I wrote about this as well, but more from the side that Kirk is in danger of losing to Giannoulias because of a possible new entry to the race. Also, the Green Party only received 3% in the last Senate election, so 14% might not hold by the time November rolls around. The Green Party received about 10% of the vote in the 2006 Governor’s race between Blago and Barr-Topinka, but they don’t seem do as well in the federal races.

http://downstateiladvocate.com/2010/06/13/illinois-senate-race-might-get-interesting.aspx

Then there’s this posted on Illinois Review this morning…

http://illinoisreview.typepad.com/illinoisreview/2010/06/giannoulias-goons-manhandle-videographer.html

This race is going to be absolutely brutal (as if it isn’t already).

A federal judge has ruled that the government of Illinois erred (I know, big shock, but stay with me) in allowing Roland Burris (D-Blago) to serve out the entirety of the remainder of Obama’s Senate term. It seems the Constitution requires a special election for Senate replacements. That means that whoever wins on Nov. 2 could immediately take office. (If you don’t think this is important, reference earlier posts regarding Obama’s plans for lame duck Senate votes on cap and tax.)

I know Kirk isn’t a conservative. But he will at least caucus with Republicans and the surest way to ensure the swift death of his political career would be to enter the Senate and immediately side with the Democrats in setting energy policy.

http://illinois.statehousenewsonline.com/3303/judge-special-election-needed-to-replace-burris/

Is there any chance a Conservative, Tea-Party type candidate, who basicly has the same platform as the GOP candidate for Illinois Governor, might get into the race for Senate? Because given how awful the major candidates are, as well as the presence of a far-left candidate taking a large vote from the Dems, I’d say a Conservative/Tea Party candidate might be the outright favorite to win a 4 way race right now.

Obviously, and for a number of reasons. But Giannoulias is a much worse choice. I guess this is the card they’ve got to play in IL this year: the lesser of two evils. Sigh.

I know, but it’s true. Choosing between the lesser of two evils is par for the course in Illinois. We are usually left hoping for a RINO who will simply help a conservative or moderate leaning to the right ascend to majority leader.

This is what happens when we water down the message and appoint people who stand for NOTHING to represent us.

We can’t nominate people who have moral convictions because it might offend liberal Republicans and libertarians….but then we act surprised when the people who will say anything….do anything…be anything to get elected turn out to be crooks and liars of the worse order.

The “Big Tent” analogy isn’t the correct one…the correct one is a MAGNET…we need to be a MAGNET that draws these independents in who are sick and tired of what’s going on in Washington—Fred Thompson

Mark Kirk is no RINO!! Sure he could be more conservative–I’d like that–but the district he has represented for the past 10 years (North Shore/Chicago suburbs) is somewhat left of center (went for Gore 54-46 in ’00, Kerry 56-44 in ’04 and Obama 60-40). I know cause I live in this district. Illinois is still quite blue! To survive he has had to be a squishy moderate on some issues.

However, he has been great on spending, voted NO on the Stimulus, always has supported tax cuts, voted NO (and was quite vociferous in his opposition) on Obamacare, strongly opposed Obama’s crazy idea to close Gitmo and move it to a vacant Illinois prison, strongly supports Israel, is strong on terrorism, supported the Iraq war, etc. Guys, he blew it on cap and trade and he is more moderate (not liberal though) on social issues than I’d like, but he’s waaaay better than Giannoulis the crook. Let’s unite behind him and win back this seat!!

Vote None of the Above!

Giannoulias is a banker who laundered money for the mob to the point that his bank went under. Got that.
What’s Kirk’s issue?

who wrote the recommendation for the award, Kirk created and commanded an intell unit in Bosnia. When the award was made, it was to the unit, not just Kirk.
However, his former CO has said he sees nothing wrong with Kirk’s statements as it was his work that earned the award. The only other problem was an inaccurate claim made on Kirk’s website for two months in 2005 before being taken down.

The biggest exaggeration appears to be by the media in an attempt to take heat off Blumenthal in Connecticut who lied at least three times on video about serving in Viet Nam or remembering when he “returned from Viet Nam”. Believe me, as one who was also in the USMCR, we sure as hell know the difference.

Mike Niecestro is jumping into the race and will run right of Kirk as a conservative independent.

http://abclocal.go.com/wls/story?section=news/local&id=7500075

With the Green party candidate running strongly this looks likely to turn into a complete toss up.