Rodney Davis claims he missed the Cheney vote
Thursday, May 13, 2021 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Politico…
The voice vote to bump Rep. LIz Cheney from leadership happened moments after Republicans said “amen” in a morning prayer. The action was so quick that numerous members, including Illinois Republican Reps. Rodney Davis and Darin LaHood missed the vote.
“I actually wasn’t there,” Davis told POLITICO’s Congress reporter Olivia Beavers. “I had a meeting that went long.” Davis remembered the last time Cheney ran for the leadership spot. “I whipped for her,” he said, recalling that the discussion went on for “four hours.”
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.”
LaHood, who was seen arriving late to the vote, wouldn’t answer how he would have voted. He issued a statement saying, “I am grateful for Congresswoman Cheney’s leadership as Conference chair.”
* CNN…
The vote to oust Rep. Liz Cheney from her leadership position took only 16 minutes.
Before the House Republican Conference met Wednesday morning to oust the Wyoming congresswoman from her position as the third-ranking Republican member in Congress, sources told CNN they expected it to be quick.
But it happened so quickly that some members arrived just in time for the vote.
- Unionman - Thursday, May 13, 21 @ 10:59 am:
That’s convenient for Davis.
- NIU Grad - Thursday, May 13, 21 @ 10:59 am:
Oh yea, he’s running.
Such bravery…
- Annonin' - Thursday, May 13, 21 @ 10:59 am:
So the Empry Suit Twins tie in this mope off.. Ray will be proud
- BlueBin - Thursday, May 13, 21 @ 11:00 am:
Now that’s the complete lack of spine I’d expect from him
- slow down - Thursday, May 13, 21 @ 11:00 am:
The political cowardice is astonishing and depressing. Cheney’s willingness to tell the truth is only noteworthy because the likes of Davis and Lahood won’t do the same.
- 47th Ward - Thursday, May 13, 21 @ 11:02 am:
Rodney says there was no vote. CNN says there was. One of them is wrong.
- phocion - Thursday, May 13, 21 @ 11:02 am:
Clearly those posting here didn’t read the CNN piece that noted the vote “happened so quickly that some members arrived just in time for the vote.”
- Keyrock - Thursday, May 13, 21 @ 11:03 am:
“80% of success is showing up.”
- DuPage Dem - Thursday, May 13, 21 @ 11:08 am:
So he missed one of the most consequential votes he might have to take as a Member of Congress bc he didn’t show up on time? That’s the kind of nonsense that you can get away with as a congressional candidate but not under the harsher glare of a statewide campaign.
- Give Us Barabbas - Thursday, May 13, 21 @ 11:09 am:
Two Profiles in Courage, for sure. I would never be mistaken for a Cheney fan but she has displayed more testicular fortitude in standing up for her principles than the rest of the Illinois GOP delegation put together.
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, May 13, 21 @ 11:09 am:
There was no “vote”
A non-recorded “voice vote” did occur, that action removed Cheney from her caucus position.
The cowardly way of a voice vote allows “both” positions of for its against Cheney and *no* record to worry about as it stands.
I appreciate(?) what Davis said… and I get the phony and cowardly voice vote… but… the Trunpkins are now the party of “the big lie”, and truth is not welcome… roll call… or not.
- Curious citizen - Thursday, May 13, 21 @ 11:10 am:
Since the Cheney vote was apparently by voice, there’s no record and no way to dispute Davis or LaHood. This is their dream scenario.
- Wensicia - Thursday, May 13, 21 @ 11:16 am:
It could be they rushed the vote before possible Cheney supporters showed up.
- JS Mill - Thursday, May 13, 21 @ 11:17 am:
Monty Python could not have written this one better.
Brave Sir Rodney and Darrin the Oblivious ran away…
Rodney Davis, you want to be my Governor? Puhlease.
