Author: Lynn Sweet

THE WHITE HOUSE

Office of the Press Secretary

_______________________________________________________________________________________

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

February 3, 2010

DAILY GUIDANCE AND PRESS SCHEDULE FOR

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2010

In the morning, the President and the First Lady will attend the National Prayer Breakfast at the Washington Hilton. The President will deliver remarks. This President’s attendance and remarks are pooled press.

After returning to the White House, the President will receive the Presidential Daily Briefing in the Oval Office. The President will also meet with Speaker Pelosi, Senator Reid, Senator Durbin, and Representative Hoyer in the Oval Office to discuss a broad range of priorities at the top of the administration’s legislative agenda. These meetings are closed press.

The President will have lunch with business leaders in the Old Family Dining Room. This lunch is closed press.

In the afternoon, the President and the Vice President will meet separately with Secretary of the Treasury Geithner and Secretary of State Clinton in the Oval Office. These meetings are closed press.

In the evening, the President will deliver remarks at a DNC fundraising reception at the Capitol Hilton. He will also participate in a question and answer session facilitated by Organizing for America Director Mitch Stewart. The President’s remarks and the question and answer session are pooled press. The President will then deliver remarks at a DNC fundraising dinner at the National Museum of Women in the Arts. The President’s remarks are pooled press.

Also tomorrow, one year after President Obama signed the Children’s Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act, Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius and Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack will visit the Mazique Parent Child Center to discuss efforts to identify and enroll children in health coverage and announce new steps the Departments are taking to insure more kids. The Mazique Parent Child Center is located at 1719 13th Street, NW, Washington, DC and the event will begin at 11:15AM EST. For more information, please call 202-690-6343.

In-Town Travel Pool

Wires: AP, Reuters, Bloomberg

Wire Photos: AP, Reuters, AFP

TV Corr & Crew: NBC

Print: Roll Call

Radio: NPR

Travel Photo: New York Times

EST

7:15AM Pool Call Time

8:00AM THE PRESIDENT and THE FIRST LADY attend the National Prayer Breakfast; THE PRESIDENT delivers remarks

Washington Hilton

Pooled Press (Gather Time 7:30AM – North Doors of the Palm Room)

9:30AM THE PRESIDENT receives the Presidential Daily Briefing

Oval Office

Closed Press

10:40AM THE PRESIDENT meets with Speaker Pelosi, Senator Reid, Senator Durbin, and Representative Hoyer

Oval Office

Closed Press

12:00PM THE PRESIDENT has lunch with business leaders

Old Family Dining Room

Closed Press

3:00PM THE PRESIDENT and THE VICE PRESIDENT meet with Secretary of the Treasury Geithner

Oval Office

Closed Press

3:30PM THE PRESIDENT and THE VICE PRESIDENT meet with Secretary of State Clinton

Oval Office

Closed Press

5:45PM THE PRESIDENT delivers remarks and takes questions at DNC fundraising reception

Capitol Hilton

Pooled Press (Gather Time 5:20PM – North Doors of the Palm Room

8:00PM THE PRESIDENT delivers remarks at DNC fundraising dinner

National Museum of Women in the Arts

Pooled Press

Briefing Schedule

1:00PM Briefing by Press Secretary Robert Gibbs

##

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel met with a delegation from the Special Olympics on Wednesday–including chair Timothy Shriver after he used the term “retarded” in a comment, a word the disability movement is trying to get people not to use.

The meeting with Shriver and four other disability activists was set up last week, Emanuel’s spokesman said, after Emanuel’s remark surfaced in a Wall Street Journal report. Though Emanuel apologized to Shriver–son of the late Eunice Kennedy Shriver, the founder of the Special Olympics–I was told they both decided to do a follow up meeting this week.

Shriver’s letter to Emanuel–known for his salty language–was dated Jan. 26.

I read with dismay today, the Wall Street Journal’s article describing the tension with policy-making circles that is hardly uncommon in Washington. What troubled me was not the diversity of the opinions surrounding your role – I can only imagine how difficult it must be to serve the country in this time. But what did trouble me was the quote attributed to you describing a plan to air certain ads as “f—–g retarded.”

Of course, I have no way of knowing if this expression was actually used by you or anyone else. However, I want to take this opportunity to familiarize you and the members of your staff to the suffering and pain that is perpetuated by the use of the terms “retard” and “retarded.” Special Olympics has welcomed the voice of thousands of people with intellectual disabilities who have joined us in trying to change the conversation and uproot the stereotypes and stigmas carried by what we refer to as the “R-word.” Regardless of whether the term was actually used or not, I would ask you to join us in this important fight.

Click below for the full letter…

Statement Regarding White House Meeting with Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel

As a response to a letter written by Special Olympics Chairman and CEO Timothy Shriver to White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel on Tuesday, January 26, 2010 regarding a Wall Street Journal article attributing Emanuel as referring to a certain plan as ‘retarded,’ the following people have been invited to a meeting with Chief of Staff Emanuel at the White House at 2:00 PM tomorrow, Wednesday February 3, 2010:

Timothy Shriver, Chairman and CEO, Special Olympics
Andrew Imparato, President & CEO, American Association of People with Disabilities
Hannah Jacobs, parent and R-word advocate
Julie Petty, self-advocate and former Self Advocates Becoming Empowered president
Ricardo Thornton, self-advocate and Special Olympics athlete

Shriver letter…

January 26, 2010

Mr. Rahm Emanuel
White House Chief of Staff
1600 Pennsylvania Ave NW
Washington, D.C. 20050

Dear Mr. Emanuel:

I read with dismay today, the Wall Street Journal’s article describing the tension with policy-making circles that is hardly uncommon in Washington. What troubled me was not the diversity of the opinions surrounding your role – I can only imagine how difficult it must be to serve the country in this time. But what did trouble me was the quote attributed to you describing a plan to air certain ads as “f—–g retarded.”

Of course, I have no way of knowing if this expression was actually used by you or anyone else. However, I want to take this opportunity to familiarize you and the members of your staff to the suffering and pain that is perpetuated by the use of the terms “retard” and “retarded.” Special Olympics has welcomed the voice of thousands of people with intellectual disabilities who have joined us in trying to change the conversation and uproot the stereotypes and stigmas carried by what we refer to as the “R-word.” Regardless of whether the term was actually used or not, I would ask you to join us in this important fight.

Last year we launched a youth driven campaign called “Spread the Word to End the Word” to raise awareness about the hurtful nature of the R-word, which to our population is just as painful as any number of racial or ethnic slurs, jokes or taunts that society has committed to eradicating from our lexicon. Yet because people with intellectual disabilities continue to be the most neglected, underserved, and discriminated against population on the planet, the R-word has not only remained in use, but it has become so pervasive in our society that most people find it acceptable to use as a synonym for “stupid” or “hapless” or to describe behavior that is considered less than ideal.

Our “Spread the Word to End the Word” campaign is aimed at changing the perception that the R-word is acceptable and the good news is that the world is beginning to slowly change. Classrooms are becoming more tolerant, communities more accepting and the work place more inclusive as people with intellectual disabilities are slowly being seen for what we’ve always known them to be – people of value who help us all to understand we are each gifted in unique ways. But this change is too slow and each use of the R-word as a synonym for a stupid action, a schoolyard taunt, or the punch line of a joke, slows our progress immeasurably.

