Kirk To GOP Gubernatorial Hopefuls: Veer Toward The Middle

By aaroncynic in News on Nov 14, 2013 10:00PM

U.S. Sen. Mark Kirk gave some sound advice to Illinois’ Republican gubernatorial candidates earlier this week. The Sun-Times reports Kirk advised the four Republican primary candidates to gravitate towards the middle on social issues if they want a chance at winning next year's election:

“Many times when you look at the political spectrum you’ll see everything that goes way out to extreme right, way out to extreme left — the question the candidates have to ask themselves: ‘Who represents everybody in the middle?’ So you gotta represent the vast bulk of us who are not extreme right or extreme left.”

Kirk made his remarks at a Veteran’s Day ceremony Monday. He declined to endorse any of the four gubernatorial candidates, saying “There’s no upside for me to get involved in a messy Republican primary for governor.” He also lauded the Illinois Legislature for its voting to legalize same-sex marriage. (Kirk publicly announced his support for marriage equality in April.)

While three of the four gubernatorial candidates have openly said they oppose the legislation, Dan Rutherford appeared to somewhat take Kirk’s advice and half-heartedly play both sides. The State Treasurer told the Alton Daily News that while he opposes gay marriage, if elected, he would uphold the law.

Translation: "If you want to win, at least try to couch the bigotry in wishy-washy political rhetoric until after your first night in the Governor's Mansion."