Mark Kirk Wins Illinois Primary

Yup, while both the Democratic and Republican nominations are still up in the air, the Democratic nominee for Lt. Governor is a pawnbroker who has a record for tax problems and holding a knife to his then girlfriend's throat.

http://www.suntimes.com/news/brown/2029178,CST-NWS-brown04. article

Jillian, Roland Burris announced months ago that he will not run for Senate in 2010. He was informed that the Democrats wanted somebody less vulnerable, so he said he's out.

They went and nominated a guy who is an "evil" banker, tied to Blago, Rezko, and some say the The Outfit (google Sam "Momo" Giancana).

Burris must be really happy with the Dem leadership in the Senate and the State of Illinois.

Serves them all right, if you ask me.

Unlike Scozzafava, there was a primary. Kirk won it by getting a clear majority of voters who pulled a Republican ballot to vote for him.

Nobody else came even close. Certainly not within any margin or boost that having the state party apparatchiks in his corner would account for.

Kirk 417,269 57%
Hughes 142,058 19%
Lowery 65,981 9%
Thomas 53,748 7%
Martin 37,250 5%
Arrington 20,920 3%

Channel that negative energy into beating Giannoulias.

You asked "When was the last time a "tea party" conservative won a statewide election in Illinois...or any conservative?"

Where I take issue is a counterquestion: when was the last time one RAN in the state? I want true Conservatives, and I admit that in Northern territory we're going to be at a disadvantage. That's why you look to run your most articulate, well-spoken, and convincing defenders of Conservatism. Those who are less capable of persuasion, although still committed to the cause, should be the ones running in safer territory. But it seems the Republican party is never capable of finding someone of the caliber that they find in true Conservative superstars elsewhere to then run in bluer states.

I don't see the...

You are right when you say things will not change overnight. The most important thing is that change is coming. People are more aware of what is going on in the political arena than they have been since I started voting some 40 plus years ago. As more pay attention we will see more changes. Politicians just may in the future do more than just campaign. In the future they will be expected to do what they promised and actually represent the people who voted for them. This country will benefit in the end from all of this turmoil. Sometimes good comes out of evil.

Some great conservative candidates won down-ticket. These things take time to turn around, esp in a state like IL.

We need to keep the corrupt Alexi G OUT of the senate. Kirk's the only guy we got. Since he came out firmly against gitmo north, I will vote for him. Lesser of two evils, for sure.

When was the last time a "tea party" conservative won a statewide election in Illinois...or any conservative? Just like Mr. Brown in Massachusetts is pro-choice and likely moderate on some issues. In any case, Kirk won the primary and if conservatives stay home in disgust, it will help the democrats hold onto the Senate. Sometimes you don't have the ideal choice to make.

I have but a simple question for you: how do you know that?

The GOP fails to recognize a couple of things:

1.)Their collapse in 2006 and 2008 was in large part because people were sick of the RINOs foisted on them by the party for so many preceding years. Why embrace the same strategy that led disilluisionment and disgust with the party to begin with?

2.) You don't know until you try. Conservatism will never be a sufficiently strong force in government until we actually put up Conservatives for office. The GOP is busy snatching Conservatism's defeat from races that have never even been run. Folks say "You can't run a Southern-style Conservative in a place like Illinois." Why not? Have you ever tried? Don't knock it...

Illinois. A vote for Kirk is a vote for McConnell as Majority Leader, which is a much better result than having Mr. Durbin as the Majority Leader (since Reid is a sinking ship). The republicans are still playing catch up and need victories until there is a level playing field.

its better to lose with a real honest canidate then to offer basically no choice between them.When a repub is pro cap and trade, by definition hes not a repub, no matter what he says.When hes ok with late trem abortion, hes not a repub, hes a lying liberal.I hate losing to a liberal, but at least
i know how he will vote, and can fight him in debates and with other votes, but when your own guy votes yas, it weakens all the real repubs votes of no, and vice-versea.Cant anyone see, when devided you lose period.If even 1 repub votes yes it gives talking points to them, and when 7 do, it undermines all the votes of repubs.

Already hitting Alexi

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eocJHtBVLyI&feature=player_e mbedded

I'm forced to agree with Virginia.