I ask you to join us in our campaign to “Spread the Word to End the Word.” Our annual day of awareness is just around the corner on March 3rd. I ask you to pledge not to say the R-word at www.r-word.org and help us to change the conversation and to raise awareness about the power of language and the hurtful nature of the R-word.

Thank you in advance for your consideration. I know that private political discourse can sometimes include profanity. But at the same time, our community cannot accept the idea that they will remain the butt of jokes and taunts. I hope you will join us in changing the conversation and eliminating this word from your vocabulary.

Sincerely,

Timothy P. Shriver, Ph.D.
Chairman & CEO

Below, release….

THE WHITE HOUSE

Office of the Press Secretary

_______________________________________________________________________________________

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

February 3, 2010

President Obama Announces Members of the Committee for the Preservation of the White House

Committee to advise on the preservation of objects in the White House’s public spaces

WASHINGTON – Today, President Barack Obama announced his intent to appoint the following individuals to the Committee for the Preservation of the White House. Committee members will advise on the preservation and interpretation of the museum character of the public rooms on the Ground Floor and State Floor of the White House and on additions to the permanent White House collection of fine art and decorative arts objects.

The Committee, created in 1964 by Executive Order, is tasked with advising the President, the First Lady, and the Director of the National Park Service on preserving the museum quality of the public spaces of the White House. It works closely with the Executive Residence staff, especially the White House curator, and with the White House Historical Association, a supporting non-profit organization, that administers the White House Endowment Trust and the White House Acquisition Trust used to support the refurbishing projects and finance acquisitions.

First Lady Michelle Obama said, “One of our priorities has been to open the doors of the White House, invite more visitors in and truly make it the ‘People’s House’. When people come here for public tours and events, we want them to have a truly educational and enjoyable experience. As a partner in this effort, the Committee for the Preservation of the White House will advise us on what modifications and acquisitions need to be made so that the White House remains an historically accurate, open, living museum.”

President Obama said, “I’m grateful that such a diverse and accomplished group of people have agreed to devote their talents to ensuring that the White House provides an inspirational and enlightening experience for its visitors.”

President Obama announced today his intent to appoint the following individuals:

Pamela Bass-Bookey, Member, Committee for the Preservation of the White House

Pamela Bass-Bookey is co-developer and design consultant for the recently restored Temple for Performing Arts; an award winning historic preservation project. She is the President of the Greater Des Moines Public Art Foundation and is a trustee of Drake University and the Des Moines Art Center. She also is a member of the Board of Directors of numerous educational, art, and cultural institutions. Ms. Bass-Bookey co-founded the History Series at the Salisbury House; a historic century-old house museum. For 25 years, she was the owner of Bookey Fine Arts, an art consulting business.

Lonnie Bunch, Member, Committee for the Preservation of the White House

Lonnie Bunch is founding director of the National Museum of African American History and Culture. He was appointed to the Committee for the Preservation of the White House in 2002. Mr. Bunch has previously served as the President of the Chicago Historical Society, and as Associate Director for Curatorial Affairs at the National Museum of American History. Mr. Bunch has served on the advisory boards of the American Association of Museums and the American Association of State and Local History. In 2005, Bunch was named one of the 100 most influential museum professionals of the 20th century by the American Association of Museums.

Robert G. Clark, Member, Committee for the Preservation of the White House

Robert G. Clark is Chairman and CEO of Clayco, Inc., one of the nation’s largest, privately owned real estate, architecture, engineering, design, and construction firms. He is a member of board of directors of LaBarge, Inc., a broad-based provider of electronics to technology-driven companies in diverse industrial markets. He is also a member of the Board of Trustees of St. Louis University and is the former president of the Board of Managers for the Central Institute for the Deaf.

Thelma Golden, Member, Committee for the Preservation of the White House

Thelma Golden is Director and Chief Curator of The Studio Museum in Harlem, an institution devoted to artists of African descent, locally, nationally and internationally and for work that has been inspired and influenced by black culture. Golden was the museum’s Deputy Director for Exhibitions before assuming the directorship in 2005; prior to that, she worked as a curator at the Whitney Museum of American Art. Golden is a board member of the Institute of International Visual Arts, a member of the Association of Art Museum Directors and was a 2008 Henry Crown Fellow at the Aspen Institute. She earned a BA in art history from Smith College in 1987.

Richard H. Jenrette, Member, Committee for the Preservation of the White House

Richard H. Jenrette was a founding partner of the investment firm Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette and was instrumental in taking DLJ public in 1970, making it the first publicly traded securities firm in the United States. In 1990, he became Chairman and CEO of The Equitable Life Assurance Society until 1996. Since retiring, he has continued his focus on restoring historic homes and has published several books, including Jenrette: The Contrarian Manager and Adventures With Old Houses. He has served as a Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and received the National Trust for Historic Preservation Crowninshield Award, the National Trust’s highest honor. He currently serves as Chair of the Classical American Homes Preservation Trust and as a Director of The Blackstone Group.

Lew Manilow, Member, Committee for the Preservation of the White House

Lew Manilow is founder and former President of the Museum of Contemporary Art in Chicago. He is also the Honorary President of the Goodman Theatre, a Lifetime Trustee of the Art Institute of Chicago, a member of the Board for the Chicago Council on Global Affairs, and a member of the Council on Foreign Relations. Mr. Manilow was Chairman of the Advisory Committee on Public Diplomacy and served on the Board of the National Democratic Institute for International Affairs, Progressive Policy Institute, and the Chicago Community Trust. In 2000, he was awarded the National Medal of Arts for his efforts in restoring the Theater District in downtown Chicago.

Richard C. Nylander, Member, Committee for the Preservation of the White House

Richard C. Nylander is curator emeritus of Historic New England (formerly The Society for the Preservation of New England Antiquities), a Boston-based preservation organization that manages 35 historic house museums from Connecticut to Maine and maintains a collection of more than 120,000 artifacts relating to the cultural heritage of New England. He is an internationally recognized authority on historic wallpapers and has written and lectured widely on the subject. He has served as a member of the Committee for the Preservation of the White House since 1990 and participated in the extensive refurbishment of the Blue Room, the State Dining Room and the Lincoln Bedroom. Mr. Nylander holds a Master’s degree in Museum Administration and studied English at the College of William & Mary.

Linda Johnson Rice, Member, Committee for the Preservation of the White House

Linda Johnson Rice is Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Johnson Publishing Company, Inc. which publishes EBONY and JET magazines, and is also the parent company of Fashion Fair Cosmetics, LLC. Ms. Rice serves on the Board of Trustees of The Art Institute of Chicago and is a Co-Chair of the Advisory Council of The National Museum of African American History and Culture. She also serves on the board of Omnicon Group, Inc., Kimberly-Clark Corporation, The United Negro College Fund, and the University of Southern California. Ms Rice holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism from the Annenberg School for Communications and Journalism at the University of Southern California and a Master of Management from Northwestern University’s J L Kellogg Graduate School of Management.

