The Neo-Cons Trying to Buy the Election in the 10th

Mark Kirk likes to pretend that he's a moderate. But the fact is, he's no moderate -- he's voted with George Bush 90% of the time. By comparison, the ultra conservative Peter Roskam has voted with George Bush 90% of the time.

At least Roskam is honest. Mark Kirk doesn't have Roskam's integrity. Despite being the chosen candidate for the Club for Growth, Kirk has long pretended that he was "independent" and a political moderate. Kirk obviously thinks that his constituents are stupid.

The Club for Growth, according to its own website, "has become a power broker of sorts with the conservative movement," and "has become a force in congressional elections, taking aim at moderate Republicans."

So it came as no surprise when the Neo-Con independent group, Freedom's Watch, invaded the IL-10's airwaves in support of Mark Kirk. While Kirk may try to represent himself as an independent or political moderate, inside the Beltway, his friends know that they can count on him. Just as they can count on ultra-conservative Peter Roskam.

Freedom's Watch says that its goal is to support mainstream conservative public policies. It "collaborate[s] with like-minded groups and individuals to further our common goals. Freedom’s Watch provides a credible conservative voice and strong leadership on pressing domestic and international issues." It continues:

Freedom’s Watch distinguishes itself as the first full-time nonpartisan movement dedicated to preserving, protecting, and defending conservative principles and promoting a conservative agenda. In the past, the conservative movement came strongly together during election cycles but weakened its presence during off-cycles. Freedom’s Watch is a long-term movement that will be a force for conservative action from year-to-year. Freedom’s Watch is dedicated to helping build a stronger, more unified conservative movement for generations to come.

Freedom's Watch announced its formation through Ari Fleischer: "There's been a three-year silence from conservatives and others who believe in peace through strength. The cavalry is coming, we're going to help to get that message out." Bradley Blakeman, then its president, said that Freedom's Watch was founded because “there was a large vacuum on the conservative side."

The conservative cavalry has come to Kirk's defense because he is locked into a heated battle with Democratic candidate Dan Seals. Instead of Kirk's fealty to the failed Bush policies on the economy and the war on terrorists, Seals offers the Tenth a real choice -- and a real change from the failed policies that got us stuck in Iraq (while Osama bin Laden slipped out of our grasp) and brought us an economic crisis unknown for decades. While Seals has an admirable set of goals for the next Congress:

1. Bringing a responsible end to the war in Iraq

2. Strengthening our economy

3. Developing a universal healthcare system

Mark Kirk says: "My top priority after re-election will be to prevent Governor Blagojevich from squandering billions of federal transportation dollars."

While this is certainly a noble goal, Kirk either thinks his constituents are idiots or he's extraordinarily naive politically. After 8 years in Congress, doesn't Mark Kirk understand the difference between federal and state governments? What does Kirk propose to do to "prevent Governor Blagojevich from squandering billions of federal transportation dollars?" Well, he's going to demand an explanation! Kirk says, "Governor Blagojevich and Springfield legislators owe the citizens of Illinois an explanation as to why they are letting federal money go to other states due to their inaction."

If you didn't recognize it, this is Kirk's shtick. He talks about things he can't do anything about (such as the political paralysis in Springfield) while ignoring all those things he can (like voting against Bush's reckless policies, both abroad and at home). We aren't supposed to realize that Kirk is a good soldier, loyal not only to the failed Bush agenda, but a foot soldier in the broader conservative movement.

Kirk is a political Trojan Horse. While he pretends to be a "thoughtful independent" and Congressional moderate, his votes -- and his friends -- demonstrate otherwise. The Club for Growth and Freedom's Watch did not put in hundreds of thousands of dollars into Kirk's campaigns because he was a "thoughtful independent" or a political moderate. One would have to be foolish to think otherwise. They supported Mark Kirk because they knew that he was a reliable vote for the conservative cause -- even if he tried to sweeten those votes with a little image makeover for the dweebs at home. In politics, image is everything. Mark Kirk has made a fool out of his constituents.

But there is hope! Dan Seals' campaign for change has caught fire -- which is why the Neo-Con Freedom's Watch has entered the fray. Kirk himself may be afraid to show his face in the district, but his conservative buddies have taking it upon themselves to protect him:

A conservative group with ties to the Bush administration has donated about $453,000 for television ads to benefit GOP Rep. Mark Kirk's tough re-election bid in Chicago's affluent suburbs.

They wouldn't do that for a real moderate. In fact, everyone knows that the Club for Growth tries to defeat moderate Republicans, not support them. And these conservative groups certainly aren't rewarding independence. Their support comes at a cost. Mark Kirk just hopes you don't notice it.