2016 Postmortem
Related: About this forumSenator Mark Kirk’s Stroke Opened His Eyes To The Need For Better Medical Coverage
Illinois Senator Mark Kirk, who will climb the Capitol steps Thursday for the first time since his illness, says his experience has changed him.
I will look much more carefully at the Illinois Medicaid program to see how my fellow citizens are being cared for who have no income and if they suffer from a stroke, Kirk said.
He said in general a person on Medicaid would be allowed 11 rehab visits in Illinois. Had I been limited to that I would have had no chance to recover like I did. So unlike before suffering the stroke, Im much more focused on Medicaid and what my fellow citizens face.
Since last year, Kirk has endured an aggressive rehabilitation, including considerable time on the treadmill, which he calls the dreadmill. He suffers from paralysis on the left side of his body, which means he had to relearn how to walk.
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http://www.alan.com/2013/01/02/senator-mark-kirks-stroke-opened-his-eyes-to-the-need-for-better-medical-coverage/
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As for an assault weapons ban: I support it, Kirk said.
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http://www.suntimes.com/news/metro/17348299-418/mark-kirk-says-he-would-support-an-assault-weapons-ban.html
tanyev
(42,369 posts)That's great and all, but I'm afraid we do not have the time it takes for enough Republicans to go through a personal crisis that finally brings this country to a tipping point. What is wrong with them?
alcibiades_mystery
(36,437 posts)He's actually not been too horrible, despite the fact that he caucuses with the real kooks and votes lockstep most of the time. He pledged during his election campaign that he'd look carefully at DADT repeal, and he voted on the right side there. he knows he has a Dem/liberal constituency, and that he only really won statewide because his opponent was a bankster crook. So, if he wants a second term (election coming up in 2014), he'll play nice with the Dems and try to be one of the people focused on bipartisan deals. He's a good pick-up in that sense, and could be useful in the coming fights. If you're an Illinois Dem, you should definitely be on the phone with his office nonstop over the next few months. I think I called his office 20 times during DADT Repeal.
NPolitics1979
(613 posts)Kirk-IL is the only moderate?? R remaining in the US Senate. Brown-MA assuming he sneaks in next year will get tossed out again- We need to help Markey keep Brown from entering the building.
Facing re-election in 2016, Kirk is DOA against Michelle Obama,Lisa Madigan,and/or Rahm Emanuel but it is highly unlikely they will be running. Michelle has not interest in seeking elected office, Madigan will be serving her 1st term as Governor,Rahm enjoys being Mayor of Chicago.
Kirk-IL will be facing Valerie Jarrett as his Democratic challenger.
Gidney N Cloyd
(19,782 posts)It's funny what witnessing true need up close will do to a person's outlook.
high density
(13,397 posts)She would sometimes say thoughtful things, but then when it came time to vote she would be lockstep with the GOP. It didn't stop the media from calling her a "moderate" though.