* US Rep. Darin LaHood last month…
“I’ve said all along that you need to have facts and evidence if you are going to allege that there were voting improprieties. Those have not been brought forth. We saw that on Friday night with the Supreme Court moving swiftly and definitively. Now, I was one that signed on to the brief. I believe that everybody should have their day in court, but the Supreme Court ruled that there was no merit to moving forward with the Texas case. I think we are getting much closer to [a transition]. I think the Electoral College decision [yesterday] will move us closer to an administration with [former] Vice President Biden.”
* Tribune…
Republican U.S. Rep. Adam Kinzinger, of Channahon, whose 16th District stretches from the Indiana border to the Rockford area, said the president’s weekend phone call — recorded and now available online for the world to hear — asking Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger to “find” votes that would overturn that state’s election results is “appalling” and told fellow Republicans who are considering objecting to the results to stop it.
U.S. Rep. Darin LaHood, of Peoria, is “reviewing and analyzing the legislative and legal proposals ahead of the January 6th proceedings,” spokesman John Rauber wrote in an emailed statement.
Messages seeking comment were not returned from the offices of U.S. Rep. Mike Bost, of Murphysboro, and U.S. Rep. Rodney Davis of Taylorville.
* News-Gazette…
U.S. Rep. Rodney Davis, R-Taylorville, doesn’t plan to join fellow Republicans in the House and Senate Wednesday in objecting to the Electoral College victory of President-elect Joe Biden, The News-Gazette has learned. […]
“Like all members of Congress, Rodney will listen to each objection and hear both sides during floor debate before casting his vote,” the spokesman said. “While this process may take a little longer than normal, Rodney fully anticipates the vote of the Electoral College will be certified.”
I’ve yet to see any quotes from Mike Bost, who, like LaHood, signed on to that horribly flawed gambit at the US Supreme Court.
* Meanwhile…
Describing President Trump’s phone call with Georgia’s top election official as “frightening,” an Illinois Republican congressman suggested that he now regrets his vote for the president and might even be open to a third party if his GOP colleagues continue to echo baseless conspiracy claims about a stolen election.
In an interview with Yahoo News’ “Skullduggery” podcast, Rep. Adam Kinzinger also said he is worried about the prospects for violence around the Capitol on Wednesday, when tens of thousands of Trump supporters are expected to show up for protests aimed at pressuring lawmakers to block Joe Biden’s election. Those protesters, he said, have been victimized by a “scam” perpetrated by Trump. […]
“I would say if I knew everything I know now, I’d probably think differently,” Kinzinger said when asked about his vote for Trump last November. While he had supported the president “based on policy,” Kinzinger said that Trump’s behavior since the election — questioning the legitimacy of the election and threatening “the underpinnings of democracy” — represents a “massive demarcation” in presidential behavior. He added at one point: “I’ll tell you everything I’m hearing is, he’s freaking out generally.” […]
“The president has raised more money on this than I think he did during the election,” Kinzinger said. “You think about the hardworking Americans, these Republicans that vote for me, that I represent, that, uh, you know, are so invested in the future of this country, God bless them for that, but they’re writing checks that in some cases are tough to afford because they believe in it that much. [And] to give it to a millionaire, or … the other folks that are out there raising money on this, making amazing videos about how they’re gonna object, standing in front of adoring crowds to get the applause.
“It’s a scam and there’s not a single person that is part of this that actually thinks this has a chance in Hades. Nobody.”
Please take at least one and maybe more deep cleansing breaths before commenting, please. Watch your rhetoric. Don’t get yourself banned. Thanks.
- @misterjayem - Tuesday, Jan 5, 21 @ 11:13 am:
But “both sides,” rite??
– MrJM
- Curious citizen - Tuesday, Jan 5, 21 @ 11:15 am:
“U.S. Rep. Darin LaHood, of Peoria, is “reviewing and analyzing the legislative and legal proposals ahead of the January 6th proceedings,” spokesman John Rauber wrote in an emailed statement.”
When was the last time LaHood was actually interviewed by a reporter or held a news conference? Emailed statements by his spokesman really don’t cut it any more.
