Free Republic

Without sixty votes in the Senate, Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) would not be able to invoke cloture, or cut off debate. Anything short of sixty would allow a filibuster and doom Obama’s health care plan. The present 60-vote majority is artificial, the result of undemocratic means. Consider how three of these votes came to be: Roland Burris- Appointed by Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich just prior to his removal, Democratic leaders including Harry Reid pledged that he would never be seated. Barack Obama, along with other Democratic officials in Illinois, called for a special election to fill the seat. When...

Illinois Family Institute has come out with their voter guide for 2010 Primary's in Illinois, see how how canditate will vote on key issues. 2010 Voter Guide | Senate & U.S. Congressional Candidate Survey Questions U.S. Congressional candidates were asked if they Support or Oppose: 1 | Tax Increase/Cap and Trade — will tax energy consumption to combat “global warming.” (American Clean Energy and Security Act - 2009) 2 | “Hate Crimes” legislation — allows 2 identical crimes to be prosecuted differently if one victim is homosexual, a cross dresser or transsexual. (H.R.1913 - 2009) 3 | Employment Non-Discrimination Act...

Could Illinois Senate candidate Patrick Hughes be the next insurgent Republican candidate to get the backing of Sen. Jim DeMint (R-S.C.)? Hughes is slated for his second meeting with DeMint on Thursday (the two also met in September), and DeMint’s Senate Conservative Fund website is currently polling visitors on whom they support in Hughes’s primary with Rep. Mark Kirk (R-Ill.). DeMint has backed former Rep. Pat Toomey in Pennsylvania, Marco Rubio in Florida and Chuck DeVore in California, all in the face of establishment favorites. Toomey, of course, soon assumed that mantle when Sen. Arlen Specter switch to the Democratic...

Despite his recent request for help from former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin and renouncing his past support of prominent environmental legislation, Republican U.S. Senate candidate Mark Kirk on Wednesday denied he is moving to the right to try to coalesce support in the Feb. 2 primary election. "I think I am who I am," Kirk, a member of the Naval Reserve, told reporters after a Veterans Day ceremony at the Jesse Brown Veterans Administration Medical Center in Chicago. "I am a social moderate, fiscal conservative. But this is a big race, and we are building a broad coalition, and it...

To all of the pundits on the left who are chattering the mantra Sarah Palin is done.... And the GOP needs to move to the center. Why the SEND OUT SARAH (SOS) message from the moderate Kirk and why is the moderate Crist doing an about face on the stimulus package? Was it because of Palin, or is it because she represents the conservative revolution (according to the polls and elections) that is taking place? Just answer both questions with a check mark in the yes column and you would be right on both points. Moreover, why are moderate Dems...

Hughes Says Kirk Appeal to Palin a “Desperate Move” (HINSDALE, IL) – A new Wilson Research analysis of polling data from the U.S. Senate campaigns of Mark Kirk and Patrick Hughes, respectively, indicates bad news for the Kirk campaign. This comes on the heels of news from Kirk’s Senate campaign that he is seeking the endorsement of former Gov. Sarah Palin. "I believe Mark Kirk, who has consistently supported President Obama's legislative agenda, including cap and trade legislation, is quickly realizing that Republican Primary voters do not share his extreme views. In a desperate attempt to prove otherwise, he is...

After pumping more than $1 million into an upstate New York House race to elect the Conservative Party’s Doug Hoffman, the Club for Growth is on the hunt again. Chris Chocola, president of the conservative political action committee, made it clear the PAC is looking for more GOP targets who don’t embrace the Club’s limited-government approach. Priority No. 1 is likely to be the Senate contest in Florida, where Republican Gov. Charlie Crist, who embraced President Barack Obama’s stimulus package, is being challenged by former State House Speaker Marco Rubio. . . . . . Beyond Florida, other establishment Republicans...

