe their words do not have to be responsible for the actions and emotions they may cause.

Comment by Princess Thursday, Apr 16, 09 @ 1:44 pm
I would agree with you if it were an overt and specific threat - in this case it wasn’t.

Comment by A Citizen Thursday, Apr 16, 09 @ 1:44 pm
i really dont think he is encouraging anyone to actually shoot someone here and most reasonalble people understand that - until, some folks who may or may not be politically motivated,turn the statement into something totally opposite of what it was intended to be.

Comment by anon Thursday, Apr 16, 09 @ 1:44 pm
I highly doubt he meant that he was literally going to shoot someone. It’s a fairly common expression. Probably not the most PC one to choose however in todays over sensitive world. I think too much is being made of that one statement.

Comment by Reality is Thursday, Apr 16, 09 @ 1:45 pm
“A Citizen” -

One of the key aspects of democracy is that we vote our political opponents out of office, we don’t kill them.

I really doubt Kirk has personally met groups of people who are sitting around, gun in hand, poised to shoot those who are proposing higher taxes. So, Kirk isn’t just reporting a situation that exists out there, he is intentionally trying to inflame the situation by using that imagery.

Comment by George Thursday, Apr 16, 09 @ 1:47 pm
If you are out teabagging with the voters, you do not want to do anything to make them mad.

The guy is defending his hyperventilated rhetoric. He must be listening to Rush Limbaugh too much. He should at least use air quotes when he says “shoot.” Where is the calm, cool leadership we need? On yeah, in the White House!

Comment by Pot calling kettle Thursday, Apr 16, 09 @ 1:50 pm
-George-
“…he is intentionally trying to inflame the situation by using that imagery. ..”
Where on God’s green earth do you get that? Pure nonsense deliberately attempting to make more of the statement than exists. A slippery grip on reality is dangerous.

Comment by A Citizen Thursday, Apr 16, 09 @ 1:51 pm
Yeah, stand by your comment. Which means:

“I literally believe Illinoisans are bloodthirsty idiots ready to shoot someone over a proposed tax increase.”

or

“I literally think that my hyperbolic machismo will win me votes.” Which then, if you think that, I agree with Rich, run your campaign that way.

Either way, it’s a dumb comment to stand by, and something he should have brushed off/half apologized for. Pick your battles.

Comment by Sacks Romana Thursday, Apr 16, 09 @ 1:51 pm
Princess, I think you summed it up perfectly…

===Can he imagine how quickly a student at school would be hauled down to the office if a student announced at school “Students are ready to shoot anyone increasing the homework load by that extent”?===

That hypothetical student wouldn’t just be hauled into the principal’s office.

Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Apr 16, 09 @ 1:54 pm
I’ll tell you what, these tea bag jokes never get old!

Comment by Greg Thursday, Apr 16, 09 @ 1:54 pm
Rich - When I first began reading your Blog some Chicago areas representatives were offering a gun control bill. I posted that before they take up gun control they should be taken to a shhoting range. My meaning was they could shoot some guns and see that it is enjoyable and challenging. You deleted my post because you thought I meant they should be shot.

Comment by Hickory Thursday, Apr 16, 09 @ 1:59 pm
COME ON people! seriously, how many time has anyone seen a really nice car they would like to have and said “i would kill for a car like that” or whatever else it might be. this is no different - move on and quit whining.

Comment by anon Thursday, Apr 16, 09 @ 1:59 pm
To all those people pretending that this is just a casual saying, please provide examples of how you have heard this type of phrase used in your (apparently strange) daily life to describe simple “frustration.”

Was it -

“Man, those elementary school residents are ready to shoot anyone who gives them homework” ?

Or

“Illinois residents are ready to shoot anyone who gets tickets to go to Cubs/Sox opening day instead of them.”

Or

“I’m ready to shoot anyone who gets in the way of my car on the highway”

Or how about a variation?

“I’m going to kidnap, rape and mutilate anyone who cuts education funding”

Comment by George Thursday, Apr 16, 09 @ 1:59 pm
===Equating politicians with pubescent students is funny===

If the shoe fits…

Comment by JonShibleyFan Thursday, Apr 16, 09 @ 2:00 pm
oops on duplicating the homework comment

Comment by George Thursday, Apr 16, 09 @ 2:01 pm
The great irony here is that Kirk is routinely backed by the Brady Campaign and loathed by the NRA. As such, he’ll alienate the folks who might support him against their partisan leanings, while doing zilch to reel the NRA-types back.