Because of his abortion position, I was not supportive of Scott Brown, and I sure as hell wouldn't have voted for him. Some think he may be selling himself as a moderate but actually is more conservative based due to his endorsement by Massachusetts Citizens for Life. I doubt it, and am far less enthused about his win than many of the so-called Conservatives who visit here. It seems to me that MCFL was willing to sell-out for a half-a-loaf approach to get a candidate who would at least oppose partial birth abortion. Brown doesn't get that abortion is not a matter of choice, but a matter of when someone obtains *individual human rights*, and that life serves as a prerequisite for any sort of...

Came out swinging against GITMO north, a big plus in my book. I am hoping he moderates his lefty views if he represents ALL of IL, not just his lib district up Chi way.

Backed another LOSER last night. Endorsed Hastert in the 14th. Newt: go write some books or something. You're becoming 'the kiss of death' to candidates!

Kirk is NOT going to challenge Burris. C He is running against Alexi G, who also won his priamry battle last night.

Either Kirk or Giannoulias will be next Senator from Illinois. Either Mitch McConnell or Richard Durban will succeed Harry Reid (who I'm fairly sure will lose his seat).

Sure Mark Kirk stinks like a dead dog. He's not a great choice, not even a good choice, but he's a better choice than Giannoulias. The good news, I suppose, is that it will be impossible for Giannoulias to run to Kirk's left on virtually anything.

I'm an Illinois voter; a pro-life, pro second amendment, global warming skeptic of the deepest dye, and as distasteful to me as it is to vote for someone I'm almost certain is going to stab me in the back, I'm going to vote for Kirk and carry his literature when I'm out campaigning for Randy Hultgren in the 14th...

I agree that anyone who voted for any of these destructive policies should be treated as though they are now dead.

This summer my Senator stood up and heard the numerous concerns people had regarding the health care bill. He swore to them that he would never vote yes for a bill that would give the government such control People told him that they would hold his feet to the fire and would work hard to vote him out if he lied. Well when the vote came up he was one of the first with a yes vote. Obviously, he lied. Now it is time for the people to hold true to their promise. Get him out. I am sure when he campaigns he will give lots of reasons why he chose to ignore the will of the people but as you said, he should be...

"Illinois
It seems there is no such thing as an honest politician in Illinois."

As opposed to the rest of the country. They're politicians. They ALL freakin' lie. Politicians are like diapers. They need to be changed often and for the same reason.

"How the heck can Kirk even call himself a Republican?"

Gee, I don't know, most republicans are a LOT more moderate than your average TH poster.

The more interesting election was the one for governor. Ultra-conservative knuckle-dragger Bill Brady is leading moderate Kirk Dillard by 503 votes.

And Romney-tool Andy McKenna came in third place despite spending MILLIONS of his own money.

Maybe there is a God.

If Brady wins, I'm campagning...

Illinois republicans can elect whoever they want. Just don't expect any support from conservatives for rino's.

It seems there is no such thing as an honest politician in Illinois.

How the heck can Kirk even call himself a Republican?

is what Mark Kirk has. And he's proud of it.

100% means that he must be even in support of partial-birth abortion.

Do you really want to vote for a puke like that?

Let it go, make sure he doesn't get any of your support or money and give it to people who are atleast somewhat conservative.

Seriously, other than dismissing him as a worthless RINO and watching him lose, have nothing to do with this race. Focus on other races. Many of them were close losses in 2006 and 2008 and they need the support, so give it to them and not to the RINO Mark Kirk.

As good as things might be going for us, and as good as a chance we may have had to pick up this seat, we just lost it.

When will people learn not to nominate stupid RINOs?

I'll be glad to watch this guy fall, not that I will be at all glad to see a democrat win.

Had they nominated a Reagan conservative we could have won the seat, but they nominated a RINO who will vote with the democrats.

Please don't try to make this guy out to be better than a democrat, as bad a democrats are, that would just be hypocritical.

will be watching you, Mr. Kirk. So consider yourself advised.

a part of it as well. AND anyone DEM OR REPUB who voted for cap and trade cant be trusted period. This isnt about a difference or opinion, or even how valid the so called science is, which is actually idiotic. Its about addition, and reality.HOW CAN MAN control earth, we dont even truely understand it, and anyone who is so arrogant as to actually believe we can should be barred from office. ANd then even if the problem exsist, why would you basically take your country and its people into the dark ages and into object poverty through taxes and slight of hand to leave a hand full with all the money and power, and EVERYONE ELSE struggling to even feed their children, so they can SAVE THE PLANET. My god why bother saving the planet if we...