Paul Schimmel, Member, Committee for the Preservation of the White House

Paul Schimmel is Chief Curator of The Museum of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles. He has organized dozens of major exhibitions, such as Helter Skelter: Los Angeles Art in the 1990s; Hand-Painted Pop: American Art in Transition, 1955-62; Sigmar Polke Photoworks: When Pictures Vanish; Robert Gober; Out of Actions: Between Performance and the Object, 1949-1979; Charles Ray; Willem de Kooning: Tracing the Figure; Robert Rauschenberg: Combines, and ©MURAKAMI. Major publications accompanied each of these shows. He was the recipient of the Bard College Center for Curatorial Studies Award for Curatorial Excellence in 2001.

Michael S. Smith, Member, Committee for the Preservation of the White House

Michael S. Smith is founder/principal of Michael S. Smith, Inc., a design firm located in Los Angeles and New York. In 2008 he was chosen by President and Mrs. Obama to redecorate the White House living quarters. He is the author of two best-selling books, Elements of Style (2005) and Houses (2007). He has been named by Architectural Digest as one of the “AD 100” in 2002, 2004 and most recently in 2010. In addition, he was named “Designer of the Year” by Elle Décor in 2003. Mr. Smith serves on the Board of Trustees for the Otis College of Art and Design and is the Honorary Chairman of the 2010 Red Cross Designer’s Show House in Palm Beach, FL. Mr. Smith resides in Los Angeles and New York.

Beth White, Member, Committee for the Preservation of the White House

Beth White is Director of the Chicago Region Office of The Trust for Public Land, a national organization dedicated to land conservation and the creation of urban parks. She was also previously the Managing Director of Communications and Policy for the Chicago Housing Authority, Chief of Staff for Chicago Transit Authority’s Chicago Transit Board, Assistant Commissioner for the City of Chicago’s Department of Planning and Development, and founding executive director of Friends of the Chicago River where she led the creation of the award winning Chicago River Urban Design guidelines. Ms. White also worked on the creation of the first landmarks protection ordinance and staffed the Historic Preservation Commission for the City of Highland Park. As the former Chair of Lakewood Balmoral National Historic District Committee, she led the designation of the Lakewood Balmoral neighbood on the National Register of Historic Places. Ms. White is an active member of the Edgewater Historical Society, Landmarks Illinois, American Planning Association, and Lambda Alpha International, an honorary land economics society.

John Wilmerding, Member, Committee for the Preservation of the White House

John Wilmerding is Emeritus Professor of American Art at Princeton University, and an adjunct curator in the Princeton University Art Museum. He is a current member of the Committee for the Preservation of the White House and Chair of the Board of Trustees of the National Gallery of Art in Washington. He is also as a trustee of the Guggenheim Museum and the new Crystal Bridges Museum in Bentonville, Arkansas. Mr. Wilmerding is a former commissioner of the National Portrait Gallery, visiting curator in the Department of American Art at the Metropolitan Museum, and has also served as Senior Curator and Deputy Director of the National Gallery.

##

Below, from the NRSC…….

Questions for Alexi Giannoulias

WASHINGTON – Democrat Senate candidate Alexi Giannoulias (D-IL) announced that he will hold a press conference today in an attempt to change the subject from his role in the Broadway Bank collapse and his ties to organized crime.

“If I’m fortunate enough to make it out of the primary, we can have that conversation,” the Chicago Democrat assured reporters last week.

So, will Giannoulias have the conversation today?

Unfortunately, on FOX News this morning the Democrats’ Senate nominee continued to duck pointed questions about his record. To watch his interview, click here.

The National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) issued the following suggested questions for reporters to ask Giannoulias:

· Did you authorize $15.4 million in loans to Michael “Jaws” Giorango – a crime boss that ran prostitution rings and engaged in illegal gambling?

· Did your decision to remove millions of dollars from Broadway Bank lead to the bank’s now-brink of collapse? Will you help to recapitalize the bank?

· Did your father contribute $10,000 to disgraced Governor Rod Blagojevich’s campaign in exchange for your brother’s state board appointment – and did Tony Rezko push for his appointment?

· In light of your ethical dilemmas, has President Obama promised to campaign with you? Has he called to congratulate you on your win last evening?

Learn more about Alexi Giannoulias’ record by visiting the NRSC’s new Web site

# # #
To: Interested Parties
From: Rob Jesmer, NRSC Executive Director
Re: Illinois Senate Primary Results
Date: Wednesday, February 3, 2010

After years of corruption and ethical lapses under the Democrats’ control, the Senate race in the blue state of Illinois is suddenly one of the most competitive pick-up opportunities for Republicans in November.

Historically, the odds are stacked against Republicans in the President’s home state, just as they were in Massachusetts last month. Barack Obama won the presidential election in Illinois by an overwhelming 25 percentage points in 2008. But in the wake of the Blagojevich scandal, Roland Burris’ disputed appointment, continued job losses, a state economy on the verge of collapse, and out-of-control government spending in Washington, voters in the Land of Lincoln have grown weary of the failed one-party leadership.

Illinois voters are ready for real change that they can believe in this fall.

Thanks to Mark Kirk’s primary victory, Republicans have a tested, ethical, independent-minded nominee running for the President’s former Senate seat in 2010. Kirk has earned the voters’ trust as a respected member of Congress who is committed to lowering taxes, reducing the size of government, protecting America, and restoring respect to the Senate seat that disgraced Governor Rod Blagojevich attempted to sell. And while his Democrat opponents have been battling it out in their brutal primary, Kirk starts the General Election in a strong financial position with more than $3 million cash on hand.

The contrast between the Republican and Democrat Senate nominees in Illinois could not be more apparent.

The Democrats selected Alexi Giannoulias, yet another ethically-challenged candidate who was raised in the tradition of the Chicago political machine. Giannoulias’ failed record of achievement has not qualified Illinois’ first term Treasurer to serve in the U.S. Senate, but his tainted resume hasn’t stopped the ambitious 33-year-old from seeking a promotion in November.

Alexi cut his teeth in the family business as a senior loan officer at Broadway Bank, which is owned and operated by the Giannoulias family. During his tenure, he made multiple loans to organized crime figures, and his bank engaged in shady real estate deals with convicted felon and slum lord Tony Rezko.

President Obama recently criticized bankers who line their own pockets while losing money for their investors during his State of the Union Address, yet that describes exactly how Alexi Giannoulias operated his family’s bank in Illinois.

In fact, the Chicago Tribune recently noted that “Broadway Bank saw a $75 million loss for the year” and “was hit with an order by banking regulators to raise capital and to set aside more money for bad loans. It had lost $27.3 million in the first nine months of the year. The bank also charged off $56 million in loans for the year, basically deeming them uncollectable, and $186 million in loans are seriously delinquent.”

Giannoulias’ record as the state’s first term Treasurer has not been much brighter. His crowning achievements include hiring a Wall Street bank to manage the state college investment fund, Bright Start, which proceeded to make bad bets and lose money for thousands of Illinois families. After the losses were discovered, the State of Illinois had to settle for the bank’s repaying only half of the total losses.

But that didn’t stop Alexi Giannoulias from buying himself a brand new SUV, courtesy of the state’s beleaguered college investment fund and paid for by taxpayers in Illinois.

