* After the Supreme Court’s DOMA ruling, state Rep. Monique Davis (D-Chicago) said she was much more inclined to vote for the gay marriage bill. No more…
But the South Side lawmaker made a clear retreat from that stance Monday, the day a new automated phone call campaign against the issue was announced. The calls into several minority-majority House districts feature the voice of the Rev. James Meeks, pastor of Salem Baptist Church and a former South Side state senator opposed to same-sex marriage.
“My statement [late last month] was that we really don’t want to deny certain people their rights to Social Security or pension benefits because some states have marriage equality and others do not. However, I, Monique Davis, have no intention of voting for the bill,” she told the Chicago Sun-Times.
“I really wish them the very best,” she said, referring to advocates for the Religious Freedom and Marriage Fairness Act. “They have 70 people they can go to and drum up some more votes.”
* She’s not the only one being targeted by the new round of robocalls…
Other legislators being targeted in the new wave of phone calls are Rep. Will Davis (D-Homewood), Rep. Andre Thapedi (D-Chicago), Rep. Elgie Sims (D-Chicago), Rep. Rita Mayfield (D-Waukegan), Rep. Esther Golar (D-Chicago) and Rep. Jehan Gordon-Booth (D-Peoria), said Sean Howard, a spokesman for the African American Clergy Coalition.
Howard said the 60-second phone call featuring Meeks cost “multiple thousands of dollars” and was underwritten by Family PAC, a conservative Republican political-action committee led by activist Paul Caprio.
* Meanwhile, pro gay marriage forces are running ads on black-oriented radio stations featuring President and Mrs. Obama. Listen…
* Script…
VO1: You know what? It’s not fair that in some states, gay couples can get married and have all the rights that go along with it – but not in Illinois.
VO2: Not in Illinois? That’s not fair.
VO1: Nope. And that means gay couples don’t get treated equally when it comes to taxes, Social Security, or Medicare. Listen to what President Obama had to say about it:
President Barack Obama: Our journey is not complete until our gay brothers and sisters are treated like anyone else under the law. For if we are truly created equal, then surely the love we commit to one another must be equal as well.
VO2: So our President’s out there for marriage equality?
VO1: And Michelle, too. Here’s what she said:
First Lady Michelle Obama: In a country where we teach our children that everyone is equal under the law, discriminating against same-sex couples just isn’t right. So, it’s as simple as that.
Announcer: Join President and Mrs. Obama and folks across our community who believe in fairness. Tell your legislators to pass the Religious Freedom and Marriage Fairness Act.
Paid for by Illinois Unites for Marriage.
- Anonymous - Tuesday, Jul 9, 13 @ 9:50 am:
Thank God. What else would happen if MD was on right side of history? Human sacrifice, dogs and cats living together… mass hysteria!
- wordslinger - Tuesday, Jul 9, 13 @ 9:51 am:
About time the Obamas got on radio.
- one of the 35 - Tuesday, Jul 9, 13 @ 9:56 am:
What a contemporary “profile in courage”!
- Chavez-respecting Obamist - Tuesday, Jul 9, 13 @ 10:00 am:
Oh yeah, as if Monique Davis cares about people.
- JimR - Tuesday, Jul 9, 13 @ 10:05 am:
I’m glad to hear they have included the Obamas; but, where is the African American clergy speaking for equality on the ad?
How about an ad with a few African American clergy men and women speaking for equality too?
- JimR - Tuesday, Jul 9, 13 @ 10:05 am:
I’m glad to hear they have included the Obamas; but, where is the African American clergy speaking for equality on the ad?
How about an ad with a few African American clergy men and women speaking for equality too?
- Chuckles - Tuesday, Jul 9, 13 @ 10:06 am:
Be smart. Stop trying to enlist Monique Davis to support your cause. Organize on the basis that Monique Davis is an opponent and see if that garners votes from the fence sitters.
- Roland the Headless Thompson Gunner - Tuesday, Jul 9, 13 @ 10:10 am:
It’s comical that Sean Howard is out there as the spokesman for traditional values. The media should do a little investigating there. What a joke.
- Robots - Tuesday, Jul 9, 13 @ 10:38 am:
Any pol that’s foolish enough to be swayed by robocalls or threat of robocalls deserves to be voted out of office.
- Rahm'sMiddleFinger - Tuesday, Jul 9, 13 @ 11:47 am:
It’s way past time for Monique Davis to go.
- wishbone - Tuesday, Jul 9, 13 @ 1:29 pm:
In a month or so a letter carrier in St. Paul, Minnesota will have a heart attack, and sadly die. His husband will apply for, and receive a monthly survivor benefit from the U.S. Postal Service which will enable him to keep making the payments on their home. About the same time a postal clerk in Rockford, Illinois will die of breast cancer. Her surviving partner will collect no ongoing benefits from the government, and in six months their home will go into foreclosure. Results, one more boarded up house in Illinois, and a little bit better economy in Minnesota paid for in part by Illinois citizens. Thanks Monique.
- Rahm's Parking Meter - Tuesday, Jul 9, 13 @ 2:08 pm:
Wasn’t Monique Davis named Worst Person in the World on Countdown with Keith Olbermann a few years ago? Plus the incident with the Northwestern President calling him “Dr. Bagel!” Now this! TIME FOR HER TO GO!
- dupage dan - Tuesday, Jul 9, 13 @ 2:39 pm:
=== “They have 70 people they can go to and drum up some more votes.” ===
=== “Seventy people were shot yesterday, 70.” ===
What is it with Rep Davis and the # 70? Weird.
- Johnny Justice - Tuesday, Jul 9, 13 @ 3:22 pm:
One of the all time best radio spots!
- Morgan Parker - Tuesday, Jul 9, 13 @ 7:26 pm:
Once again, embarrassed by Davis. Can’t we do better than this for our district? All I see in our district is smart, forward-looking people, and all we get from Davis the worst of old-timey politics as usual. Pathetic.
- Just The Way It Is One - Tuesday, Jul 9, 13 @ 8:24 pm:
…and they used to call John Kerry, then Mitt Romney, “Flip-Floppers!” She’s at least certainly in their League…!
- Chefheis - Tuesday, Jul 16, 13 @ 2:57 pm:
I happened to be listening to a Detroit talk Radio station this morning About 8:45 am det time . The station is 1200 am WCHB the host Mildred Gaddis. Illinois state representitive Monique Davis was being interviewed about the homiciderate in Chicago . She stated she heard that some of the homicides were being committed by the Chicago police department and gave a example of one. Are you serious shes a state rep. Someone elected her? Well you see whats happeng here good luck.