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* Lynn Sweet…
Compounding the political problem triggered by the tasteless remark: All of Kirk’s major potential Democratic rivals are women. Former Chicago Urban League Chief Andrea Zopp is running, along with Rep. Tammy Duckworth D-Ill. Rep. Robin Kelly, D-Ill., is mulling a bid.
Zopp told me, “He may think it’s ‘just a joke among the boys,’ but Mark Kirk’s remark about Lindsey Graham having ‘no ho’ is just one more reason why Illinois needs new leadership in the U.S. Senate.
“No woman, let alone a woman like me, an African-American and mother of two daughters, who has prosecuted rapists and wife abusers and who has spent much of her career overcoming sexist and racist stereotypes would think his remark either appropriate or funny. Clueless or Reckless? Either way it’s time for a change — which is why I’m running to replace him,” Zopp said.
Kaitlin Fahey, who is Duckworth’s campaign manager said, “Illinois women already know Mark Kirk isn’t on their side by his votes against equal pay and affordable child care for working families. Now we also know he’s humor-challenged. Senator Kirk’s ‘joke’ is as offensive as it is unfunny, and he should apologize, personally and immediately.”
By early evening, Duckworth was using Kirk’s bro/ho comment in an e-mail fundraising appeal in which Rep. Jan Schakowsky, D-Ill., wrote, “this kind of sexist language has no place in the U.S. Senate. Contribute to Tammy Duckworth’s campaign now to replace Mark Kirk with a senator who will champion women. “
The Tribune plastered its story all over the front page.
* Kass believes Kirk will tank the entire GOP ticket unless he resigns…
He hasn’t had much of a filter on what he says in recent years. Whether that has anything to do with the stroke he suffered in 2012, I don’t know. It seems he was once more cautious. Now words just pop out of there. […]
And now he’s hip-deep in Ho-Gate, with no way out except one:
Discreetly step down and let Illinois Republican bosses pick a replacement candidate to run for election in 2016.
“But who’s going to tell him?” said a GOP insider. “I don’t want to do it.”
Kirk and Kass are on opposite sides of the GOP, so I’m not so sure I trust that analysis.
posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Jun 12, 15 @ 11:23 am
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Sheesh, perhaps its time to lighten up. A crude comment but not a news story. The world is becoming more PC by the day.
Comment by Very Fed Up Friday, Jun 12, 15 @ 11:27 am
HOlarious https://youtu.be/W4aZpv6u-jw
Comment by William j Kelly Friday, Jun 12, 15 @ 11:28 am
===A crude comment but not a news story===
Get your own blog.
Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Jun 12, 15 @ 11:29 am
Not trusting John Kass’ analysis on anything is probably the wisest advice. Kass no doubt is hoping that Alan Keyes mounts a primary fight.
Comment by tominchicago Friday, Jun 12, 15 @ 11:31 am
tasteless remark ??.. if Kirk were a democrat this and others remarks would ignored
Comment by better days Friday, Jun 12, 15 @ 11:33 am
Kirk needs to resign immediately, the last thing IL needs is another senator that makes offensive and tasteless comments; we already have Dick Durbin for that.
Comment by Angry Republican Friday, Jun 12, 15 @ 11:36 am
Umm…isn’t John’s schtick to blame the Democratic and “combine” bosses for every single problem under the son, but now he wants the Republican bosses to handpick a candidate? Good thing no one has ever accused Kass of being consistent.
Comment by Juice Friday, Jun 12, 15 @ 11:37 am
Too soon to tell.
Comment by Percival Friday, Jun 12, 15 @ 11:38 am
The Kirk race is a “stand-alone”
Neither side will claim the credit or the blame for their tickets in the US Senate race.
It’s s presidential year.
If it’s Hillary, her positive coattails will override Kirk’s negatives
Munger has a race
Rauner will have his hands in GOP & Democratic Primaries.
Rauner’s General Election spending spree
ILGO and the Turnaround Agenda PACs
Those will drive tickets.
Kirk, personally, will not factor in the driving up, or down.
