* Folks…
The House passed a measure Wednesday to investigate the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol with the support of 35 Republicans, including Adam Kinzinger and Rodney Davis of Illinois.
While the measure to create a 10-member bipartisan commission passed because of the Democratic votes, it does show some movement among Republicans.
Only 10 Republicans, including Kinzinger, voted to impeach former President Donald Trump for his role in instigating the insurrection. While Trump and House GOP leaders were against the commission, it still gained 35 Republican votes.
…Adding… From Aaron DeGroot…
Hey, Rich.
Hope you’re well and ready for a semi-normal summer. Saw your post about Rodney’s vote from yesterday. Wanted to point out that Rodney was the first member of Congress to propose 1/6 commission legislation, which he did six days after the attack on the Capitol (on 1/12). Rodney’s bill, H.R. 275, is substantively similar to what passed the House yesterday. Rodney’s proposal was styled after the 9/11 commission. Figured I’d flag because this issue since it’s relevant to his work at the Committee on House Administration, where he serves as the lead Republican.
Thanks!
Aaron
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, May 20, 21 @ 9:32 am:
“He’s running”
- Hmm - Thursday, May 20, 21 @ 9:34 am:
Does that hurt his primary chance?
- Joe Bidenopolous - Thursday, May 20, 21 @ 9:35 am:
Failure to genuflect to Dear Leader on this could be fatal in a primary for Governor
- Keyrock - Thursday, May 20, 21 @ 9:38 am:
Triangulating is difficult when you’re in a one-dimensional political party.
- TheUpperRoom - Thursday, May 20, 21 @ 9:46 am:
The problem is that he himself was partially responsible by refusing to ever hold Trump accountable and allowing - even fostering - the environment that lead up to January 6. That event didn’t form out of the ether; it was a visible, predictable series of events that played out.
2022 elections in Illinois and elsewhere should be interesting, as will the primaries… especially on the GOP side.
- rodsdave - Thursday, May 20, 21 @ 9:50 am:
If Davis runs (seems more likely given his votes) does he automatically clear the field in the primary? Would Ken Griffin be willing to spend $$$ on supporting Davis? Woubd he be able to fend off attacks on his votes on healthcare, abortion, and guns?
- NIU Grad - Thursday, May 20, 21 @ 9:52 am:
I keep shuddering at the thought of a Governor Davis…
- Lincoln Lad - Thursday, May 20, 21 @ 9:56 am:
Clear he is running for Gov, and clear that many of the republicans that have enabled Trump in the past realize he’s not really the key to their future on the broader stage outside of their local district.
- Give Me A Break - Thursday, May 20, 21 @ 9:59 am:
Rodney if you want to prove yourself, call a presser and state,
Trump lost the election, Biden won a legitimate victory. Trump encouraged and was the reason for a violent assault on the US Capital where his supporters hunted the VP and members of congress like big game.
Maybe then someone will believe anything you say.
- Ducky LaMoore - Thursday, May 20, 21 @ 10:10 am:
I’m taking a different stance on this one. If this vote was done as a political calculation, I’m not sure he would have voted for it. You can’t face JB until you win a primary. I always thought Rodney could see reality and then deny it. Maybe… just maybe… he is just trying to do the right thing. Maybe. Or am I being too sappy?
- Responsa - Thursday, May 20, 21 @ 10:16 am:
The point of any investgative commission is to find out what actually happened and how. To analyze what was known beforehand, and address whether security and response at the Capitol and in D.C. was proactive, adequate and proportional. There is official not released footage from the incursion and rally that will be viewed. Hopefully the commission will conclude with a better understanding of the Jan. 6 events so that the public can feel more informed. I can’t see why anyone would be opposed to this and I don’t think any conclusions can be drawn that somebody flipped, or “is running” just because they voted for the formation of the Jan.6 commission.
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, May 20, 21 @ 10:18 am:
=== If Davis runs (seems more likely given his votes) does he automatically clear the field in the primary? Would Ken Griffin be willing to spend $$$ on supporting Davis? Woubd he be able to fend off attacks on his votes on healthcare, abortion, and guns?===
1) Until Davis announces, the money game will continue to be an open question…
2) That’s why we have campaigns. They help “frame and explain”, “educate and illuminate”, so I dunno how the rest plays out… today.
- rodsdave - Thursday, May 20, 21 @ 10:25 am:
Also wanted to ask is Pritzker really that vulnerable? I know he has baggage with LaSalle and the ComEd stuff could be used to hurt him. Is this election Pritzker’s to lose or Rodney’s to win?
