Kirk picked to head moderate group U.S. Rep. Mark Kirk, R-10th, has been chosen to head a group of moderate Republicans in the House of Representatives. A coalition of 35 Republican members of the House elected Kirk and Rep. Charles Bass of New Hampshire to co-chair the Mainstream Republican Tuesday Group in the 109th Congress. "I think the spirit of the Republican Party should be anti-corruption, pro-defense, pro-personal responsibility and pro-education, and my leadership of this group is part of the effort (to ensure) that the party is grounded in those principles," said Kirk of Highland Park. Kirk portrayed himself...