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Jun 12, 15 @ 11:38 am
Such crude remarks can either be a moment of stupidity or an ingrained attitude that reveals itself. It’s hard to tell.
But we expect our elected officials to be more discriminating in their speech than rap artists.
Comment by Streator Curmudgeon Friday, Jun 12, 15 @ 11:40 am
This comment on a “hot” mike is an absolute gift to whomever wins the democratic primary. The footage will be used over and over again during the general election. Even suburban soccer moms aren’t going for a good and decent man who refers to females as a “ho”. Dems were smart to put two female candidates out there so far and this plays right into the strategy to get the Senate seat back into Dem hands. Kirk’s not going anywhere though and I don’t see any Republican trying to primary a stroke survivor who’s also a veteran.
Comment by qualified someone nobodt sent Friday, Jun 12, 15 @ 11:41 am
Sorry NOBODY!
Comment by qualified someone nobody sent Friday, Jun 12, 15 @ 11:41 am
ANY elected officials referring to a woman as a Ho is a news story. Give me a break!
Comment by FIRED! up Friday, Jun 12, 15 @ 11:44 am
No matter one’s political party, one should find Kirk’s comments offensive. Language is powerful. Let’s not forget his recent suggestion to call in the national guard on the south side. Is Kirk sexist? Racist? I cannot say. But his failure to exercise good judgement on multiple occasions is troublesome.
Comment by Anon Friday, Jun 12, 15 @ 11:45 am
Isn’t Kirk also the bro with the faux ho? After Hastert, Schock and Rutherford the, Republican Party doesn’t really need any more of this weird innuendo especially if there’s fire at the end of the smoke trail. Kirk could really use a Primary challenge to clear the air but I suspect that Rauner won’t allow that.
Comment by Daytona 500 Friday, Jun 12, 15 @ 11:48 am
“if Kirk were a democrat this and others remarks would ignored”
If a Democratic Senator from Illinois had dumped on women and African Americans in a single breath yesterday, his DC apartment would already be vacant.
– MrJM
Comment by MrJM Friday, Jun 12, 15 @ 11:49 am
- said a GOP insider. -
Gee, another unattributed quote from Kass.
I’d like to try this:
“Kass is the best fiction writer we’ve got.” said a high ranking Tribune executive. “The guy just sits in his office all day writing fantasy, doesn’t meet with sources, doesn’t even take phone calls.”
Comment by Anonymous Friday, Jun 12, 15 @ 11:51 am
Mark Kirk suffered a stroke — what’s John Kass’ excuse?
– MrJM
Comment by MrJM Friday, Jun 12, 15 @ 11:53 am
The apology by Kirk is dreadful.
You did offend, you did say it.
It’s not up for interpretation as to the crassness of what was said, but the dreadful apology might say more about Kirk in his thought to what he said… then what he said to begin with.
Making this a partisan “owning” what would happen to party members;
Stop. It’s a backward way of defending Kirk. You’re not helping.
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Jun 12, 15 @ 11:54 am
If Kirk steps down today, can Rauner appoint himself tomorrow?
Comment by VanillaMan Friday, Jun 12, 15 @ 11:59 am
Vanilla……don’t even joke about the possibility of Governor Sanguinetti.
Comment by Get a Job! Friday, Jun 12, 15 @ 12:01 pm
- VanillaMan -,
I’m not ready, I don’t think Illinois is ready for ole Slip and Sue at the helm.
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Jun 12, 15 @ 12:03 pm
I never cease to be amazed by those who voice the view that others are “too thin-skinned”, too P. C., over-reacting, etc., in responding to comments like Kirk’s. They just don’t get it (or care to) that these remarks are viewed as indicative of the sexism and racism that have given white males a “one up” position for 200+ years in America. When one of Kirk’s position and stature can’t or won’t acknowledge the need for a real, timely apology, the outcry should be loud and strident.
Comment by Diogenes in DuPage Friday, Jun 12, 15 @ 12:03 pm
MrJM, that’s a real hoot.