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, May 20, 21 @ 10:27 am:
===I can’t see why anyone would be opposed to this and I don’t think any conclusions can be drawn that somebody flipped, or “is running” just because they voted for the formation of the Jan.6 commission.===
Two words; Mary Miller.
The more Rodney is the opposite of Mary Miller in Trumpian positions, the less likely Davis wants to face Miller in a primary, and those opposed views of Miller play well… statewide.
===I can’t see why anyone would be opposed to this===
Folks in a cult do things to appease cult leaders.
Dunno how you can be confused by this. The cult still thinks the insurrection was a “guided tour like feel”
- Candy Dogood - Thursday, May 20, 21 @ 10:29 am:
The prospect the negative campaign ads that the GOP primary candidates might run against their opponents makes me giddy.
Though the real hot mess will be handled through social media posts and other propaganda channels.
===They help “frame and explain”, “educate and illuminate”===
If people buy Goop products they’ll buy what a politician sells them if the message is right, no matter how detached from reality. Like a billionaire running ads about him driving around an old van, or a millionaire that runs an agribusiness passing themselves off as a family farmer.
- NIU Grad - Thursday, May 20, 21 @ 10:30 am:
“Also wanted to ask is Pritzker really that vulnerable”
He has the baggage and the lingering grumpiness from the COVID response that might motivate both the base and moderate Republicans to the polls. Davis also has the whole folksy thing that wins over people who haven’t been watching him and his career for years. Pritzker is still the out-of-touch billionaire, after all.
I think Davis is the only one in the running who has a shot, which worries me.
- Pundent - Thursday, May 20, 21 @ 10:31 am:
=Maybe… just maybe… he is just trying to do the right thing.=
I think the impeachment votes, and in particular the second vote, were the opportunity to do the right thing. Davis is trying to thread the needle. Claim his Trump bona fides by not voting to impeach him but appearing moderate by supporting the Jan 6 commission. It’s an interesting strategy. It won’t pass the loyalty test for the base and for Democrats and possibly independents it’s likely seen as too little too late. But in a three way primary including Bailey and Rabine he might stand out as the most sane.
- rodsdave - Thursday, May 20, 21 @ 10:34 am:
@NIU Grad I agree on the folksy image Davis has. But aside from the image, he’ll have to defend his voting record which skews relatively conservative in a moderately liberal state. (anti abortion, pro NRA, anti ACA) He has said he enjoyed working with Trump and stuff.
- Laura - Thursday, May 20, 21 @ 10:34 am:
Do the other Republican members of the Illinois delegation at least believe that the Commission was properly created and is legitimate despite their opposition to the investigation?
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, May 20, 21 @ 10:36 am:
=== He has the baggage and the lingering grumpiness from the COVID response that might motivate both the base and moderate Republicans to the polls.===
It’ll be after a whole year of being “open”, and Pritzker’s COVID polling numbers are above water.
What, the key to beat Pritzker is embrace the Covidiots? Dunno about all that.
=== Davis also has the whole folksy thing that wins over people who haven’t been watching him and his career for years.===
Folksy it not, Rodney Davis refused to impeach Trump twice, even after Trump incited an insurrection. Trump lost Illinois by 15+ points.
Still, I’ve already commented, Davis has a shot, but so much needs to align… and Davis will likely face $300,000 a day, every day kind of barrage Rauner did, so money will be critical.
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, May 20, 21 @ 10:39 am:
=== Maybe… just maybe… he is just trying to do the right thing. Maybe. Or am I being too sappy?===
When you refuse to vote for impeachment of a president who incited an insurrection but want a commission that, if honest, may implicate those close to that president and fellow members of Congress… you have both on your record… it’s not about “doing the right thing” but doing the politically savvy thing.
But, I, as always, appreciate optimism. Thanks for that, truly.
- JS Mill - Thursday, May 20, 21 @ 10:40 am:
=Two words; Mary Miller.=
If Davis does not run what choice to suburban republicans have at this point? He will get hammered by the trumpers because that is what they do, and all they can do. They don’t actually stand for anything but abusing slogans and people.
=or a millionaire that runs an agribusiness passing themselves off as a family farmer.=
@Candy, you certainly have Bailey’s number. Well done.
- Pundent - Thursday, May 20, 21 @ 10:42 am:
=I think Davis is the only one in the running who has a shot, which worries me.=
He was a chair of Trump’s campaign in Illinois. Kind of hard to run from that. I do think he’s on to something and I ultimately believe that it’s the pivot we’ll see from the GOP. Claim that Trump’s “policies” were good for the country but his “behavior” was disqualifying. If they’re going to move beyond the base this is one of the few ways to do so. Not sure if Rodney or any member of the ILGOP can pull that off. Time will tell.
