* Kelsey Landis at the BND…
Congressional Republicans voted to remove Rep. Liz Cheney from leadership Wednesday morning over her criticisms of former President Donald Trump, though only one member of Congress from southern Illinois has shared how she voted.
A tweet from U.S. Rep. Mary Miller, R-Oakland, said Cheney “is seriously out of step with Republicans and is no longer capable of effectively leading the party.” […]
Republican U.S. Rep. Rodney Davis of Taylorville echoed Bost’s statement that Republicans need to come together on more pressing issues.
“Liz is a good friend, and I thought she did a good job as conference chair. I’d like to thank her for her leadership. Our country has real problems that are going unaddressed,” Davis said in an emailed statement, “a crisis at the southern border, cyber attack on a major pipeline, gas shortages, inflation and rising food and gas prices, lackluster jobs report, an economy hampered by government, kids still not in school, Israel under attack by Hamas terrorists, the list goes on. Democrats are in total control of Washington, yet they refuse to work on real solutions to these problems we face. I’m 100% focused on policy solutions that will improve the lives of the families and taxpayers I represent, and that’s exactly what Congress should be focused on.”
Notice there’s no revelation about how he voted.
* Davis appeared on WJBC’s Scott Miller Show about an hour before the vote…
Miller: All eyes today are on Rep Liz Cheney. Will US House Republicans dump her as their number three leader? What’s your prediction?
Davis: You know I don’t know if there’s even going to be a vote to be honest with you, I was one who… And Liz is a friend of mine and I think, Lis is doing a good job in a very tough situation. Helped Liz during the last attempt when she was able to get 70% of the vote. And from my perspective, I don’t know how she’s gonna fight, she hasn’t talked to me since this new, this new possibility a vote has come up. So we’ll see what happens in about an hour.
Miller: During a speech yesterday on the House floor she said ‘I am a conservative Republican, and the most conservative of conservative principles is reverence for the rule of law, the election is over. That is the rule of law, that is our constitutional process. Those who refuse to accept the rulings of our courts are at war with the Constitution.’ What’s your opinion on where she stands?
Davis: I don’t disagree with anything she said.
* Davis also said this on the show…
Speaking with WJBC’s Scott Miller, Congressman Rodney Davis (R-Taylorville) said he’s received his vaccine and encourages others to do the same.
“Ca’mon, get the vaccine. If you’ve gone through the first one, go get your second vaccine. All three vaccines (Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson) are 100 percent effective against hospitalizations. And that to me shows, that gives us a .0047 percent chance if you get a vaccine to get reinfected and to have that reinfection hospitalize you. You have a better chance of getting struck by lightning.
“If you want our economy and our facilities to reopen again as we used to know them prior to March 2020, stop giving politicians excuses to keep our communities locked down. Go get the vaccine; I did it. I can tell you I don’t have a computer chip in me.”
Folks… I think he’s running.
…Adding… From Rodney Davis’ campaign committee at 4:01 this afternoon…
Friend,
Governor Pritzker has been a disgrace to Illinois.
He’s committed to protecting corrupt Democrats over serving the people of our great state — and it’s time for him to GO.
Chip in just $10 in the next few hours and receive your own FIRE PRITZKER sticker today!
FIRE PRITZKER
Thank you,
Team Davis
Paid for by Rodney for Congress
…Adding… From Democratic Party of Illinois Executive Director Abby Witt (on her first day on the job) in response to the Rodney Davis fundraising email…
“Congressman Rodney Davis has consistently chosen party politics over the people of Illinois by endorsing Donald Trump’s re-election and voting against the American Rescue Plan, denying Illinoisans critical support when they needed it most. Today in Washington, he cemented his place in history as a Trump-loving extremist, while in Illinois he sent a fundraising email attacking Gov. Pritzker and his successful efforts to protect our state in one of its darkest and most unpredictable times. Congressman Davis hasn’t been there for Illinoisans, and they won’t be there for him.”
- Wensicia - Wednesday, May 12, 21 @ 3:58 pm:
Yep, he’s running.
- Cheryl44 - Wednesday, May 12, 21 @ 4:01 pm:
Yup, he’s running.
- Pundent - Wednesday, May 12, 21 @ 4:03 pm:
Should make for an interesting primary.
