The current trend is not his friend
Thursday, Oct 10, 2019 - Posted by Rich Miller
* I always say one of the reasons I love covering politics is because things can change very fast. Here’s what could turn out to be a prime example from an NRCC press release dated October 3rd entitled “RIP Betsy’s campaign”…
Hi there –
Socialist loser* Betsy Dirksen Londrigan hopped back on board the impeachment train!
The only thing worse for Illinois families than a socialist is a socialist so consumed by their hatred of President Trump that they cannot get anything else done.
NOTE: New polling shows nearly two-thirds (63 percent) of voters in Republican-held battleground seats think Democrats are too focused on impeaching President Trump.
NRCC Comment: “Betsy Londrigan’s hatred of President Trump and obsession with impeachment has already marked the beginning of the end of her campaign.” -NRCC Spokeswoman Carly Atchison
*According to The New York Times, Betsy Dirksen is a socialist loser. (U.S. House Election Results 2018, The New York Times, January 28, 2019).
* From that NRCC poll referenced above, which was conducted September 28-30…
In NRCC target seats, voters oppose impeachment: 44% support –47% oppose. In Republican-held battleground seats voters oppose impeachment:46%-49%.
That’s an awfully darned narrow margin to be confidently predicting the death of a campaign. But, like I say, things can always change. And that could be happening right now.
* From a Fox News poll conducted October 6-8…
A new high of 51 percent wants Trump impeached and removed from office, another 4 percent want him impeached but not removed, and 40 percent oppose impeachment altogether. In July, 42 percent favored impeachment and removal, while 5 percent said impeach but don’t remove him, and 45 percent opposed impeachment.
Since July, support for impeachment increased among voters of all stripes: up 11 points among Democrats, 5 points among Republicans and 3 among independents. Support also went up among some of Trump’s key constituencies, including white evangelical Christians (+5 points), white men without a college degree (+8), and rural whites (+10).
Among voters in swing counties (where Hillary Clinton and Trump were within 10 points in 2016), support for impeachment increased to 52 percent, up from 42 percent in July. [Emphasis added.]
* Public sentiment is moving historically fast…
* Unlike Downstater Rodney Davis, who hopped all the way on board the Trump train and has been actively fundraising off Londrigan’s support for an impeachment inquiry, former state Rep. Jeanne Ives’ suburban congressional campaign has taken a more focused approach…
“If [Democrats] really want to move forward with an impeachment inquiry, let’s have a vote, Nancy Pelosi. Give Republicans a chance to subpoena testimony, as well…”
…Adding… Rodney Davis is a former Shimkus staffer…
Just hours after the decision to leave Syrian Kurds to fend for themselves against Turkey, Illinois Congressman John Shimkus calls the President’s decision “terrible and despicable.”
Shimkus goes on to tell KMOX’s Mark Reardon that he told staff “to take my name off the I support Donald Trump list” and that he is “saddened for the Kurdish people.”
- Cheryl44 - Thursday, Oct 10, 19 @ 11:49 am:
Right now I’d prefer to be called a socialist than a republican.
- Give Me A Break - Thursday, Oct 10, 19 @ 11:51 am:
Trump’s ability to maintain his complete control of the GOP and the GOP’s complete lack of any challenge to him, will be studied for years.
Guys like Davis have not only gotten in bed with him, they have pulled the covers over their collective heads and refuse to consider anything but blind allegiance to their Lord and Savior.
- Not a Billionaire - Thursday, Oct 10, 19 @ 11:52 am:
It’s not getting any better. More arrests this morning. The war on the Kurds…..who knows what is next.It’s so bad most people won’t notice of the whole legislature gets indicted.
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Oct 10, 19 @ 11:53 am:
===Downstater Rodney Davis, who hopped all the way on board the Trump train and has been actively fundraising off Londrigan’s support for an impeachment===
Rodney Davis, you broke my heart.
You *are* a Trumpkin. Eat it, own it, forget about trying *not being* it.
Here I thought you were thoughtful. That’s on me. I was wrong.
