Kirk Needs to Run Against Giannoulias Not Obama

Last Friday, Illinois GOP Senate candidate Rep. Mark Kirk attempted to rally the crowd during a speech and said of President Obama: “we are on the way to making this guy a one-termer.” Going after the president is a mistake Kirk should not repeat.

Mark Kirk made a rare unforced error last Friday night that he needs to make sure not to repeat. Speaking to a Republican dinner in Winnetka Illinois, Kirk was attempting to rally the crowd and made an unforced error when he said that “we are on the way to making this guy a one-termer.”

First and foremost, and all Republicans should take notes, no matter how much we disagree with President Obama, he remains the President of the United States and calling him “this guy” isn't acceptable. Mr. Kirk knows this, of course, and simply wasn't thinking. Nonetheless, it’s a mistake that shouldn't be made. But beyond just syntax, Kirk made a tactical error that he absolutely must not repeat no matter how tempting. Kirk can only harm his chances if he attacks the president. Illinois voters consider the president one of their own and a Research 2000 poll from last month shows the president's favorables among Illinois voters sit at 60% while his unfavorables are at a meager 36%.

Kirk's path to victory is straightforward. He is better on jobs, he is better on national security, he is (unlike his opponent) clear of ties to corruption, and finally, he is pragmatic and not a partisan ideologue. His opponent, Alexi Giannoulias, is self-destructing in a rare way, raising credible questions about whether or not he is truly fit to hold office. Ties to corruption and bank failure make him more than vulnerable. Attacking Giannoulias is a good idea. Attacking the president can only hurt Kirk's chances to win independent votes. Focus on the opponent, avoid the giant in Washington. It's what's gotten him to this point. It is what will lead him to the Senate.