I suppose that’s what happened to Senator Clinton when she said Mahatma Ghandi worked at a gas station, right? Or what happened to Senator Biden when he said that Barack Obama was “the first mainstream African American who’s clean and bright and articulate.” Right? Vacated their offices and went home.
Give me a break.
Comment by White Denim Friday, Jun 12, 15 @ 12:05 pm
Kass is, as usual, all wet. Kirk has successfully sold an image of himself as distinct from The Republican Party. That’s good for him in general, but in times like this, it’s good for the Republican Party, too. I’m not saying Munger or the Congresscritters or whoever is a sure thing, but they’re not gonna lose because of this.
Comment by Arsenal Friday, Jun 12, 15 @ 12:09 pm
Kirk was clearly making a bad joke at an inappropriate time. Of course political opponents of his will blow it up into something bigger than it actually is for their own benefit.
Comment by The Muse Friday, Jun 12, 15 @ 12:12 pm
My goodness, that Hilary Clinton thing is from 2004!
This may be controversial, but I have a pet theory that Illinois in 2015 is different from NY in 2004.
Comment by Arsenal Friday, Jun 12, 15 @ 12:12 pm
Once you wade through the muck of Kass’ daily victim screed, you get to the true whopper: that GOP “bosses” yesterday were already conspiring to force Kirk off the ticket.
“But who’s going to tell him?” said a GOP insider. “I don’t want to do it.”
Let’s break that down.
First of all, there’s only one “boss” in the Illinois GOP, and that’s Rauner. He controls the governor’s office and the money. There are no other bosses.
And there is no reason to believe, whatsoever, that the governor would want to force Kirk off the ticket or even knows about this latest controversy.
So who’s this “GOP insider” sharing his agony with Kass, just hours after the remarks, about having to tell Kirk that “the bosses” are pushing him out?
Over the years, Kass has demonstrated a supernatural ability to produce the perfect quote in support of his scatter-brained analysis from anonymous “insiders” across the spectrum of politics. Always anonymous, always perfect. It’s a Festivus miracle.
And just look at the validity of all that “insider knowledge.” Lisa Madigan is in her third term as governor.
Comment by Wordslinger Friday, Jun 12, 15 @ 12:14 pm
==- White Denim - Friday, Jun 12, 15 @ 12:05 pm:==
The right words are there, but your quote is not a quote.
You also may want to try the Google because there was a major brouhaha when Biden said that. Try to keep up.
Comment by Precinct Captain Friday, Jun 12, 15 @ 12:14 pm
The comments section should be remamed Oswego Willy’s Fainting Goats.
Comment by Anonymous Friday, Jun 12, 15 @ 12:14 pm
Precinct Captain, I’m all caught up. The charge was that had something similar had come from a Democratic legislators mouth, they would be sent packing. That is objectively false. To channel my inner Forrest Gump: “that’s all I have to say about that.”
Comment by White Denim Friday, Jun 12, 15 @ 12:19 pm
It was a hot mic comment that he apologized for. Nobody wants to be measured by their worst comment they thought they made in private; IL voters here will exercise a lot more common sense than the punditocracy. Plus it’s eons still to election day. I just don’t see this as a real factor in the 2016 race, it’s just sort of something to chew on during the offseason.
Comment by ZC Friday, Jun 12, 15 @ 12:20 pm
I still can’t get over the comment about Hillary’s positive coattails. She’ll be lucky not to have a special prosecutor probing her by this time next year.
Comment by Downstate Illinois Friday, Jun 12, 15 @ 12:26 pm
In many ways, Hillary is still a “native son” of Illinois.
Keep that in mind…
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Jun 12, 15 @ 12:28 pm
“Some of my best friends are fainting goats…”
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Jun 12, 15 @ 12:30 pm
==She’ll be lucky not to have a special prosecutor probing her by this time next year.==
Outside of the fevered swamps of Breitbart, there’s absolutely no evidence of that.
