Representative Mark Kirk

707 Skokie Blvd

Suite 350
Northbrook, IL 60062

September 4, 2008

Congressman Kirk:

We are writing to you to express our disappointment with your effusive praise of
Republican Vice Presidential Nominee Sarah Palin. Just one month after you cast a vote
against equal pay for equal work, your strong support for Palin demonstrates your lack of
interest in standing up for the values of the 10th District.

Soon after John McCain announced that he had chosen Palin to be his vice presidential
nominee, you praised her candidacy, saying that you were “encouraged” by her
candidacy and that she is a “reformer.” To the women of the 10th District, there is
nothing encouraging about Palin's extreme political views, including her opposition to a
woman's right to choose even in the cases of incest and rape, equal pay for equal work,
and gun control. Nor is her support for abstinence-only sex education, teaching
creationism in our schools, and banning books from our public libraries.

Just as we are dismayed by her extreme positions on the issues, we are also offended by
the patronizing and cynical view that because she is a woman, she will automatically earn
our support. While some of us supported Hillary Clinton's candidacy for President and
believed that her election would be a victory for women across the country, Sarah Palin's
slim qualifications and radical right-wing views would only set back the causes we hold
dear.

Once again, Congressman Kirk, your support for Sarah Palin shows that you are more
concerned with supporting the Republican Party and continuing with more of the same
disastrous policies of the last 8 years than standing up for women in the 10th District.

Respectfully,
Abbe Aron Karen Fujisawa
Abbey Romanek Kate Kupferberg
Adrienne Schwarzbach Johnson Katie Scullion
Alison Gavin Kelly Friskics
Ann Ryan Lali Watt
Barbara Carmody Laurie Kaplan Singh
Barbara Rouse Linda Steiner
Beth Marquardt Lisa Crowe
Brenda W Terry Lisa Wolff Claver
Bryna Gamson Liza Price
Carmen Corbett Mari Terman
Carol Dawley Marley Crane
Carol Jones Mary Pomerantz
Carrie Travers Mary Wolf
Catherine Vasquez Merrilee Redmond
Cathy Nowacki Michele Fairbanks
Cheryl Spielman Nancy Pred
Chris Johanson Ross Nancy Schofer
Darlene Ahlstedt Roberta Goldberg
Debby Karton Ruth Krugly
Denise Davis Sara Baldwin
Sarah Jost
Diane Rosenbaum
Sara Mesirow
Dottie Palombo
Sharon Lester
Elizabeth McCabe
Sharon Narrod
Ellen Barreto
Sheila Nielsen
Ellen Beth Gill
Shirley Blazejczyk
Gail Heckmyer
Stephanie Formolo
Gerri Kahnweiler
Stephanie Victor
Gerry Keen
Susan Osada
Harriet Meyer
Susan Sobol
Irene Smith
Suzie Raskin
Jane Carroll
Janet Brown Wendy Serrino
Jane Kenamore Wendy Valentine
Janice M Wolter
Jean Doub
Jeanne Bishop
Jennifer Bishop-Jenkins
Jo Sawyer
Joan Berman
Joan Holden
Joanell McKenna
Kara Brandeisky