If there's one thing to keep in mind about Republican Illinois Sen. Mark Kirk, it's that he's a serial liar. So when he came out swinging against his opponent, Democratic Rep. Tammy Duckworth last week by attacking her on veterans’ issues, he was opening himself up to scrutiny. Like how he lied about his military service, and specifically about being a combat veteran. A local blogger blew those claims out of the water in 2010.
In fact, despite years of claiming he'd earned this award for "combat service," Kirk has tacitly admitted that he didn't perform combat service. The web site which once mentioned his grandiose award now says:
Kirk was awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal for his Kosovo service in 1999.
The phrase "combat service" is conspicuously absent.
The attack from Kirk was just too big of an opening for the Duckworth campaign not to hit. So they have, with this new ad (full video below).
She was flying her Blackhawk low over enemy territory when an RPG tore through her cockpit—taking her legs. Tammy Duckworth would serve in uniform for another decade. She led important fights to get veterans jobs and fight homelessness and suicide.
Now, Mark Kirk who lied repeatedly about serving in combat is attacking Tammy with desperate and false ads.
Tammy Duckworth sacrificed. Mark Kirk told lies.
He more than set himself up for that with his initial attack on Duckworth, a move that "even some Republicans [say] they don't think voters will buy[….]" It's going to be an awfully long campaign season for Kirk, and he'll deserve every difficult minute of it.
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