* From Vice President Mike Pence’s appearance on Friday for Congressman Rodney Davis…
“The American people know the truth of the matter is this economy isn’t growing because of the Obama administration,” Pence said. “This economy is growing again because under President Trump’s leadership, and this Congress, we’ve been repealing the failed policies of the Obama administration and the American economy is roaring back.”
“After years of a war on coal,” Pence said, and what seemed like efforts to stifle American energy, the Trump administration, with support of Congress, has approved pipeline projects and got the United Stats “out of the disastrous Paris climate accord – and we’re exporting energy as never before.”
He said the historic tax cut passed by Congress will yield $2,600 a year to “the average working family here in Illinois.”
In addition, he said, “We cut taxes for Illinois job creators so that businesses large and small here in Springfield can create jobs in Illinois and not see them created around the world. And we also cut the heart out of Obamacare” he said, with the removal of the individual mandate, requiring a penalty for those tho don’t purchase insurance.
Pence did promise to preserve coverage of pre-existing conditions, which I think more people would consider the real “heart” of Obamacare. Every Republican congresscritter in the country is now running away from their vote on that repeal bill, including Davis. And that’s mainly because of the way it undermined pre-existing coverage.
* Ergo…
The Vice President spoke at a Davis campaign event at the Panther Creek Country Club Friday afternoon.
“Illinois 13 may be the district that decides whether we have a Republican majority or whether Nancy Pelosi is speaker of the House in the next Congress,” Pence told the crowd. […]
“While we were trying to repeal and replace Obamacare … Rodney Davis was in there every step of the way … but every step of the way, Congressman Rodney Davis made it clear that, as we repeal and replace Obamacare … we will always protect Americans with pre-existing conditions.”
* WICS TV…
The campaign is one of the most competitive in central Illinois and Davis said he expected this coming into the election year.
“Campaigns are campaigns, districts are drawn to be competitive. I don’t want the voters of this district to stay at home,” said Davis.
Davis first spoke to the Vice President about a week and a half ago regarding his campaign for re-election.
Pence asked if there was anything he could do to help Davis, to which he told Pence that he would love for him to come and visit his district.
But, wait. I thought Davis had a “new” poll showing him up by 13 points?
- Anon221 - Monday, Oct 15, 18 @ 12:09 pm:
“And we also cut the heart out of Obamacare”…
Can just see the oppo ads for Pence 2020 with that little nugget running in them.
- Blue Dog Dem - Monday, Oct 15, 18 @ 12:13 pm:
Anon221. My bet is Trump/Pence wont win Illinois. Again.
- Give Me A Break - Monday, Oct 15, 18 @ 12:14 pm:
“And we also cut the heart out of Obamacare”
Pretty much tells you all you need to know about today’s GOP when they brag and center their campaigns around taking away people’s health care.
But remember they are the party of God, Morality and Family Values.
- wordslinger - Monday, Oct 15, 18 @ 12:16 pm:
– and we’re exporting energy as never before.”–
So does that mean we can stop kissing the tukkesses of the terror-supporting, medieval, murderous House of Saud?
FWIW, after a long decline, crude oil production in the United States began to spike in 2009. Click the “max” view for the chart in the link.
https://tradingeconomics.com/united-states/crude-oil-production
- lakeside - Monday, Oct 15, 18 @ 12:17 pm:
Their plan to “protect” people with pre-existing conditions is to force insurance companies to insure them, sure, but not require coverage for any actual pre-existing conditions.
So just like the days before the ACA, that would mean insurance companies would classify everything as a pre-existing condition. Though I guess this way, rather than just being unable to obtain insurance at all, this time you’ll get the privilege of paying for insurance that doesn’t cover anything.
- Gruntled University Employee - Monday, Oct 15, 18 @ 12:26 pm:
Because Obama?
- Grandson of Man - Monday, Oct 15, 18 @ 12:26 pm:
Rauner’s in on this too, now, with his criticism of ACA Medicaid expansion. He supports turning the poor upside-down and shaking every unearned public penny out of their pockets, after the GOP gave lavishly to the richest, for nothing in return. GOP Christian values on display.
- Jocko - Monday, Oct 15, 18 @ 12:28 pm:
==we will always protect Americans with pre-existing conditions.==
Really? The short-term plans released by the departments of Health and Human Services, Labor and Treasury do not.
Trump just put out don’t.
- Union thug - Monday, Oct 15, 18 @ 12:32 pm:
Would love for him to visit the district…. The rally was held outside the district….
- truthteller - Monday, Oct 15, 18 @ 12:34 pm:
the GOP and Davis were SO WORRIED about protecting “mandated pre-existing coverage” that they have never even had a health bill voted on that had that protection in it. More of the same lies by GOP, ny Pence and by Davis. A non-binding house resolution is not a vote on an actual “LAW”, more smoke and mirrors as always.
- truthteller - Monday, Oct 15, 18 @ 12:37 pm:
One more tidbit, having health insurers “offer” coverage is no way resembles what we have under “mandated” coverage. A car dealer can offer me a Maserati and I would be able to afford that as I would able to afford health insurance covering my own pre-existing conditions. The problem is with republican voters who lack critical thinking….
- truthteller - Monday, Oct 15, 18 @ 12:39 pm:
made a type in not including “NOT AFFORD” the Maserati same with health insurance
- Amalia - Monday, Oct 15, 18 @ 12:42 pm:
Pence’s record as governor is horrible. whether it’s women, lgbt, finances, he’s ridiculous. and since health care is the number one issue for most voters, his comments should not help the candidate he supports.
