Changes

"pro-defense, pro-personal responsibility, pro-[[environment]], and pro-[[science]]." In reality, it is a leftist agenda. He was one of only eight House Republicans who voted for the [[cap and trade]] climate legislation. Kirk voted against the 2009 economic stimulus package.

"pro-defense, pro-personal responsibility, pro-[[environment]], and pro-[[science]]." In reality, it is a leftist agenda. He was one of only eight House Republicans who voted for the [[cap and trade]] climate legislation. Kirk voted against the 2009 economic stimulus package.

Regardless of his campaign rhetoric, Kirk is very left-wing on numerous issues. He is very [[Gun control|anti-Second Amendment]];<ref>Hawkins, Awr (December 16, 2014). [http://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2014/12/16/kirk-abandons-nra-second-amendment-joins-dems-to-confirm-anti-gun-surgeon-general/ Mark Kirk Abandons NRA, Second Amendment: Joins Dems to Confirm Anti-Gun Surgeon General]. ''Breitbart''. Retrieved December 26, 2016.</ref><ref>Hawkins, Awr (August 22, 2016). [http://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2016/08/22/gabby-giffords-endorses-pat-toomey-mark-kirk-for-caving-on-gun-control/ Gabby Giffords Endorses Pat Toomy, Mark Kirk for Caving on Gun Control]. ''Breitbart''. Retrieved December 26, 2016.</ref> rivals leftist Democrats in his extremely strong support for the [[homosexual agenda]];<ref>Huston, Warner Todd (April 1, 2015). [http://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2015/04/01/il-sen-mark-kirk-first-republican-to-slam-mike-pence-over-religious-freedom-law/ IL Sen. Mark Kirk First Republican to Slam Mike Pence over Religious Freedom Law]. ''Breitbart''. Retrieved December 26, 2016.</ref> is a strong supporter for [[illegal immigration]], "[[Sanctuary City (Immigration)|sanctuary cities]]",<ref>[http://illinoisreview.typepad.com/illinoisreview/2016/07/will-mark-kirk-once-again-be-the-only-republican-to-support-sanctuary-cities.html Will Mark Kirk once again be the only Republican to support sanctuary cities?]. ''Illinois Review''. July 6, 2016. Retrieved December 26, 2016.</ref> and amnesty for illegal immigrants;<ref>Boyle, Matthew (April 2, 2015). [http://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2015/04/02/sen-mark-kirk-caves-to-obamas-executive-amnesty-plans-to-back-loretta-lynch-for-attorney-general/ Sen. Mark Kirk Caves To Obama’s Executive Amnesty: Plans To Back Loretta Lynch For Attorney General]. ''Breitbart''. Retrieved December 26, 2016.</ref><ref>[http://www.ice-news.net/2016/02/03/alipac-endorses-james-marter-for-us-senate-against-amnesty-supporter-mark-kirk-r-il/ ALIPAC Endorses James Marter for US Senate against amnesty supporter Mark Kirk (R-IL)]. ''Illinois Conservative Examiner''. February 3, 2016. Retrieved December 26, 2016.</ref> very strongly supports the [[Abortion|legalized murder of unborn human beings]];<ref>Burke, Cathy (June 27, 2016). [http://www.newsmax.com/Politics/mark-kirk-abortion-supreme-court-texas/2016/06/27/id/735842/ Republican Sen. Kirk Praises SCOTUS Abortion Ruling]. ''Newsmax''. Retrieved December 26, 2016.</ref><ref>Ertelt, Steven (November 8, 2016). [http://www.lifenews.com/2016/11/08/mark-kirk-only-republican-to-vote-against-de-funding-planned-parenthood-loses-senate-race/ Mark Kirk, Only Republican to Vote Against De-Funding Planned Parenthood, Loses Senate Race]. ''LifeNews.com''. Retrieved December 26, 2016.</ref><ref>LaBarbera, Peter (November 8, 2016). [https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/breaking-pro-abort-republican-sen.-mark-kirk-loses-seat-to-democrat BREAKING: Pro-abort Republican Sen. Mark Kirk loses seat to Democrat]. ''Lifesitenews.com''. Retrieved December 26, 2016.</ref><ref>Bilger, Micaiah (November 4, 2016). [http://www.lifenews.com/2016/11/04/only-5-republicans-in-congress-are-pro-abortion-one-is-retiring-and-democrats-may-defeat-two-others/ Only 5 Republicans in Congress are Pro-Abortion. One is Retiring and Democrats May Defeat Two Others]. ''LifeNews.com''. Retrieved December 26, 2016.</ref> and supports confirming other leftists into the judiciary and executive branch;<ref>May, Caroline (February 22, 2016). [http://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2016/02/22/sen-mark-kirk-obama-supreme-court-nominee-due-fair-and-thorough-hearing/ Sen. Mark Kirk: Obama Supreme Court Nominee Due ‘Fair and Thorough Hearing’]. ''Breitbart''. Retrieved December 26, 2016.</ref><ref>May, Caroline (April 2, 2015). [http://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2015/04/02/gop-sen-mark-kirk-announces-support-for-loretta-lynch/ GOP Sen. Mark Kirk Announces Support for Loretta Lynch]. ''Breitbart''. Retrieved December 26, 2016.</ref> among other leftist positions.

