* Washington Post on Friday…
A growing number of congressional Republicans expressed exasperation Friday over what they view as President Trump’s indefensible behavior, a sign that the president’s stranglehold on his party is starting to weaken as Congress hurtles toward a historic impeachment vote. […]
“I don’t see what the big deal is, frankly,” Rep. Rodney Davis (R-Ill.) said of Trump’s decision to host the G-7 at Doral.
* New York Times…
He knew he was inviting criticism by choosing his own luxury golf club in Miami for the site of a gathering of world leaders at the Group of 7 summit in June, President Trump told his aides opposed to the choice, and he was prepared for the inevitable attack from Democrats.
But what Mr. Trump was not prepared for was the reaction of fellow Republicans who said his choice of the club, the Trump National Doral, had crossed a line, and they couldn’t defend it.
So Mr. Trump did something that might not have been a surprise for a president facing impeachment but that was unusual for him: He reversed himself Saturday night, abruptly ending the uproar touched off two days earlier by the announcement of his decision by Mick Mulvaney, his acting chief of staff.
And with that, the president pulled the rug out from under people like Rodney Davis.
We’ll see if Congressman Davis changes his tune when the candidate petition filing process ends and he doesn’t pick up an even more pro-Trump Republican opponent than he is.
The president won Davis’ district by about 5.5 percentage points, but Gov. Pritzker won it by 3.4. President Obama lost the district by 0.3 percent in 2012. It’s a swingy, slightly GOP-leaning district. Next year’s election is shaping up to look more like 2018 here than 2016 or 2012 and Rodney only won by 0.76 percent last year.
Stay tuned.
- MakePoliticsCoolAgain - Monday, Oct 21, 19 @ 2:25 pm:
Rodney has decided to attach his star to Trump. My only question for the Congressman, “do you want fries with that?” Asking for a friend aka the people of Taylorville.
- Norseman - Monday, Oct 21, 19 @ 2:30 pm:
Davis theme for 2020
This and other recent examples show that Davis is working hard to be a star member of the Meadows/Nunes/Jordan/Gaetz Coverup Caucus.
To quote a leader of the former GOP (the one with principles):
Nations do not die from invasion; they die from internal rottenness.
Abraham Lincoln
I hope the good folks of central Illinois do their part to address this rottenness by throwing Davis out of office.
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Oct 21, 19 @ 2:31 pm:
=== “I don’t see what the big deal is, frankly,” Rep. Rodney Davis (R-Ill.)===
Dear DCCC,
If you are not revolving a WHOLE campaign against Rodney Davis with that, it will be such campaign gross malpractice.
“Farms are going into bankruptcy, but if you ask Rodney Davis… ‘I don’t see what the big deal is, frankly,’ is what you’ll hear”
Thus is the type of line that sinks incumbent candidates, let alone ALL-IN Trumpkins, with Trump on the ballot.
When a phony tells you who they are, believe Rodney Davis is all-in with Trump.
For me?
“I don’t see what the big deal is, frankly”…
…is now my response to any question I get about anything.
I’ve used it 3 times already, and sure I get strange looks, but if you want to seem disinterested, it’s the go to phrase that pays.
Let’s be crystal clear here too;
Folks like Rodney Davis are ignoring the constitution and support this POTUS for the political expediency over his own oath to the constitution.
Think on this;
POTUS changes *his* mind because of pressure and the constitution, Davis chose to be counted that it was no big deal.
See, to break this down further, Rodney Davis was “cool” with the whole Doral thingy, decides to take POTUS’ side. Then POTUS bails due to pressure from honest media questioning and Dem emolument issues. What is Rodney Davis thinking? Hold your powder when it comes to this POTUS, unless you’re an all-in Trumpkin. That’s Rodney Davis.
The biggest mistake will be letting Rodney Davis off the hook.
- Gohawks123 - Monday, Oct 21, 19 @ 2:35 pm:
That’s a bold choice lets see how it pays off….
- Sayitaintso - Monday, Oct 21, 19 @ 2:39 pm:
If, by this time, Davis finds nothing repulsive about the overall persona of Don Trump, then he is just another enabler, cheerleader for him. It astounds me how many weakling, hypocritical Republicans roll over for this guy. He would stomp on them in a second if it suited his mood, his wallet, or his erratic need to demean. For teetering Repubs, the balls are in your court. Use them.
- Dotnonymous - Monday, Oct 21, 19 @ 2:41 pm:
My Wife saw a recent picture of Rodney Davis sporting a new beard…She asked me if I thought it was an attempt at a disguise…I laughed…somewhat amused.