Comment by JonShibleyFan Thursday, Apr 16, 09 @ 2:01 pm
“i would kill for a car like that” does not equal “people are ready to shoot anyone who does x”

Comment by George Thursday, Apr 16, 09 @ 2:03 pm
I agree with Rich, in this day and age comments like that must be taken seriously. Lip off like that in an airport and you will get to know the TSA up close and personal.

Comment by Dan S, a Voter, Taxpayer and Cubs Fan Thursday, Apr 16, 09 @ 2:06 pm
I really think the Republican Party is slowly fading away and what will remain is a radical fringe right. An earlier commentator might be correct in that Kirk is trying to combat the wimp effect, which I feel he is susceptible, by throwing around comments like “shoot”.

I was listening to some mud head named Levin on WLS around 10:00 p.m. last night and was embarrassed by how crude and arrogant some of these bozo’s are.

Comment by Phineas J. Whoopee Thursday, Apr 16, 09 @ 2:06 pm
I highly doubt that joe average citizen could say ____ should be shot, or we should shoot _____, within earshot of any sworn peace officer in the state and not get some sort of reaction. Our leaders are SUPPOSED to hold themselves to a little higher standard. Sadly the GOP leaders in this state and even on the national level feels they need to resort to this type of rhetoric and teabag parties rather than come up with an actual working idea. They seem to forget their own perticipation in what has brought us to this point. God forbid that they actually work TOWARDS a solution.

Comment by Irish Thursday, Apr 16, 09 @ 2:09 pm
Mud head? I never heard that insult before.

Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Apr 16, 09 @ 2:09 pm
Rich, I think it is a euphemism for Liberal.

Comment by A Citizen Thursday, Apr 16, 09 @ 2:12 pm
[…] Rich points out the essential problem: […]

Pingback by ArchPundit | Today’s Tosser: Mark Kirk Thursday, Apr 16, 09 @ 2:12 pm
Yeah, I just thought of it. It was a no brainer. lol

Comment by Phineas J. Whoopee Thursday, Apr 16, 09 @ 2:12 pm
I think the D’s are getting nervous about the traction Kirk is getting.

Comment by D's Thursday, Apr 16, 09 @ 2:12 pm
Dan S.-

If you lip off like that you won’t get to know the TSA up close and personal, they’ll get to know YOU up close and personal.

Comment by John Bambenek Thursday, Apr 16, 09 @ 2:13 pm
===i really dont think he is encouraging anyone to actually shoot someone here ===

What he said was that some folks were ready to shoot anyone who raised taxes that much. So, as a commenter noted above, he’s hanging out with some weird people, or he thinks there are some weird folks in this state, or he’s doing it to prove a broader point.

“I think the people of Illinois are ready to shoot anyone who is going to raise taxes by that degree.”

It’s just bizarre on so many levels and totally inappropriate in a campaign situation.

And I find the push-back fascinating.

Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Apr 16, 09 @ 2:18 pm
The sad reality is that acts of violence for political reasons occur. Last year the head of the Democratic Party in Arkansas was killed. There was a killing of the Mayor and maybe others at a city council meeting in a St. Louis suburb.
In the past there was Harvey Milk, Mayor Moscone, and Vernon Jordan. There was Anthrax attack after 9-11.

This is a serious issue and not something to joke about.

Comment by Objective Dem Thursday, Apr 16, 09 @ 2:19 pm
Apparently I am out of touch - I really do not experience this hypersensitivity to that terminology unless, of course, it is an overt threat. Perhaps, Rich is correct, if so that is a very sad commentary on today’s society. If so many are traumatized by it then who am I , , , ?

Comment by A Citizen Thursday, Apr 16, 09 @ 2:27 pm
There was a recent study discussed in the Economist regarding violence in group settings. I’m simplifying but the scientists found that if the witnesses to a conflict encourage violence, a fight would occur. On the other hand, if they discouraged violence and asked the parties to cool down and de-escalate the violence, the conflict would subside.