- 13thVoter - Thursday, May 20, 21 @ 10:46 am:
=Claim that Trump’s “policies” were good for the country but his “behavior” was disqualifying=
Trump policies such as ACA repeal and corporate tax giveaways are deeply unpopular. They’ve been the same old Koch Brother agenda that have been tried and failed. If Davis does go that route, he’d be Rauner 2.0, which IL doesn’t need.
- Cool Papa Bell - Thursday, May 20, 21 @ 10:53 am:
Not right enough for the GQP. Way to right for the moderate voter. Not enough money (right now) to convince either side of the other.
A tough path to victory.
- McGuppin - Thursday, May 20, 21 @ 10:59 am:
Rodney makes me dizzy with how many times he spins around on issues. I have no idea what he stands for.
- Arsenal - Thursday, May 20, 21 @ 11:01 am:
==If Davis does not run what choice to suburban republicans have at this point?==
Man, just a statement that reveals why ILGOP is in so much trouble in the suburbs. Davis is a pro-life, a Trump campaign chair, and…not suburban. Not exactly the way ILGOP used to draw up the play. And yet, he’s still the best they got.
- Candy Dogood - Thursday, May 20, 21 @ 11:01 am:
If Rodney Davis decides not to run for U.S. House at least he’ll finally have done something to help clean up Washington.
- Grandson of Man - Thursday, May 20, 21 @ 11:04 am:
“the impeachment votes”
There’s nothing folksy about protecting an autocrat. Davis also voted to repeal the ACA and for the Trump tax cuts, and against the Biden stimulus. Nothing folksy about that either.
- Pizza Man - Thursday, May 20, 21 @ 11:07 am:
“Im for it while I’m against it…” He’s testing the electorate folks. But can he clinch the (gen election) deal…highly unlikely.
Just because he’s running doesn’t mean that he will be living in the governor’s mansion.
JB will undoubtedly be unloading wagons of cash for his re-election bid in which Rodney will need either Griffin’s or Rauner’s help.
- DuPage Dem - Thursday, May 20, 21 @ 11:12 am:
Rodney doesn’t clear a field (a basic review of Bailey’s Twitter account will tell you that.) He will have to tack right in a GOP primary and then try and get to the middle for a general election - upon which time every single one of his pro-Trump votes and comments will be rained on his head by millions of dollars in Dem spending. All while he tries and beats a generally popular Dem governor who will have led the state through Covid and has the inherent advantage of having a D after his name in a very blue state.
I, for one, will enjoy watching it all.
- 13thVoter - Thursday, May 20, 21 @ 11:17 am:
DeGroot says that Rodney was “the first member of Congress to propose 1/6 commission legislation” and his proposal is “substantively similar to what passed the House yesterday.” That and along with the fact that he is GOP head of House Admin Committee shows that Davis couldn’t lead his party to follow something he proposed. IF Davis couldn’t do that then how would he expect to lead a state that doesn’t favor his party.
- Candy Dogood - Thursday, May 20, 21 @ 12:24 pm:
===couldn’t lead his party to follow something he proposed===
In fairness to Representative Davis, get a load of what his party is used to following.
- Pundent - Thursday, May 20, 21 @ 1:10 pm:
=couldn’t lead his party to follow something he proposed.=
Much like his support for Liz Cheney this characterization will doom Davis. Democrats will dismiss his efforts as disingenuous while Republicans will chastise him for trying. Another lose-lose proposition.
- CubsFan16 - Thursday, May 20, 21 @ 3:50 pm:
Rodney has a pretty good record of bi-partisanship in Congress. This seems like a continuation of that. Good for him. Need more Kinzingers and Davis’s…and less Millers.
- tallone - Thursday, May 20, 21 @ 8:15 pm:
Davis constituent here.
His strong points: claims to be bipartisan, does get our and hang with his base, and claims to run an excellent constituent service shop. These seem real and credible assets to me. So he’s trying to position himself as “not so red”, and did better last year in his rematch against Betsy. so not too shabby,
on the downside, still plenty of trump-mud that will stick, and he does not seem deep. e.g ok to represent, not deep enough to govern. I’d say that does not add up to a winning state ticket, but what do I know.
- TooManyJens - Thursday, May 20, 21 @ 11:00 pm:
Davis has a good record of pretending to be bipartisan by doing the absolute bare minimum to distinguish himself from the Q caucus and co-sponsoring a few low-profile, low-controversy bills with Democrats. Make no mistake though, he is as much a party hack as anyone else he accuses of it, if not more so.
I’d agree with tallone that he’s not deep. If an interviewer ever asks him a question that gets him off GOP talking points he flounders.