Posted by John Chase at 3:45 p.m.; updated at 10:47 p.m.
Republican U.S. Senate candidate Mark Kirk said if voters choose him this fall he’ll lead the effort to repeal the health care bill if it passes and President Barack Obama signs it into law.
Kirk made his remarks to a Republican audience in Winnetka late last week, arguing that tax increases and Medicaid cuts would come first under the legislation and that citizens wouldn’t see any benefits until 2014.
“All of the pain of the bill is upfront and all of the gain is later,” Kirk said, according to an audio recording of the event the Tribune obtained. “If we move to repeal this bill in 2013, all you’re doing is removing the pain and not a single American would have benefited from it yet. And so, as your senator, I would lead the effort, if it passes, to repeal this bill.”
Kirk, a five-term North Shore congressman who spent a decade building a reputation as a moderate on social issues, is running against Democratic Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias for the U.S. Senate seat that once was held by Obama. Both are running in a state that has voted for more Democrats in recent statewide elections.
In winning the Republican nomination, Kirk turned to the right on several issues, including backing off his vote in favor of cap-and-trade legislation.
Kirk also criticized Obama in his talk at the New Trier GOP Corned Beef and Cabbage Dinner, saying Republicans are “on the way to making this guy a one-termer.” Kirk focused part of his speech on the debate regarding the proposed health care legislation.
“I’m Mark Kirk and I can’t wait to vote against the health care bill next week,” he told the crowd at the Friday evening dinner.
When asked by an audience member what he would do if the health care bill is passed and signed into law, Kirk said he would lead the effort to repeal it.
“There is one thing about the bill not commonly known: All of the pain of the bill is upfront and all of the gain is later. What do I mean? The bill includes 10 new federal taxes, and dramatic cuts for senior health care under Medicare between 2010 and 2014,” Kirk said. “The actual benefit of the bill doesn’t start until 2014. In between this time and then, is a presidential election. If we can win in the White House — and we’re on the way to making this guy a one termer — then if we move to repeal this bill in 2013, all you’re doing is removing the pain and not a single American would have benefited from it yet. And so, as your senator, I would lead the effort, if it passes, to repeal this bill.”
David Axelrod, a senior adviser to Obama, said Kirk’s assessment of the health care bill is wrong, arguing that small businesses will get tax credits to help them buy health
insurance for their workers, people with pre-existing conditions will
have affordable options and seniors will get additional prescription
coverage. He criticized Kirk as displaying "the worst, Washington-style partisanship" with his comments.
"The idea that what it’s all about is tearing the President down so the Republican Party can win. I don’t think most Illinoisans are eager to sign on to that mission, or elect a Senator whose priority is to thwart the President at every turn," said Axelrod, who added that he was speaking as an Illinois native.
Earlier in the day, Kirk spokesman Eric Elk said the congressman’s remarks “reflect the concerns of many Americans that the current health care bill would chart an unsustainable fiscal course for our country resulting in higher debt, more taxes and fewer jobs.”
Giannoulias issued a statement criticizing Kirk for his "disrespectful remarks" about Obama.