Comment by Arsenal Friday, Jun 12, 15 @ 12:30 pm
==In many ways, Hillary is still a “native son” of Illinois.==
And she’s playing Obama’s turnout game, And she has the “History Maker” tag, And a particular appeal to suburban swing voters…
I mean, a lot can change in the next 18 months, but based on the information we have right now, she’ll have a good time in Illinois.
Comment by Arsenal Friday, Jun 12, 15 @ 12:32 pm
ZC -
I don’t want a US Senator who thinks its okay to refer to women as wh*res as long as it is in private, and I don’t think you do either.
-Juv
Comment by Juvenal Friday, Jun 12, 15 @ 12:32 pm
Kirk needs to apologize that his stroke has caused him to misspeak - then tell us how gallantly he has fought back to regain his health. Get into those personal struggles about day-to-day living as a stroke patient. How frightened he was. How he had to put his faith in God. How he used humor as a healing tool to help him struggle in public.
Then apologize for repeating something he heard that wasn’t funny.
Kirk needs to get listeners to the point where they sympathize enough for him to find his political opponent’s attacks as shallow, vindictive and ugly politics.
Senator - walk with your cane, ride in your wheelchair, smile and look like the victim.
Comment by VanillaMan Friday, Jun 12, 15 @ 12:36 pm
In many ways, Hillary is still a “native son” of Illinois.
That’s SEXIST!
Comment by VanillaMan Friday, Jun 12, 15 @ 12:39 pm
What’s concerning is that these, and other, remarks suggest that Kirk’s stroke did affect the frontal lobe, which oversees the brain’s executive function. That’s what lets you evaluate and change your behavior. It’s what inhibits inappropriate behavior.
It also affects planning, decision-making, problem-solving.
If that’s what’s going on here, it has implications for Kirk’s ability to exercise his senatorial role that go beyond tasteless jokes.
Comment by JoanP Friday, Jun 12, 15 @ 12:42 pm
- VanillaMan -;
I said it. It was wrong. I am sorry.
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Jun 12, 15 @ 12:45 pm
Not good enough.
I AM OFFENDED, SIR!
I may have to lay down, your usage of that sexist trope has given me the vapors!
Comment by VanillaMan Friday, Jun 12, 15 @ 12:48 pm
Correct.
Mark Kirk comes from the winning side.
John Kass comes from the losing side.
On a side note, Rich posted an awful lot while I was at lunch.
Comment by Team Sleep Friday, Jun 12, 15 @ 12:56 pm
VM (12:36pm
Comment by And I Approved This Message Friday, Jun 12, 15 @ 12:56 pm
I always thought Kirk was a stiff. Glad to know that he has a bit of spunk. He may benefit from his faux pas.
Comment by Keyser Soze Friday, Jun 12, 15 @ 12:58 pm
VM (12:36pm),absent the apology, I think that was exactly the intent of the spot he released last month.
Comment by And I Approved This Message Friday, Jun 12, 15 @ 12:58 pm
Women are whøres vs. Ghandi worked at a gas station.
Yep. Perfectly equivalent.
– MrJM
Comment by MrJM Friday, Jun 12, 15 @ 1:00 pm
Vanilla Man…..OW….
The correct term is “favorite son”. You are welcome.
Comment by The Unknown Poster Friday, Jun 12, 15 @ 1:04 pm
Um, Has Graham responded? because it seems he’s the one who has the right to either be offended or shrug it off as a joke. People need to lighten up. The whole PC thing is off the charts. Everybody is offended these days. I don’t even think they know what they’re offended by they just like to say “I’m offended” and “it’s racist.” Take a breath everyone, you’ve got to be living in a bubble if you don’t think those kind of jokes still don’t go on, and it was a joke. You don’t have to like it, but then it wasn’t about you or aimed at you. Kirk should have known better, yes. Nobody at that level of politics should ever think that there is a mic somewhere. Aside from that, it would have just been a joke bewtween friends. It had its news moment, now can we move on?
Comment by LaughingJane Friday, Jun 12, 15 @ 1:04 pm
TS, a few years back, Kass felt the need to write about his happiness at the primary defeat of Sen. Lugar by the great “conservative and Constitutionalist” Richard Mourdock.