- Anon221 - Monday, Oct 15, 18 @ 12:51 pm:
Blue Dog Dem- Illinois is not the only state pence wants to play “Operation” on, though. By the time 2020 rolls around, the damage the federal administration will have done may become clear to some of their base that they continue to rally with cuts and the “value” of less government.
- wordslinger - Monday, Oct 15, 18 @ 12:53 pm:
==we will always protect Americans with pre-existing conditions.==
Really? The short-term plans released by the departments of Health and Human Services, Labor and Treasury do not.–
You have to cut Pence some slack.
Remember, he was the only person in the State of Indiana who didn’t understand that “religious freedom” law he signed behind closed doors allowed discrimination against gays.
Opponents knew it. Proponents knew it. The media knew it. Business knew it.
Only Pence was confused, going on the TV box, crinkling his eyes, scratching his head and blabbing incoherent mumbo-jumbo about how he didn’t understand what all the fuss was about.
Thought and prayers are probably in order for him.
- Mama - Monday, Oct 15, 18 @ 1:17 pm:
==”Rodney Davis was in there every step of the way … but every step of the way, Congressman Rodney Davis made it clear that, as we repeal and replace Obamacare … we will always protect Americans with pre-existing conditions.”==
You can’t have it both ways. Pre-existing conditions is the heart and soul of Obamacare. If you repeal Obamacare, you are repealing pre-existing conditions. Everyone has some type of pre-existing condition.
- dbk - Monday, Oct 15, 18 @ 1:30 pm:
Pence is a good example of a pol who, despite being from the state next door (a state IPI’s BTIA’ers want to liken Illinois to morning, noon, and night): (a) hasn’t got a clue about Illinois politics and (b) shouldn’t be paraded before potential Republican voters here, at least if Repubs want to win… this is so weird, so weird.
- LTSW - Monday, Oct 15, 18 @ 3:02 pm:
I noted this weekend that Rodney and an independent PAC bought lots of time on live MLB and NFL broadcasts. But I saw lots of J.B. and Betsy ads when I watched Netflix and Xfinity on demand shows.
- Arsenal - Monday, Oct 15, 18 @ 3:04 pm:
Woof, that’s the kind of speech that plays great to the party faithful, but you have to hope no one else hears.
- 17% Solution - Monday, Oct 15, 18 @ 3:16 pm:
It’s too bad Pence is unwittenly pro abortion.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/03/12/AR2010031202287.html
- illini - Monday, Oct 15, 18 @ 3:37 pm:
My Congressman, Shimkus, does not fail to try to be relevant in these discussions.
I received my weekly email from his office a few hours ago, and it is filled with the normal tripe and duplicitous reasoning that I have come to expect from him, but this caught mt attention -
“Beginning with my own near-death experience at the hands of a deranged shooter—”
He proceeds to disparage the Democrats for their destruction of any civil discourse in the current political dichotomy and of reverting to violence to make their points.
When did John Shimkus have a near-death experience that somehow failed to make the news? Or is this just more pandering to his base as is the case with most incumbent Congressmen?
- SouthernGirl - Monday, Oct 15, 18 @ 3:51 pm:
Rodney is my congressman — he holds telephone town halls where he pre-selects the participants and questions must be vetted by his handlers. He’s significantly changed his tune in the weeks leading up to the election, and has some bald faced lies in his TV advertisements. I won’t be voting for him. He needs to go back to running a farm because he certainly isn’t doing well in DC for his constituents.
- lollinois - Monday, Oct 15, 18 @ 4:05 pm:
Rodney “I didn’t vote to end coverage for pre-existing conditions” Davis.
Rodney “I’m 13 points ahead in my own poll, but I’m bringing in the VP and the Speaker of the House to campaign for me” Davis.
Rodney “I say I want to tone down the rhetoric in politics, but I still happily stand beside Trump” Davis.
Taken in context of everything else he does, the poll makes a lot more sense… it’s just an attempt to try to keep the scent of blood out of the water.
- illini - Monday, Oct 15, 18 @ 4:15 pm:
@SouthernGirl - I doubt Rodney would make it as a farmer, but he could always go back to working for his old boss - John Shimkus. John taught him so well./s
- Nearly Normal - Monday, Oct 15, 18 @ 4:42 pm:
Illini–Shimkus is probably referring to the shooting at the ball diamond in DC last year. The shooter targeted Republican congressmen. I read that Rodney Davis was there when the shooter opened up. Not sure about Shimkus.
- Pick a Name - Monday, Oct 15, 18 @ 5:08 pm:
Rodney wins by 4-5
- NorthsideNoMore - Monday, Oct 15, 18 @ 5:16 pm:
Southern G === Almost all if not all town Halls at that level are pre screened. Never underestimate the power of the White House. VP Pence is a likable guy and he has showed up in Illinois on occasion (for obviuos reasons). There are still a bunch of folks that still respect the Office of the President and VP. Rodney wins as does Hultgren if they GOTV. Roskam still a toss up but the negative adds are getting tiresome in that race.
- illini - Monday, Oct 15, 18 @ 5:47 pm:
@NearlyNormal - I am sure that was likely what he was was referring to, but he took great liberties to make that questionable point. He was no where close to that practice field that morning.
- Lynn S. - Tuesday, Oct 16, 18 @ 1:38 am:
@ Southerngirl
Rodney’s parents own the McDonald’s in Taylorville. Perhaps they’ll let him work the drive-through after the lunch rush is over.
(And for the life of me, can someone please explain how having the multiple 100s of thousands necessary to buy a McDonald’s franchise makes you middle class? Why are Rodney’s voters dumb enough to believe him?)