Mark Kirk was the only Republican member of the Illinois congressional delegation that voted Friday night for HR 2454, commonly referred to as "Cap and Trade" or a "Global Warming" bill. The federal legislation taxing the use of energy, passed by a mere seven votes, eight of which were Republican votes. Biggert, another Republican congresswoman who often votes with Democrats on social issues, was a question until she spoke on the House floor Friday against the Waxman-Narkey bill.
Politico and other DC sources have been reporting for weeks that Congressman Kirk has been looking at a bid for U.S. Senate or possibly Illinois governor.
Has Kirk's vote signalled that he's not interested in running statewide and will likely run for re-election? Is there any chance the IL GOP's conservative base would forgive this vote and work for a Kirk candidacy?
Or has Kirk sealed his political future in Illinois politics with a yes vote on the Democrats' "Cap and Trade"?
NOTE: We've just learned that an impromptu protest against the Cap and Trade vote will be held Saturday at 1:00 PM at the Federal Plaza, 230 S. Dearborn, in Chicago. Spread the word.