- Candy Dogood - Tuesday, Jan 5, 21 @ 11:16 am:
Mike Bost won’t host a town hall, I can’t imagine he would be willing to be asked to explain his acts of lite treason.
I don’t like U.S. Rep Adam Kinzinger’s politics, but at least he is out front trying to do the right thing and even if his motives are because he is eying his electoral future, he still comes down on the right side of history.
- So of I-64 - Tuesday, Jan 5, 21 @ 11:18 am:
I’m sure Bost is in on everything Trump
from the start. He has already started mailing out campaign material for 2022. Got it yesterday.
- ChicagoVinny - Tuesday, Jan 5, 21 @ 11:19 am:
GOP in disarray.
- Grandson of Man - Tuesday, Jan 5, 21 @ 11:22 am:
“We saw that on Friday night with the Supreme Court moving swiftly and definitively.”
Trump just lost case #62 in Georgia instantaneously after the hearing this morning (total number of all cases lost by his allies and him). It’s way, way, way past time to give up on any notion that the election should be challenged.
- Montrose - Tuesday, Jan 5, 21 @ 11:22 am:
I think the Kinzingers of the Republican party are going to end up looking a lot better than Bosts a few years out.
- Pot calling kettle - Tuesday, Jan 5, 21 @ 11:23 am:
I’m starting to think Kinzinger is sincere, and that’s a very big shift for me.
Kinzinger seems to be one of the very few Republicans who understands that Trump has gone off the deep end. We have passed the time when the Republicans should have flat-out rejected Trump and accepted the fact that the November election was fairly executed. LaHood and Bost are very disappointing; Davis is also showing a serious lack of leadership. They should all know better and act better. The current Trump direction is over a cliff that will, at a minimum, inflict serious damage on the Republican brand, Even worse, it is a very serious attack on the foundation of democracy - people need to trust the vote - attacking that trust needs to be backed up by evidence.
Kudos to Kinzinger, I hope this is more than a one-off. We need more reality-based leaders. I hope he takes the next step and calls his colleagues to walk them back.
- NIU Grad - Tuesday, Jan 5, 21 @ 11:27 am:
As much as I appreciate Kinzinger’s stance on this…”he now regrets his vote for the president.”
Come on, man. After four years or tiptoeing around criticisms of him while praising all of his other positions, this final line is drawn after your House reelection and right as you’re considering a statewide run? I’d like to believe the man is sincere…but that ship has sailed for me.
- Huh? - Tuesday, Jan 5, 21 @ 11:34 am:
Kinzinger is a two faced weasel, who is trying to get on the right side of history. He has been trump sycophant for the last 4 years. Marching lock step to the beat of the whims and tweets of trump.
This sudden change to mealy mouth the actions of his party leader is obvious.
- Siualum - Tuesday, Jan 5, 21 @ 11:35 am:
I voted for Kinzinger’s opponent in November, but give him lots of credit for taking a stance with his statements about Trump. There are a lot of Trumpers in his district.
- Jocko - Tuesday, Jan 5, 21 @ 11:36 am:
Gotta love seeing the party of law & order abandon both.
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Jan 5, 21 @ 11:36 am:
While all the GOP members have been complicit to helping Trump these 4 years, and that should be consistently noted during these times…
The idea of usurping democracy, it will be important going forward which members are going to object and are going to support disenfranchising millions of voters.
- Dan Johnson - Tuesday, Jan 5, 21 @ 11:36 am:
Good for Rep Kinzinger He was out there very early which can’t be easy for an elected Republican. And the President’s behavior is, frankly, deranged.
Secretaries of Defense (all of them, I think) have said this is a scary time.
https://www.mycentraloregon.com/2021/01/05/defense-secretaries-letter-warning-trump-was-signed-by-all-in-only-two-days/
So, yes, who cares what might happen in 2022 or 2024. In January of 2021, it is *great* for the Republic for elected Republicans to say the truth as that reduces the odds our President will ignore the warnings of all former defense secretaries and try to use the military to “fight like hell” to stay in power.
This is the world we live in. I’m grateful to Rep Kinzinger and to Rep Davis. I hope Reps Bost and LaHood join them. I’m sure it isn’t easy when the President is actively (and successfully) lying to their constituents.
