Ill. Senate candidate clams up over Navy record

[July 10, 2010]  SPRINGFIELD (AP) -- Republican Senate candidate Mark Kirk's military record was once such a political asset that he'd mention it at every turn.

But the five-term Illinois congressman now refuses to discuss it and refers inquiring reporters to official fitness reports that offer glowing evaluations of his service from his superiors.

The Navy Reserve commander and intelligence analyst seems to have calculated that anything he'd now say about his 21 years of service would bring unwanted attention to the exaggerations and misstatements that have damaged his campaign.

Kirk said at a news conference Friday that he has answered questions about his military career and wants to focus on talking to voters about the economy.

[Associated Press; By CHRISTOPHER WILLS]

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