Mark Kirk: Rep.

Mark Kirk’s “aye” vote in the House of Representatives was something of a surprise and something of a mistake, if one reads the tea leaves.

Now his back-pedal is odd: “About Cap and Trade: I voted for it because it was in the narrow interests of my Congressional District. But as your representative, representing the entire state of Illinois, I will vote ‘No’ on that bill coming up.” The logic, if one calls it that, is odd but the result is a....