Illinois Rep. Mark Kirk penned a memo to Republican poobah Fred Malek hoping to secure an endorsement from former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin for his Senate candidacy, according to a copy of the memo obtained by the Fix. After noting that Palin will be in Chicago later this month to appear on "Oprah", Kirk writes that "the Chicago media will focus on one key issue: Does Gov[ernor] Palin oppose Congressman Mark Kirk's bid to take the Obama Senate seat for the Republicans?" Kirk goes on to write that he is hoping for something "quick and decisive" from Palin about the...

Who are the the DIABLOs (Democrats In All But Labels Only)? Who are the RINOs (Republicans In Name Only)? Unfortunately, the American Conservative Union's rankings are pretty useless. In search of being non-partisan and having an even spread of votes, they include many votes which are very lopsided, and so therefore Republicans can fake conservatism without upsetting their media masters and liberal donors. At the same time, a conservative who thinks that a bill is too liberal can get lumped in with all the liberals who thought the bill was too conservative. Combining these two factors, it's impossible to tell...

WASHINGTON, Oct 21 (Reuters) - Republican Senator John McCain said on Wednesday his party needed a positive agenda to better attract those Americans who are disenchanted with Democratic policies. McCain said he sensed "a lot of anger and a lot of frustration" among Americans over taxpayer-backed bailouts of banks and auto companies while they cope with a persistently high U.S. jobless rate of 9.8 percent and see bank executives get "obscene" bonuses. McCain, who was his party's presidential nominee and lost the 2008 election to Democrat Barack Obama, spoke to a Reuters Summit in a roundtable interview with journalists.

Tuesday, October 13, 2009 Kirk, Biggert and IL Dems vote special protections for transgenders Two Republican and all but one Democratic member of the Illinois U.S. Congressional delegation voted to make transgenders a new protected class in federal law last Thursday.  Republicans Mark Kirk and Judy Biggert, as well as Democrats Melissa Bean, Jerry Costello, Danny Davis, Bill Foster, Luis Guitierrez, Debbie Halvorson, Phil Hare, Bill Lipinski, Mike Quigley, Bobby Rush and Jan Schakowsky voted for H.R. 1913, tucked within a larger difficult-to-oppose Defense Authorization bill. Eagle Forum explained: H.R. 1913 makes a hate crime — a crime in which the...

Kirk slams Bright Start, but not Giannoulias For weeks, Republican Mark Kirk and Democrat Alexi Giannoulias have tried to play over the heads of their opponents in the Feb. 2 primary election for the U.S. Senate, attacking each other rather than engaging the opponents within their own parties.But at a downtown Chicago news conference today, Kirk addressed a controversy involving Giannoulias’ stewardship as state treasurer of the Bright Start college savings program—and appeared to take Giannoulias’ side. [This is an excert from the original article. To see the article in its entirity, click the link the source page]

On the heals of a congressional vote to de-fund ACORN, U.S. Rep. Mark Kirk (R-Ill.) is calling on the U.S. Census to sever all ties to Illinois' largest union, the Service Employees International Union, because that union, Kirk says, is too close to ACORN.

Former DNC Chairman Appointed To Replace Liberal Lion A relic of the U.S. Senate for 47 years, former U.S. Sen. Ted Kennedy’s greatest impact on U.S. policy may have come from beyond the grave. Recent approval by Massachusetts lawmakers have changed the Bay State’s election law as to permit Democratic Gov. Deval Patrick to name an interim lawmaker until the state’s Jan. 19 special election. The change in the law, which was motivated by partisan interests, repealed a law once supported by Mr. Kennedy that called for the seat to remain vacant until a special election was held. The result? Mr....

A bipartisan group of House members is blasting the Obama administration for its plan to send $400,000 to foundations connected to the children of Libyan President Moammar Gadhafi. The group of more than two dozen lawmakers, led by Rep. Mark Kirk (R-Ill.), said that the State Department proposal to provide funds to nonprofit groups led by Gadhafi's son and daughter sends the wrong message to families of victims of the 1988 Lockerbie plane bombing. Gadhafi last month celebrated the return to Libya of the only person convicted in the bombing, Abdelbaset al Megrahi, who was released by the Scottish government...

