Today on William Bence's Morning Show on WCRA 1090AM, Congressman John Shimkus was interviewed about his support for Rep. Mark Kirk.  The issue at hand was how can Shimkus, a conservative who believes in pro-life, the 2nd Amendment, and is against Cap and Trade, support a candidate that is none of these qualities.  As I listened, I began to get very upset with what I was hearing out of our Congressman.

1.  Shimkus basically stated that 80% of Republicans in Illinois vote from the Chicago area and therefore Mark Kirk would be a good choice since he is from the Chicago area.  Bumpkus.  So Congressman Shimkus would have us downstate kow-tow AGAIN to Chicago politics.  So the rest of the state doesn't matter I guess.  I guess that means we don't have to vote in November because it doesn't matter?  Nice message Congressman.  It also shows what we have always known.  Chicago rules while we suffer down here.  

2.  Kirk has a national name so he stand up against the Democrat challenger in Illinois.  This is related to another issue that the Congressman brought up about needing at least $1 million to run for the Senate.  By the Congressman and the NRSC deciding who our candidate should be before we have, they have essentially cut off any chance of other candidates raising money because who is going to donate to a Robert Zadek or a Pat Hughes when it's all but been decided?  Thanks Congressman for limiting the democratic process.  By the way, what exactly did you mean when you said Mark Kirk is going to "owe you one" because you are taking "all these arrows"?

3.  Cap and Trade was supported by a majority in his district so that is why Kirk voted for it.  Now that he's running statewide, Kirk says he would have voted different.  Newsflash for both Congressman Shimkus and Kirk >>>> SOME ISSUES TRANSCEND CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICTS!!!!  Pro-life does not only apply to your districts, it's a national issue.  The 2nd Amendment is a national issue.  Cap and Trade is a national issue!  Note to Congressman Shimkus:  a majority in your district does not want Mark Kirk as our Senator.  Using your logic, WHY DIDN'T YOU LISTEN TO US!?!?!

4.  Shimkus also talked about touring the Wood River area with Kirk and showing him the coal mines, refineries, etc.  The Congressman alluded that he hopes he has helped Kirk see the light about the issues with Cap and Trade.  If the Congressman actually thinks he changed his mind, I've got oceanfront property here in Effingham I'd love to sell him.  Does the Congressman think that we are that naive?  Kirk is changing his tune because he wants to be elected.  PERIOD.  Shimkus is not going to change at the core who Kirk is:  Arlen Specter.  Shimkus also discussed this aspect of Kirk as well.  Shimkus said Specter was a Democrat, then turned Republican, and then turned back to Democrat and that Kirk has always been a Republican.  I would add IN NAME ONLY!  Does the Congressman really trust Kirk will not be an Olympia Snowe or Susan Collins?  I know I don't.

5.  Shimkus essentially told the listeners that above all, we need to elect Kirk in order to reach that magical number of 41 Senate seats in order to be filibuster proof.  When did the Congressman become one of "them".  What do you mean by "them"?  I mean the establishment in the national Republican party leadership that throws principles out the window in exchange for a chance at election victory.  Here's another news flash Congressman:  the political climate has radically changed since November 2008!  More people identify as conservative than liberal or independent in ALL 50 STATES!  Furthermore, more people identify themselves as conservative than identifying with ANY POLITICAL PARTY!  Wake up and smell the coffee!!!

There was a time when the Republican party was not afraid of standing on principles, especially conservative principles.  Instead of supporting and electing what the establishment wants, how about we support and elect the candidate that the people want?  The Republican party stands at a crossroads right now.  The issues facing the GOP are eerily similar to 1976 when Ronald Reagan almost beat the establishment supported Gerald Ford for the Presidential nomination.  Ford lost the election to a peanut farmer who could now days be considered almost senile.  4 years later, Reagan got the nomination and won in a landslide against Carter running on conservative values!  Does the Congressman not see what is happening at the tea parties or town hall meetings?  Does he think that this is just a fluke?  Did he not see the National Mall on 9-12?  People are angry.  They WANT conservatism back because it means less government, less taxes, strong defense, independence, and PROSPERITY!!!

I refuse to kow-tow to Chicago.  I refuse to support a candidate that holds little to no values that I hold just because Congressman Shimkus or the NRSC says so.  Sure, he looks good against the alternative, but look who you are comparing him to.  Roland Burris?  Dick Durbin?  Against Alexi Giannoulias?  Why are so many people scared of Giannoulias?  Because he's from Chicago and he is Obama's protégé?  Bumpkus.  The Congressman and others underestimate how angry the people are.  Plus, Giannoulias won't have the help of a Presidential election turnout to help him as much.  Giannoulias can be beat, and will be beat whether we have a Kirk or a conservative candidate.  This is about sending the RIGHT (as in choice and political beliefs) to DC to serve in the Senate. 

So, congratulations Congressman Shimkus, you just made it to the big time.  You're now officially "one of them".  I hope you can sleep good at night knowing you're selling your district and your conservative principles down the river.  Remember Congressman Shimkus, you can't win an election on a single issue, but you can lose an election on a single issue.  You have a great deal of explaining and humbling to do within your district because the tide is beginning to turn against you.  People that once hailed you as an example of Washington politics gone right (I include myself in this category) are now holding you up as an example of insider politics and what is wrong with Illinois and DC politics.  Sorry if I'm angry, but this is the country that I love and care about and I see the ideals of our republic and the ideals of conservatism being flushed straight down the toilet.