GOP Senate Candidate Polls Readers On Iran Sanctions

In a curious move that could provide fodder for critics, Rep. Mark Kirk (R-Ill) is polling members of his email list about their preferred position on the debate over leveling targeted economic sanctions against Iran.

The Illinois Republican Senate candidate sent out an email on Tuesday morning that piggybacks off the news that Iran was hiding an underground uranium enrichment facility. Kirk emphasizes that the U.S. "must take action t bring Iran's leaders into compliance with their commitments under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty." Then he conducts his own personal poll:

"Should the U.S. enact targeted economic sanctions to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons?" the email reads.

Certainly, the decision to pose such a question could be an attempt by Kirk to foster interactivity with potential voters - though, in this context, it's hard to see much of a debate developing over whether or not to apply targeted economic sanctions against Iran.

But, from a strictly political context, the polling question could feed an unhelpful narrative developing around Kirk. The Illinois Republican has already been labeled as a finger-to-the-wind politican, whose policy positions flow with changing electoral dynamics. Before announcing that he would run for the Senate, he voted in favor of the cap-and-trade bill in the House of Representatives. Once he announced his bid, he announced that he would oppose the same piece of legislation, explaining that his constituency was different.

"Let me say briefly about cap and trade. I voted for it because it was in the narrow interest of my Congressional district. But as your representative," Kirk explained. "As your representative, representing the entire state of Illinois, I would vote no on that bill coming up."

Here is the email:

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