Posted on 11/08/2010 1:35:26 PM PST by Justaham
Sen.-elect Mark Kirk (R-Ill.) could buck his Republican leadership in his first two weeks on the job and vote in favor of a campaign-finance transparency bill that the GOP’s top brass ardently oppose.
Watchdogs are pushing for a vote on a stripped-down version of a campaign finance bill during the upcoming lame-duck session. That version of the legislation would force groups bankrolled by anonymous donors to disclose the sources of their funding, as well as their political spending.
Advocates for greater limits on campaign finance have been eyeing Kirk, as well as Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), as two possible votes that could revive the once-moribund Disclose Act and give it the momentum it needs to pass the Senate and be signed into law.
“Unless we enact new disclosure laws, secret contributions to outside spending groups are bound to dramatically increase in the 2012 elections, when both presidential and congressional races will be at stake,” said Democracy 21’s Fred Wertheimer.
Kirk takes his seat later this month after his win in the special election to replace appointed Sen. Roland Burris (D-Ill.), who filled President Obama's former Senate seat. When asked whether Kirk plans to vote in favor of the Disclose bill, spokeswoman Kirsten Kukowski pointed to comments her boss made in his last campaign debate.
“I broke with my party early. I think we should continue with further reforms,” Kirk said. “Federal candidates should disclose all of their campaign contributions within 24 hours on the Internet. I hope we can get that done in the next Senate and Congress. Also, for all of these outside groups we don’t want to silence any political voice ... we should have them disclose all of their donors, both from the left and the right.”
(Excerpt) Read more at thehill.com ...
Mark Kirk, the socialist from IL.
Kirk replaced a Dem, so he should not be an “extra” vote for this unconstitutional scam.
Murkowski voted no last time, why would she vote yes now?
Not even a week and the sell out begins. :(:(:(
He is up for reelection in 2012, correct? Start looking for a primary challenger now.
He'll look so pretty up there with that other FPOS Illinois Senator on the annual group picture.
Didn’t IL say they couldn’t certify him for the lame duck session because there wasn’t enough time? This Benedict Arnold may get speedy certification if he starts voting with the Dems.
I’m waiting for the genius who said “Someone who is with you 60% of the time is 60% friend, not 40% enemy” to pipe in. And why is it that the RINO’s are with us 100% of the time on the small stuff and a very small percentage of the time on the big stuff? It’s like the bigger the choice the more they go the wrong way.
Marked for defeat!
Kirk should just switch parties.
On the ballot, if I’m not mistaken you voted for Kirk twice, once for the short term replacement of Burris and then for the full senate seat. I think he’s in there for 6 more years.
That's exactly right. We really need the ACU or maybe Heritage or someone to do an additional rating system that cuts down to only the major issues that divide between conservative and liberal ideologies and do a real % comparison. Guys like Kirk, Castle, and Chafee would be lucky to break 30%.
The Repubs need to give an office in the basement with no windows and no budget.
Kirk was one of the “evil 8” Republicans that voted for Cap and Trade. He is the main reason I was hoping for a win in W.Virgina or Delaware ,because of all the toxic poison waiting to flow over in the lame duck session. That of course is why the enemy ganged up on O’Donnell right from day one.
As I have said, screw Senator 42 on up. Give Me 41 conservative stalwarts who will not bend on anything.
I think you’d find that the RINO’s would wind up all virtually the same, percentage wise. They take turns voting yes or no so they can have some “conservative credentials”.
I’ll use a completely fake message found on Lindsey Graham’s answering machine to illustrate:
“Hi Lindsey. I just wanted to remind you it’s your turn to vote with the Dems. Susan voted with them last time. Mark’s up next and then back to me. See you at the next gala! Kisses - Olympia”
Will this same bill demand that each & every single UNION member be identified?????
Millions of dollars of donations to NObama’s 2008 campaign were never properly identified.
This is another of the double standards that the Dems try to force the Republicans into.
He will, just as soon as he’s done wreaking complete havoc within the GOP caucus and sabotaging the Conservative agenda... the plan all along.
Before we all jump down Kirk’s throat preemptively, bear in mind this article is only speculation. In fact, he voted against this legislation as a Congressman, so I see no reason he’d flip and vote for it as a Senator.
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