- Norseman - Tuesday, Jan 5, 21 @ 11:43 am:
NIU Grad +1.
Kinzinger and a too few other GOP officials are standing up for what’s right. But lionizing them for doing what’s expected is too much.
It’s like giving soldiers Congressional Medals of Honor for staying in the trench as others run away. They are expected to do their job. The problem is that a majority of the GOP is now running from the principles of our democracy thus jeopardizing what makes our country great.
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Jan 5, 21 @ 11:45 am:
Kinzinger will have to “answer for Santino” if Kinzinger runs statewide.
Lots to answer for… this won’t be one of that, but so much to answer for all the same.
- Flying Elvis'-Utah Chapter - Tuesday, Jan 5, 21 @ 11:47 am:
A five minute conversation with Mike Bost reveals all you need to know about him. The man defines “empty suit” and will do what whomever is in charge tells him to.
Why the ILDEMs gave him so many free passes back when this area was still pretty Dem, I’ll never know.
Now, he’s pretty much unbeatable.
- walker - Tuesday, Jan 5, 21 @ 11:47 am:
Bost is piling up paper, adjusting the lighting, and rehearsing his outburst. Avoid your earphones.
- Old Shepherd - Tuesday, Jan 5, 21 @ 12:03 pm:
I think we all know where Bost will be on this issue, and it won’t be on the side of statesmanship, reconciliation, or the Constitution.
- Pot calling kettle - Tuesday, Jan 5, 21 @ 12:18 pm:
=+=“I would say if I knew everything I know now, I’d probably think differently,” Kinzinger said when asked about his vote for Trump last November. While he had supported the president “based on policy,” Kinzinger said that Trump’s behavior since the election — questioning the legitimacy of the election and threatening “the underpinnings of democracy” — represents a “massive demarcation” in presidential behavior.===
Was he not paying attention? Trump made it very clear that he would not accept a loss and that he would pretty much do exactly what he is doing. Anyone paying attention knew this would be the response.
Again, I’m starting to think Kinzinger is sincere, but time will tell. He might admit that he did not take Trump at his word back in October…
- Blake - Tuesday, Jan 5, 21 @ 12:21 pm:
Kinzinger could turn me into a Pritzker-
Biden-Kinzinger voter. That said, I still favor Democrats for federal office.
- thoughts matter - Tuesday, Jan 5, 21 @ 12:25 pm:
Kinzinger has actually been speaking out against Trump for at least several months before the election.
Lahore needs a serious challenger in the next election/ one with name recognition and campaign funds. I am one of his constituents and he hasn’t represented me once.
- RDB - Tuesday, Jan 5, 21 @ 12:25 pm:
I’m not worried. The Trump-backers have no chance of succeeding. Thursday is two days away and Jan. 20 is 15 days away–very soon this whole mess will be over.
- Grandson of Man - Tuesday, Jan 5, 21 @ 12:27 pm:
The objections have nothing to do with election fraud but everything to do with Trump and his base, which is the GOP now.
This is a moment of truth for Republicans, to see if they choose democracy over authoritarianism. It’s stunning and frightening. In fairness there are some Republicans who will not go along with Trump, and we now look to them to be among the heroes.
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Jan 5, 21 @ 12:30 pm:
=== Kinzinger has actually been speaking out against Trump for at least several months before the election.===
When it mattered, on the floor of the House, Kinzinger was a Trump supporter.
When it mattered, on the floor of the House, Kinzinger voted against impeachment of Trump.
Kinzinger has to answer for Santino, I’m curious how that will look.
- zatoichi - Tuesday, Jan 5, 21 @ 12:32 pm:
Lahood translation: Yeah I signed that thing, but I have gotten some serious heat about it.
- CitizensArrest - Tuesday, Jan 5, 21 @ 12:33 pm:
This whole thing is really awful. I understand that some of them afraid to stand up to Trump or call this a scam, but it is a scam. His failure to concede is unlike anything we have seen in 220 years.
In a way I sort of understand why some really really weak and insecure Republican congressional members might fall pray to this type of a scam because Trump polls so strongly in the GOP and in some districts. But it’s all really sad and infuriating.