- Not a Billionaire - Thursday, Oct 10, 19 @ 11:54 am:
Trump advisor. China have me first on Hunger Biden
- ILPundit - Thursday, Oct 10, 19 @ 11:57 am:
John Shimkus just announced he’s no longer supporting Trump after the Kurdish bait-and-switch.
- Grandson of Man - Thursday, Oct 10, 19 @ 12:01 pm:
“Socialist loser”
Lol, the GOP scaring its base since before many of us were born.
Hopefully enough GOP voters will realize that Trump is what they hate in their opponents, imagined or not. The guy fights and betrays our allies and believes our traditional adversary (Russia) over our security institutions, looks to foreign governments to influence our elections, etc. He congratulated Communist China for 70 years of rule and said he’s in love with Kim. He loves murderous autocrats. Reagan is turning over in his grave.
- Hurf - Thursday, Oct 10, 19 @ 12:03 pm:
Meanwhile, lahood advances the same bad faith argument that it’s an attempt to rewrite 2016. Cause, evidently once you win an election, you should never be subject to scrutiny or consequences for what you do once you’re in office.
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Oct 10, 19 @ 12:04 pm:
===John Shimkus just announced he’s no longer supporting Trump after the Kurdish bait-and-switch.===
Shimkus is a coward, a phony, and no hero with that.
The time for Shimkus standing up to POTUS passed. Even acknowledging this is letting Shimkus ease his own conscience for allowing the damage of this POTUS.
Nothing more.
- Driving a car - Thursday, Oct 10, 19 @ 12:08 pm:
Rodney “Just Tell Me What To Say To Get Elected” Davis
- Jibba - Thursday, Oct 10, 19 @ 12:14 pm:
==Socialist loser===
The NRCC clearly thinks the voters are chumps who can be manipulated. If you don’t respect the voters, you don’t deserve to win.
- Hamlet's Ghost - Thursday, Oct 10, 19 @ 12:21 pm:
I wonder how many prominent IL Republicans will circulate petitions to be selected as a delegate to the 2020 Republican National Convention, scheduled for next August.
- Three Dimensional Checkers - Thursday, Oct 10, 19 @ 12:35 pm:
Pretty soon Rich won’t be able to post NRCC press releases without violating his own commenting rules.
- the Patriot - Thursday, Oct 10, 19 @ 12:44 pm:
Just remember, Trump voters do not participate in polls. See 2016 election. What precisely that means…we will see November 2020.
Think you have a grasp on what is going on…Democrats are demanding a Republican president leave American troops in a war in the middle east that will never end.
- Jocko - Thursday, Oct 10, 19 @ 12:46 pm:
==Socialist loser*==
The asterisk stands for “…except for Social Security and Medicare. Those are ok.” /S
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Oct 10, 19 @ 12:53 pm:
===Democrats are demanding a Republican president leave American troops in a war in the middle east that will never end.===
When did Lindsey Graham become a Democrat?
Think on that, get back to all of us.
- Hurf - Thursday, Oct 10, 19 @ 12:54 pm:
==Just remember, Trump voters do not participate in polls.==
You mean the polls where Trump winning was still within the margin of error? https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/the-polls-are-all-right/
- Grandson of Man - Thursday, Oct 10, 19 @ 12:54 pm:
“Democrats are demanding a Republican president leave American troops in a war in the middle east that will never end”
It’s certainly not just Democrats who are demanding that we don’t abandon our Kurdish allies.
- Ron Burgundy - Thursday, Oct 10, 19 @ 1:02 pm:
“War in the middle east that will never end”
Oh this one will probably end real soon once the Turks get done killing our friends.
- Demoralized - Thursday, Oct 10, 19 @ 1:14 pm:
==When did Lindsey Graham become a Democrat?==
There are many, many Republicans who think Trump made a bad decision. the Patriot doesn’t have a handle on the facts.
- former southerner - Thursday, Oct 10, 19 @ 1:21 pm:
The Patriot has to be one of those populating the comment section of the Bloomington Pantagraph who accidentally choose a nickname that is the polar opposite of what they represent.