- Pundent - Thursday, May 13, 21 @ 11:17 am:
The vote does not mark the end of this saga. In many respects it’s just the beginning. The former President made his feelings towards Liz Cheney very clear yesterday. At the same time she was unambiguous about his behavior while in office. For Republicans which side of these issues you’re on will continue to be the litmus test. And not just among Democrats or Independents but within the party itself. The former President demands it. And as the vote showed yesterday he’s still in charge.
And that spells trouble for Davis if he has aspirations of running statewide. Republicans will argue he’s not a true Republican, Democrats will say that he is. And the last Republican for Governor that was unclear on which side of the fence he was on didn’t fare to well.
- Chicago Cynic - Thursday, May 13, 21 @ 11:18 am:
Those remarks he made about how awesome she is were AFTER the vote. Funny, but he was awfully quiet in the days BEFORE the vote. Profile in courage? Not so much.
- Broom - Thursday, May 13, 21 @ 11:18 am:
This is a caucus matter there wouldn’t have been a public vote record anyways.
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, May 13, 21 @ 11:19 am:
=== This is a caucus matter there wouldn’t have been a public vote record anyways.===
It’s pretty public Cheney lost her job for telling the truth and not abdicating to the cult leader.
That’s pretty public.
- Ben Gazzara - Thursday, May 13, 21 @ 11:29 am:
Heroes.
- Grandson of Man - Thursday, May 13, 21 @ 11:34 am:
Question for the “tough guy” pro-personal responsibility party: Why won’t Davis just say how he would have voted? It’s a simple yes or no question.
- zatoichi - Thursday, May 13, 21 @ 11:34 am:
I gotta get to the vote on Cheney. I like her. Oh,oh meeting ran late. Vote already happened? I wish I had been there…..
- Groucho - Thursday, May 13, 21 @ 11:36 am:
He should still be able to articulate whether or not he supports removing Cheney or not.
- Harriett - Thursday, May 13, 21 @ 11:36 am:
It seems like Davis is thoroughly incompetent.
- SAP - Thursday, May 13, 21 @ 11:36 am:
Tells me that Rodney is thinking about running for Governor, but hasn’t made up his mind. He’s trying to have and eat his cake.
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, May 13, 21 @ 11:37 am:
===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.”===
As a supporter of Liz, he’d vote for her to stay.
How do I know?
Bailey, et al will say that every time this is brought up in a primary.
- flea - Thursday, May 13, 21 @ 11:39 am:
Quite a controversial vote to miss and remain mute on the question. He was elected to take a stand on this matter. He is incredible.
- Norseman - Thursday, May 13, 21 @ 11:49 am:
Church Lady - “Well how convenient.”
It’s funny that his absence wasn’t noted during yesterday’s interviews with the media. Perhaps it took him or his staff awhile to come up with this “excuse.”
The cowardice is strong with this one.
- Annonin' - Thursday, May 13, 21 @ 12:06 pm:
WOnder if the EMpty Suiters could cough up a list of who they were meeting with that ran so long?
- dbk - Thursday, May 13, 21 @ 12:11 pm:
Both Davis and LaHood should be pressed on this issue until they give an actual answer without being given the chance to weasel out of one.
Disappointing? Sure. Surprising? Nope.
- The Ford Lawyer - Thursday, May 13, 21 @ 12:12 pm:
His meeting was with the lobbyists for the U.S. Poultry Federation- “We really need somebody to represent the chicken vote.”
- Candy Dogood - Thursday, May 13, 21 @ 12:18 pm:
===It’s pretty public Cheney lost her job for telling the truth and not abdicating to the cult leader.===
Never under estimate the Shaggy message of “It wasn’t me.”
- Pundent - Thursday, May 13, 21 @ 12:28 pm:
=Both Davis and LaHood should be pressed on this issue until they give an actual answer without being given the chance to weasel out of one.=
I guess it depends on your perspective. I actually like what they’re doing here. But I’m not a fan of either. If they can’t articulate where they stand their opponents will do it for them.
When it was time to defend Liz Cheney, Rodney (Darrin) was silent. When it was time to defend Donald Trump, Darrin (Rodney) was silent. It’s a lose-lose.