Oh, he thought Mourdoch was the bee’s knees while Lugar was “out of touch.”
I hope I should always remain so out of touch.
Comment by Wordslinger Friday, Jun 12, 15 @ 1:04 pm
MrJM, does somebody honestly need to explain to you the canard about Indian folks working at gas stations?
I’m also curious why you had no comment on Uncle Joe’s statements. Probably a bit worse than a lame play on “bros before hos,” don’t you think?
Comment by White Denim Friday, Jun 12, 15 @ 1:07 pm
That’s right!
He said “NATIVE!
That’s RACIST - or something!
Comment by VanillaMan Friday, Jun 12, 15 @ 1:08 pm
===t had its news moment, now can we move on?===
Move on from what?
A blatantly sexist remark, with a possible racial element focused on geography too, mocking women?
Or the “anyone offended” lane excuse of an alleged apology, not saying or owning anything, but asking if for forgiveness, only if you’re offended?
This has legs, Dems will fundraise off these remarks, and it was handled poorly after.
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Jun 12, 15 @ 1:10 pm
“Some of my best friends are native, favorite sons…”
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Jun 12, 15 @ 1:11 pm
As Wordslinger states, there are no GOP Bosses, unless it is their delusional minds.
The party is in total disarray.
And Rauner is not even the de facto boss- at least not yet.
And from what I can see the GOP establishment has not been unhappy with Kirk. It is the GOP base vote that dislikes him and are hoping for someone to tak him on in the primaries.
Comment by Federalist Friday, Jun 12, 15 @ 1:11 pm
From now on, I propose using the term, “indigenous offspring”.
Comment by VanillaMan Friday, Jun 12, 15 @ 1:12 pm
I’d like to know where this exciting liberal media is that Kass refers to?
Actually all the statement liberal media means is that I can’t argue my own point logically.
Comment by Jack Stephens Friday, Jun 12, 15 @ 1:16 pm
Let be honest, none of this really matters, Kirk is just a stalking horse for duckworth.
Comment by William j Kelly Friday, Jun 12, 15 @ 1:16 pm
–If Kirk steps down today, can Rauner appoint himself tomorrow?–
Roland Burris is available.
Comment by tominchicago Friday, Jun 12, 15 @ 1:17 pm
Opps! I forgot, being honest is what gets you in trouble around here! Sorry!!! sorry!!!! sorry!!!!
Comment by William j Kelly Friday, Jun 12, 15 @ 1:19 pm
== I don’t even think they know what they’re offended by they just like to say “I’m offended” and “it’s racist.”==
Thank god you’re here to tell women and African Americans what they really think.
Comment by Arsenal Friday, Jun 12, 15 @ 1:21 pm
Kass is certainly no Bob Greene. Oh wait, he was another Trib-sponsored embarrassment to journalism. Another reason to cancel the subscription.
Comment by In The No Friday, Jun 12, 15 @ 1:32 pm
“Thank god you’re here to tell women and African Americans what they really think.”
Interesting use of upper/lower case. Are you an atheist?
Comment by Anonymous Friday, Jun 12, 15 @ 1:37 pm
Kass ain’t no Royko who occupied that spot. And was defender of nothing. Long live Slats Grobnik!
Comment by Jack Stephens Friday, Jun 12, 15 @ 1:51 pm
=I’m not ready, I don’t think Illinois is ready for ole Slip and Sue at the helm.=
OW, speak for yourself!
It is already a mess, a circus would be a welcome comedic departure!
Comment by JS Mill Friday, Jun 12, 15 @ 1:51 pm
===OW, speak for yourself!
