New GOP Senator Sworn In

Mark Kirk, the new Senator from Illinois who won Barack Obama's old seat, has been sworn in by Joe Biden and will now make it just a little bit more difficult for the Democrats to achieve their lame-duck session goals:

Republican Rep. Mark Kirk will become Illinois' newest Senator when he's sworn in by Vice President Joe Biden on the Senate floor Monday.

His arrival brings the count in the Senate to 58 Democrats and 42 Republicans, creating another hurdle for Democrats facing a stacked legislative agenda.

The Navy Reserve intelligence officer penned an op-ed Monday in the "Chicago Tribune" where he called for bipartisan action to reduce spending, balance the budget and eliminate the use of earmarks. He said the "Spending Control Act" will be the first bill he introduces as Senator.

"Many in Washington want to continue the spend/borrow policy of the past," Kirk wrote. "They ignore the warning sings of more debt, taxes and inflation."

He also called for members of Congress to "cast aside the partisan differences and work across the aisle."

Kirk espoused the same ideas on the campaign trail where he repeatedly called for repeal of the new health care law, an end to congressional earmarks and the continuation of the Bush-era tax cuts.

I hope Sen. Kirk understands that when he calls for bipartisanship what the Democrats hear is "this guy wants to help us pass our agenda".  They won't be coming to him for any other reason than to get him to sign on to their programs in the name of "cooperation and unity".