- Unconventionalwisdom - Thursday, May 13, 21 @ 12:36 pm:
“Missed Vote”
Not exactly a ’stand up’ move on his part. And no way to lead or to be a new Governor.
- Just Another Anon - Thursday, May 13, 21 @ 12:45 pm:
@DuPage Dem
Its a party caucus, not a congressional vote. This wasn’t an actual bill for congressional consideration.
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, May 13, 21 @ 12:51 pm:
=== Its a party caucus, not a congressional vote===
What they actually wrote…
=== So he missed one of the most consequential votes he might have to take as a Member of Congress bc he didn’t show up on time?===
The vote is wether facts, honesty, and truth matter or bowing to a cult leader’s demand that “the big lie” must not be in question… “and”… that cult leader isn’t even a member of congress or that caucus… but is dictating who or what they are.
Yeah, it was a big vote to miss.
Good thing it was a “voice vote” so as cowards no one has to worry about being on any record that they chose a cult leader over truth.
I mean, it’s only our democracy, and this idea that we can’t run a fair and free election type vote. No big whoop.
- Friendly Bob Adams - Thursday, May 13, 21 @ 1:03 pm:
Yesterday Davis refused to say how he voted, and now the story is he missed the vote. At some point he needs to say if he supports the Big Lie or not.
- Northsider - Thursday, May 13, 21 @ 1:20 pm:
Real profiles in courage, them.
- Dysfunction Junction - Thursday, May 13, 21 @ 1:23 pm:
Can’t wait for this question to come up in a televised primary debate. Or the general. This one ain’t going away.
- frustrated GOP - Thursday, May 13, 21 @ 1:42 pm:
Wait. I hear this statement before:”I ran outta gas. I had a flat tire. I didn’t have enough money for cab fare. My tux didn’t come back from the cleaners. An old friend came in from out of town. Someone stole my car. There was an earthquake, a terrible flood, locust’s. It wasn’t my fault!! I swear to God!!”
yeah that’s it.
- Collinsville Kevin - Thursday, May 13, 21 @ 2:02 pm:
Atta boy Rodney. Just what I would expect from “my” rep.
- Langhorne - Thursday, May 13, 21 @ 2:19 pm:
If they had cast their non-tallied voice votes, would they tell us how they voted?
Or would it still be, i love liz, I just don’t want to say I voted to dump her. Wink, wink.
Too cute by half.
- truthteller - Thursday, May 13, 21 @ 3:49 pm:
rodney davis, professional politician AND coward.
- Practical Politics - Thursday, May 13, 21 @ 3:54 pm:
The vote against Liz Cheney had to be lopsided. If there is any doubt, a request can be made for an actual count. That did not happen.
One wonders if Kinzinger may be the next target?
- CubsFan16 - Thursday, May 13, 21 @ 4:01 pm:
Ultimately, mid-term voters won’t care one way or another how their Congressman voted on keeping Liz Cheney as conference chair…way too insider baseball. Let’s not pretend they will.
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, May 13, 21 @ 4:03 pm:
=== Ultimately, mid-term voters won’t care one way or another how their Congressman voted on keeping Liz Cheney as conference chair…way too insider baseball. Let’s not pretend they will.===
LOL
The Cult Leader has made this about “The Big Lie”
Not only will this be a big Dem midterm talking point, the Trumpkins themselves will face scrutiny for this as well in primaries.
Ask Adam Kinzinger.
Either you’re in the cult or excommunicated from the cult.
- Tallone - Thursday, May 13, 21 @ 8:43 pm:
Rodney is a coward, and it will die more and more clear if he chooses to run at statewide scale. Just imagine the ads full of of Jan 6 images and Recent Republican statements v.s. His milquetoast statements. No dressing up like Rauner II will overcome this. I hope he is smart enough to be admitted into a Republican think tank. The bar for this is not high, but well it will be a stretch for him. Poor guy not enough courage.