- Dysfunction Junction - Wednesday, May 12, 21 @ 4:04 pm:
Oh goody. Does this mean he can’t campaign to retain his current position? Asking for a fr… okay I admit it, I’m asking for myself and my neighbors.
- Downstate - Wednesday, May 12, 21 @ 4:04 pm:
I disagree. He just won his district by his biggest margin yet. He’ll be grabbing parts of Mary Miller’s district in the redistricting, which will only strengthen his hold.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, May 12, 21 @ 4:07 pm:
Does that mean Rodney Davis was/is afraid of Mary Miller and instead of trying to “out-Trump” Miller, including not voting to impeach Trump, twice, Davis will try his hand statewide… after voting against the Covid Relief this year too?
Can Davis beat Bailey?
Will Davis have Griffin’s cash?
- Excitable Boy - Wednesday, May 12, 21 @ 4:08 pm:
Is that a Freudian slip in the headline?
- uialum - Wednesday, May 12, 21 @ 4:10 pm:
Shot: Republican says something reasonable.
Chaser: He’s running statewide!
- ArchPundit - Wednesday, May 12, 21 @ 4:13 pm:
So the debates are going to be a nightmare and Davis is going to have to address questions from Bailey about why Davis won’t sign over his first child to Trump. Getting tripped up on a no win question by Darren Bailey would cause a normal person to question their choices.
- Chicago Blue - Wednesday, May 12, 21 @ 4:14 pm:
According to 538, Davis voted with Trump 88.8% of the time. I just don’t see how he wins statewide with that kind of voting record being blasted across the state by Pritzker’s millions.
- Name Withheld - Wednesday, May 12, 21 @ 4:15 pm:
“Can Davis beat Bailey?”
That would be an interesting debate to watch.
- Norseman - Wednesday, May 12, 21 @ 4:20 pm:
Davis dances around the questions faster than any dancer I’ve seen. Whenever he faces reporters, he needs to be asked:
- Did you vote to oust Chaney?
- Is it wrong for Chaney to be ousted?
- Will you support Kinzinger’s re-election?
- DuPage Dem - Wednesday, May 12, 21 @ 4:21 pm:
So he’s too cowardly to tell anyone how he voted? LOL let’s see how that goes for him in a statewide campaign.
- Candy Dogood - Wednesday, May 12, 21 @ 4:23 pm:
On multiple key issues Davis brings nothing to the table that is different from the candidates already in the race and it would be difficult for any sitting Governor to do as many favors for Bruce Rauner as Pat Quinn did.
- Curious citizen - Wednesday, May 12, 21 @ 4:23 pm:
Davis has had a computer chip in him for years. It’s really good animatronics — he’s quite lifelike.
- NIU Grad - Wednesday, May 12, 21 @ 4:24 pm:
Seeing as I barely have heard anything from existing candidates (yes, I know it’s early), I think he would be the candidate most capable of assembling a team, raising funds, and having a media presence attacking the administration at every opportunity.
As for winning in a primary like this…that’s another story.
- Dirty Red - Wednesday, May 12, 21 @ 4:26 pm:
What was that line about transparency?
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, May 12, 21 @ 4:28 pm:
Davis in the Primary - “I was a vote President Trump could rely on, I never voted to impeach”
Davis gets to the General - “Meet my good friend Liz Cheney whom I agree with, but Trump is still important to the Republican Party, but Biden won, but I voted with Trump 88+% of the time, but I’m very bipartisan”
Griffin needs to open the checkbook… “Bigly”
- Tommy657 - Wednesday, May 12, 21 @ 4:34 pm:
How vulnerable is Pritzker? Does the fair tax flop really hit him hard?
- Grandson of Man - Wednesday, May 12, 21 @ 4:50 pm:
Davis was asked again if he voted for Cheney. He wouldn’t answer and kept telling the reporter to focus.
Looking forward to Pritzker taking on any authoritarian GOP candidate. That party is a wreck.
- Union County Shoeless - Wednesday, May 12, 21 @ 4:56 pm:
So is Schimpf chopped liver?
