After taking a total beating for its endorsement of Republican Sen. Mark Kirk of Illinois over war hero and proven progressive Rep. Tammy Duckworth, the LGBTQ group the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) finally withdrew support for Kirk over the weekend. Though it always defied reason for HRC to endorse a Republican given the critical battle for the U.S. Senate this cycle, the group finally reached the breaking point after taking heat for Kirk's blatantly racist comments during a debate last week. HRC president Chad Griffin writes:
After careful consideration, HRC’s Public Policy Committee of the Board of Directors has taken the unprecedented step — a first in our 36-year history — of revoking an endorsement. [...] Attacking someone because of her race and ethnicity is inexcusable for anyone, but especially for a sitting U.S. Senator. The diversity of our movement is our greatest strength, and Senator Kirk’s remarks were an affront to our most fundamental values. We have therefore voted to endorse Congresswoman Tammy Duckworth, who has been a strong LGBTQ ally in the House of Representatives, and HRC will contribute the maximum amount to her campaign.
Better late than never, we suppose. But really, Duckworth is already well positioned to win that race and it feels a lot like HRC is simply jumping on the bandwagon all too late. When the group had a chance to be influential, they chose a guy who, while earning a 100 percent on HRC's scorecard, seemed congenitally predisposed to making reprehensibly racist comments. The fact that HRC finally dissed Kirk after just the latest example of his bias-laden actions feels both anti-climactic and close to useless at this point. Perfect.
Will you pitch in $3 to each of our slate of progressive Senators to help turn the Senate blue? The future of the Supreme Court depends on it.
Do you live in a state that will determine the presidential race and/or who controls the Senate? Get involved this weekend in crucial door-to-door canvasses and phone banks.