Don't be fooled by Kirk on justice nomination

I hope statewide liberal novitiates are not swayed by U.S. Sen. Mark Kirk's sudden announcement that President Obama should proceed with his nomination to succeed Antonin Scalia.

Surprisingly, local progressive punditry seems to approve of his apparent opposition to Mitch McConnell's refusal to allow Scalia's replacement for the rest of Obama's second term.

Don't they understand that Kirk is running for re-election in Obama's state, and desperately needs Democratic votes to win?

Don't they understand that Kirk is convinced that the Senate, under McConnell, won't allow a nomination to proceed, confirming that his position on this issue is safe, knowing that he won't be voting for this implausible confirmation?

It's like a congressional legislator hiding behind a filibuster, hoping that it will succeed to avoid an embarrassing vote revealing his true political intentions.

James D. Cook

Schaumburg