Forget the People’s Republic of Massachusetts. We are now the Banana Republic of Massachusetts. That’s not original, but it’s truer than ever. Laws? We don’t need no stinkin’ laws. “First we shred the rules,” said Rep. Brad Jones, the House Republican leader. “Now we shred the Constitution.” Here’s how it’s supposed to work. If the Legislature wants a bill to become law immediately, they have to attach what’s called an “emergency preamble.” It takes a two-thirds vote to pass such a preamble. Otherwise, the bill becomes law in 90 days. So Wednesday, the Legislature approved Ted Kennedy’s deathbed wish to...

Former Democratic Party chairman Paul G. Kirk Jr. has taken over for the late Edward Kennedy in the Senate. Vice President Joe Biden swore in Kirk on Friday hours after a Massachusetts judge rejected a Republican request to delay it. The GOP had argued that Democratic Gov. Deval Patrick exceeded his constitutional authority by appointing Kirk before a traditional 90-day legislative waiting period had expired. State lawmakers passed a bill this week giving Patrick the power to choose an interim senator. Kirk gives Senate Democrats a filibuster-proof, 60-vote majority with the health care fight at a critical point.

I'm reading today that Biden administered the oath of office to Paul Kirk this morning.. a replacement for Ted Kennedy. I thought the Dems took away that right back when Mitt was the governor? Is it because Kirk is supposed to be an interim?

The Massachusetts Republican Party has filed an injunction in a Boston court seeking to block former Democratic Party chairman Paul Kirk from becoming the interim replacement for the late Sen. Edward Kennedy. Lawmakers this week passed legislation giving Gov. Deval Patrick the power to appoint an interim replacement, but laws approved in Massachusetts usually take 90 days to go into effect. Patrick signed an emergency letter that he says allows the law to become effective immediately. Republicans allege in their court filing that Patrick did not have the constitutional authority to do that. But State Secretary William Galvin said today...

BOSTON – The governor of Massachusetts has picked former Democratic national chairman Paul G. Kirk Jr. to temporarily replace the late Edward M. Kennedy in the U.S. Senate, according to Democratic aides briefed on the decision.

Paul Kirk will be named to fill the vacant Massachusetts Senate seat. Announcement likely tomorrow.

Is Michael Steele violating a major RNC rule to help Mark Kirk? Posted: August 27, 2009 By Doug Ibendahl The Chairman of the Republican National Committee (RNC) Michael Steele was a guest Tuesday morning on the Don Wade & Roma radio show on WLS 890 AM.  Friends told me about the interview so I listened to the Podcast. I was immediately reminded why I stopped listening to Don & Roma several years ago - after once having been a loyal listener. Tuesday's show was another pollyannaish lovefest with a mind-numbing amount of empty chatter. (Of course keep in mind WLS...

Sen. John McCain has endorsed Illinois Congressman Mark Kirk (R-10th) in his run for the U.S. Senate.

August 30, 2009 (GLENVIEW, Ill.) (WLS) -- Republican Congressman Mark Kirk received a big endorsement Sunday in his bid for the U.S. Senate. Former presidential candidate and current Arizona Sen. John McCain was in the Chicago area to help give Kirk's campaign a financial and political boost. Kirk is among more than six people who have announced their candidacy for the February 2nd GOP nomination, all hoping to take the seat that will be given up by appointed Democratic Sen. Roland Burris. The Senate seat is one Republicans want badly. So, voters are likely to see the national Republican Party...

If a picture is worth a thousand words, then I will need to give a thousand words because my phone camera is not working and all my photos won't download.

Republican hopeful Mark Kirk finds himself starting out even in a Senate race against his likeliest Democratic competitor, State Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias. The latest Rasmussen Reports telephone survey in the state shows Kirk, a member of the House from the northern suburbs of Chciago, with 41% of the vote while Giannoulias attracts 38%. Four percent (4%) prefer some other candidate, and 17% are not sure.