In this case, we have a reputable leader making a statement that encourages violence. As a stand alone comment it wouldn’t matter as much. But there is a consistent voice of violent imagery and anger from the right that makes this a real problem.

Rep Kirk should be saying if you don’t like taxes lets elect people who will reduce them; not lets shoot them.

Comment by Objective Dem Thursday, Apr 16, 09 @ 2:30 pm
If I go home and tell my wife I would kill for a car like Rich’s, thats one thing.

If I stand as the leader of an orgnaized group, speaking from a position of influence and I say “we aready to kill for cars like that” it has entriely different effect and responsibility.

Words spoken in private dismissable as banter are different when spoken publicly from a position of influence.

Comment by Ghost Thursday, Apr 16, 09 @ 2:31 pm
===not lets shoot them. ===

He didn’t say that. Be careful there.

Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Apr 16, 09 @ 2:32 pm
Rich,

I wish you could compare posts and see how many of the bloggers who think this is just a common phrase and not a big deal went ballistic over Obama’s “lipstick on a pig” comment.

Comment by Objective Dem Thursday, Apr 16, 09 @ 2:34 pm
It was a stupid thing for him to say, and I think he should stop with the violence-related remarks, but I also think this has been blown entirely too far out of proportion and we all should move on.

And I am most certainly NOT a Kirk supporter, for what that’s worth.

Comment by Concerned Observer Thursday, Apr 16, 09 @ 2:37 pm
I think the phrase is akin to saying “I almost had a heart attack.” It is just a phrase.

Comment by PPHS Thursday, Apr 16, 09 @ 2:39 pm
OD, I’m not sure what you mean by that. But here’s a link…

Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Apr 16, 09 @ 2:39 pm
Obj. Dem. — I also thought the “pigstick” controversy was inane. Consider me anti-stupidity.

Comment by Concerned Observer Thursday, Apr 16, 09 @ 2:40 pm
===It is just a phrase. ===

Sorry, but I have never ever heard anyone say in private or in public “I think the people of [fill in the blank] are ready to shoot anyone who is going to [fill in the blank].”

Now, in private, could people say “I’m gonna murderize that guy,” or “I could shoot that guy,” or etc.? Yeah. But in public? And by a congressman who is actively mulling a statewide bid? Never. Not here, at least.

Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Apr 16, 09 @ 2:41 pm
Addendum: Actually, I have heard: “I think the people of [fill in the blank] are ready to shoot anyone who is going to [fill in the blank].”

But only about countries rife with terrorism or embroiled in a civil war, etc.

Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Apr 16, 09 @ 2:46 pm
As I’ve been telling people in comments, if Kirk believes this sort of language is perfectly acceptable and not irresponsible, then he ought to go ahead and make it a part of his campaign routine and see how that works for him.

Gimme a break here…you think it was a figure of speech or Kirk actually meant it? Seems to me that some are creating a mountain out of a mole hill here.

Comment by scoot Thursday, Apr 16, 09 @ 2:51 pm
Given that context and considering the violence of the past 10 or 15 years, war, shootings, etc. I respect your viewpoint.

Comment by A Citizen Thursday, Apr 16, 09 @ 2:52 pm
Rep.Schock interview was a hoot. He was on CNN last month saying that Republicans need to reach out to younger voters. I guess this is one way to raise their awareness.

I know a lot of my former students watched Stewart and Colbert but not any other news programs. Some of my more astutue students watched the Comedy Central as well as the news.

Comment by Nearly Normal Thursday, Apr 16, 09 @ 2:52 pm
Blank 1: Illinois

Blank 2: vote no on impeachment

Comment by Six Degrees of Separation Thursday, Apr 16, 09 @ 2:53 pm
I actually think that the people of IL. are “ready to pull their hair out.”

Comment by PPHS Thursday, Apr 16, 09 @ 2:55 pm
Also, I wonder what the response would’ve been yesterday during the tea parties if Congresscritter Schakowsky had said…

“I think the people of Illinois are ready to shoot anyone who is going to protest against Barack Obama’s stimulus plan.”

Just imagine.

Or, if someone from Planned Parenthood had said…

“I think the people of Illinois are ready to shoot anyone who is going to oppose abortion rights.”