- Nick Name - Monday, Oct 21, 19 @ 2:43 pm:
“You people with this phony emoluments clause.” - President Trump, today
Keep embracing this president, Rodney. Please.
- Former Downstater - Monday, Oct 21, 19 @ 2:44 pm:
A Democratic County Clerk in Champaign County actively registering students and making it easy to vote could make a difference in this race.
- Blue Dog Dem - Monday, Oct 21, 19 @ 2:54 pm:
…farms are going into bankruptcy. This despite better than average commodity prices under this administration and the highest percentage of crop subsidies in history.
Makes me wonder why these bankruptcies are REALLY happening.
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Oct 21, 19 @ 2:55 pm:
=== Makes me wonder why these bankruptcies are REALLY happening.===
#FakeNews
Whew. Ok.
- Blue Dog Dem - Monday, Oct 21, 19 @ 3:05 pm:
OW. I am not denying farm bankruptcies. Heres what i know. The last two decades have seen a drive to become larger farm operations. The only way to become bigger is to buy more farm ground or bid more than the next guy in regards to cash rent. The neighbors i know, the ones in trouble or the ones who have packed it in. Have all fallen into the latter. Sure. All farmers want $8 corn and $16 beans. But as we have trained the world to be better farmers, just maybe, we are over producing.
- Steve - Monday, Oct 21, 19 @ 3:10 pm:
- Blue Dog Dem -
OW might be long options with low deltas in Soybeans.
- BluegrassBoy - Monday, Oct 21, 19 @ 3:11 pm:
Farmers hold the key to outing Davis. At some point the subsidies aren’t going to cut it. Farmers want markets not corporate welfare.
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Oct 21, 19 @ 3:12 pm:
=== All farmers want $8 corn and $16 beans. But as we have trained the world to be better farmers, just maybe, we are over producing.===
Good stuff, well done.
To the politics to it, we’ll see if that one sentence is used over and over again. It’s malpractice if it’s not.
Be well.
- Downstate - Monday, Oct 21, 19 @ 3:13 pm:
“This despite better than average commodity prices”
Well that’s not true. Corn is currently at $3.87/bushel. This is well below the 10 year average where it has been as high as $8/bushel.
Input costs, particularly seed costs, fertilizer and herbicides have steadily increased. While productivity is up, it’s not up enough to overcome lower grain prices and higher operating costs.
- Lord of the Fries - Monday, Oct 21, 19 @ 3:17 pm:
There was no GOP energy in 2018. Trump does get GOP voters to turn out. Sorry but this helps Rodney in 2020. Expect his margin of victory to be bigger than 2018.
- Rich Miller - Monday, Oct 21, 19 @ 3:25 pm:
===Farmers hold the key to outing Davis===
I doubt it. There aren’t enough of them to make a huge difference. The key here is ginning up turnout in college areas (and there are like 10 of them in that district) and in minority precincts (also a ton) and among hourly hospital employees, teachers, etc.
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Oct 21, 19 @ 3:26 pm:
- Lord of the Fries -
That’s the gamble. We’ll see.
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Oct 21, 19 @ 3:28 pm:
I was using, as an example, that Davis’ quote can be used for *anything*, and I chose farmers because they ain’t the group Davis should worry about. Students and urban areas, that’s the fear.
The quote is easily interchangeable, that was my point.
- Stark - Monday, Oct 21, 19 @ 3:31 pm:
This is just embarrassing at this point.
- Pick a Name - Monday, Oct 21, 19 @ 3:53 pm:
Why wouldn’t he? Look at the accomplishments of Trump, especially the economy. As of recently, Moodys predicts an easy 2020 win for Trump based on the economy and how much better off we are.
Can you imagine debates with Biden? With Warren?
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Oct 21, 19 @ 3:56 pm:
=== Why wouldn’t he?===
Incarcerating children, embracing a racist president, someone who decided something was no big deal, emoluments, and yet POTUS caved.
You get *all* of Trump, all the bad too
- Ducky LaMoore - Monday, Oct 21, 19 @ 4:00 pm:
“Can you imagine debates with Biden? With Warren?”
I’m actually imagining them with Buttigieg. And they don’t look pretty for the incumbent.
- Pick a Name - Monday, Oct 21, 19 @ 4:08 pm:
Your opinion Willy. We get all of all politicians, but you know that.
Now, back to the economy among many other things.
