We’ve been here before, folks, so don’t be surprised if you feel a strong sense of déjà vu. The argument is being made once again that we have to support an unacceptable Republican lest a Democrat win. How many times do we need to refute this? As many times as it takes.
Only part of this problem is ideological. Former U.S. Rep. Dennis Hastert was a “conservative,” but his eight-year Speakership was a disaster for more reasons than just how he behaved when it came to policy.
Let’s begin with a few issues. One of the most offensive and dishonest radio commercials of the primary election scene were those run by Kirk’s campaign claiming he was a champion of the taxpayer and a fiscal conservative. Mark Kirk was completely silent during Dennis Hastert’s spending orgy. Illinoisans Kirk and Hastert shared close friends and advisors. If Kirk couldn’t help lead when Republicans held a majority in the U.S. House, why should we believe he will lead now?
The argument that Kirk’s Democratic opponent is worse is just not true. Alexi Giannoulias, like Kirk, is a social liberal. Both men are pro-abortion, pro-gay rights, and pro-gun control. I don’t know if Giannoulias is pro-partial birth abortion, but Kirk is. Like Obama, Giannoulias wants our troops out of Iraq as soon as possible. Like Obama, Kirk voted against the troop surge that led to victory.
It’s hard to believe that Alexi Giannoulias will be any different than his friend Obama when it comes to taxing and spending. Mark Kirk voted for the biggest tax increase in American history when he supported the “Cap and Trade” bill. And to repeat, Kirk could have had a real positive impact on his fellow Illinoisan Dennis Hastert but failed miserably to tamp down the grotesque spending that finally caused voters to throw the Republicans out of power.
None of this is very difficult to understand – especially when the evidence of failed Republican leadership is all around us. We wouldn’t have President Barack Obama and Speaker Nancy Pelosi if the last Republican Administration or Speaker Dennis Hastert had succeeded in their handling of domestic policy. Never forget that what Obama and Pelosi are doing to the country was made possible by Republican governmental malpractice.
This begs the question – why in the world would we elevate to the U.S. Senate a man who was along for the ride during all of those GOP failures? Social promotion isn’t always bad, but in Mark Kirk’s case, it would be a terrible mistake.
That’s just scratching the surface and we’re just getting started.
Up next: Part 2.