As I recall, the NRA and Fox News got hugely upset when Father Pfleger said he was going to “snuff out” a south suburban gun dealer and “legislators who are voting against our gun laws.”

And they’re still upset to this day, by the way.

Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Apr 16, 09 @ 2:58 pm
- John Bambenek - Thursday, Apr 16, 09 @ 2:13 pm:

Dan S.-

If you lip off like that you won’t get to know the TSA up close and personal, they’ll get to know YOU up close and personal. Any way you describe it, it would not be a fun time at all.

Comment by Dan S, a Voter, Taxpayer and Cubs Fan Thursday, Apr 16, 09 @ 2:59 pm
Objective Dem,

How could you list some assassinated political figures, and not mention my all time hero, Anton Cermak?

And well, other less well-known figures like MLK, JFK, RFK and Medgar Evers?

Comment by cermak_rd Thursday, Apr 16, 09 @ 3:00 pm
I just checked and we had a post on the Pfleger comment. Check it out.

And here’s a semi-related post.

Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Apr 16, 09 @ 3:04 pm
Also, I wonder what the response would’ve been yesterday during the tea parties if Congresscritter Schakowsky had said…

“I think the people of Illinois are ready to shoot anyone who is going to protest against Barack Obama’s stimulus plan.”

Personally, I would have busted out laughing if Jan had said that.

Comment by Six Degrees of Separation Thursday, Apr 16, 09 @ 3:05 pm
“Can he imagine how quickly a student at school would be hauled down to the office if a student announced at school “Students are ready to shoot anyone increasing the homework load by that extent”?”

Silly, you would get hauled to the office for saying a curse word also. Not a legitimate comparison.

Comment by Reality is Thursday, Apr 16, 09 @ 3:07 pm
Actually, the kid would likely be thrown in jail or expelled.

Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Apr 16, 09 @ 3:08 pm
Didn’t Laurie Dann’s terrible rampage take place in Mark Kirk’s district? Constituents scarred by that tragedy surely don’t appreciate his glib remark, nor his standing by it.

Comment by Zora Thursday, Apr 16, 09 @ 3:10 pm
Rich, there it is again! The dreaded Archive. I had to go through the entire thing to make sure I was consistent . . . thank goodness I was. Now the voices are telling me to clean my guns so . . . !

Comment by A Citizen Thursday, Apr 16, 09 @ 3:12 pm
SO now it’s moved onto to “if” this group or “if” this person said that then…

But they didn’t and it’s getting silly to compare these remarks to extreme people and extreme groups here.

Tea-party’s were suppose to be against spending and started after the stimulus plan(s). But, other groups show up and it turns into a circus..the message got confusing w/ all of these protests.

If Congressman Kirk had said this at an angry NRA rally when their guns have been taken away, I could see the outrage.

But get real people.

Comment by scoot Thursday, Apr 16, 09 @ 3:12 pm
“As I’ve been telling people in comments, if Kirk believes this sort of language is perfectly acceptable and not irresponsible, then he ought to go ahead and make it a part of his campaign routine and see how that works for him.”

Kind of making a mountain out of a molehill if you ask me. I’ve heard people use that expression hundreds of times in my life. It’s just an expression. It doesn’t mean that their actually going to go out and shoot somebody. It’s getting to where people can’t even talk anymore.

Comment by I'mTellingYou Thursday, Apr 16, 09 @ 3:14 pm
Rich you are being over sensitive here. Yes its a poor choice of words but I find it interesting that Rich rarelyjumps on the very interesting ramblings of a Danny Davis or booby Rush. Mumbles Daley says some very strange things that get a free pass, I guess Rich is just part of the vast left wing conspiracy

Comment by fed up Thursday, Apr 16, 09 @ 3:14 pm
fed up, bite me. Seriously. Bite me.

You must’ve missed when I (almost alone in Illinois) wrote about Danny Davis and the Moonies, or excoriated Bobby Rush for his race-baiting or his political failures, or jumped on Daley for any number of things.

The last refuge of a scoundrel isn’t patriotism, it’s claiming somebody who writes something you don’t like is a partisan.

So, again, bite me.

Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Apr 16, 09 @ 3:20 pm
You asked for it!

