Tag Archives: Mark Kirk

In the first Senate flip of the night for the Democrats, US House Rep. Tammy Duckworth has unseated Sen. Mark Kirk. Last week the Human Rights Campaign made the unprecedented move of retracting their endorsement of Kirk after he made a racist attack on Duckworth’s family during their final debate. The Democrats need to flip at least four seats to …

Human Rights Campaign president Chad Griffin writes: After careful consideration, HRC’s Public Policy Committee of the Board of Directors has taken the unprecedented step — a first in our 36-year history — of revoking an endorsement. We are a bipartisan organization and our staff and board make endorsement decisions based on a proven record of LGBTQ equality and a candidate’s ability to drive legislative …

NBC News reports: Illinois Sen. Mark Kirk is again under fire for making racially-charged comments, this time for questioning the military service of his Democratic opponent’s family. During Thursday night’s debate between Kirk and challenger Rep. Tammy Duckworth, Duckworth spoke about her desire to be in the Senate as a voice of reason and referenced her family’s history of service, …

The Chicago Tribune reports: Republican U.S. Sen. Mark Kirk, who has made opposition to a U.S.-led nuclear agreement with Iran a major theme of his re-election campaign, likened home-state President Barack Obama to “drug dealer in chief” over a $400 million payment linked to the release of American prisoners. Kirk’s controversial rhetoric has been an issue as the first-term senator …

This morning GOP Sen. Mark Kirk tweeted out the above message from President Obama thanking him for meeting with SCOTUS nominee Merrick Garland. Right wingers on Twitter are responding with messages like “Get used to saying SENATOR Tammy Duckworth.” But not if the HRC has their way, amirite?

Michelangelo Signorile today blasted the HRC for its endorsement of GOP Sen. Mark Kirk. He writes: The simple truth is that in 2016 in Illinois we don’t need Mark Kirk — he needs us. Kirk is in a deep blue state and he absolutely must support full LGBT equality in order to win. His coming out for the Equality Act …

Two weeks ago I reported that the Human Rights Campaign had endorsed GOP Sen. Mark Kirk. For some reason news of the endorsement took some time to trickle into the LGBT-friendly blogosphere and in the last few days criticism has become quite loud, with most angrily pointing out that endorsing ANY Senate Republican in a year when the majority is …

Today the Human Rights Campaign endorsed the reelections of nearly two dozen members of the House and Senate. There are only two Republicans on the list, Sen. Mark Kirk and Rep. Bob Dold, both of whom recently became the sole GOP co-sponsors of the Equality Act in each of their chambers. Via press release: “From supporting nationwide marriage equality, to …

Via press release from the Human Rights Campaign: “Senator Kirk has once again proven his leadership, by becoming the first Republican Senator to co-sponsor of the Equality Act,” said HRC President Chad Griffin. “His support for the Equality Act sends a strong message that fairness and equality are bipartisan values. It also reflects the view of the overwhelming majority of …

NBC Chicago ponders: FLOTUS for Senate? It wasn’t that long ago that such a slogan would seem absurd, but political wags are beginning to wonder whether Michelle Obama is mulling a run for Illinois Sen. Mark Kirk’s seat in 2016. A Thursday column in Reuters suggests that Obama would be the only candidate with a large enough profile to unseat …

“It is shocking that a United States Senator would bow to pressure from these militants and refuse to facilitate the discussion of vital issues affecting children, family, life, and the economy. Groups like HRC have set themselves up as arbiters of what may or may not be discussed at public forums. Instead of meeting us in the marketplace of ideas, …

Yesterday I reported that a coalition of anti-gay Christian groups would be meeting today in official US Senate office space to discuss how they might copy Russia’s anti-gay pogrom here in the United States. After outcry from LGBT groups, Sen. Mark Kirk (R-IL) has kicked them out of the space. And they are PISSED. “Shame on you, Senator Kirk, for …

Via Memographs.

“In Illinois, we all measure ourselves against the career of Abraham Lincoln and think about the legacy that that means. I would say that I measure myself against Everett Dirksen and his support for the 1964 Civil Rights Act as Republican leadership as the best moment in his career. [With] this legislation, I’m very proud to do it in the …

From the website of the Illinois Family Institute: When polygamists and polyamorists come knocking on marriage’s door, we should all remember Kirk’s wise words that “government has no place” getting between people who love each other. And we certainly wouldn’t want to disrespect them. Mark Kirk’s public shift in position, like Barack Obama’s, does not constitute positive change. Nor did …

“When I climbed the Capitol steps in January, I promised myself that I would return to the Senate with an open mind and greater respect for others. Same-sex couples should have the right to civil marriage. Our time on this earth is limited, I know that better than most. Life comes down to who you love and who loves you …

Sen. Mark Kirk (R-IL) says that three angels appeared at his hospital bed following his massive stroke last year. For Mark Kirk, there was no white light, no tunnel. What Illinois’ junior U.S. senator experienced was three angels standing at the foot of his bed. “You want to come with us?” Kirk was asked. “No,” he told them. “I’ll hold …

Hilariously, the link goes to Hillbuzz’s Kevin DuJan, who is quivering with rage that Kirk had the audacity to hold a town hall meeting on civility in political rhetoric last night.

Senator-elect Mark Kirk (R-IL) will be seated on November 29th, putting him in the unique position of being able to vote on the repeal of DADT twice. Earlier this year as a House member, he infuriated LGBT supporters and reversed his previously pro-gay record by voting against the repeal, a move most said was a transparent attempt to pander votes …

Rep. Mark Kirk used to have an OK record on LGBT rights for a Republican, having voted against the Federal Marriage Amendment in 2004 and for ENDA in 2007. But then he voted against the repeal of DADT. And since under Illinois law he will be seated in the Senate tomorrow, that means one more vote against repealing DADT should …