Is Politico Right About Mark Kirk?

by Sam Pierce

In an article regarding congressmen who might be on the fence as to how to vote on the dangerous and stupid Cap and Trade Away Prosperity Act of 2009 or HR 2454, Lisa Lerer puts Mark Kirk in the following class:

The schemers: Reps. Charlie Melancon and Mark Kirk

Both Melancon and Kirk are eyeing statewide office, and their political ambitions are certainly influencing their votes on the bill. Melancon has all but officially declared his challenge to Republican Sen. David Vitter (R-La.). And in Illinois, Republicans are pressuring Kirk to run for Obama’s old Senate seat in 2010.

by Sam Pierce

In an article regarding congressmen who might be on the fence as to how to vote on the dangerous and stupid Cap and Trade Away Prosperity Act of 2009 or HR 2454, Lisa Lerer puts Mark Kirk in the following class:

The schemers: Reps. Charlie Melancon and Mark Kirk

Both Melancon and Kirk are eyeing statewide office, and their political ambitions are certainly influencing their votes on the bill. Melancon has all but officially declared his challenge to Republican Sen. David Vitter (R-La.). And in Illinois, Republicans are pressuring Kirk to run for Obama’s old Senate seat in 2010.

Melancon voted against the bill, which is close to a nonstarter in oil-rich Louisiana, when it was before the House Energy and Commerce Committee. With the GOP already ready running radio ads against him, he’s expected to oppose the bill again this week.

Kirk remains on the fence, saying he has concerns about the lack of funding for nuclear energy and coal interests in his state.

“We don’t want to de-industrialize Michigan, Illinois and Wisconsin,” Kirk said after a meeting with Pelosi and Reps. Henry Waxman (D-Calif.) and Ed Markey (D-Mass.), the sponsors of the legislation.

Opposing the bill could hurt him, however, in Chicago and other more liberal corners of the state. So voting for the bill, note political observers, could indicate some serious senatorial ambitious.

Read more: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0609/24177.html#ixzz0JSsUyCM4&C

Is she correct? From what I've read about Rep. Kirk, I get the impression that she is. I suppose he is well suited for Illinois and particularly Chicago politics, which is unfortunate for our state and for the citizens of this nation. We must remember that even those of us that do not reside in the district represented by such a "scheming" politician, his actions can have a devastating affect on our lives.

I would ask the voices that cry for the embracing of "moderates" (or perhaps Lisa Lerer has a better word in "schemers") if they still intend to push Mark Kirk for the Senate seat next year if he indeed votes for this national nightmare. If so, why? After all i am certain Roland Burris, Lisa Madigan, or Alexi Giannoulias would be more than happy to vote in a like manner as Mark Kirk on several issues. Or is it once again that we must emulate the Democrats in order to beat them?

Cross-posted with opposition to moderate weasels from The Immoderate Blog

Is she correct? From what I've read about Rep. Kirk, I get the impression that she is. I suppose he is well suited for Illinois and particularly Chicago politics, which is unfortunate for our state and for the citizens of this nation. We must remember that even those of us that do not reside in the district represented by such a "scheming" politician, his actions can have a devastating affect on our lives.

I would ask the voices that cry for the embracing of "moderates" (or perhaps Lisa Lerer has a better word in "schemers") if they still intend to push Mark Kirk for the Senate seat next year if he indeed votes for this national nightmare. If so, why? After all i am certain Roland Burris, Lisa Madigan, or Alexi Giannoulias would be more than happy to vote in a like manner as Mark Kirk on several issues. Or is it once again that we must emulate the Democrats in order to beat them?

Cross-posted with opposition to moderate weasels from The Immoderate Blog