- Montrose - Wednesday, May 12, 21 @ 5:08 pm:
I don’t know what you are talking about. That email from Rodney’s campaign is clearly signaling he is running for another term in Congress. /s
- SIU - Wednesday, May 12, 21 @ 5:20 pm:
Glad he’s getting closer. it will be the same as Pritzkers “Fair Tax”, voters are tired of Illinois Government not being responsible for the spending mess and the “Fair Tax” vote was a message that is going to carry over to next years Governors election.
they don’t trust Pritzker and the current group to offer any solutions.
- Donnie Elgin - Wednesday, May 12, 21 @ 5:25 pm:
=How vulnerable is Pritzker? Does the fair tax flop really hit him hard?=
The LaSalle Veterans’ Home deaths are both a tragedy in human terms and his biggest re-election problem.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, May 12, 21 @ 5:28 pm:
=== Does the fair tax flop really hit him hard?===
Imagine $100 million against Davis pairing him to Trump at every turn, Davis never voting to impeach Trump, even after Trump incited an insurrection, Davis can’t walk back those votes.
Trump lost Illinois by 15+ points. Think that goes away?
- Numbers matter - Wednesday, May 12, 21 @ 5:30 pm:
The one Republican who can beat Guv Pritzker.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, May 12, 21 @ 5:32 pm:
=== The one Republican who can beat Guv Pritzker.===
… who voted with Trump 88% of the time, voted against impeachment… twice.
That’ll go over well in the suburbs
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, May 12, 21 @ 5:42 pm:
===FIRE PRITZKER sticker today===
Fire Madigan was a huge success… amirite?
- Responsa - Wednesday, May 12, 21 @ 5:47 pm:
==That’ll go over well in the suburbs==
The “suburbs” are not monolithic but you know that. See: Fair Tax results.
My head hurts that we are even discussing the next gubernatorial election so soon.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, May 12, 21 @ 5:49 pm:
=== See: Fair Tax results.===
A referendum isn’t candidate versus candidate.
You think Trump is all of a sudden popular in the suburbs…. that’s fun.
- Lucky Pierr - Wednesday, May 12, 21 @ 5:54 pm:
Rodney Davis apparently brings nothing to the table that appeals to liberal Democrats.
I remember Pat Quinn was a lead pipe cinch too
https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/despite-dismal-approval-ratings-quinn-surges-past-untested-rauner-poll/64153/
- Jibba - Wednesday, May 12, 21 @ 5:57 pm:
Davis certainly has a better shot than Bailey or any other R that I can name. He can weasel with the best of them. Just look at his comments today. He has real political skills, unlike JB. Plus, JB may get tarnished by failures that are real. Still a long shot, though.
- Pundent - Wednesday, May 12, 21 @ 6:10 pm:
Davis may wish to pivot but the party certainly shows no desire to do so. You can’t simultaneously chose to stand with Liz Cheney and Donald Trump. Davis seems to think he can thread the need and appeal to both Trump and non-Trump voters alike. The former President won’t stand for that and neither will the voters.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, May 12, 21 @ 6:19 pm:
===You can’t simultaneously chose to stand with Liz Cheney and Donald Trump.===
In actuality, that’s what today was all about; the cult required Cheney to be removed. The “voice” vote was not only about the cowardly, but about the “unity”… no need to count noses, “she’s gone”… for Trump.
This idea that Trump can be ignored… explain today and Cheney’s ouster.
- NUStudent - Wednesday, May 12, 21 @ 6:20 pm:
=He has real political skills, unlike JB.=
Davis lost a state rep bid and his hometown mayor’s race before being chosen by party insiders to replace Tim Johnson. His district has trended R even though it was drawn to elect a Democrat. He only outperformed Trump by 5 points. How is he going to defend his votes on healthcare, COVID relief, abortion, Equality Act, and the Tax Scam? What alternative can he offer? Would he be another Raunerite?
- Dotnonymous - Wednesday, May 12, 21 @ 6:29 pm:
“Davis: You know I don’t know if there’s even going to be a vote to be honest with you…”
Isn’t Davis always honest?
- Grandson of Man - Wednesday, May 12, 21 @ 6:49 pm:
On a day his party took a dangerous turn toward autocracy, and two of his colleagues stuck their necks out for democracy, including one from Illinois, Davis won’t say how he voted. That’s a great start to his gubernatorial campaign.