They’ll Shoot The Taxers! - Bob Marley

They’ll shoot the Taxers!
But I didn’t say I’d shoot someone, oh no! Oh!
They’ll shoot the Taxers!
But I didn’t say I’d shoot someone, ooh, ooh, oo-ooh.
Yeah! All around in my home town,
Democrats tryin’ to track me down;
They say they want to bring me in guilty
For threating Pat Quinn,
For the life of Pat Quinn.
But I say:

Oh, now, now. Oh!
(I’ll stand behind it.) - the statement I made.
(But I swear it was just a sayin’.)
Oh, no! (Ooh, ooh, oo-oh) Yeah!
I say: I’ll stand behind it - Oh, Lord! -
(Democrats say it is a capital offence.)
Yeah! (Ooh, ooh, oo-oh) Yeah!

Liberals always hated me,
For what, I don’t know:
Every time I push a Bill,
They said kill it before it’s passed-
They said kill it before it’s passed.
And so:

Read it in the news:
(They’ll shoot the Taxers!) Oh, Lord!
(But I swear it was just a sayin’.)
Where is Pat Quinn? (Oo-oo-oh)
I said: They’ll shoot the Taxers!,
But I swear it was just a sayin’. (Oo-oh) Yeah!

The Election went my way
And I started out to DC, yeah!
All of a sudden tax revolts are all around
Aiming to bring Obama down,
So I say, I’ll say and say and say,
If I am guilty I will pay.

(They’ll shoot the Taxers!)
(I’ll stand behind it.) - the statement I made.
I swear it was just a sayin’. (Oo-oh) Yeah!
(They’ll shoot the Taxers!) I said it!
But I swear it was just a sayin’. Oh! (Oo-oo-ooh)

Reflexes had got the better of me
And what is to be must be:
Every day the Media goes down a well,
Today the bottom just dropped out,
Today the bottom just dropped out.
I say:

(They’ll shoot the Taxers!)
(I’ll stand behind it.) - the statement I made.
(They’ll shoot the Taxers!) -
But I swear it was just a sayin’. Oh! (Oo-oo-ooh)

Comment by VanillaMan Thursday, Apr 16, 09 @ 3:22 pm
This is the most intelligent blog I read, however this is the dumbest post I have ever seen on this blog.

This is an off the cuff remark from Mark Kirk. It is not as if he is in any way justifiing violence, advocating it, or promoting the idea that people should go shoot someone over taxes.

How many of us would like to have our “top ten most offensive things” we have ever said compared to Congressman Kirks “shooting” comment. Didnt think so. Deep Breaths everyone, deep breaths.

Comment by Speaking at Will Thursday, Apr 16, 09 @ 3:23 pm
I agree with Rich, the “shooting” comments by Kirk are way over the top and inappropriate for someone who wants to be elected to the Senate (we think). To paraphrase Rich, if I disagree with Kirk’s political positions on the stimulus bill (he voted against it) would it be appropriate for me to send him a letter saying “I know people who want to shoot you for voting no” ? Hardly. I would be getting my door kicked in if I did that.

Holy schnikies! Aaron Schock looked worse than Blago did on Colbert.

Does boy wonder have any advisers who can say “um, don’t do this show” ? Seriously, that was some very very funny tv, but bad for him I think.

Comment by Hon. Cranial Lamb (formerly carbon deforestation, formerly . . .) Thursday, Apr 16, 09 @ 3:23 pm
If Schock went on Colbert to reach out to younger viewers, then I’m not sure that looking like a dork is going to gain him a lot of points. At least he did (slightly) better than Blago did.

Comment by Doubful Thursday, Apr 16, 09 @ 3:25 pm
well the quotes been run on every news update today-with discussion on a boatload of call in shows-agree with it or not-he certainly got some earned media

Comment by southside love Thursday, Apr 16, 09 @ 3:25 pm
===This is an off the cuff remark from Mark Kirk===

I might possibly give you that. But what does it say about him that he refuses to back down?

Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Apr 16, 09 @ 3:28 pm
Fed up:

We expect it from Danny Davis and Bobby Rush.

Comment by dan l Thursday, Apr 16, 09 @ 3:30 pm
Will, if this was really was merely off-the-cuff exaggeration or hyperbole, then why doesn’t Kirk just say so, instead of “standing by” his comments?