Regardless of his campaign rhetoric, Kirk is very left-wing on numerous issues. He is very [[Gun control|anti-Second Amendment]];<ref>Hawkins, Awr (December 16, 2014). [https://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2014/12/16/kirk-abandons-nra-second-amendment-joins-dems-to-confirm-anti-gun-surgeon-general/ Mark Kirk Abandons NRA, Second Amendment: Joins Dems to Confirm Anti-Gun Surgeon General]. ''Breitbart''. Retrieved December 26, 2016.</ref><ref>Hawkins, Awr (August 22, 2016). [https://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2016/08/22/gabby-giffords-endorses-pat-toomey-mark-kirk-for-caving-on-gun-control/ Gabby Giffords Endorses Pat Toomy, Mark Kirk for Caving on Gun Control]. ''Breitbart''. Retrieved December 26, 2016.</ref> rivals leftist Democrats in his extremely strong support for the [[homosexual agenda]];<ref>Huston, Warner Todd (April 1, 2015). [https://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2015/04/01/il-sen-mark-kirk-first-republican-to-slam-mike-pence-over-religious-freedom-law/ IL Sen. Mark Kirk First Republican to Slam Mike Pence over Religious Freedom Law]. ''Breitbart''. Retrieved December 26, 2016.</ref> is a strong supporter for [[illegal immigration]], "[[Sanctuary City (Immigration)|sanctuary cities]]",<ref>[http://illinoisreview.typepad.com/illinoisreview/2016/07/will-mark-kirk-once-again-be-the-only-republican-to-support-sanctuary-cities.html Will Mark Kirk once again be the only Republican to support sanctuary cities?]. ''Illinois Review''. July 6, 2016. Retrieved December 26, 2016.</ref> and amnesty for illegal immigrants;<ref>Boyle, Matthew (April 2, 2015). [https://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2015/04/02/sen-mark-kirk-caves-to-obamas-executive-amnesty-plans-to-back-loretta-lynch-for-attorney-general/ Sen. Mark Kirk Caves To Obama’s Executive Amnesty: Plans To Back Loretta Lynch For Attorney General]. ''Breitbart''. Retrieved December 26, 2016.</ref><ref>[http://www.ice-news.net/2016/02/03/alipac-endorses-james-marter-for-us-senate-against-amnesty-supporter-mark-kirk-r-il/ ALIPAC Endorses James Marter for US Senate against amnesty supporter Mark Kirk (R-IL)]. ''Illinois Conservative Examiner''. February 3, 2016. Retrieved December 26, 2016.</ref> very strongly supports the [[Abortion|legalized murder of unborn human beings]];<ref>Burke, Cathy (June 27, 2016). [https://www.newsmax.com/Politics/mark-kirk-abortion-supreme-court-texas/2016/06/27/id/735842/ Republican Sen. Kirk Praises SCOTUS Abortion Ruling]. ''Newsmax''. Retrieved December 26, 2016.</ref><ref>Ertelt, Steven (November 8, 2016). [https://www.lifenews.com/2016/11/08/mark-kirk-only-republican-to-vote-against-de-funding-planned-parenthood-loses-senate-race/ Mark Kirk, Only Republican to Vote Against De-Funding Planned Parenthood, Loses Senate Race]. ''LifeNews.com''. Retrieved December 26, 2016.</ref><ref>LaBarbera, Peter (November 8, 2016). [https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/breaking-pro-abort-republican-sen.-mark-kirk-loses-seat-to-democrat BREAKING: Pro-abort Republican Sen. Mark Kirk loses seat to Democrat]. ''Lifesitenews.com''. Retrieved December 26, 2016.</ref><ref>Bilger, Micaiah (November 4, 2016). [https://www.lifenews.com/2016/11/04/only-5-republicans-in-congress-are-pro-abortion-one-is-retiring-and-democrats-may-defeat-two-others/ Only 5 Republicans in Congress are Pro-Abortion. One is Retiring and Democrats May Defeat Two Others]. ''LifeNews.com''. Retrieved December 26, 2016.</ref> and supports confirming other leftists into the judiciary and executive branch;<ref>May, Caroline (February 22, 2016). [https://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2016/02/22/sen-mark-kirk-obama-supreme-court-nominee-due-fair-and-thorough-hearing/ Sen. Mark Kirk: Obama Supreme Court Nominee Due ‘Fair and Thorough Hearing’]. ''Breitbart''. Retrieved December 26, 2016.</ref><ref>May, Caroline (April 2, 2015). [https://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2015/04/02/gop-sen-mark-kirk-announces-support-for-loretta-lynch/ GOP Sen. Mark Kirk Announces Support for Loretta Lynch]. ''Breitbart''. Retrieved December 26, 2016.</ref> among other leftist positions.