Giannoulias’ ethical issues aren’t entirely surprising, considering his family’s close relationship with the state’s disgraced former Governor Rod Blagojevich. In fact, Blagojevich appointed Alexi’s brother to a state board, and the Governor counted Alexi’s father as a major campaign contributor and supporter during his own campaigns.

Even Giannoulias’ fellow Democrat colleagues have called his credibility and trustworthiness into question.

The Chicago Sun Times reported that former Democrat Inspector General David Hoffman attacked Giannoulias’ resume and effectiveness, pointing out that he “failed at both big jobs of his life: as State Treasurer and as Vice President of his family’s bank.” The Chicago Reader reported that Giannoulias’s candidacy “inspired little excitement in the White House. Not only was there no Obama endorsement but word started to leak out of Washington that Obama advisers and top Senate Democrats were working to recruit someone else.” And in 2006, Democrat Party Chairman and Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan would not endorse Giannoulias in the Treasurer’s race until he explained his ties to the mafia.

What still remains to be seen is whether or not President Obama will campaign with Alexi Giannoulias in 2010, in spite of his ethical issues. With his limited and scandal-tinged background, it’s clear that Giannoulias is just one more player in the culture of corruption that has plagued Illinois politics for far too long.

In contrast, Mark Kirk has a proven record of accomplishment and ethical integrity as a fifth term Congressman who has demonstrated his willingness to work across the aisle to get things done for his constituents. And as a Commander in the Naval Reserves, Kirk has served America as an intelligence officer during conflicts with Afghanistan, Iraq, Haiti, and Bosnia. He has spent his lifetime serving our nation, and he will fight for the families, seniors, veterans, and small business owners as the next U.S. Senator from Illinois.

Just as Scott Brown proved last month, Mark Kirk can win this race in the blue state of Illinois by talking about the issues that matter most to voters: lower taxes, smaller government, strong national security, and individual responsibility. When our candidates communicate our party’s core messages in 2010, Republicans can win elections in even the bluest of states – even in the President’s own backyard.

And despite the Democrats’ eager attempts to demonize the Republican Party and tie Mark Kirk to national party figures, we were reminded once again in Massachusetts that this worn-out playbook simply does not resonate with voters – just as this tactic failed to resonate with voters in New Jersey and Virginia in 2009.

Voters haven’t forgotten that Democrat leaders in Illinois and Washington blocked a much-needed special election to fill this seat last year. Finally, they have a clear choice and an opportunity to restore integrity to this position in November. Nine months from Election Day, the people of Illinois are looking for real leadership – not another corrupt Chicago politician. Not another rubberstamp for the Democrats’ out-of-control spending agenda in Washington as Illinois is on the verge of collapse.

That will be the clear contrast in the Senate race in Illinois, and it’s why we’re confident that Mark Kirk will be elected the next Senator from Illinois in November.

# # #

Below, from DSCC….

CONGRESSMAN MARK KIRK TO KICK-OFF GENERAL ELECTION CAMPAIGN WITH FELLOW WASHINGTON INSIDER AND MEGA LOBBYIST HALEY BARBOUR

Kirk’s First Move After Winning Primary Is To Stand Shoulder To Shoulder With Embodiment Of GOP Establishment And Special Interests

Republican “Unity” Event To Feature Same Players That Got Country Into Economic Mess In First Place

Today, the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee is on the offensive against Republican Senate nominee Mark Kirk for kicking off his general election campaign with fellow Washington insider and Mexico lobbyist Haley Barbour. The Republican “Unity” event comes less than 24 hours after Congressman Kirk won the Republican nomination. Now, instead of reaching out to voters he will need to win over in November, Kirk has decided to make a statement about his candidacy by instead, standing shoulder to shoulder with Barbour, who is the embodiment of the GOP establishment and of special interests, having served as Chairman of the RNC and a mega lobbyist in DC.

“Congressman Mark Kirk made a bold statement today about his general election campaign by holding his first post-primary event with a politician whose resume as a Washington insider rivals his own,” said DSCC National Press Secretary Deirdre Murphy. “Instead of reaching out to independent voters, Kirk has decided to kick-off his campaign by standing shoulder to shoulder with fellow Washington insider and establishment Republican Haley Barbour. As if they needed a reminder, this event just shows that Illinois voters will face a stark contrast this November between a candidate who wants to take the state forward and one who wants to take the state backwards.”

Two-faced Congressman Mark Kirk and mega lobbyist Haley Barbour are both entrenched Washington insiders who have consistently put Wall Street over Main Street. Barbour’s insider resume includes a stint as the Chairman of the Republican National Committee, Chairman of the Republican Governor’s Association, Governor of Mississippi, and a big time, mega lobbyist in DC. Barbour and his lobbying firm have accepted millions of dollars from a diverse range of clients such as big tobacco, the health care industry, and energy companies. The disastrous policies advocated by Republican establishment figures such as Kirk and Barbour created our economic crisis in the first place. Now, instead of working to move the country forward, they both want to take the country back.

The Government of Mexico Hired Barbour’s Firm to Work on NAFTA Implementation. According to documents filed in 2001 with the Department of Justice under the Foreign Agents Registration Act, Haley Barbour’s firm was contracted by the Embassy of Mexico. The documents indicate that the “political activities that Barbour Griffith & Rogers Inc. (Registrant) will engage in on behalf of the Government of Mexico (Foreign Principal) include seeking continued implementation of the NAFTA trade agreement.” The release goes on to describe Haley Barbour’s critical role on the Barbour Griffith and Rogers team. The firm’s fee for their service was $35,000 a month – for at least three months. [DOJ Registration Statement, filed 10/02/01 ]

Since 1999, Barbour’s Lobbying Firm Earned $6.8 Million For His Lobbying Work On Behalf Of The Health Care Industry. Between 1999 and 2003, Haley Barbour was listed as a lobbyist on behalf of several companies and trade organizations involved in the health care industry. For Barbour’s work, his lobbying firm, Barbour Griffith & Rogers Inc., earned $6.8 million. According to the Senate Office of Public Records, Haley Barbour lobbied on behalf of Bristol Myers Squibb, GlaxoSmithKline, Kindred Healthcare, UnitedHealth Group and other organizations. [Lobbyist Disclosure Database, Senate Office of Public Records, accessed 9/23/09]

Barbour Led GOP Governors “In A Coordinated Attack On Sen. Max Baucus’ (D-Mont.) Healthcare Reform Legislation.” “A group of Republican governors are working together in a coordinated attack on Sen. Max Baucus’s (D-Mont.) healthcare reform legislation, according to GOP sources and documents obtained by The Hill. At least 14 of the nation’s 22 Republican governors have sent, or will soon send, letters to their respective congressional delegations claiming the Democrats’ healthcare bills would bankrupt their states…Barbour, chairman of the Republican Governors Association (RGA), was the first to pen a ‘letter of concern’ to lawmakers from his state. And it provided a template for others to follow…’The current proposals, both in the House and Senate, will expand the Medicaid program at additional costs paid not by the federal government, but passed down to the states,’ Barbour wrote earlier this month…Though Barbour coordinated the letter-writing effort among the governors, it is part of a larger initiative launched by House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-Ohio) earlier this year to increase the outreach among state heads and congressional leaders. Sources say Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) is also playing a leading role on this issue.” [The Hill, 9/28/09 ]