- filmmaker prof - Wednesday, May 12, 21 @ 7:27 pm:
Davis is a 100% empty suit. That’s why he could beat Pritzker.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, May 12, 21 @ 7:38 pm:
=== Davis is a 100% empty suit. That’s why he could beat Pritzker.===
Voting record alone makes that impossible, siding with Trump will make it improbable.
Ok…
Here’s the sitch, for me.
Yeah, I absolutely think Davis can win. I do.
* He needs Griffin money.
* He will require Z at the helm.
* He will need Trumpkins to wholly stand down as he reaches for the middle.
* He will need ads that put Pritzker on his heels, constantly.
* He will need “regional” and “pointed” campaign pressure points and positives.
* He will need Rauner ground game infrastructure.
* He needs Trump himself to ignore the post-Primary walk away… from Trump.
… did I mention Griffin money? I did? Oh.
My seemingly “negative” takes… it’s about “who” Davis seems to be now… show me Davis as Z and Griffin money tries to shed the bad, highlight the good, and pointedly go after Pritzker, and show they can inflict serious damage.
Today? My lil list up top isn’t even 13% complete, and Davis hasn’t even declared.
Show me. Show me this campaign. Who knows, we may see it.
- Jibba - Wednesday, May 12, 21 @ 7:42 pm:
NUStudent…I didn’t say I liked or supported him, or that he would be a good governor. He’s very slippery. His faux bipartisanship, great phrasing and skill at grievance politics, and public civility (alternating with righteous anger) are all potent. HIs politics? Not really in line with Illinois, and barely with his district. But you can go far on these things against an unpopular opponent (see Rauner) or someone undergoing scandals or failures. Look how he portrayed Biden so far, blaming him even for the price of gas and the Middle East, neither of which is under his control. And what Republican would poll better? Not Bailey.
- Pundent - Wednesday, May 12, 21 @ 7:48 pm:
“Remaining silent and ignoring the lie emboldens the liar” - Liz Cheney
It doesn’t get any simpler than that folks.
- Levois J - Wednesday, May 12, 21 @ 8:07 pm:
I suppose time will tell if his lack of a clear stance on this issue will prove to be an issue if he runs statewide for Governor. It seems like he’s running, however, got to see an announcement first.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, May 12, 21 @ 8:15 pm:
To the update,
Witt’s response, measured and punchy, it hits all the themes and obvious negatives that is the Rodney Davis record.
Pithy and pointed. Pretty solid work there.
- NUStudent - Wednesday, May 12, 21 @ 8:23 pm:
Does anyone know if his stance on abortion rights or gun control matter at all? After all, he’s out of step with majority of IL on those two issues.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, May 12, 21 @ 8:28 pm:
=== After all, he’s out of step with majority of IL on those two issues.===
“I’m pro-life, the legislature would need to do something to change where Illinois is on abortion, I can’t change anything myself.”
“The 2nd amendment and the history of things around it, I would need to see any legislation on guns and gun control first to adequately decide how, as governor, I’d feel about it”
Will Davis have the cash and the messaging to push back the “extreme” label he will likely be saddled with in a campaign? Dunno.
- Scott Cross for President - Wednesday, May 12, 21 @ 8:30 pm:
OW, agreed re DPI rapid response.
Nice work by Witt and the team.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, May 12, 21 @ 8:38 pm:
- Scott Cross for President -
:)
Competence is always appreciated. Rather watch good “baseball” than bad.
Hope you’re well.
- Friendly Bob Adams - Wednesday, May 12, 21 @ 8:48 pm:
Davis can’t continue to have it both ways. He will have to say if he voted with Cheney or not.
- Huh? - Wednesday, May 12, 21 @ 8:57 pm:
“no revelation about how he voted.”
He gigged her. And isn’t man enough to say it.
Won’t ever vote for him.
- Pundent - Wednesday, May 12, 21 @ 9:11 pm:
Well I suppose it’s possible that Republicans will believe that he voted in favor of her removal and Democrats will think he voted for her to say. But if Davis was able to convince both sides of that I’d concede the governor’s chair was his.
But in the very likely event that I’m wrong then he managed today to actually give both sides a reason not to vote for him. And that’s also quite a feat. Almost Rauneresque in its execution.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, May 12, 21 @ 9:22 pm:
- Prudent -
That is restaurant quality.
Still thinking on it. Well said.
