Alexi Hits Kirk on Health Care Repeal

By Kevin Robinson in News on Mar 31, 2010 3:40PM

It's been a few weeks since Mark Kirk vowed to a private group of GOP donors in Winettka that he "would lead the effort, if it passes, to repeal" the recently enacted health care reform bill President Obama signed into law. But the Republican senate candidate has been less than candid with the media when pressed on the issue, saying instead that "I think that the taxes should not be imposed on the American people. The Medicare cuts should not be imposed on the American people," but not saying that he would lead the effort to repeal the bill.

Democrat Alexi Giannoulias, who is Kirk's opponent in the general election, is pushing Kirk to follow through on his rhetoric. His campaign has released a video daring Kirk to announcing his opposition to health care reform. "After saying one thing to political donors behind closed doors, and another to the media today, we now know even less about Congressman Kirk's vow to lead the fight to repeal health insurance reform," campaign manager Mike Rendina said in a statement. "What we do know for sure is that Mark Kirk is a Washington politician who would rather play political obstructionist games than work with President Obama to get things done for Illinois' small businesses, seniors and working families," Rendina said. And the well-funded conservative PAC Club for Growth is pushing Kirk on the matter as well. "He's promised to work to repeal and we expect him to do so," said Michael Connolly, a spokesman for the group. And while Kirk hasn't said publicly that he's excited about repealing the bill, he has signed on to the Club for Growth's Lawmaker Pledge to dismantle health care reform.