Mark Kirk, Republican Representative for the 10th congressional district of Illinois, faced a daunting reelection challenge in 2008. As noted earlier, national conditions favored the Democrats in 2008 with an unpopular Republican president, increasingly unpopular wars, high energy prices, a looming recession, increasing problems with the health care system, and growing budget deficits that limit solutions. National polls indicated wide-spread public dissatisfaction with the status quo on a wide range of issues and increasing support for “change”. Further, the Democrats won control of the House and Senate in 2006 and more recent polls indicated a growing Democratic advantage in national partisan identification. Finally, Democrats nominated a charismatic presidential candidate who excited Democratic voters while Republicans nominated one who drew temperate support from segments of the Republican base. Still, Mark Kirk was able to defend his seat and score a reelection win in this difficult environment.
Playing Defense in the Illinois 10th: Surviving "Obama-mania" in the Shadow of Chicago