Since 1999, Barbour’s Lobbying Firm Earned $2.36 Million For His Lobbying Work On Behalf Of The Tobacco Industry. Between 1999 and 2004, Haley Barbour was listed as a lobbyist on behalf of several tobacco companies. For Barbour’s work, his lobbying firm, Barbour Griffith & Rogers Inc., earned $2.36 million. According to the Senate Office of Public Records, Haley Barbour lobbied on behalf of Brown and Williamson Tobacco Corporation, Lorillard Tobacco Company, Philip Morris Companies, RJR Nabisco and U.S. Tobacco. [Lobbyist Disclosure Database, Senate Office of Public Records, accessed 9/23/09]

Barbour Lobbied for Several Tobacco Interests. Bush Exploratory Committee member Haley Barbour and his DC-based lobbying firm, Barbour Griffith & Rogers, currently represent several tobacco interests. The tobacco interests currently represented by Barbour include: Brown and Williamson Tobacco Corp.; Lorillard Tobacco Co.; Phillip Morris Cos., Inc; RJR Nabisco Holdings Co.; and U.S. Tobacco. [Washington Representatives, 1999; www.georgewbush.com/committee/members.html]

Barbour Pushed GOP Congress to Include $50 Billion Tax Break for Big Tobacco, And the Tobacco Industry Gave the RNC $7.4 Million. While lobbying for several tobacco interests, Barbour pushed GOP leaders in Congress to include in legislation a $50 billion tax break for tobacco companies. In 1997, House Speaker Newt Gingrich and Majority Leader Trent Lott insisted on the inclusion of a provision in the massive balanced budget and tax-cut bill that would have given tobacco companies a $50 billion tax break — in the form of credit against the sum they had pledged to settle anti-tobacco litigation. Former RNC Chair — and now $50,000-a-month tobacco lobbyist — Haley Barbour approached Gingrich and Lott about inserting the provision. Kenneth Kies – the Joint Committee on Taxation staff director — confirmed that the tobacco industry actually wrote the provision. “The industry wrote it and submitted it, and we just used their language,” he said. Republicans received over $2 million from the tobacco industry in 1997. After a public firestorm, Congress voted to repeal the provision. From 1993 ‑ 1996, tobacco companies gave at least $7,443,974 to Republican Party campaign committees. In the first half of 1997, tobacco interests gave the GOP $1.6 million. [LA Times, 5/24/97; AP, 8/9/96; Wall Street Journal, 7/30/97; Washington Post, 8/13/97; 8/17/97; 8/22/97; USA Today, 8/29/97; Time, 9/29/97; New York Times, 12/15/97]

Since 1999, Barbour’s Lobbying Firm Earned $2.96 Million For His Lobbying Work On Behalf Of Energy Companies And Trade Groups. Between 1999 and 2003, Haley Barbour was listed as a lobbyist on behalf of several companies and trade organizations involved in the energy industry. For Barbour’s work, his lobbying firm, Barbour Griffith & Rogers Inc., earned $2.96 million. According to the Senate Office of Public Records, Haley Barbour lobbied on behalf of the Edison Electric Institute, the Electric Reliability Coordinating Council, the Oxygenated Fuels Association, and Southern Company Services, Inc. [Lobbyist Disclosure Database, Senate Office of Public Records, accessed 9/23/09]

Updated to reflect Hynes call…

The day after the Illinois primary, President Obama called Alexi Giannoulias and Pat Quinn to congratulate them on winning the Democratic nominations for Senate and governor, though Dan Hynes has yet to concede in the close governor contest.

During the White House briefing, deputy press Secretary Bill Burton said Obama called Giannoulis and Quinn. Chicago Sun-Times Springfield Bureau Chief Dave McKinney is reporting that Obama also called Hynes (who ran against him in the 2004 Illinois Senate primary) but did not ask him to concede.

Burton was asked if Obama phoned Rep. Mark Kirk (R-Ill.) who on the GOP Senate nomination.

“I think there is other calls on the schedule, but he was not called,”

Burton said he was not sure if Obama called Hynes. Asked if Obama wanted Hynes to concede, Burton said “I haven’t talked to him about it.”

After an ill-fated attempt to recruit Attorney General Lisa Madigan into the contest, the White House said the Obama team would not take sides in the Illinois Democratic primary.

Below, Blagojevich p.r. release….

Former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich, who competes in “Celebrity Apprentice” on NBC in March, joins Usher, Jimmy Kimmel, Valerie Bertinelli and 40 other celebrities in offering his Super Bowl predictions for SI.com’s “Celebrity Picks for the Super Bowl” section.

Blagojevich told the Web site of “Sports Illustrated” magazine that he believes the Indianapolis Colts will win with a score of 38-31

(photo by Lynn Sweet)

(Photo by Lynn Sweet)

CHICAGO–Illinois Republicans, giddy about their 2010 prospects to grab the Senate and governor seats from Democrats are holding a unity breakfast here underscored by the slogan “Illinois Is Next,” a reference to GOP wins in Massachusetts, Virginia and New Jersey.

“Welcome to the most important race of 2010 in the United States of America,” said GOP Senate nominee, Rep. Mark Steven Kirk (R-Ill.) who waltzed through an easy primary victory. Kirk will face a bruising Senate fight with the Democratic Senate nominee Alexi Giannoulias, the state treasurer, who prevailed in a three-way battle.

Illinois right now is in Democratic control–governor, both senators, the Illinois General Assembly–and breaking one party rule will be a Kirk theme. “One party in Illinois should not have all the power,” Kirk said.

Picking up where David Hoffman, Giannoulias main rival left off, Kirk attack Giannoulias for his ties to the family owned troubled Broadway Bank in Chicago and his management of the Bright Star college savings program.

Looking over a crowded ballroom at the Union League Club here, Pat Brady, the chairman of the Republican Party of Illinois said, “The Republican Party is alive and well in Illinois.”

He added, “Yes we will, we will win back the Barack Obama Senate seat.”Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour, the chair of the Republican Governors Association and the former chair of the Republican National Committee.

“We’re in for a big year in Illinois if we work together,” Barbour said.

The GOP ticket in Illinois is not finalized yet. The governor primary is a photo finish between two state senators, Kirk Dillard and PatBill Brady. Brady and Dillard were both at the head table at the unity event.

The Democrats did not have any unity events planned. The Democrat governor primary also ended up almost in a tie. Gov. Pat Quinn declared himself the victor, but Comptroller Dan Hynes has yet to concede.

EVISED: The correct in-town travel pool tomorrow is below:

In-Town Travel Pool
Wires: AP, Reuters, Bloomberg
Wire Photos: AP, Reuters, AFP
TV Corr & Crew: FOX
Print: Regional Reporters
Radio: FOX
Travel Photo: TIME

THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
_______________________________________________________________________________________
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 2, 2010

DAILY GUIDANCE AND PRESS SCHEDULE FOR
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2010

In the morning, the President and the Vice President will receive the Presidential Daily Briefing in the Oval Office. This briefing is closed press.