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Oct 10, 19 @ 1:23 pm:
===There are many, many Republicans who think Trump made a bad decision. the Patriot doesn’t have a handle on the facts.===
Trumpkins can’t be saved from what “they know”
The #FakeNews era we live in allows provable fallacies to be deemed “possible”
This country will need to break this cycle cold to gain back even a sliver of what’s been lost by Trumpkins.
How do I know?
The facts ignored and regurgitated on Roger Ailes’ dream that could’ve saved Nixon is now being used to try to take down a country to save the warped Nixonian POTUS of the 21st century.
- Nick Name - Thursday, Oct 10, 19 @ 1:26 pm:
A parody of that NRCC press release couldn’t have done any better than the NRCC did itself.
- Occasional Quipper - Thursday, Oct 10, 19 @ 1:37 pm:
== is now being used to try to take down a country to save the warped Nixonian POTUS of the 21st century==
What? Take down a country? How so? That’s pretty strong language. I just see Fox News as equal time to what the liberal mainstream media has doing for years. Either Trump is corrupt or the left still has not accepted the results of the 2016 election. People on both sides absolutely believe they are right. That says more about tribalism than it does about facts.
- Norseman - Thursday, Oct 10, 19 @ 1:37 pm:
So socialist programs are bad according to Rodney. Then he must oppose Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid. All were condemned as horrible socialist programs. Of course, Davis will do the GOP hyper-hypocritical two-step.
We see Shimkus turning on Trump over his betrayal of allies, the Kurds. He is silent over the betrayal of our countries constitution and democratic values.
Good Luck Betsy. We need patriots like you representing us, not phonies who will say and do anything to maintain power.
- Streamwood Retiree - Thursday, Oct 10, 19 @ 1:45 pm:
She’s a socialist? Wow. I wish she was running in my district. I’d ring doorbells for her. I’m sick of FDR/LBJ’s legacies being destroyed on the altar of CEO bonuses.
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Oct 10, 19 @ 1:48 pm:
===What? Take down a country? How so? That’s pretty strong language.===
Nope. This POTUS openly admits his flagrant ignoring of his oath. A network cheers that. If we ignore that, that is taking down our Republic.
===I just see Fox News as equal time to what the liberal mainstream media has doing for years.===
Roger Ailes wins.
I can’t recall any honest media cheering the shredding of constitutional norms to protect any POTUS.
Roger Ailes knew, get a news network willing to save a POTUS at any cost to America, and the weak minded will follow. Nixon couldn’t beat honest media, POTUS has dishonest propaganda.
===People on both sides absolutely believe they are right. That says more about tribalism than it does about facts.===
Yep, there it is;
“Both sides”
There are indeed TWO sides.
The constitution and the Republic… or the corrupt government in the executive.
Both are not equal and honest and just, one is, the other feels empowered by the racism and anger and “nationalism” we fought against from World War Two until this POTUS.
Again, Roger Ailes is winning at the cost of America.
Sadly, right now, Ailes was right.
- Rich Miller - Thursday, Oct 10, 19 @ 1:50 pm:
=== See 2016 election===
The polls were actually pretty spot on nationally. She won the popular vote by like 3 million, remember.
- LakeCo - Thursday, Oct 10, 19 @ 1:55 pm:
==The NRCC clearly thinks the voters are chumps who can be manipulated.==
“Chumps who can be manipulated” is essentially the definition of Trump supporters.
- Lester Holt’s Mustache - Thursday, Oct 10, 19 @ 1:57 pm:
Rodney (and a lot of other republicans) is in a pickle on this. One the one hand, he can’t win without people like patriot who think trump can do no wrong. On the other hand, he can’t win without moderates and independents who think trump is a corrupt sleazeball who will abandon our allies whenever it’s convenient and/or profitable for his brand. Which type of voters are there more of in the 13th district? And is there a way to appease one group without losing the other? Tough calculation to make, but I’d rather be in Londrigan’s position than in Rodney’s
- Thomas Paine - Thursday, Oct 10, 19 @ 1:57 pm:
=== the left still has not accepted the results of the 2016 election. ===
Hillary Clinton called Donald Trump to concede on Election Night and gave a full concession speech the very next day. Everyone from Bernie Sanders to Nancy Pelosi pledged to work with President-elect Trump where common ground could be found, and they were earnest in their search for it.