If I were him I would be saying something like this instead: “I did not intend any literal endorsement, encouragement, or prediction of violence in my remarks yesterday, and I apologize for giving that impression. I was simply attempting to convey the level of outrage Illinois residents have been expressing over the prospect of tax increases. So let me rephrase what I said this way: the people of Illinois are ready to kick out of office anyone who is going to raise taxes.”

Comment by Secret Square Thursday, Apr 16, 09 @ 3:37 pm
One supposed we had the literates and well read.

Not one mention of 12 Angry Men.

Comment by True Observer Thursday, Apr 16, 09 @ 3:38 pm
D’s - Thursday, Apr 16, 09 @ 2:12 pm:

“I think the D’s are getting nervous about the traction Kirk is getting.”

Hilarious.

What is it with the ILGOP and fear [is is just a reflection of their own paranoia?]? I remember how, when Keyes was nominated, the ILGOP/Illinois Review types kept saying that the Democrats were AFRAID of him.

No, D, Democrats are not afraid of Kirk nor were they afraid of Keyes.

This has nothing to do with being afraid. This is about an obnoxious statement by a Congressman who has decided to pander to the loons.

So just forget this “Democrats are afraid” thing.

Comment by Skeeter Thursday, Apr 16, 09 @ 3:38 pm
References to tea-bagging and the schocker.

This is great!

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Apr 16, 09 @ 3:38 pm
{It’s just bizarre on so many levels and totally inappropriate in a campaign situation.}

His remarks were not made in the context of a campaign situation, nor is he in the middle of a campaign. He simply made an off-handed comment in response to a reporters question in a press scrum after making a policy speech to a civic organization.

I do think your hyper-sensitivity to this situation is bizarre on so many levels because it seems so disproportionate to the gravity of the remark, in the context in which it was said.

You keep challenging people to direct him to “keep campaigning on this kind of rhetoric”, when he was not “campaigning on it” in the first place.

For some reason in the wee hours this morning you felt compelled to turn this into a man bites dog story and want to continue to transform the mole hill into some kind of a mountain.

In reality; it is much ado about nothing, but anything controversial I guess moves Alexa data points.

Comment by Quinn T. Sential Thursday, Apr 16, 09 @ 3:40 pm
Actually, he has a perfect out here. He could say something like I was so upset about the impact of the proposed tax increases on the people of Illinois that I’m afraid I misspoke and may have offended some people. I’m sorry. Then spend the rest of the time slot talking about the ravages of taxation, Democratic corruption, nepotism, cronyism, the Machine, waste, Blago excessive bureaucracy it’s not like there isn’t some juicy stuff to say about the Dems. Why waste media attention on gun talk.

Comment by Cassandra Thursday, Apr 16, 09 @ 3:46 pm
{But what does it say about him that he refuses to back down?}

I suspect it says that he is comfortable in his own skin, even when his choice of expressions is called into question, and that he believes that he has the pulse of the electorate on the issue, that the average voter shares his opinion on the matter even if they might express it differently.

Comment by Quinn T. Sential Thursday, Apr 16, 09 @ 3:49 pm
Hey Cassandra - my bet is your comment lives up to your name today!

Comment by 10th Indy Thursday, Apr 16, 09 @ 3:50 pm
++++++
Do you honestly believe there are that many unstable on the fringe of reality people needing only that little push to launch them into action?
++++++

Are you joking? Of course there are. Read the news lately? We’re a nation full of unstable folks.

What a weird, bizarre question.

Comment by Macbeth Thursday, Apr 16, 09 @ 4:09 pm
i wish kirk just would have dropped an “f” bomb. oh wait, not bomb. i mean i wish he would have just used the “f” word.

Comment by colt 45 Thursday, Apr 16, 09 @ 4:13 pm
Rich,

I loved Schock w/Colbert…this guy could run for any office in IL that he chooses in about 6-10 years…I am a registered Dem, but God knows that the rest of the state outside IL sure isn’t…

Comment by Anonymous45 Thursday, Apr 16, 09 @ 4:13 pm
I meant Chicago…

Comment by Anonymous45 Thursday, Apr 16, 09 @ 4:14 pm
Rich– do you really think it is responsible to tell a commenter like Fed Up to “bite me”? I mean, with the prevelance of AIDS and other diseases in this state, and the kind of nutty people out there? (SORRY couldn’t resist).

