Posted: January 12, 2010

The Associated Press is reporting that Mark Kirk will not participate in the U.S. Senate debate hosted by ABC7 Chicago to be held this Thursday at 7:00 PM.

 

So what is Mark Kirk afraid of? Answer: his liberal voting record.

 

The Patrick Hughes for Senate campaign issued the following statement in response to Mark Kirk's refusal to engage the voters of Illinois:

 

Mark Kirk is afraid. 

With a liberal voting record that rivals Arlen Spector and Olympia Snowe, the liberal "Republican" doesn't want to be exposed.

That's why his announcement this week that he will not participate in the campaign's first televised debate Thursday comes as no surprise.

Why?  Because he's afraid to face the people of Illinois and explain his votes - voting with Nancy Pelosi on Cap and Trade, for weapon bans, for abortion rights to the ninth month, voting to bail out Wall Street, and voting for millions in earmarks.

Kirk's votes on a whole range of issue are indefensible, for that reason alone he is afraid to be challenged and face the great people of Illinois.

"It is time Mark Kirk shows he is willing to answer the tough questions that Illinois primary voters want answers to. I sense he is not willing though because he knows they will not like the answers he has. I remain ready to debate Mark Kirk anytime between now and February 2nd," said Patrick Hughes.

 

Another Republican candidate, Don Lowery, has also declined to attend Thursday's debate.

 

The debate will be broadcast live on the station's digital channel 7.2, which is channel 217 on Comcast, 219 on Wide Open West and 618 on RCN. It will also be broadcast live on www.abc7chicago.com.

 

The debate will be rebroadcast later Thursday at 11:05 PM on ABC7 Chicago.

 

 

Laura Ingraham calls Mark Kirk "part of the RINO Republican class"

 

Laura Ingraham

Tuesday morning Patrick Hughes appeared on the Laura Ingraham Show. Laura Ingraham is a nationally syndicated conservative talk radio host and best selling author. She is a frequent guest on the Fox News Channel and guest host of the O'Reilly Factor.

 

Laura Ingraham called Mark Kirk "part of the RINO Republican class that got Republicans into trouble in the first place."

 

You can listen to the Patrick Hughes interview with Laura Ingraham here.

 

Laura Ingraham has also posted her support for Patrick Hughes on her website, Laura Unleashed.

 

Last Friday, Mark Levin, another of America's preeminent conservative commentators, endorsed Patrick Hughes in the Republican Primary race for U.S. Senate.

 

You can listen to Mark Levin's interview with Patrick Hughes here.