But winning an election is not carte Blanche to abuse the power of your office, ignore laws or violate treaties. With great power comes great responsibility, and Trump stands accused of failing to uphold his end of the bargain.
Granted, “not upholding his end of the bargain” is pretty much par for Trump when it comes to his financial dealings, marriages and even his golf game. But not upholding your oath of office has particular consequences that must be scene out. As Graham noted in 1998, impeachment not only holds the current president accountable but also sets the bar for all future presidents.
Do you really want to say it’s okay for future presidents - and governor, mayors - to use the powers of their office to go after a political rival?
- Occasional Quipper - Thursday, Oct 10, 19 @ 2:02 pm:
== The constitution and the Republic… ==
Nice attempt at deflection, but you know full well it’s all about right versus left. And now that the right finally has one media outlet on their side (as compared to the multitude of outlets on the left), you just find it terribly annoying.
==Again, Roger Ailes is winning at the cost of America.==
I think you’re giving him too much credit. In the end, I think the principles that our country was founded on will ultimately win out, whether that means impeachment or not. But to use phrases like “at the cost of America” is more dramatic than I would expect from you.
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Oct 10, 19 @ 2:11 pm:
===Nice attempt at deflection, but you know full well it’s all about right versus left.===
LOL, no, that’s what Fox News wants the discussion to be about.
POTUS himself has admitted his own complicit acts, Trumpkins want this to be “left and right”.
===And now that the right finally has one media outlet on their side (as compared to the multitude of outlets on the left), you just find it terribly annoying.===
No. #FakeNews is annoying and ruining the Republic.
A free press is an honest press too. Being wholly dishonest to reporting *is* attacking the Republic.
===I think you’re giving him too much credit.===
No. He created a network. He opined about media, Nixon, and a voice, and the devolution of honest coverage to becoming a media outlet for protecting a POTUS, that was the dream. It’s realized.
===… “at the cost of America”===
I really don’t care of your thoughts on me, i do care that the constitutional crisis is being exacerbated by a network more concerned about protecting a POTUS then the constitution or the freedom of the press with honesty.
- olddog - Thursday, Oct 10, 19 @ 2:11 pm:
=== Either Trump is corrupt or the left still has not accepted the results of the 2016 election. ===
Anybody who thinks “the left” speaks with one voice has never heard a roomful of Democrats trying to agree on *anything* — let alone strategy for a national election.
If Rodney Davis occasionally got out and listened to his constituents, he might realize the boilerplate the RCCC churns out for him bears no relationship to real life back in the 13th District.
- Grandson of Man - Thursday, Oct 10, 19 @ 2:15 pm:
“And now that the right finally has one media outlet on their side“
Today Trump attacked the Fox News impeachment poll in this thread and Fox News, saying it “doesn’t deliver for US anymore.”
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Oct 10, 19 @ 2:32 pm:
Facts are unbiased
- Give Me A Break - Thursday, Oct 10, 19 @ 2:33 pm:
Maybe Rodney will decide to discuss his love for all things Trump with the farmers in his district are losing their markets for their corn and beans.
- Jocko - Thursday, Oct 10, 19 @ 2:37 pm:
==Please name one news organization that’s not biased.==
I can name one organization that has entertainers masquerading as journalists
- Ducky LaMoore - Thursday, Oct 10, 19 @ 2:46 pm:
===* Public sentiment is moving historically fast…===
An official inquiry woke some people up. They started paying attention, and I frankly think even if you are biased to supporting Republicans, if the first thing you see is how the President is acting, you are turned off.
To the press release, Republicans are further aligning themselves with the heated socialist rhetoric that can turn off a lot of people who vote Republican. Socialist loser. I mean, people who actually have a genuine concern for their government and elected officials don’t like this sort of language.
- Ducky LaMoore - Thursday, Oct 10, 19 @ 2:47 pm:
==Please name one news organization that’s not biased.==
Christian Science Monitor
- Occasional Quipper - Thursday, Oct 10, 19 @ 2:55 pm:
== Facts are unbiased==
== and Trump stands accused of failing to uphold his end of the bargain==
The key word being “accused”. Let me know when enough “facts” have been presented to convict him. Until then, it’s pointless to try it in the media or in blog comments. On that note, signing off for the day.
