In a previous post, we shared how Republican Senate candidate for Illinois Mark Kirk offered an apology for “inaccuracies” in certain statements that he made. These statements were those that he and his camp made about his accomplishments while in the Navy, which are said to contain discrepancies versus details documented in military records.

Mark Kirk has been known to highlight his military record, even referring to himself as “congressman and Navy veteran Mark Kirk,” as shared in a report by the Associated Press. Back then, Kirk’s military record is considered as a political asset. Since the issue regarding inaccuracies between documents and his statements surfaced, however, Kirk has taken a new stance: keeping quiet regarding his military record.

During a news conference on Friday, Kirk reportedly said repeatedly: “I’m going to stand on my official officer fitness reports. Going forward, you can look at 21 years of service in the United States Navy through the voice of my commanding officers.”

By choosing to keep quiet, he erases the possibility of saying something that may damage his campaign even more. Since apologizing about the inconsistencies, everything that he will say now will bring even more focus to the exaggerations that he and his camp issued previously.

So Kirk now chooses to say nothing and let his official fitness reports – which have been released – speak in his behalf. Reporters are now directed to the reports, which are said to contain “glowing evaluations” given by the superiors of the Navy Reserve commander and intelligence analyst. It does not, however, offer a lot of details regarding specific incidents that Kirk was involved in.