I agree with Mike's comments - Mr. Kirk needs to focus his message on what voters really want to hear - conservative values. A real effective message would be his promise to reduce the size, scope and influence of government; thereby reducing the our intolerable debt level. We need not only a balanced budget - but a massively smaller one as well. And we need a smaller government at all levels; federal, state and local. I HOPE that the Republican leadership is hearing this message - right now, I am skeptical that they are. Business as usual is no longer an option.

I think the RNC/GOP sold Illinois down the road. Backing Mark Kirk was not the right thing to do. Have you checked Kirk's voting record? I am sure the Dems are thrilled that Kirk is on the Republican ticket. It will continue to be business as usual. I am also confident that Kirk will once again get to vote "yes" on cap n trade. I was at a Lincoln Day Dinner a few weeks ago. Kirk had confirmed his speaking engagement. When his name was called there was total silence. He did not call and say he wasn't able to be there, he didn't send someone in his place - NOTHING! Of course that was in down state IL. and Kirk has no idea there are living breathing human beings living south of Springfield. No, support of Kirk was a huge mistake.

I sincerely hope the Chairman is right and I believe he probably is. My concern is with campaign tactics. The only clip I have seen on national TV shows Mr. Kirk attacking his opponent on what appears to be a personal level while his opponent is discussing jobs. Lately our republican candidates have tried to campaign like the democrats using personal attacks and not running on the issues of the day and against the opponents record. Let's attack their policies, show the voters how we differ, and leave the politics of character assination to the other party. I hope the Chairman can and will intervene to keep our candidates running on the issues and not just disparaging the other guy.