First Senate ads to hit Illinois
[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2010/images/03/15/art.kirk.0315.youtube.jpg caption ="Rep. Mark Kirk is out Monday with his first TV ad."]Washington (CNN) - A Republican candidate vying to capture President Obama's old Senate seat released his first political ad of the season Monday.
The 30-second spot highlights Rep. Mark Kirk's record on tax cuts and what his campaign calls, "a thoughtful, independent and effective record of standing up to special interests and party leaders."
Set to run statewide, the ad entitled "Independent" also focuses on Kirk's military service as a naval intelligence officer.
The ad paints Kirk as a centrist, as the candidate seeks to shore up support with independent voters ahead of the general election.
But the ad's narrator also says Kirk will work to "end the corruption in Illinois" as images of current Senator Roland Burris and former Gov. Rod Blagojevich flash on screen.
Kirk's Democratic opponent, Illinois state treasurer Alexi Giannoulias, is not mentioned in the ad. Giannoulias has been the target of frequent attacks in recent weeks as critics attempt to connect him to the struggling Broadway Bank, a firm run by his brothers.
Both Giannoulias and Kirk have launched Web sites that address the issue.
Update 1:45 p.m. ET: The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee on Monday released its own Web video targeting Rep. Kirk. The video will not appear on television, but highlights Kirk's votes on financial regulation reform, and urges viewers to tell, "Mark Kirk to stand up to the big banks."
In a statement, Giannoulias spokeswoman Kathleen Strand refuted claims made in the Kirk ad.
"Congressman Mark Kirk's claim that he is a budget hawk just doesn't fly with his record of supporting all of Bush's reckless budgets that led to the doubling of the national debt and the greatest recession since the Great Depression."
Why is it that Republicans can only think of thing they have done – cut taxes. So this guy cut taxes. What was the benefit of doing so? Putting more money in the pockets of fat cats?
Oh, by the way, do all these guys (republicans) go to the same 60's barber?
I just love all of these guys calling themselves "independents" to get votes and yet they are running as REPUBLICANS and getting campaign money from the REPUBLICAN NATIONAL COMMITTEE, all the while claiming they are sure going to "stand up to party leaders" if you'll just trust their snake oil and vote for them!
FK that tax cut bullship! Place a 50% tax on all China goods. The dept would be paid almost as we speak and China would be bankrupt!!! By the way, this would be lovely again for "BUY American". But of course big business could no longer payoff the repugnent partyt!
@ Doug,lib jersey – "nasty, hate-filled, selfish libs look for in a candidate. Thoughtful is a word that describes the exact oppostite of how almost every Democrat conducts their life"
Wow. Did some liberal Democrat drop you on your head when you were an infant or what?
Repugliban are running rampantly as independents hoping the American voting public will be gullible enough to believe them. One has to ask if they are so great then why not run as they are, as true Repugliban. The answer has to be that they know the voting public is NOT that stupid and wouid not vote for them if you held a gun to their heads so why do these morons believe that if they lie to the public about thier affiliation Americans will believe them more? It is amazing that the GOP brand name even makes the GOP want to change thier names, makes you wonder why you would ever even think of voting for a Repugliban doesn't it? They cannot even be honest about what party they support so how can you believe them on anything else they tell you? Will someone please answer that one for me PLEASE?
I find it humourous that he is going to attempt to end corruption in Illiois. Let's see – Daley, Trafficante, Bogdanovich, Obama, and the other honest politicians of the state of corruption, I mean Illinois. This should be a miracle if it happens.
The day any Republican can stand up and say George W. Bush lied to the American people to start a war in Iraq that resulted in the lives of over 4,000 of our brave men and women, is the day I will vote for him. This is a war we will never end and the Republicans don't want to take any responsibility. It's time for the American people to make the Republicans accountable for Bush's lies and not vote for any of them, they've swept the war under the rug along with the dead.
I don't know if this guy has a chance of winning. It seems like the clueless voters in Illinois have a looong history of electing corrupt Democrats. Must be their horrible education system,
Hasn't Illinois suffered enough from the Dem "leadership"? Now, the Dems have nominated an individual with serious question marks even before taking office...his family withdrew over $70 milion from the family bank during a two year span, directly leading to its potential takeover by the FDIC. Prior to that, Alexi approved several highly questionable loans as the chief loan officer at the bank...several which ended in default. This man is shady. I don't know much about Kirk so I'm not sure he's the answer, but I can tell you Giannoulias is not!
Another Republican LIAR.
He's about as "Independent" as Dick Cheney.
He is just another lying republicans.
ya ...yes.......flashing imagery................going after the mind?
Any thing to get elected!
I don't think he is quite corrupt enough to fill Obama's seat, how about Al Capone or one of the Gambino's?
I seriously doubt that old Marky will be any better than any of the OTHER Repubs in the senate. He will just be another road block to progress. And to have him sit in President Obama's old seat would be an insult – one that only a Repub can pull off.
"The ad paints Kirk as a centrist..." Translation: This is a bald-faced lie.
Its funny how if you have a Democrat connected with the mob, then that lib will win in a landslide in the bluest areas.
Jersey Shore type libs like to pretend they are in the mob like little kids pretend to be baseball stars, they actually look up to the corrupt and thus are the most loyal Democrat voters on the planet.
I will vote for anybody but Giannoulias! I will vote for Kirk because he will be better for Illinois. Fortunately we will get rid of the "double dipper" Burris. I'd love to get one pension and he gets two.
March 15th, 2010 12:40 pm ET
Mr. Kirk –
IF I hear you highlight elements of the Healthcare Insurance Reform Bill that you endorse. THEN I'll believe you are INDEPENDENT.
Until then, you are just another sleazy politician seeking to manipulate the public for votes.
Demonstrate to me that you will not be another brick in the PARTY-of-NO plan for GRIDLOCK and I might consider voting for you.
Don't argue with me about the Republican's being obstructionists. If you do, then you JUST DON'T GET IT.
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If the bill was good enough the democrats could have passed it without the repubs and without parlementary manuvers.
March 15th, 2010 12:31 pm ET
So now all Republicans are running as Independents? pluuuze dont make me laugh Republicans are a Joke they SCARE YOU INTO VOTING FOR THEM! And once you do they sit back do nothing and take care of their corporate masters and Wall St with your tax dollars. Please citizens of this country wake up Republicans do not give a rats – about you!!
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Democrats do the same thing, they are all out for power.