Not So Fast?
ShareAmong the first six names that Blunt put out as backing his candidacy was third-term Rep. Mark Kirk (IL). Kirk, a former staffer to his North Shore predecessor and Naval Reservist, is widely viewed as a rising star in the House. With the help of the most prominent member of IL's House delegation, he won a coveted seat on the Approps Cmte at the start of the last Congress.
And in the 109th, Kirk co-chairs, with Rep. Charlie Bass (NH), the Tuesday Group. Most recently, he has pushed the GOP to embrace a "Suburban Strategy" that will keep inner-tier 'burbs like those in his own affluent CD voting for GOPers.
In short, he is a player. He is also, more to the point, an asset in a leadership race.
But despite being mentioned as part of Blunt's team last night and being confirmed as "solid" in the Blunt corner by a Blunt source today, a source close to Kirk tells The Hotline that "at this time" they are not "completely committed to either candidate."
But before those of you who are putting in some Sunday hours in H-329 or Rayburn 2181 reach for the phone, a head's up -- Kirk is out of the country on a CODEL.
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