The President will then deliver remarks and take questions from the Senate Democratic Policy Committee Issues Conference at the Newseum. The President’s remarks and the question and answer session are pooled press.

After returning to the White House, the President will meet with senior advisors in the Oval Office and have lunch with the Vice President in the Private Dining Room. These meetings are closed press.

In the afternoon, the President and the Vice President will meet with a bipartisan group of Governors from across the country in the State Dining Room to discuss energy policy. There will be a pool spray at the top. Governors expected to attend the meeting include:
Governor Jim Douglas (R-VT) – Chair, National Governors Association
Governor Joe Manchin (D-WV) – Vice Chair, National Governors Association
Governor Steve Beshear (D-KY)
Governor Dave Freudenthal (D-WY)
Governor Brian Schweitzer (D-MT) – Chair, Western Governors’ Association; Chair, NGA Natural Resources Committee
Governor John Baldacci (D-ME)
Governor Phil Bredesen (D-TN)
Governor Christine Gregoire (D-WA)
Governor Bob Riley (R-AL) – Chair, Southern Governors Association
Governor Mike Rounds (R-SD)
Governor Ted Strickland (D-OH)

Later, the President and the Vice President will lead a Cabinet-level exercise in the Cabinet Room to discuss preparedness, crisis response and incident-management procedures for the upcoming 2010 Vancouver Olympics. This meeting is closed press.

In-Town Travel Pool
Wires: AP, Reuters, Bloomberg
Wire Photos: AP, Reuters, AFP
TV Corr & Crew: CNN
Print: Talking Points Memo
Radio: ABC
Travel Photo: New York Times

EST

9:00AM Pool Call Time

9:15AM THE PRESIDENT and THE VICE PRESIDENT receive the Presidential Daily Briefing
Oval Office
Closed Press

10:00AM THE PRESIDENT delivers remarks and takes questions at the Senate Democratic Policy Committee Issues Conference
The Newseum
Pooled Press (Gather Time 9:35AM – North Doors of the Palm Room)

11:15AM THE PRESIDENT meets with senior advisors
Oval Office
Closed Press

12:30PM THE PRESIDENT and THE VICE PRESIDENT have lunch
Private Dining Room
Closed Press

2:00PM THE PRESIDENT and THE VICE PRESIDENT meet with bipartisan group of Governors to discuss energy policy
State Dining Room
Pool spray at the top (Gather Time 1:50PM – North Doors of the Palm Room)

4:00PM THE PRESIDENT and THE VICE PRESIDENT lead Cabinet-level exercise ahead of the 2010 Vancouver Olympics
Cabinet Room
Closed Press

Briefing Schedule

1:00PM Daily Press Briefing

##

The Illinois GOP governor primary ended in a draw, with no winner on early Wednesday morning with Bill Brady leading Kirk Dillard by only about 2,000 votes.

Below, memo from the National Republican Congressional Committee on Illinois House races……

NRCC ILLINOIS PRIMARY MEMO

TO: INTERESTED PARTIES
FROM: NRCC POLITICAL AND NRCC COMMUNICATIONS
DATE: FEBRUARY 3, 2010
SUBJECT: ILLINOIS PRIMARY RESULTS

The road to putting an end to the Democrats’ reckless agenda began tonight in President Obama’s own backyard. The results of the Congressional primaries in Illinois prove that Republicans are not only poised to successfully defend all of the GOP-held districts in the Land of Lincoln, but we are prepared to run highly aggressive campaigns in several suburban Chicago districts currently held by vulnerable Democrats. With an unacceptably high unemployment rate, a skyrocketing deficit and an out-of-touch agenda, Democrats are on the defensive, and Republicans are well positioned to pick up seats in November.

Open Seats:

IL-10 (Rep. Mark Kirk, R)

Outgoing Rep. Mark Kirk has consistently beaten back Democratic challengers despite this district’s overall Democratic bent, and Robert Dold is in a strong position to repeat Kirk’s success on Election Day.

A small business owner, Robert Dold started this race as an outsider, and quickly proved himself as a political force to be reckoned with. As a third-generation native of the Chicago suburbs, Dold brings with him a background in both business and public policy, having served as the investigative counsel for the House Government Reform and Oversight Committee. As the Republican nominee for the suburban Chicago district, Dold is well positioned to carry on the Kirk tradition of being an independent voice for the hardworking families of suburban Chicago. Dold defeated state Rep. Beth Coulson, entrepreneur Dick Green, Arie Friedman and Paul Hamann for the Republican nomination.

Meanwhile, House Democrats have exhibited a pathological inability to close the deal in this district, failing to win the seat in the Democrats’ banner years of 2006 and 2008. A two-time loser for this seat, Dan Seals has proven to be more of a paper tiger than a top-tier candidate the Democrats would like to see on the ballot. Even with President Obama on the ticket last year, Seals not only failed to beat Kirk, he underperformed Obama by 13.5% in the district. Without Obama’s coattails, and running in a decidedly Republican-friendly year, Seals clearly has his work cut out for him in November. Seals defeated Julie Hamos, the Democratic Party’s top choice for the nomination.

With the political environment turning against Democrats, and this district’s longstanding support of Republican Congressional candidates, the GOP is in a prime position to defend this seat in November.

History. The 10th Congressional District has been held by a Republican since 1980 despite the fact that President Obama won the district with 61% of the vote in 2008.

Geography. The 10th Congressional District consists of the Chicago suburbs north of the city extending nearly to the Wisconsin border. The district is home to the Great Lakes Naval Training Center, Northbrook, Deerfield, Highland Park, and a long stretch of shoreline on Lake Michigan.

Challengers:

IL-11 (Rep. Debbie Halvorson, D)

Adam Kinzinger’s victory symbolizes the passing of the torch to the next generation of Republican leaders. This fall, Kinzinger showed true leadership by holding a dozen town hall meetings on healthcare when incumbent Debbie Halvorson was avoiding her constituents like the plague. Kinzinger, currently a Captain in the Air National Guard, beat David McAloon, Henry Meers Jr., Darrel Miller and Dave White to win the GOP nomination.

The Debbie Halvorson who sits in Congress today is a far cry from the Halvorson who ran as an “independent” in 2008. This election year will be a referendum on Halvorson, who voted for her party’s failed stimulus package, the National Energy Tax, and the trillion dollar government takeover of healthcare. Halvorson’s voting record clearly alienates her from the district’s center-right views.

In contrast’s to Kinzinger’s distinguished record of public service in the Air Force and Air National Guard, Halvorson’s record of public service began as a key lieutenant of former Gov. Rod Blagojevich. Given the contrast between these two, and Halvorson’s reliable support for the Democrats’ job-killing agenda, Republicans view this seat as a potential pick-up opportunity.

History. President Obama won the 11th Congressional District with 53% of the vote in 2008, but the district was carried by President Bush in 2004 with 54%.

Geography. The 11th Congressional District of Illinois includes the towns of Joliet, Kankakee, LaSalle, Ottawa and Streator, and all or parts of Will, Kankakee, Grundy, LaSalle, Bureau, Woodford and McLean counties. It was represented by Republican Congressman Jerry Weller from 1995 to 2009.