- Ron Burgundy - Thursday, Oct 10, 19 @ 2:59 pm:
Yes it is easy for Shimkus to speak out on Syria now that the political heat is off him. That said, I am still glad he did.
- Ducky LaMoore - Thursday, Oct 10, 19 @ 3:01 pm:
@ Occasional Quipper
As soon as the courts demand the executive branch acknowledge the rights of the legislative branch, that will happen. Who tries to obstruct an investigation this big and public if they have nothing to hide? Have fun signing off. You will be deeply missed.
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Oct 10, 19 @ 3:01 pm:
===Let me know when enough “facts” have been presented to convict him.===
If you’re watching FoxNews waiting for facts, promise me you won’t hold your breath during that wait.
Good to know you’re a Trumpkin. Helpful.
- LakeCo - Thursday, Oct 10, 19 @ 3:03 pm:
==Let me know when enough “facts” have been presented to convict him. Until then, it’s pointless to try it in the media or in blog comments.==
Fact: Trump said the following on July 25 to Ukrainian President Volodymr Zelensky: “The other thing, There’s a lot of talk about Biden’s son, that Biden stopped the prosecution and a lot of people want to find out about that so whatever you can do with the Attorney General would be great. Biden went around bragging that he stopped the prosecution so if you can look into it…”
Fact: On October 3, Trump said on television: “China should start an investigation into the Bidens.”
THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES CANNOT SOLICIT FOREIGN INTERFERENCE IN AN ELECTION. And yet he has been caught red-handed doing exactly that.
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Oct 10, 19 @ 3:06 pm:
- LakeCo -
While I personally appreciate it, don’t be surprised if;
1) “That’s fake news”
2) “Everyone has done it”
3) “It’s not illegal”
Those talking points instead of addressing the actions of POTUS are discussed.
It’s a different world now. It’s (Hashtag) sad.
- Steve Rogers - Thursday, Oct 10, 19 @ 3:19 pm:
OW and Lake County:
Don’t forget,
4) “It was just a joke”
- Nick - Thursday, Oct 10, 19 @ 3:46 pm:
For anyone looking for a laugh, here’s a 1973 satirical Art Buchwald piece titled ‘Handy Excuses for Nixon Backers’ which seems newly (and concerningly) relevant today
https://www.snopes.com/tachyon/2017/05/santa-fe.png
- People caring loudly - Thursday, Oct 10, 19 @ 3:46 pm:
i do not understand how anyone can claim they “support the troops” and not be absolutely horrified at the decision to withdraw support for our Kurdish allies in Syria. This decision puts American men and women who serve throughout the world in danger, because we are now an untrustworthy ally.
Even if you think this action ends “a war in the middle east that will never end”, I’d advise you to look at what happened when to Afghanistan after the U.S. armed and trained the Mujaheddin to run the Soviets out of Afghanistan and left.
- Lester Holt’s Mustache - Thursday, Oct 10, 19 @ 3:54 pm:
==what happened when to Afghanistan after the U.S. armed and trained the Mujaheddin to run the Soviets out of Afghanistan and left.==
This is what worries me. We did the same thing to the Afghans and they later became Al’Qaeda. What will the Kurds become in 20 years?
- @misterjayem - Thursday, Oct 10, 19 @ 4:05 pm:
“A parody of that NRCC press release couldn’t have done any better than the NRCC did itself.”
Poe’s law: Without a clear indicator of the author’s intent, it is impossible to create a parody of extreme views so obviously exaggerated that it cannot be mistaken for a sincere expression of the views being parodied.
– MrJM
- Blue Dog Dem - Thursday, Oct 10, 19 @ 4:16 pm:
Count me in as a partial Trump supporter.
I am going to make a bold prediction here. Trump won’t carry Illinois.
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Oct 10, 19 @ 4:22 pm:
===Count me in as a partial Trump supporter.===
That’s not how this works.
