by Sam Pierce
Concerned Illinois citizens have an important choice to make on February 2nd, 2010. We must choose the Republican nominee for the United States Senate seat once held, albeit briefly and often in absentia, by President Barack Obama. We must choose from an informed position as opposed to letting apathy or the money of D.C. "moderates" decide who wins the primary. Our choice must be ours, not Senator John McCain's or the NRSC's. Our choice, if we want to begin to make a difference should be a Reagan Republican as opposed to an Obama Republican.
We would do well to abandon the flawed yet seemingly permeating logic that suggests that the only way to return this seat to the Republican Party is to avoid Republican values and the Republican Platform. It makes no sense to take issues off the table by nominating one who will share positions with whichever Democrat candidate wins. It makes no sense to support "He Who Must Not Be Nominated" as I and fellow downstate Illinois patriot, Brian Milleville (of www.downstateiladvocate.com) have dubbed Congressman Mark Kirk.
Yesterday evening I attended a meet and greet for Patrick Hughes hosted by the Effingham GOP. The Effingham American Legion graciously allowed us to meet in their facility. It was great to meet Patrick Hughes and Charlie Johnson who is working with Patrick in his endeavor to bring real change to Washington. By real change, I mean as Hughes' literature says "A Senator for Us. For a Change." I mean a Senator who believes as Hughes told me yesterday evening, "The Constitution says what it says!"
There are sure to be those in Illinois Republican circles who take issue with a reference to Mark Kirk as an Obama Republican and those who have aligned with Mark Kirk who will cling to Patrick Hughes' personal voting record (or distortions of it) in order to make a thin case against him. Before addressing my justification for referring to Congressman Kirk as an Obama Republican, I will address the voting issue. I asked Hughes about it and pointed out that it has been mentioned in the Illinois Review comments made by Kirk supporters.
Hughes pointed out that he has voted Republican in every election he in which he voted. He also said that he had not been active in the primary process for much of his life (which I could relate to, having grown into the knowledge of its importance and the need of getting more involved, myself.) While he was not participating in primaries, Hughes contributed to the economy, created jobs, and raised a family. I suggest that these endeavors are important and perhaps the best contribution he could have made especially during the times when the likes of Judy Barr-Topinka were being given the full establishment backing (similar to the way Mark Kirk is now.) Hughes did study national policy issues during that period of his life and when it became clear he must do something, he got involved in order to save Illinois taxpayers $2.2 billion as chairman of STOP-IT.
I will grant that Mark Kirk is not always on the left in his political leanings and his military service is certainly commendable. That said, he certainly qualifies as an Obama Republican on several key issues and several issues on which his position could lead to devastation to our state and our nation. His vote for Cap and Trade is truly unforgivable and his protestations about future votes for the same not withstanding, this issue is off the table if Mark Kirk goes up against Giannoulias or another Democrat. Mark Kirk voted to raise the cost of everything manufactured, or in any way transported. Mark Kirk voted for the position of the enviro-statist... despite the current economic difficulties our nation faces! In other words, Mark Kirk voted to worsen the economy and no amount of spin or any election season conversions will eliminate the foul odor of his Cap and Trade position.
Is John Cornyn's plan for the NRSC to recruit and push "centrist" candidates going way too far with the courting of and contributing to Mark Kirk? I think so and until major changes are made, could never donate to the organization. In addition to the glaring disparity between common sense Republicans and Mark Kirk on the catastrophic Cap and Trade, there are several other important areas in which Congressman Kirk seems most comfortable on the left:
- Kirk is a "moderate" on gun control which means that his opinion leans toward the benefit of criminal assailants as opposed to law-abiding citizens who may want the option to protect themselves and their families.
- A 100% rating from NARAL speaks volumes about the character of Mark Kirk and his lack of respect for innocent life.
- Despite his military service, Kirk sided with the anti-war left (and Barack Obama) in opposing the troop surge in Iraq.
- He co-sponsored "hate crime" legislation! He helped create a range of thought crimes as a means of pandering to various identity groups in a disgusting act of playing identity politics. Even worse he supported this punishment of thought as an attachment to the defense bill!
As Patrick Hughes says, "We have real problems that require real solutions and a real leader who is not afraid of anyone." We do need such a leader. We do need Patrick Hughes, Republican for Senate!