IL-14 (Rep. Bill Foster, D)

As a state Senator, Randy Hultgren has a proven record of fighting against the Democrats’ reckless tax and spend agenda – the very same agenda that Bill Foster fights for every single day in Washington. With a background in public policy and a proven track record of creating jobs, Hultgren will bring to the campaign, and then to Washington, the insight that Foster lacks. State Sen. Randy Hultgren defeated attorney Ethan Hastert for the Republican nomination.

Since winning a pair of elections in 2008, Rep. Bill Foster has proven himself to be well outside the mainstream, supporting everything from the failed stimulus package to the trillion dollar government takeover of healthcare. Foster will also find himself on the defensive for breaking a campaign promise by voting to slash Medicare funding.

Given Foster’s extreme views on healthcare, his support for the failed stimulus package, and the district’s overall center-right leanings, Republicans view this seat as a potential pick up.

History. President Obama carried the 14th District with 55% of the vote and Rep. Bill Foster carried the district with 57.7% in 2008. However, the 14th District was carried by President Bush in 2004 with 56% of the vote.

Geography. The 14th Congressional District of Illinois covers a part of northern Illinois, including the cities of Aurora, Elgin, DeKalb, Dixon, and parts of Henry, Whiteside, Lee, DeKalb, Kane, Kendall and DuPage counties.

Incumbents:

IL-13 (Judy Biggert, R)

In 2008, Rep. Judy Biggert convincingly defeated Democrat Scott Harper, outperforming GOP presidential nominee John McCain by 9.5%. Biggert, a member of the NRCC’s Patriot Program, reported having $637,820.81 cash on hand in her pre-primary filing.

2008 candidate Scott Harper will again be on the ballot this year. Harper held Biggert to under 55% last cycle in large part because of Obama’s coattails and a political environment working decidedly against Republicans – two factors certainly not in play this year. Harper has just $98,770.07 cash on hand, yet still has under $160,000 in campaign debt from last cycle.

Given her significant cash advantage, the general political environment, and her dedication and service to the people of the 13th District, Judy Biggert is well positioned to win re-election handily.

History. Although President Obama carried the 13th Congressional District with 54% in 2008, this district has been held by a Republican as far back as 1895.

Geography. The 13th Congressional District covers the southwest suburbs of Chicago, including Downers Grove, Westmont and Woodbridge.

Other incumbents:

At present, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee is not targeting any other Republican incumbent in Illinois for defeat this November.

Statewide Roundup:

The following are the unofficial results from Tuesday’s primary election in Illinois. These results are UNOFFICIAL AND INCOMPLETE until certified by the Illinois State Board of Elections:

DISTRICT/NAME RAW VOTE %__
*Indicates Incumbent

IL-01 (Bobby Rush, D) Democratic Primary
Precincts Reporting 86%
Bobby Rush * 58,074 79% – winner
JoAnne Guillemette 6,913 9%
Fred Smith 4,505 6%
Harold Bailey 3,595 5%

IL-03 (Rep. Dan Lipinski, D) Democratic Primary
Precincts Reporting – 94%
Dan Lipinski * 53,688 78% – winner
Jorge Mujica 15,228 22%

IL-05 (Rep. Mike Quigley, D) GOP Primary
Precincts Reporting – 95%
David Ratowitz 5,383 40% – winner
Rosanna Pulido 4,490 33%
Ashvin Lad 3,739 27%

IL-07 (Rep. Danny Davis, D) Democratic Primary
Precincts Reporting – 91%
Danny Davis* 48,231 67% – winner
Sharon Dixon 9,837 14%
Darlena Williams-Burnett 9,227 13%
Jim Ascot 4,801 7%

IL-08 (Rep. Melissa Bean, D) GOP Primary
Precincts Reporting – 98%
Joe Walsh 14,048 35% – winner
Dirk Beveridge 10,201 25%
Maria Rodriguez 8,242 20%
Christopher Geissler 3,617 9%
John Dawson 3,227 8%
Gregory Jacobs 1,225 3%

IL-10 (Rep. Mark Kirk, R-open) GOP Primary
Precincts Reporting – 99%
Robert Dold 18,018 39% – winner
Elizabeth Coulson 14,211 30%
Dick Green 6,978 15%
Arie Friedman 6,448 14%
Paul Hamann 946 2%

IL-10 (Rep. Mark Kirk, R-open) Democrat Primary
Precincts Reporting – 99%
Daniel Seals 22,267 48% – winner
Julie Hamos 21,605 47%
Elliot Richardson 2,503 5%

IL-11 (Rep. Debbie Halvorson, D) GOP Primary
Precincts Reporting – 99%
Adam Kinzinger 31,281 63% – winner
Dave White 5,200 11%
David McAloon 4,847 10%
Henry Meers 4,517 9%
Darrel Miller 3,667 7%

IL-12 (Rep. Jerry Costello, D) GOP Primary
Precincts Reporting – 94%
Teri Newman 13,981 53%
Theresa Kormos 12,404 47%

IL-14 (Rep. Bill Foster, D) GOP Primary
Reporting – 98%
Randy Hultgren 33,598 55% – winner
Ethan Hastert 27,938 45%

IL-18 (Rep. Aaron Schock, R) Dem Primary
Precincts Reporting – 100%
Deirdre Hirner 13,635 54% – winner
Carl Ray 11,496 46%

IL-19 (Rep. John Shimkus, R) GOP Primary
Precincts Reporting – 94%
John Shimkus (i) 44,447 85% – winner
Michael Firsching 7,606 15%

##

The Illinois Democratic primary for governor on Tuesday ended in a draw, with Gov. Pat Quinn and Comptroller Dan Hynes splitting the vote 50-50 each, with Quinn in the lead by about 5,000 votes. Just after midnight, Quinn declared victory. “We have won this election.” But Hynes did not concede.

Near midnight Tuesday, Hynes, who surged in the closing days of the campaign–and was slightly behind–said, “We are going to continue fighting.”

Hynes hinted at a recount. “We need to count all the votes. All of them.”

Said Hynes to his supports at his campaign night headquarters, “Hang in there, hold on tight.”

A few minutes later Quinn–the former lieutenant governor was elevated when Rod Blagojevich was impeached and removed from office–met his supporters. “The primary is over,” Quinn declared. “I intend to work with our President, Barack Obama, to make sure we move Illinois forward.”

Said Secretary of State Jesse White at Quinn election night headquarters, “A primary election is really a Chicago street fight.”

Below, release from Giannoulias campaign….

Alexi Giannoulias

Dear Lynn,

I am honored and humbled by the outpouring of support from the people of Illinois. Today, voters went to the polls seeking a way forward for our state and our nation in the midst of the greatest recession we have seen in generations.

Our victory tonight is a victory for those working families who have fought on the front lines of that recession. They wanted to hear about how we would create jobs and stand up to special interests. Because of you, we are now one step closer to bringing a strong voice for ordinary Americans to the U.S. Senate.

I want to thank all of you for this moment, especially those who have supported my campaign with their hard work phonebanking, donating, and canvassing. But today’s victory is just the beginning of a long journey ahead.