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Oct 21, 19 @ 4:09 pm:
- Pick a Name -
Supporting a racist president is the same, no matter the economy.
Again, we’ll see.
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Oct 21, 19 @ 4:15 pm:
Like GHWB and David Duke, who a person is, that’s who you support.
New York Times, November 7, 1991
=== Yet he (President George HW Bush) said: “When someone has a long record, an ugly record of racism and of bigotry, that record simply cannot be erased by the glib rhetoric of a political campaign. So I believe David Duke is an insincere charlatan. I believe he’s attempting to hoodwink the voters of Louisiana, I believe he should be rejected for what he is and what he stands for.”===
No matter party, economy, if you are with Trump, you support all he stands for, that’s the ball game.
- Lester Holt’s Mustache - Monday, Oct 21, 19 @ 4:27 pm:
One has to assume he’s getting a lot more complaints from red hats about not supporting trump enough than he does from regular people complaining he supports trump too much. If dems could recruit a better challenger than Londrigan, he’d lose that seat by a bunch. Unfortunately, he’ll probably still squeak by
- cover - Monday, Oct 21, 19 @ 4:37 pm:
= highest percentage of crop subsidies in history =
I thought socialism was a dirty word in GOP circles…
- Nick Name - Monday, Oct 21, 19 @ 4:38 pm:
===Look at the accomplishments of Trump, especially the economy.===
First, what OW said: a racist is a racist, regardless of the economy. Second, the economy may well take a nosedive between now and next year.
Third, the Kurds may get genocided out of existence thanks to Trump, but all you care about is the economy? What the heck is wrong with you?
- So_Ill - Monday, Oct 21, 19 @ 4:49 pm:
==Can you imagine debates with Biden? With Warren?==
Yes, the president with a sub-80 IQ who has never actually read a book would get absolutely rolled, just like he did in 2016.
I hope you were joking with that post.
- Pick a Name - Monday, Oct 21, 19 @ 5:10 pm:
There isn’t a current candidate on the Dem side running for President that could beat Trump in a series of debates, especially Biden and Warren
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Oct 21, 19 @ 5:11 pm:
=== There isn’t a current candidate===
Opinion.
You support a racist President.
That is factual to that President.
- Rich Miller - Monday, Oct 21, 19 @ 5:16 pm:
===There isn’t a current candidate on the Dem side running for President that could beat Trump in a series of debates===
Trump didn’t do well in the 2016 debates. The debates ended up being mostly irrelevant. Not saying you’re wrong, I’m just saying you are using a national talking point without thinking things through.
- Pot calling kettle - Monday, Oct 21, 19 @ 6:35 pm:
Here’s how Trump feels about “allies.”
“We never agreed to protect _______ for the rest of their lives.”
Trump expects loyalty, but feels no obligation in return. That’s the risk to folks like Rep. Davis. Your loyalty has no guaranteed payoff. You will be cut loose whenever it is expedient.
- Flapdoodle - Monday, Oct 21, 19 @ 6:39 pm:
@Pick a Name — Y’all might want to check the direction of recent polling. It isn’t what you apparently want to believe. Or is the following just more “fake news”?
https://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/latest_polls/general_election/
- justacitizen - Monday, Oct 21, 19 @ 8:05 pm:
Not sure why the democratic party is so obsessed with impeachment-except that they don’t think they can win in 2020. By the time any impeachment is decided (an the democrats can’t win impeachment because of the Senate GOP majority) the 2020 election will be over.
- Pot calling kettle - Monday, Oct 21, 19 @ 8:19 pm:
==except that they don’t think they can win in 2020==
Just the opposite. Most Dems did not think impeachment was politically useful or electorally necessary. If successful, they get the same government with a President Pence. However, there are limits to what can be allowed to pass even in anticipation of an election. The drafters of the Constitution clearly thought so.
To the post, Rep. Davis is in the position of holding the President to some minimum standard of behavior or appeasing the Trump diehards who might vote in his primary if he makes them mad. (They probably will not vote otherwise.)
It seems unlikely that Rep. Davis will criticize the President any time before mid-December, and then, only if he lacks a Primary opponent.
- Norseman - Monday, Oct 21, 19 @ 10:12 pm:
=== Not sure why the democratic party is so obsessed with impeachment-except that they don’t think they can win in 2020. ===
Why is the GOP so bereft of principle and respect for our constitution that they don’t vote to impeach a president who uses taxpayer money, diplomats and other government employees to extort a foreign country to fabricate dirt on a political opponent? Trump must be impeached because he feels no restraint in abusing the powers of his office to rig the election. He is figuratively standing on 5th Avenue taking shots at people while his cult is anxiously waiting to cheer the crime.