Most of them at some level may even know better, they should know better.
- Jocko - Tuesday, Jan 5, 21 @ 12:39 pm:
==The Trump-backers have no chance of succeeding.==
Um, you might want to google ‘Reichstag fire’.
- PublicServant - Tuesday, Jan 5, 21 @ 12:40 pm:
I have one word for the portion of this post’s subject regarding Mike Bost:
“…Bost silent…”
Finally (Exclamation point)
- CitizensArrest - Tuesday, Jan 5, 21 @ 12:42 pm:
I think Kinzigner, Romney and the other Repbulicans who are standing up for Democracy are heroes.
Criticize Kinzinger if you want, criticize his motives if you want. But in this moment he is right and he is courageous I am really glad he’s out there saying what he is saying.
- JWGDH - Tuesday, Jan 5, 21 @ 12:44 pm:
Worth noting that the House of Representatives voted to seat its own members from the six disputed states:
https://www.dallasnews.com/news/politics/2021/01/04/texas-rep-chip-roy-objects-to-seating-some-house-members-as-gop-feud-over-november-election-results-intensifies/
Basically, at this point any House members who object will be saying that the House elections in those states were valid enough to declare a winner, but the Presidential election was so corrupt that the Electors from those states should not be counted.
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Jan 5, 21 @ 12:45 pm:
=== But in this moment he is right and he is courageous===
Had he “stood up” and was “courageous”… like Romney was in impeachment…
Your low bar and amnesia is noted.
Also, standing up to the actual truth and being congratulated is also a low bar.
I am curious how Kinzinger’s Trump enabling will follow him.
It won’t be forgotten, that’s why there are ads.
- Last Bull Moose - Tuesday, Jan 5, 21 @ 12:51 pm:
There is a difference between trimming your sails to political winds and selling your soul. We are learning who sold their soul.
- Norseman - Tuesday, Jan 5, 21 @ 12:57 pm:
=== Repbulicans who are standing up for Democracy are heroes. ===
Isn’t standing up for democracy and the constitution what they are supposed to do under the oath they take?
Considering the degradation of the values of our country under Trump, perhaps we should consider 81 million voters to be heroes.
- Lincoln Lad - Tuesday, Jan 5, 21 @ 12:59 pm:
I congratulate Kinzinger for his present stand, while acknowledging he supported the Trump agenda and much of the nonsense through his floor votes. We need more people to reverse past actions, to return to what is appropriate and constitutional. That should be expected, is not courageous, and should be encouraged.
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Jan 5, 21 @ 1:04 pm:
=== That should be expected, is not courageous, and should be encouraged.===
So well said, - Norseman - you’re on it as well.
The damage had been done. The current situation needs honesty to their oath, that’s not courageous, that’s expected.
History takes its own time to allow how they will be judged.
Still, Kinzinger feels this need to run statewide? Ok.
He will answer for Santino, or better have answers about his complicity.
- Just Me 2 - Tuesday, Jan 5, 21 @ 1:04 pm:
I would love to see Bost argue with a straight face how Blagojevich didn’t deserve to be Governor, but Trump deserves to still be President.
- Lincoln Lad - Tuesday, Jan 5, 21 @ 1:22 pm:
One thing I will give Kinzinger, he did decide to flip before the inauguration. There will be numerous flippers in the days after. We’ll hear that they were badly misunderstood.
- don the legend - Tuesday, Jan 5, 21 @ 2:36 pm:
OW. Carlo answered for Santino. I’m thinking Kinzinger is hoping he can talk Tom into a favor “for old times sake”.
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Jan 5, 21 @ 2:38 pm:
- don the legend -
I wish him better luck with that than Sally got…
- tomhail - Tuesday, Jan 5, 21 @ 3:13 pm:
>>>Bost is piling up paper, adjusting the lighting, and rehearsing his outburst. Avoid your earphones.
- Tired of the Mess - Tuesday, Jan 5, 21 @ 7:44 pm:
Kinzinger may be correct, but he is completely grandstanding and intoxicated with the praise of the media. He needs to be careful before the media turns on him, as it always does, and asks him to explain why his state shows a record exodus of both individuals and businesses.