[BillyBoy]

I'm amazed how many freepers, including some Illinois freepers, were "shocked" by his vote and "not aware" that Kirk was a liberal douchebag until this vote. Apparently they've been told he's some kind of patriotic Bush ally who was elected on the basis of his "service" in Iraq and the Naval reserve. In reality, Kirk is a liberal weenie who would have never made it past the primary if he hadn't been the chief of staff the retiring Congressman and won on HIS coattails. \ The Kirk apologists have long said "well you may not agree with Kirk on domestic issues, but we need him in there because he supports Bush on the WOT". WRONG. Kirk "supported" Bush in 2003-2004 when the "polls" made it politically adventangous for Kirk to do so. Kirk supports whatever will make get him favorable op-eds at the time. He has loyality to any Republicans.

We need to do a better job getting the word about Kirk if people can't even tag this guy as a RINO. His record in the last six years makes him one of the most liberal Republicans in the House, EVERY organization from National Review to Human Events has confirmed this. With so many RINOs defeated last year (the ones no longer in office are crossed out below), he now consistantly ranks as 4th or even 3rd most liberal Republican in the House. "Mark Kirk" should instantly be synonymous with RINO, just as the name "Arlen Specter" is.

Perhaps this vote will be the straw that broke the camel's back and finally motivate conservatives to challenge him in the primary. For those of you who didn't notice Kirk was RINO until this vote:

FAMILY RESEARCH COUNCIL'S TOP 10 RINOs IN THE HOUSE(FROM 2005):
Rep. Christopher Shays (Connecticut)
Rep. Michael Castle (Delaware)
Rep. Sherwood Boehlert (New York)
Rep. Mark Kirk (Illinois)
Rep. Jim Kolbe (Arizona) (tied for 5th)
Rep. Rob Simmons (Connecticut) (tied for 5th)
Rep. Wayne Gilchrest (Maryland) (tied for 7th)
Rep. Jim Leach (Iowa) (tied for 7th)
Rep. Mary Bono (California) (tied for 9th)
Rep. Nancy Johnson (Connecticut) (tied for 9th)

NATIONAL JOURNAL'S TOP 25 MOST LIBERAL REPUBLICANS IN THE HOUSE (FROM 2005)
Ranked by a weighted analysis of selected roll call votes by National Journal magazine.
Rep. Jim Leach (IA-2) 61.3
Rep. Ron Paul (TX-14) 60.3
Rep. Christopher Shays (CT-4) 53.7
Rep. Michael Castle (DE-AL) 52.7
Rep. Sherwood Boehlert (NY-24) 52.0
Rep. Nancy Johnson (CT-5) 51.7
Rep. Mark Kirk (IL-10) 51.3
Rep. Vernon Ehlers (MI-3) 51.0
Rep. Tim Johnson (IL-15) 50.7
Rep. Rob Simmons (CT-2) 50.7

KIRK'S RECORD ON KEY ISSUES
In 2005, "Citizens for Global Solutions" gave Representative Kirk a rating of "A"
In 2006, the National Rifle Association assigned Representative Kirk a grade of "F"
Based on information available in 2006, Sierra Club chose to endorse Representative Kirk.
Based on information available in 2006, Planned Parenthood chose to endorse Representative Kirk.
Representative Kirk voted their preferred position of Taxpayers for Common Sense 36% of the time in 2001.
Representative Kirk voted their preferred position of Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence 100% in 2002
Representative Kirk supported the interests of the NARAL 100% in 2005.
Representative Kirk supported the interests of the National Council of La Raza 100% in 2004.
Representative Kirk supported the interests of the Republicans for Environmental Protection 75% in 2005.

[tobyhill]

To RINO Kirk,

You're done!

[RightWhale]

It appears that some who voted for the Resolution did so to force the USA to wind up the war, not to withdraw in defeat. But, this would be like forcing Pres Roosevelt to wind up WW II right away after Pearl Harbor as if telling China to get their act together in 1943 would result in some kind of success. The war, when initiated by the enemy, can not be concluded by the ones attacked except by military means or negotiation with the enemy. Since the present enemy lacks a person to negotiate with, military means are the only means.

[street_lawyer]

Kirk,"I'm worried that I'll be investigated like Atty Gen. Gonzalez."

[Merry]

I am still glad I voted for Kirk over Dan Seals, the puppet of Dick Durbin, Rahm Emmanuel and Jan Schakowsky. Seals didn't even live in my district. Let's face it, Illinois is one of the most Democratic states of the Union. The Republican Party in Illinois is a joke. They were incapable of finding a viable candidate to run against Obama, who is not from Illinois, and look what happened. There is absolutely no Republican on the horizon to run against Durbin. You will soon get your wish, Billy Boy. Every day this district gets more Democrat. I was stunned that Mark Kirk hung on this election, by next election it might be impossible for a Republican, even a Rhino, to win in the 10th district. Be careful of what you wish for.