- Huh? - Wednesday, May 12, 21 @ 10:19 pm:
“I’d concede the governor’s chair was his”
I pity this State if he wins the governorship.
- Anyone Remember - Wednesday, May 12, 21 @ 10:38 pm:
Lucky Pierr -
===I remember Pat Quinn was a lead pipe cinch too===
Rauner won by 4%. The national “6th year of a presidential term” average advantage for the other party is 5%. So, independent of national influences, Quinn beat Rauner. The only statewide elections Quinn lost were in Nation GOP Tidal Waves - 1994, 2014.
- Anyone Remember - Wednesday, May 12, 21 @ 10:40 pm:
Norseman -
===Davis dances around the questions faster than any dancer I’ve seen.===
Ask Jim Leach of WMAY how many times Davis refused to answer a direct question about whether or not he’d vote to repeal the ACA individual mandate.
- Anonymous - Wednesday, May 12, 21 @ 11:21 pm:
Guys, Rodney Davis isn’t running for Governor. He’s posturing to fund raise.
Maybe it’s a good time, though, to pass a law baring transferring federal campaign dollars to a state campaign committee for the same candidate.
- JB13 - Wednesday, May 12, 21 @ 11:23 pm:
– I pity this State if he wins the governorship–
Because we are clearly just one more election from assuming our rightful place as the most well-run, corruption-free, prosperous, and free state in the Union, amirite?
If only those Republicans would relinquish their stranglehold on state government.
- Kornfed - Wednesday, May 12, 21 @ 11:28 pm:
He’s going to be part of the House Majority in 2023.
He’s not running statewide.
- Eire 17 - Thursday, May 13, 21 @ 4:28 am:
Random thoughts
Rodney is not running for Gov
I happen to like Rodney
He should 100% say how he voted on Cheney
The R’s made a bad move on Cheney—need to let it go
Still think Dillard gets in race for Gov
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, May 13, 21 @ 6:34 am:
=== If only those Republicans would relinquish their stranglehold on state government.===
Republicans had the governor’s office for 30 of the past 45 years… including the Edgar Ramp, George Ryan’s “choice” not to run again, and the “failed” Rauner term of no signed budget for 3 of his 4 years.
But I’m sure you already know that.
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, May 13, 21 @ 6:55 am:
=== Rodney Davis apparently brings nothing to the table that appeals to liberal Democrats.===
Is Davis suppose to?
I mean, Rauner had that uber-left, costal, limousine liberal social agenda so Diana Rauner could save face, but even Rauner knew he was going to lose after that, looking for people, actually asking 4 people to replace him… but here you are… touting Rauner’s losing strategy against Pritzker.
No wonder it failed.
- Pundent - Thursday, May 13, 21 @ 6:56 am:
=I remember Pat Quinn was a lead pipe cinch too.=
Their have been seismic shifts since 2014. Donald Trump lost the state of Illinois by 15 points and the former governor by a record margin. As it stands today the next race for governor will not be about how bad Pritzker may be but how the Republican candidate will accomplish what the former President and Governor couldn’t.
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, May 13, 21 @ 6:57 am:
=== He’s going to be part of the House Majority in 2023.
He’s not running statewide.===
Davis may be facing Mary Miller in your thoughts.
Davis isn’t touting Trump, but telling us all how he’s bipartisan.
You think that’ll work in a primary with Mary Miller.
Huh.
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, May 13, 21 @ 6:58 am:
=== So is Schimpf chopped liver?===
Who?
- NUStud - Thursday, May 13, 21 @ 8:31 am:
New article on Politico that came out that said Davis missed the vote.
https://www.politico.com/newsletters/illinois-playbook/2021/05/13/davis-lahood-missed-the-vote-lightfoot-hire-ed-counting-on-the-council-492838
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, May 13, 21 @ 8:35 am:
=== Davis missed the vote.===
If you read the *next* paragraph…
=== Pressed on how he would have voted this time, Davis said, “I am a big supporter of Liz. I am a big fan. … there was no vote but I would’ve been there as a supporter of Liz.”===
So there’s that.
It was a voice vote, as not to have the cowardly be held accountable to the vote.
- Chicago Tuckpointing and Masonry - Friday, May 14, 21 @ 9:26 am:
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