Marathon Pundit: Report from the media conference call with NFIB's Brad Close about Mark Kirk

Count me among the growing legions of people who believe that the policies of the Democrats have made the recession worse. Fortunately there are elections in a little more than a month that can put America back on track.

The tea party movement has rightly been the major story of the 2010 elections, but a growing under-theme is the rallying of America to the side of the job creators, which is of course small business.

So I was glad to hear that the Mark Kirk for Senate hosted a media conference call this morning with National Federation of Independent Business Vice President Brad Close.

NFIB supports independent and small privately held businesses, but it is not small--it has 10,000 members in Illinois alone.

Regular readers of my blog know that small business owners are worried about the direction of this country and Close agrees, citing ObamaCare and the threat of union card check as among burdens facing the members of NFIB.

"He's always been a strong voice for NFIB and small business owners," Close said of Kirk, "[while serving] in Washington."

"We've endorsed Mark Kirk's campaign for Senate. He added, "We've worked with him for a long time and we believe he is the proven small business candidate."

As for the Bush tax cuts, Kirk supports extending them for everyone, something his Democratic opponent, Alexi Giannoulias, does not. Most small business owners want them extended, a concern echoed by Close: "The biggest issue for them out there right now is the tax rate--which is not being addressed."

Also not being addressed is another upcoming millstone facing small business: the ObamaCare 1099 requirement. The health care reform bill will require businesses to fill out an IRS 1099 form for each $600 transaction.

These concerns were not dealt with in the recent small business bill celebrated by President Obama.

Since there were a lot of mainstream media reporters on the call, I felt compelled to ask a question about card check and the possibility of it being voted upon in the upcoming lame duck session. I don't think MSM reporters are aware how much businesses loathe card check. "The president spoke about [card check] a few weeks ago," Close replied, "saying it's still a priority of his administration, so that concerns us." Senate Democrats are trying to figure out a way of getting a compromise version of card check in the lame duck session.

Close didn't mention that there are two elections on November 2, one for the remainder of Obama's old term, and one for a full six year term. If Kirk wins both, he can vote against card check in the lame duck.

Close did warn of a regulatory version of card check, which could be implemented by the National Labor Relations Board now that former SEIU lawyer Craig Becker, a recess appointment of the president, serves on that body.

Remember: Kirk is on the side of the job creators.

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