You support Trump, you support a racist president a xenophobic leader, a man who sees anyone not like him as unworthy.
How do i know?
When GHWB told of his flat out refusal at all levels of Davis Duke when he ran for office, I realized the power of the presidency in signaling to the county and the world that social and racial divides are who electeds are, no matter the policies they think you should find agreeing.
POTUS is wrong, let along his administration’s way and criminal outcasts that have already pled or were found guilty.
There is no partial. Nope.
- Blue Dog Dem - Thursday, Oct 10, 19 @ 4:26 pm:
There is no partial.
Yep there is. Says who? Me. That’s all that counts.
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Oct 10, 19 @ 4:28 pm:
===There is no partial.
Yep there is. Says who? Me. That’s all that counts.===
Rationalizing your own convictions, beliefs, mores…
I dunno if I’d brag that I would be that flippant with what i stand for, but you do you, LOL
You support a racist. Congratulations.
- @misterjayem - Thursday, Oct 10, 19 @ 4:38 pm:
“You support a racist. Congratulations.”
Only partial congratulations, Willy.
– MrJM
- Pundent - Thursday, Oct 10, 19 @ 5:18 pm:
In fairness to Blue Dog he didn’t say which part of Trump he supports. Could be the racism, disregard for the rule of law, or distain for the intelligence community.
- Blue Dog Dem - Thursday, Oct 10, 19 @ 6:59 pm:
Thanks Pund. In the widget business, the Chinese stole. I mean stole a patent thst i personally had over $1 million invested. Still waiting(6 yrs) for the WTO to have hearings. The Chinese say they dont play by them rules. So, yea. I like some of that Trump.
- Last Bull Moose - Thursday, Oct 10, 19 @ 7:09 pm:
I have been a never Trumper since he attacked the Gold Star Khan family. Still I hoped for better than we got.
Even when Trump gets the right issue, he botches the execution.
- Blue Dog Dem - Thursday, Oct 10, 19 @ 7:12 pm:
LBM. I dont disagree. But my former party, much like the Repubs, has been taken over by kooks.
- Pundent - Thursday, Oct 10, 19 @ 7:23 pm:
I forgot the part about how you wanted to see farmers suffer and prices to go up at Wal-Mart and Target so we can stick it to the middle class. Glad to know that like Trump it’s always about you. Maybe China will come through with something on Biden. Won’t help your patent problem. But that’s the way the President rolls.
- Truthteller - Thursday, Oct 10, 19 @ 7:36 pm:
How much Russian money been fed to Rodney Davis’s campaigns? We know NRA got a big chunk, they passed all over to republicans like Davis. Other GOP pacs got foreign monies too as we see several republicans giving it all back.
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Oct 10, 19 @ 8:26 pm:
- Blue Dog Dem -‘s reason for supporting Trump and ignoring so much is so very… Trumpy.
Still, supporting Trump is a stain you have to wear, that’s how it works today.
- Ebenezer - Thursday, Oct 10, 19 @ 10:11 pm:
As an old, pale, moderately wealthy male who can do a little math; I’d really like a gop I could stomach being a member of.
But Dad is a bonafide eagle scout who couldn’t sleep on election day trying to figure out what happened to his country.
- The Other Rich Hill - Friday, Oct 11, 19 @ 8:26 am:
Two points:
1. What do Republicans have against American society that they keep complaining about American socialists?
2. Conservative Ives’ campaign says, “let’s have a vote, Nancy Pelosi.”
This GOP talking point is specious at best.
There already was a vote. It was in January when the House Rules were voted on and passed.
The conservatives keep referring to the Nixon and Clinton impeachment proceedings which were organized ad hoc because House Rules at those times did not include provisions for impeachment proceedings in the same way the 2019 rules do.
In other words, conservatives are deflecting and hoping the public won’t wise up.
PS: If Mr. Trump is impeached, he’ll have his right to face his “accusers” in the Senate.
- @misterjayem - Friday, Oct 11, 19 @ 9:28 am:
Give Blue Dog a break, guys. It’s like he says: he only supports the racist because he’s personally benefiting.
– MrJM