Seriously, my gut reaction was that you were overreacting, but the more I think about it, the more I think Kirk should have used his second chance to back off a little. Maybe even “in your face” back off: i.e. “I think most people understand that my comments were a bit of hyperbole… nobody thinks the voters are literally taking up arms… but there is a lot of indignation out there at the prospect of raising people’s taxes in the middle of a recession.” Now that would have made sense. What he did, didn’t. Now it’s a little too late.

Comment by HoosierDaddy Thursday, Apr 16, 09 @ 4:19 pm
“bite me” is a substitute for a phrase that would get me banned for life. lol

Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Apr 16, 09 @ 4:21 pm
===“bite me” is a substitute for a phrase that would get me banned for life. lol ===
I use “oh shoot” as a replacement for a phrase that would get me banned. Can I still use “shoot”?

Comment by Been There Thursday, Apr 16, 09 @ 4:29 pm
Schock didn’t do as badly as some have on Colbert. But he still came off as somewhat clueless - didn’t he do any research? Colbert always does that “Fightin’ 18th” (or “Fightin’ 1st, 2nd, 3rd”) schtick. If Schock had seen even one episode of this, he wouldn’t have looked like a fool. And who goes on a show like this without researching what it is? I wouldn’t expect some 75 year old to “get” Colbert, but a kid in his 20s who doesn’t looks like a complete nerd.

Comment by Rick Thursday, Apr 16, 09 @ 4:31 pm
I think Mark Kirk refusing to back down simply says that he doesnt get rattled by the day to day blitherings of the media over off the cuff remarks.

Furthermore, there is no political will to make this comment a compaign issue. So lets see here, if the democrats wont use it against him in a campaign, and his base isnt offended by it, no reason to walk this horse back in the barn.

Comment by Speaking at Will Thursday, Apr 16, 09 @ 4:35 pm
Rich, you are REALLY overdoing things here. I think it has to do with the fact that people are so used to the Democrats screwing everything up that the moment a Republican says something they are looking to change the subject.

Kirk is an ivy league naval reserve intelligence officer and ex-diplomat who gets more national and international praise for his leadership and thoughtfulness than any of his likely Democrat adversaries should he win. If you have spent 5 minutes with the guy you’ll know he’s a great well educated North Shore Republican who will run academic circles around the young prince Alexi should they step into a ring.

Side note, this deserves mention in tomorrows clips for political junkies.

http://www.wttw.com/main.taf?p=42,8,1&vid=041509e

Comment by Shore Thursday, Apr 16, 09 @ 5:01 pm
If, or when, a statewide Republican gains political traction with Illinois voters, most bloggers here are so cynical, they wouldn’t believe their eyes, and they’ll miss it.

It is so easy to extrapolate today’s political climate the idea of a statewide Republican office holder sounds downright foreign.

Comment by VanillaMan Thursday, Apr 16, 09 @ 5:09 pm
Why doesn’t that Congressman just do an interview with Borat or Ali G-I would fire my PR man immediatly

Comment by Shock and Awe Thursday, Apr 16, 09 @ 5:19 pm
Is their no diference between figurative and literal speech?

Comment by Silverback Thursday, Apr 16, 09 @ 5:42 pm
I figured Schock would do better than that. Hasn’t he ever heard of witty banter? Come on, man, get with the program.

Comment by Pot calling kettle Thursday, Apr 16, 09 @ 5:45 pm
Which is worse: Kirk’s “shooting” remark or Texas Gov. Rick Perry’s remark that residents of his state are so fed up with high (federal) taxes that they want to secede from the Union? The latter remark (also obviously meant as hyperbole) seems to be getting a lot more national attention.

Comment by Bookworm Thursday, Apr 16, 09 @ 5:49 pm
Whats’ worse, losing millions of money entrusted to you by the public for college savings, or using the word shoot figuratively. You democrats have no idea whats’ about to hit you (figuratively hit not literally, you silly silly people.)

Comment by pmels Thursday, Apr 16, 09 @ 9:34 pm