It is already a mess, a circus would be a welcome comedic departure!===
Both definitions of pratfall would be in play…
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Jun 12, 15 @ 1:58 pm
Jan Schakowsky’s husban Robert Creamer is a convicted felon. If she is going to attack people for minor things like this, she need to take a good look at the mirror. She said about Scott Lee Cohen “we don’t need distractions like this.” He was never charged or convicted of any crime. Her husband was. She sat on the board of the Illinois Public Action Fund and knew exactly what he was doing. She is a fraud and she should be exposed for who she is. She claims that she had no knowledge of what he did. Which is a lie, and if it was true then she is not very intelligent. So either way it is time for her to be judged the way she continuously judges others. She is a disgrace and we need to get rid of her.
Comment by Mike12 Friday, Jun 12, 15 @ 2:11 pm
Wait a second! This is really interesting, your saying that Ho john kass is still writing a newspaper column? Who knew?!
Comment by William j Kelly Friday, Jun 12, 15 @ 2:13 pm
==if Kirk were a democrat this and others remarks would ignored==
Our neighboring state’s former Senator Tom Harkin, Democrat, made a sexist remark less than a year ago, and it was pretty big news.
Comment by Robert the Bruce Friday, Jun 12, 15 @ 2:17 pm
Well, this certainly wasn’t the wisest statement for a public official. Then again it could be forgotten next year.
Comment by levois Friday, Jun 12, 15 @ 2:37 pm
@mike:
Didn’t Bruce verbally harass female employees?
Comment by Jack Stephens Friday, Jun 12, 15 @ 2:49 pm
Kass also uses it as a way to play the Republican perpetual victim card … i.e. the “media” (of which, apparently, he is not a member) would never make a big deal about this if it was a Democrat. blah blah blah…
Comment by Filmmaker Professor Friday, Jun 12, 15 @ 3:00 pm
==- White Denim - Friday, Jun 12, 15 @ 12:19 pm:==
Please review.
==- White Denim - Friday, Jun 12, 15 @ 12:05 pm:==
==what happened to Senator Biden when he said==
Apparently you are not caught up.
http://lmgtfy.com/?q=joe+biden+%22articulate%22
Comment by Precinct Captain Friday, Jun 12, 15 @ 3:08 pm
Thank God it’s Friday.
Comment by Cheswick Friday, Jun 12, 15 @ 3:10 pm
Is there anything in John Kass’ world that isn’t a disaster movie?
N.B. Rauner is emerging as the only boss in the ILGOP, and he’s tied to Kirk at the hip. If Rauner ever pulled his support, it wouldn’t be over this.
Comment by walker Friday, Jun 12, 15 @ 3:16 pm
The Senator’s comments were a perfect blend of misogyny and racism. He needs to leave the public stage. Period.
Comment by atbat Friday, Jun 12, 15 @ 3:27 pm
Ho-gate. LOL!
Comment by Guzzlepot Friday, Jun 12, 15 @ 3:28 pm
It is surreal that a United States Senator is using this kind of language, not to mention in public at a Senate Committee meeting.
Comment by shadow Friday, Jun 12, 15 @ 3:31 pm
John Kass is one of the funniest columnists around. I read him just for the absurdities he spews.
Comment by Kerfuffle Friday, Jun 12, 15 @ 3:37 pm
Democrats shouldn’t be in such a hurry to get rid of Kirk, at the rate he’s going he might have the Phyllis shlaffley voting straight democratic by November.
Comment by William j Kelly Friday, Jun 12, 15 @ 3:53 pm
Precinct Captain: apparently you have a hard time reading. I’m not going to repeat myself. Read MrJM’s original post, read mine, “catch up,” and call it a day.
Comment by White Denim Friday, Jun 12, 15 @ 3:56 pm
=== not to mention in public at a Senate Committee meeting.====
If that would’ve happened, well, now then, that might be even more newsworthy. “picked up by a live mic” means something different. It was muttered, not proclaimed. Still foolish; like your comment.
Comment by A guy Friday, Jun 12, 15 @ 4:26 pm
==- White Denim - Friday, Jun 12, 15 @ 3:56 pm:==
From MrJM’s original post, “If a Democratic Senator from Illinois…” (emphasis mine).
Comment by Precinct Captain Tuesday, Jun 16, 15 @ 10:06 pm