Posted: July 28, 2009 MARK KIRK • THE DEMOCRAT Mark Kirk voted NO on troop surge in Iraq. Mark Kirk voted NO on allowing school prayer. Mark Kirk voted YES on raising CAFE standards. Mark Kirk voted YES on prohibiting oil drilling and development in ANWR. Mark Kirk co-sponsored signing on to UN Framework Convention on Climate Change. Here was Mark Kirk back in 2008 weighing in on John McCain's choice of Sarah Palin as running mate: "I would have picked someone different." And when asked whether he thought Palin could step into the job, Kirk said, "Quite frankly, I don't know." In 2009, Chicago...

July 20, 2009 Wallace welcomes Kirk to U.S. Senate race Says, “From the top of the ticket down, principled Republicans will prevail.” For immediate release Contact: Eric M. Wallace (708) 675-9669 Eric M. Wallace, declared candidate for Illinois’ 2010 Republican nominee bid for US Senate, welcomes the official entrance of Mark Kirk into the race. “With Mark Kirk’s entrance, the stage is now set to begin the Illinois Republican Party’s next phase. For a while now, the Illinois GOP has been experiencing a grueling metamorphosis. As the standard bearer for the inspiring LIFT principles, this election cycle will be pivotal...

SPRINGFIELD — Senate candidate Mark Kirk says he ``got the message'' from Republicans who were outraged that he supported pollution limits that some people consider a hidden tax. Kirk said Tuesday that he has heard from plenty of people angry that he voted for ``cap-and-trade'' when the U.S. House considered the measure recently. The plan would cap the pollution that companies can release but then allow them to buy and sell permits for more emissions. Critics say cap-and-trade would drive up the cost of electricity and goods. Kirk says he can't take back his vote but he understands why people...

KENILWORTH—Five-term North Shore Rep. Mark Kirk formally announced his bid for the Republican nomination for the U.S. Senate today, billing himself as an independent who wants to lead others who are “not afraid to stand alone” against the corruption that has infiltrated Illinois politics. Standing in front of his late father’s north suburban home, Kirk said his record as a moderate on social issues shows he is “not an ideologue or party partisan.” . . . . . Kirk listed as endorsers Sen. John Cornyn of Texas, who heads the Republican National Senatorial Committee, as well as GOP Sens. Mitch...

Given that my American Thinker blog of June 28 -- Betrayed by my Republican Congressman -- took to task my renegade 10th District congressman, Mark Steven Kirk, for his "yes" vote on the Waxman-Marky bill, I was somewhat amused when I received late in the afternoon of Thursday, July 16, an e-mail invitation to join Mark Kirk this morning at 10:30 A.M. in Kenilworth, IL, to help him launch his candidacy for statewide office. As Mark Kirk noted on my invitation: "I want you to be there as we begin a campaign to restore pride to Illinois and put our...

Mark Kirk who is scared out of his wits because of his cap and trade vote and the Negative attention that has been drawn to him will show up to talk to voters THIS SUNDAY! Calling FREEPERS in surrounding states to come out and FREEP MARK KIRK. Here are the details: Sunday at 2:30 p.m., Cong. Mark Kirk will be here at HQ to hear our concerns and answer our questions about his vote on “Cap & Trade” (a/k/a “energy tax,” a/k/a “carbon tax,” a/k/a “global warming”). He has indicated he will be available until 4:30. This is your opportunity...

Kirk co-sponsors Dem's cyberbullying bill Saturday, July 11, 2009 Resulting from the tragic situation in Missouri, where a 13 year old girl committed suicide over things being written about her on a social network, "cyberbullying" will be added to federal statutes defined in U.S. Rep. Loretta Sanchez' HR 1966 as (a) Whoever transmits in interstate or foreign commerce any communication, with the intent to coerce, intimidate, harass, or cause substantial emotional distress to a person, using electronic means to support severe, repeated, and hostile behavior, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than two years, or...

