Weigel

Elana Schor gets a remarkable statement from Sen. Mark Kirk, R-Ill., who voted for cap and trade legislation in 2009 then walked away from it during his Senate bid. Kirk is now one of 123 pols trying to block the EPA from instating new emissions rules.

Another Republican blasted from both sides of the spectrum for his record on emissions, Sen. Mark Kirk of Illinois, said he is "not terribly concerned" about taking heat from green groups for his criticism of EPA action on carbon emissions.

"The consensus behind the climate change bill collapsed and then further deteriorated with the personal and political collapse of Vice President [Al] Gore," Kirk said in a brief interview last week.

To recap, Gore and his wife announced that they were separating* back on July 1, 2010. Three weeks later, Oregon media outlets reported on a lawsuit filed by a masseuse who claimed Gore had made advances against her. It was clear long before this that cap and trade was stuck in the Senate, and it was clear by September or so that the lawsuit had real problems. Also, what the hell does this have to do with anything?

Via Brad Plumer.

*I originally and erroneously said "divorcing."