For the 2016 elections, Kirk publically and strong opposed conservative businessman and Republican nominee [[Donald Trump]].<ref>Swoyer, Alex (September 14, 2016). [http://www.breitbart.com/2016-presidential-race/2016/09/14/republican-sen-mark-kirk-launches-spanish-ad-declaring-opposition-trump/ Republican Sen. Mark Kirk Launches Spanish Ad Declaring Opposition to Trump]. ''Breitbart''. Retrieved December 26, 2016.</ref><ref>Key, Pam (June 16, 2016). [http://www.breitbart.com/video/2016/06/16/gop-sen-mark-kirk-trump-too-bigoted-and-racist-to-be-president/ GOP Sen Mark Kirk: Trump ‘Too Bigoted And Racist’ to Be President]. ''Breitbart''. Retrieved December 26, 2016.</ref> However, Kirk also made several controversial and silly statements,<ref>[http://www.breitbart.com/live/2016-election-day-live-updates/tammy-duckworth-unseats-illinois-senator-mark-kirk/ Rep. Tammy Duckworth Unseats Illinois Senator Mark Kirk]. ''Breitbart''. November 8, 2016. Retrieved December 26, 2016.</ref> such as calling Senator [[Lindsey Graham]] a "bro with no ho."<ref>[http://www.breitbart.com/video/2015/06/11/hot-mic-mark-kirk-calls-lindsey-graham-a-bro-with-no-ho/ Hot Mic: Mark Kirk Calls Lindsey Graham a ‘Bro With No Ho’]. ''Breitbart''. June 11, 2015. Retrieved December 26, 2016.</ref>

For the 2016 elections, Kirk publically and strong opposed conservative businessman and Republican nominee [[Donald Trump]].<ref>Swoyer, Alex (September 14, 2016). [https://www.breitbart.com/2016-presidential-race/2016/09/14/republican-sen-mark-kirk-launches-spanish-ad-declaring-opposition-trump/ Republican Sen. Mark Kirk Launches Spanish Ad Declaring Opposition to Trump]. ''Breitbart''. Retrieved December 26, 2016.</ref><ref>Key, Pam (June 16, 2016). [https://www.breitbart.com/video/2016/06/16/gop-sen-mark-kirk-trump-too-bigoted-and-racist-to-be-president/ GOP Sen Mark Kirk: Trump ‘Too Bigoted And Racist’ to Be President]. ''Breitbart''. Retrieved December 26, 2016.</ref> However, Kirk also made several controversial and silly statements,<ref>[https://www.breitbart.com/live/2016-election-day-live-updates/tammy-duckworth-unseats-illinois-senator-mark-kirk/ Rep. Tammy Duckworth Unseats Illinois Senator Mark Kirk]. ''Breitbart''. November 8, 2016. Retrieved December 26, 2016.</ref> such as calling Senator [[Lindsey Graham]] a "bro with no ho."<ref>[https://www.breitbart.com/video/2015/06/11/hot-mic-mark-kirk-calls-lindsey-graham-a-bro-with-no-ho/ Hot Mic: Mark Kirk Calls Lindsey Graham a ‘Bro With No Ho’]. ''Breitbart''. June 11, 2015. Retrieved December 26, 2016.</ref>