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Oct 21, 19 @ 11:02 pm:
- Norseman -
=== Why is the GOP so bereft of principle and respect for our constitution that they don’t vote to impeach a president who…===
That is the real question.
As long as I’ve been a Republican, and looking back to Reagan, GHWB, and now to those like Kasich, how can any Republican pre-Trump succumb to what his presidency is doing to the Constitution?
Your comment laid out exactly what the only question should be… “good economy” or not. Ugh.
Where are those Republicans we knew?
- Lynn S. - Tuesday, Oct 22, 19 @ 1:09 am:
Let’s don’t forget: Where’s Rodney’s parents have made their money with multiple McDonald’s franchises over the last 40 years.
I know that in the 1980s, you had to have $1,000,000 in assets to become a McDonald’s franchisee. Let’s assume Rodney’s parents only had to have $500,000 to get their Taylorville franchise in the 1970s.
Rodney’s from a family that is easily in the top 20%, economically, and possibly in the top 10%.
Yet Rodney campaigns as being from a “middle-class family”, and a slight majority of Rodney’s voters buy into the mendacity of the statement.
I am just on of the residents of Where’s Rodney’s district who will be donating to and voting for Betsy.
With any luck, Where’s Rodney will be sent packing after the 2020 election day.
- Pick a Name - Tuesday, Oct 22, 19 @ 7:28 am:
Ya Lynn, knock a family who took a risk running a business that requires an enormous time investment. Knock success from hard work.
So many people sit on the sidelines and are critical of those in the arena making things happen.
Sad, very sad.
- Pick a Name - Tuesday, Oct 22, 19 @ 7:31 am:
Flapdoodle, I referenced Moodys and what they are projecting.
BTW, how did that polling work out in 2016?
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Oct 22, 19 @ 7:34 am:
- Lynn S. -
I look at it this way;
A member of congress willing to support a racist president who ignores the constitution should face defeat.
Those who support a racist president, pretending they can parse they are those who can’t grasp President George HW Bush’s words…
Trumpkins, no matter their background or wealth are helping this racist president take the constitution down.
This president called the emoluments clause… phony.
Where is Rodney on that?
“I don’t see what the big deal is, frankly,”
Be well.
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Oct 22, 19 @ 7:35 am:
=== how did that polling work out in 2016?===
Trump lost the popular vote, as polling indicated.
Anything else?
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Oct 22, 19 @ 7:44 am:
Oh, RealClearPolitics average, the last week of the election?
Clinton - 46%
Trump - 43%
Actual?
Clinton - 48%
Trump -46%
- efudd - Tuesday, Oct 22, 19 @ 8:12 am:
Trump can pull the rug out from under his supporters, smother them with it, roll up their bodies in it, then dump it all in the river.
Doesn’t matter, Trump supporters will follow him to the gates of you know where.
It’s a sickness really.
- Lynn S. - Tuesday, Oct 22, 19 @ 9:01 am:
Oswego Willie, thank you, sir, and have a great day!
Pick a Name, would you kindly tell us who you are, and your relationship to Where’s Rodney? Are you defending his indefensible behavior because of blood or marriage, or because he’s crossing your palm with silver? (And if it’s for silver, for the sake of your soul, I sincerely hope you’re getting about 30,000 pieces of silver, not 30.)
My dad was a farmer. I know quite a bit about hard work and risk-taking, and how politics and the external economy can mess with a family’s income and long-term economic health.
But I don’t go around thinking that because my parents had less money than Trump (who I suspect is poorer and far more indebted than his supporters care to admit) or Rockefeller or Bill Gates that I’m “middle class”.
When Where’s Rodney starts being more honest about his parents income status, I’ll find something else to criticize him for.
Until then, I’ll continue to bring up this particular piece of mendacity.
May the good Lord have mercy upon you and your soul.
- Demoralized - Tuesday, Oct 22, 19 @ 9:04 am:
Pick a Name:
Do you support Trump? I’m assuming you do. So how do you and other Trump supporters defend the way he acts? I’ve never understood that. I think he was right when he said he could murder someone and his supporters would still support him. That’s how ignorant our politics have become.
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Oct 22, 19 @ 9:08 am:
- Demoralized -
- Pick a Name - is a Trumpkin, but doesn’t believe in the birther stuff… but does calls President Obama… “Barry”