U.S. Rep. Mark Kirk is the favorite in the Republican primary for U.S. Senate, and for very good reason. He has been an extraordinarily effective representative of the independent-minded 10th Congressional District for a decade. His track record shows he has conservative principles and he has the instincts to succeed in Washington, no matter which party is in control.
Kirk is all about fiscal responsibility. He wants to reduce the national debt, balance the budget and stop the disgraceful practice of earmarking billions of taxpayer dollars for politicians' pet projects. He's a committed free trade advocate. He's attentive to the needs of his district, working for jobs, economic development and environmental causes, including a massive Great Lakes restoration initiative won in collaboration with then-Rep. Rahm Emanuel, a Democrat.
Few members of Congress can match Kirk's grasp of national defense or veterans issues. A Navy reservist whose district is home to the Naval Station Great Lakes, Kirk often serves his monthly active-duty rotation in the Pentagon war room. In December 2008, he went to Kandahar -- not to get his political ticket punched but to serve a three-week tour of duty. His support for President Barack Obama's troop surge is convincing. He knows what he's talking about.
Kirk has been getting some heat for a recent change of mind. He was one of only eight Republicans who voted in favor of a controversial cap-and-trade carbon emission regulation, but he now has second thoughts. He says he cast his vote "in the narrow interests of my district" but now realizes the measure would have a detrimental effect on the state's agriculture and mining industries. His initial vote angered some conservatives. The flip cost him the support of some environmental groups.
Both groups should know better. We think his vote on cap-and-trade was a mistake, but he has a built a career on consistent and thoughtful decision-making. And he has a long record of environmental stewardship.
Kirk's candidacy has been challenged from the right, partly because of his cap-and-trade vote. He has five opponents, most notably Hinsdale developer Patrick Hughes, who says this primary is "a battle for the soul of the Republican Party."
We like much of what Hughes has to say, but the idea that Kirk doesn't adhere to basic Republican values just doesn't hold water. He does -- steady now, folks -- think independently.
With this primary, Illinois Republicans have to decide what part of success they don't like. They don't hold a single statewide office. In the past decade, they have lost the governor's office, a U.S. Senate seat and three U.S. House seats they once controlled.
In that time, Mark Kirk has enjoyed the support of voters in an area that has elected a slew of Democrats to other offices.
Republican Mark Kirk vs. Democrat David Hoffman. Now there's a race that could make Illinois proud.