Tribune, Sun-Times Split In Senate Endorsements
CHICAGO (CBS) - Chicago's two daily newspapers have a split decision in their choices for the Illinois U.S. Senate race.
The traditionally conservative Chicago Tribune is endorsing Republican Mark Kirk for the November election, while the Chicago Sun-Times has lent its endorsement to Democratic opponent Alexi Giannoulias.
LISTEN: The candidates running for Congressman Mark Kirk's Congressional seat squared off at a spirited forum in Glencoe last night. Newsradio 780's Political Editor Craig Dellimore was the moderator for the event.
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Although praising Democrat Alexi Giannoulias for his personality, the Tribune said on its website Thursday evening that he would probably vote with Democratic leaders nearly 100 percent of the time. The editorial said Illinoisans should not elect a party-line candidate at such a crucial time.
Instead, it said Illinois should choose a senator who will bring expertise and independence, and said the candidate who fits that bill is Mark Kirk.
It also noted that for 10 years in the U.S. House, Kirk has voted as a social moderate, a fiscal conservative and a national security hawk.
"The trouble is that this election, more than many, can't be only an exercise in Which Party Prevails. The American people face one economic and national security challenge after another. This as official Washington further devolves into the addictive partisanship that sabotages the quest for solutions," the Tribune editorial said. "In 2010, the citizens of Illinois should send to the Capitol a senator who will bring expertise and independence. The candidate who fits that bill is Mark Kirk."
The editorial criticized Kirk for embellishing his military career, but said regardless, he still holds a verifiable and impressive record of military and congressional service.
The Tribune said it based its endorsement largely on the appearance both candidates made before its editorial board earlier this week.
The editorial added that the endorsement was being issued with a touch of frustration because Giannoulias' Republican opponent, U.S. Rep Mark Kirk, has a longer resume and has earned a number of Sun-Times endorsements in the past. But the newspaper said Kirk has exaggerated that that resume in recent years, has flip-flopped on some issues, and refused to take a stand on others.
"We no longer know who Kirk is, where he stands or what he would do," the Sun-Times said.
The Sun-Times noted that Giannoulias saved the jobs of 600 people by forcing a bank, Wells Fargo, to back off a plan to liquidate Hartmarx, a men's clothing company in Des Plaines.
It called Giannoulias "direct where Kirk dodges, takes a stand where Kirk heads for the hills. He is smart, but not a smarty pants."
Green Party candidate LeAlan Jones and Libertarian Mike Labno are also running for the seat.
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