[darkangel82]

Time to throw these Main Street "Republicans" out with the trash.

[BillyBoy]

Mark Kirk is an example of an ACTUAL RINO (as in, REGULARLY does the Democrat bidding, rather than "votes conservative 90% of the time but disagrees with me on one or two things")

I don't buy that this clymer "needs" to be so liberal to "win" in his "swing district". Kirk represents an suburban upper middle class to wealthy electorate in the far north suburbs of Chicago. It was held by another "moderate" Republican for 20 years before him. I'm in a less affluent, more Democrat part of suburban Chicago, and my DEMOCRAT state legislators vote to the right of this guy. Kirk is so liberal he supports partial birth abortion. Now how many "middle of the road" people can you find who would jump up and defend that?

He is a shameless opportunist and needs to go.

[strange1]

...major diplomatic initiative among Iraq’s neighbors and the World Bank

Riiiight, lets try diplomacy among the nieghbors, lets see...we can start with Syria? no wait how 'bout Iran. We know how well they respond to diplomacy. Phocking MORON RINO!

[FixitGuy]

"I appreciate your thoughts on this matter."

You're a RINO scumbag, surrender monkey, traitor.

Those are my thoughts. Thank you.

[moonman]

Kirk's reason why was: "The United States should increase the responsibilities of the elected Iraqi government to solve its own problems ..."

No chit, Kirk! EVERYONE wants that. But until that happens, you don't interfer with the policy the President and generals in Iraq have decided on and cut troop re-enforements. Our soldiers need these additional troops. You are toast next election!

[okie01]

The long-term security of our country depends on the United States not being defeated in the Middle East.

At least, he understand this much.

But he admits he has no alternative plan for achieving that objective...so he just proposes to cut and run?

Congressman Mark Kirk must not be very bright...

[ReleaseTheHounds]

I wrote my Senator (John Warner, Virginia) weeks ago and have not received a reply... Today I wrote him another email saying I was disgusted with his vote yesterday and didn't need to head any reply from him in the future. I don't feel that I have a Senator from Virginia representing my interests in anything in Washington. I'll look forward to voting against him when a respectable Republican challenges his candidacy in the next Senate primary.

[USNBandit]

Second, they backed the United Nations and its sponsorship of Iraq’s three national elections that approved a new constitution and government.

Not exactly how I remember it.

[BykrBayb]

To prevent a collapse of democracy, tolerance and our supporters in that region, we should implement a new plan that relies on America’s key strengths, building support among all our citizens and allies.

Oh yeah. We've done real good in that area. And voting against our troops is always a big help. /sarcasm

Can somebody explain to me why it was so important to vote for this RINO, instead of a Conservative third party? Sure, it may have helped keep a democrat out of office, but is a Republican vote against our troops really that much better than a democrat vote against our troops?

[org.whodat]

With that recorded I'd say it's just a matter of time before he switches parties anyway, but at least he's come out of the closet.

[Joe Boucher]

Does the republican party give money to this guy for his reelection?
If so then I will not give any more to the party.

[muawiyah]

This Kirk guy sounds like he really doesn't care if millions of people die at the hands of butchers in the Middle East.

Bet he'd stand by totally unconcerned if the Iranians were sending nukes into Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, and so on.

People like Kirk shouldn't be allowed in public, to say nothing of "public office".

[Defender2]

Mark Kirk forgot to add in his statement that he wanted to see what it was like to perform fellatio upon our enemies.

[Dengar01]

I know 99.9% of you all will disagree with me here, but on a personal level Mark Kirk is a great guy. I spent a lot of time talking to him and he actually has military experience unlike most of the dolts in Congress and he has respect from the folks over at the Pentagon.

Unfortunately he represents a very liberal district in Illinois, the North Suburbs of Chicago and he has to vote for the will of the community. He had all the big hitters try and get him out of office this year, Bill Clinton, Hillary and Obama all came out for rallys for Dan Seals, Kirk's opponent.

[moonman]

"In the coming months, I will use my voice and vote to help build a longer-term plan for the United States and our allies in the Middle East."

What??? How long? How many of our troops must stay? What are the names of 'our' allies?

[BillyBoy]

MARK KIRK TRUTH FILE
JUST SAY NO TO SOCIALISM

" [He's] Better than Barack Obama"
- Carol Calabresa/The Sierra Club, 2008
" The strength of our campaign remains the Democrats"
- Mark Kirk, 2008