Despite refusing to endorse Trump, and despite running as a liberal in Illinois, Kirk still lost the 2016 election in a landslide to fellow leftist [[Tammy Duckworth]].<ref>Kelly, William J. (November 9, 2016). [http://www.chicagonow.com/kelly-truth-squad/2016/11/despite-trump-surge-gov-bruce-rauner-blows-it/ Despite Trump surge, Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner blows it]. ''Chicagonow.com''. Retrieved December 4, 2016.</ref>

Despite refusing to endorse Trump, and despite running as a liberal in Illinois, Kirk still lost the 2016 election in a landslide to fellow leftist [[Tammy Duckworth]].<ref>Kelly, William J. (November 9, 2016). [http://www.chicagonow.com/kelly-truth-squad/2016/11/despite-trump-surge-gov-bruce-rauner-blows-it/ Despite Trump surge, Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner blows it]. ''Chicagonow.com''. Retrieved December 4, 2016.</ref>

Kirk has stated that "I always sought to be a representative of that moderate, Midwestern, practical, incremental, 'let's get 'er done' crowd of the American people" even though his leftist political positions, many of which were extreme fringe positions only a few decades prior, strongly suggest the opposite.<ref>Pearson, Rick (December 22, 2016). [http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/politics/ct-mark-kirk-us-senate-met-20161222-story.html Sen Mark Kirk: The Republican Party has changed]. ''Chicago Tribune''. Retrieved December 26, 2016.</ref>

Kirk has stated that "I always sought to be a representative of that moderate, Midwestern, practical, incremental, 'let's get 'er done' crowd of the American people" even though his leftist political positions, many of which were extreme fringe positions only a few decades prior, strongly suggest the opposite.<ref>Pearson, Rick (December 22, 2016). [http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/politics/ct-mark-kirk-us-senate-met-20161222-story.html Sen Mark Kirk: The Republican Party has changed]. ''Chicago Tribune''. Retrieved December 26, 2016.</ref>

Kirk suffered a stroke on January 21, 2012, affecting the physical movement on his left side but not affecting his cognitive skills. He spent months in rehabilitation,  and returned home in May 2012, but as of June, has not yet returned to the Senate.<ref>[http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-503544_162-57430368-503544/mark-kirk-details-stroke-recovery-in-video/ Mark Kirk details stroke recovery in video] Madison, Lucy, May 8, 2012, cbsnews.com, retrieved June 29, 2012.</ref> One perk Kirk receives as a senator is unlimited sick leave.<ref>[http://www.chicagomag.com/Chicago-Magazine/April-2012/A-Senate-Perk-Unlimited-Sick-Leave/ A Senate Perk: Unlimited Sick Leave] Ford, Quinn, April 2012, chicagomag.com, retrieved June 29, 2012</ref>  

Kirk suffered a stroke on January 21, 2012, affecting the physical movement on his left side but not affecting his cognitive skills. He spent months in rehabilitation,  and returned home in May 2012, but as of June, has not yet returned to the Senate.<ref>[https://www.cbsnews.com/8301-503544_162-57430368-503544/mark-kirk-details-stroke-recovery-in-video/ Mark Kirk details stroke recovery in video] Madison, Lucy, May 8, 2012, cbsnews.com, retrieved June 29, 2012.</ref> One perk Kirk receives as a senator is unlimited sick leave.<ref>[http://www.chicagomag.com/Chicago-Magazine/April-2012/A-Senate-Perk-Unlimited-Sick-Leave/ A Senate Perk: Unlimited Sick Leave] Ford, Quinn, April 2012, chicagomag.com, retrieved June 29, 2012</ref>  

==External links==

==External links==