This general election battle will pit the interests of hard-working Illinois families against the corporate special interests that control Washington. Voters will be presented with a clear choice between a failed past and a promising future. And the biggest issue in this election is jobs. I will be a Senator who will fight every day to create the next generation of good-paying jobs here in Illinois.

Meanwhile, tonight, Republicans nominated Congressman Mark Kirk, a Washington insider who does not think jobs are a big deal.

Mark Kirk, who has been in Washington for 10 years, is out of touch with the needs and concerns of hard-working families. He has never shied away from taking their money and then voting their way. And while the Republican Party and its corporate allies will descend on our state as they try to take this seat away from the working families of Illinois, we enter that battle with the same energy, spirit and resolve that led to our victory this evening.

Tonight, though, we celebrate. Tomorrow, our work begins anew.

Thank you for standing with me,

Below, Kirk statement…..(with typo in headline)….

***THOUGHTFUL, INDEPENENT LEADERSHIP***

Kirk: “Tonight, we begin a journey together to right our ship of state and reclaim our place as the honest Land of Lincoln – the center of North America’s economy and crossroads of the nation.”

Five-term GOP congressman, Navy veteran outlines vision for a brighter future for Illinois families based on reform, job creation and economic growth

Illinois Senate race a “Tossup” – Early Advantage Goes to Kirk

Wheeling, IL – Five-term Congressman and Navy veteran Mark Kirk tonight presented his vision for reform, job creation and economic growth in Illinois after claiming his party’s nomination for U.S. Senate.

“Tonight, we begin a journey together to right our ship of state and reclaim our place as the honest Land of Lincoln – the center of North America’s economy and crossroads of the nation,” Kirk said. “This election will show that we will not surrender to the dangerous cynicism of low expectations. Here in Illinois, with our river, rail, road and aviation networks, our state remains the single best place to start a business and create jobs. But we need thoughtful, independent leadership to reestablish our natural advantages and restore our potential.”

Kirk, who represents a Democratic-leaning congressional district in Chicago’s northern suburbs, is well-known for his record of thoughtful, independent leadership. In 2008, one Chicago newspaper dubbed him “Mr. Independent.”

In Congress, Kirk stopped BP’s plan to pollute Lake Michigan, took on leaders of his own party to cancel funding for the Bridge-to-Nowhere, fought the Sugar Lobby to save Illinois jobs and stood up to Big Tobacco to protect kids from candy cigarettes.

“It takes a thoughtful, independent leader to earn the people’s trust in every election,” Kirk told his supporters. “We know that one political party cannot hold all the answers – and that one political party should never hold all the power.”

Kirk built a record as a reform-minded social moderate, fiscal conservative and national security hawk. As a reformer, Kirk authored legislation to cancel pensions for congressional felons, co-sponsored legislation to ban pay-to-play in Washington and opposed a pardon for former Illinois Governor George Ryan. A fiscal conservative, Kirk swore off earmarks in 2008, opposed the recent stimulus and government health care bills, and support extending current tax relief. A national security hawk, Kirk served twice in Afghanistan as a Navy Reservist – the first sitting congressman to deploy to an imminent danger area since 1942. A social moderate, Kirk emerged as a national leader in the fight for embryonic stem cell research and Great Lakes restoration.

Recognizing the humiliation Illinois suffered following the arrest of ex-governor Rod Blagojevich and the corrupted appointment of Roland Burris, Kirk emphasized the need for reform in Illinois to restore integrity and public trust.

“To turn the page from Rod Blagojevich and Roland Burris, the people of Illinois deserve a proven reformer who will fight for integrity in public office and forge a path to economic growth,” Kirk said. “The election before us offers voters a clear choice: will we continue with leaders raised in the tradition of Rod Blagojevich – or will we elect a reformer who can make our state proud?”

Kirk, the only Senate candidate who speaks fluent Spanish, also highlighted the diversity of his campaign.

“When I talk about creating opportunities for everyone in Illinois – I mean creating opportunities for everyone in Illinois,” Kirk said. “A mi amigos Latinos – hacemos la programa abuelita, oportunidades a leer par ninos en ingles y apoyo al gobierno Illinois contra pandillas y Mexicano contra las carteles. No matter who you are or what your background, if you want a better future for Illinois – this campaign is for you.”

Local and national pundits currently rate the Illinois Senate race as a “Tossup.” In December, a non-partisan Rasmussen Reports survey showed Kirk trailing the Democratic frontrunner within the margin of error and leading all other potential candidates. As of January 13th, Kirk held a 3-1 cash-on-hand fundraising advantage over the Democratic frontrunner. After a costly and bruising Democratic primary, Kirk begins the general election campaign with a significant advantage.

###

Below, release….

U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX), Chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC), released the following statement in response to U.S. Representative Mark Kirk’s (R-IL) victory in the Illinois Republican Senate primary:

“I congratulate Mark Kirk for his victory in the Illinois Republican Senate primary election. With Congressman Kirk as our nominee, the Republican Party has a real opportunity to pick up the President’s former Senate seat in the blue state of Illinois.

“Voters in the Land of Lincoln are tired of the same failed politics of corruption and dishonesty, and they are searching for accountable, effective, ethical, and trustworthy leadership this November. As we approach the next nine months before Election Day, the clear contrast in this campaign could not be more apparent.

“Mark Kirk has a respected record of independent-minded leadership, ethical accountability, and bipartisan achievement in Congress. I know that he will work hard to restore the checks-and-balances and fiscal responsibility that Illinois families, seniors, veterans, and small business owners deserve in Washington. Congressman Kirk has served our nation honorably as a Commander in the United States Naval Reserves, and he will continue fighting to protect America as a United States Senator.

“In contrast, Mark Kirk’s Democrat challenger, Alexi Giannoulias, is a product of the ethically-tainted political machine in Chicago that was run by disgraced Governor Rod Blagojevich. As the state’s first term Treasurer, Giannoulias has eagerly endorsed his party’s out-of-control spending agenda in Washington, and he has failed to reject the Obama Administration’s plans to detain and try terrorists on American soil.

“As we witnessed in Massachusetts last month, Republican, Independent, and Democrat voters are tired of the Democrats’ failed tax-and-spend policies, and they are looking for real leaders who will represent their best interests in Washington. I look forward to serving with Mark Kirk in the United States Senate.”

Below, release…

DSCC CHAIRMAN ROBERT MENENDEZ STATEMENT ON ILLINOIS PRIMARY RESULTS

U.S. Senator Robert Menendez, chairman of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, released the following statement on the results of the Illinois primary election:

“Congratulations to Alexi Giannoulias on today’s hard-fought victory. Each of the Democrats waged spirited, aggressive campaigns – the same approach it will take to keep this seat blue. I look forward to doing whatever I can to help the State Treasurer transition into the general election and of course win in November. We know that in this environment, Democrats cannot take anything for granted, and that is why Alexi’s campaign is already working hard to frame the race. Voters in Illinois will face a stark choice in this election: moving forward with a candidate who has a record of saving Illinois jobs, or moving backwards with a Washington insider who wants to return to the failed policies that created the economic mess we now face.”

# # #