June 29, 2009   Mr. GRRRRR   Re: The American Clean Energy and Security (ACES) Act, H.R. 2454   Dear Friend:   Thank you for taking the time to contact me about the American Clean Energy and Security Act (ACES), H.R. 2454.   For 2009, our top goal should be energy independence.  I support exploring for energy off our coasts, expanding nuclear power and building a natural gas pipeline across Canada to lower heating costs in the Midwest - an "all-of-the-above" energy strategy.    As a Navy veteran, I think is time to set America's policy towards defunding Middle Eastern dictatorships by cutting...

Climate Change: A switch of four Republican votes would have defeated Waxman-Markey, the Democrats' global warming legislation. But like the Clinton Btu tax, the bill could die in the Senate and turn the House over to the GOP.What were these RINOs thinking? The GOP is supposed to be the party of low taxes and free markets. Rep. Mike Castle, one of the eight offered an explanation right off of President Obama's teleprompter. "Nations around the world are surging ahead with emission reductions and developing new energy technologies," Castle, Delaware's at-large congressman, posted on his House Web site. "The United States...

Climate Change: A switch of four Republican votes would have defeated Waxman-Markey, the Democrats' global warming legislation. But like the Clinton Btu tax, the bill could die in the Senate and turn the House over to the GOP. What were these RINOs thinking? The GOP is supposed to be the party of low taxes and free markets. Rep. Mike Castle, one of the eight offered an explanation right off of President Obama's teleprompter...Illinois Republican Mark Kirk, who has senatorial ambitions to replace the choice of impeached former Gov. Rod Blagojevich, Sen. Roland Burris, demonstrates why GOP fortunes in the Land...

There is much outrage in the 10th District where I live. My 10th District congressman, Mark Kirk, has the dubious distinction of being the only Republican member of the Illinois congressional delegation, and one of only eight Republicans nationwide, who voted on Friday, June 26, for the Waxman-Markey energy bill (HR 2454), commonly referred to as "Cap and Trade" or "Global Warming" bill. The bill narrowly passed the House with a vote of 219 to 212. I would imagine that the same outrage exists in the congressional districts represented by all eight of the renegade Republicans. It is frowned upon...

Veterans In Politics Talk Show Introduces Henderson Councilman Kirk and Bob Mersereau LIVE on www.AllTalkRadio.net May 30: Bob Mersereau President of Local Chapter of the National Chamber of Commerce and former US Marine: Steve Kirk Henderson City Councilman and Candidate for Henderson Mayor: "Veterans In Politics" is a weekly radio show produced by the Veterans In Politics International and hosted by Steve Sanson and Co-Hosted by Ronda Baldwin Kennedy. The "Veterans In Politics" show is live every Saturday 2:05 PM Pacific Time you can call in and speak to the guest or/and hosts at (702) 309-6690. Watch the Veterans In...

Wednesday evening in the Chicagoland area Conservatives attended and event they thought would be an entertaining and informative. Three popular Conservative nationally recognized Talk show hosts were taking questions about Obama’s “First Hundred Days” in office. The Salem Broadcasting Corporation has been hosting a 12-city national tour. What they got was a shameless promotion of an Illinois RINO candidate courtesy of Hugh Hewitt. We’ll give Mr. Hewitt a break, maybe he was auditioning to be Mitt Romney’s spokes person for “National Council for a New America.” Hugh officially anointed Congressman Mark Kirk (R-IL) as the best candidate for the Illinois...

This time it's United State Trade Representative nominee Ron Kirk who owes back taxes, joining the ranks of other tax-addled Cabinet nominees such as Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner, former Health and Human Services Secretary designate Tom Daschle, and former chief performance officer nominee Nancy Killifer. Kirk owes $9,975 in back taxes, most of that from speaking engagement honoraria. Kirk had told organizations to give speaking fees directly to his alma mater, Austin College. In all, $37,750 of honoraria were not reported as income for tax years 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2007, the Senate Finance Committee reported, saying that Kirk should...

