The American Spectator

It’s always possible that Rep. Mark Kirk (R-IL) just bailed on his anticipated Senate run upon hearing that Roland Burris would neither be his opponent in the general election nor drain the actual Democrat nominee’s resources and standing in certain quarters of the minority community.

I like to think the truth is closer to Kirk having found little love (but instead much indifference, even revulsion) after his craven vote in favor of the Waxman-Markey global warming tax (passed 219-212), surely made with an eye toward running a race along the lines of other failed, squishy “look at me I’m a non-threatening Republican…media, where are you going, I thought you’d love this…?” predecessors.

It is tough, after all, to raise money when people wonder why bother given that you’ll flee on the votes that really count, and otherwise on those votes presenting a clear-cut distinction between philosophies. I also like to think that that word is getting around. 7 more House Rs, a few Senate candidates and 2 aspiring governors to go.

But is there any chance Kirk can change his vote now?