Sen. Kirk gets more aggressive
in debate
Republican questions family heritage of his opponent Duckworth
Republican U.S. Sen. Mark Kirk aggressively went after Democratic challenger Rep. Tammy Duckworth during a Thursday night debate, accusing her of lying and even questioning her family's ancestry and military service.
Duckworth countered Kirk's periodic interruptions by suggesting that his series of controversial statements about President Barack Obama and the nation are “not at all the hallmarks of a senator who is looking out for the people of Illinois.”
The exchanges came during a 90-minute broadcast forum at the University of Illinois at Springfield, the only downstate debate of an increasingly contentious campaign for a Senate seat crucial to Republican hopes of holding the chamber and Democratic attempts to reclaim a majority.
During the first joint appearance on Oct. 3 before the Chicago Tribune Editorial Board, Kirk gave short answers and did not engage with his opponent. On Thursday night, the Republican went after Duckworth on a variety of issues ranging from homeland security, military policy and college affordability — though sometimes he struggled to get his words out.
At one point, Duckworth talked about her family's long history of involvement in the U.S. military, describing herself as a “daughter of the Revolution.” Kirk interjected: “I had forgotten that your parents came all the way from Thailand to serve George Washington.”
The comment left some in the audience with a look of puzzlement.
Duckworth, who was born in Bangkok to a mother of Chinese heritage and a father of British descent, replied: “There's been members of my family serving on my father's side since the American Revolution.” She said she was “proud of both my father's side and my mother's side as an immigrant.”
Duckworth served in the Iraq War and lost her legs after the helicopter she co-piloted was felled by a rocket-propelled grenade. Kirk served as an intelligence officer in the Naval Reserve.
Kirk, who apologized for embellishing his military record during his successful run for the Senate in 2010, said his “past misstatements of my record have been small and selfish,” but paled in comparison to Duckworth's record serving as director of the Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs and as an assistant secretary of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs prior to her election to Congress four years ago.
“I would say the record of my opponent in serving veterans is very questionable,” said Kirk, who invited people whom he called “whistleblowers” at state and federal facilities to attend the debate.
“These whistleblowers should be commended and applauded and not crushed,” said Kirk, who at times haltingly recounted issues surrounding a workplace discrimination lawsuit filed by two women at the Anna Veterans Home against Duckworth.
The Illinois attorney general's office, representing Duckworth, has said a settlement of the case has been reached, though it is still before a judge and not yet completed.
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