Define R.I.N.O.: A Republican In Name Only. Examples of the type of Republican covered under this definition are: Rep. Mark Kirk [R-IL] Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen [R-FL] Rep. Michael Ferguson [R-NJ] Rep. Christopher Shays [R-CT] Rep. Michael Castle [R-DE] These five supposed Republican are nothing more than jackasses in elephant's clothing. Rep. Mark Kirk has introduced a bill, H.R. 6257: Assault Weapons Ban Reauthorization Act of 2008, which would "reinstate the Public Safety and Recreational Firearms Use Protection Act."

With just days left in the campaign, Democratic challenger Dan Seals is landing an assist from Barack Obama while U.S. Rep. Mark Kirk rallies supporters under the banner "independence matters." The Democratic presidential nominee has figured prominently in the hotly contested 10th District race, a battle that could play a role in determining the makeup of Congress under the next president. Seals, who is making his second run at Kirk in the North suburbs, made his TV debut this campaign season with a one-night broadcast ad that aired during Obama's historic nomination speech in Denver. With the ad that begins...

Interesting bit of light news in a heavy news cycle. The first images from J.J. Abrams' reboot of the Star Trek franchise have been released. Initial screenings of the movie have apparently been so positive that they've moved the release from Winter 2008 to Summer 2009. The first picture includes, from left to right, Chekov, Kirk, Scottie, McCoy, Sulu and Uhura.

Star Trek legend William Shatner has launched an astonishing attack on former co-star George Takei, calling him "sick" and "psychotic". In an internet video clip the former Captain Kirk said nobody cared when Takei, who played Mr Sulu in the sci-fi series, finally came out as gay in 2005. Shatner launched the attack after Takei announced that Shatner would not be invited to his gay wedding last month. Takei has admitted harbouring ill-feelings towards his former co-star, who, he claims has a huge ego and hogged the limelight while on Star Trek. Shatner says in the video: "The whole thing...

Officials indicated that more than 800 of the forms were turned into the clerk's office by a Chicago resident claiming to represent several community organizations in Lake County. The registrations involved were primarily located in eastern areas of the county, [Lake County Clerk Willard] Helander said, and concentrated in the 10th Congressional District where Republican U.S. Rep. Mark Kirk faces Democratic challenger Dan Seals. Does this remind anyone of the nationwide problems now finally coming to light regarding ACORN and Barack Obama's ties to that organization?

Different activities, different virtues The recent remarks of former Hewlett-Packard CEO Carly Fiorina, asserting that none of the major party candidates for President or Vice President could run a major corporation, prompt me to set forth some thoughts I regard as fundamental to a true conservative understanding of the world. One of the hallmarks of conservatism according to Russell Kirk is its respect for the particular. Sadly too many so-called conservatives at the turn of the 21st century fail to embrace the respect of the particular. Just as those on the left seem to think that all human activities can...

Actor Kirk Douglas has taken an old cause to a new platform, using his MySpace page to gather signatures in support of a national apology for America's past practice of slavery.It's a cause that Douglas, 91, has advocated for years, but has taken online only since joining MySpace as he entered his nineties. The combination of legendary actor, social justice and high-tech intrigued us – along with his publicist's claim that Douglas is the oldest celebrity on MySpace – so we rang him up to learn more about how and why he launched this plan. "I think our country should...

June 4, 2008 -- George "Sulu" Takei is speeding to the final frontier of gay marriage - and several "Star Trek" comrades will be by his side. But conspicuously NOT on the guest list is William Shatner, a k a Capt. Kirk.

Bush's War Monday, March 24 and Tuesday, March 25, 2008 9 P.M. (check local listings) From the horror of 9/11 to the invasion of Iraq; the truth about WMD to the rise of an insurgency; the scandal of Abu Ghraib to the strategy of the surge-for six years, FRONTLINE has revealed the defining stories of the war on terror in meticulous detail, and the political dramas that played out at the highest levels of power and influence. Now, on the fifth anniversary of the Iraq invasion, the full saga unfolds in the two-part FRONTLINE special Bush's War, airing Monday, March...