Another side of Kinzinger
Tuesday, Aug 3, 2021 - Posted by Rich Miller
* From Phil Kadner’s Sun-Times column on Adam Kinzinger…
It was during an editorial board interview at the Daily Southtown, where I worked at the time, and the other four GOP candidates were older men who hated Nancy Pelosi. Well, maybe hated is too strong a word. But they made it clear they despised her and wanted voters to know they believed she was some sort of demon out to destroy all that was good about America.
Kinzinger was different. He said he had come back from Iraq and Afghanistan with a different view of the country. People in the military of different races, different economic backgrounds and different religious faiths had all worked together for one end. Their purpose was to achieve a mission, to succeed, and politics didn’t matter. He would try to work with Pelosi.
That’s what he wanted to bring to Washington, unity for the good of the country.
Kinzinger’s older opponents questioned his commitment to Republican values. But he calmly stood his ground. Something had to change in America, he said, if the democracy was going to survive.
I was impressed, and the newspaper endorsed him.
* CNN last week…
Nearly 230 Republican members of Congress told the Supreme Court on Thursday that it should overturn Roe v. Wade and release its “vise grip on abortion politics.”
The new brief is the latest filing in a dispute that will be heard next term and represents the most significant abortion-related case the justices have taken up in nearly a half a century. The 6-3 conservative court, bolstered by three of former President Donald Trump’s appointees, could gut, or invalidate court precedent, and that’s what the GOP lawmakers are calling for.
“Congress and the States have shown that they are ready and able to address the issue in ways that reflect Americans’ varying viewpoints and are grounded in the science of fetal development and maternal health,” lawyers for 228 Republican lawmakers, including leadership in both chambers, told the justices.
At issue before the court is a Mississippi law that bars most abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy. There is no exception for rape or incest. The court will render its decision by next June, in the lead up to the mid-term elections.
The brief is here.
* Politico last week…
“Congress and the States have shown that they are ready and able to address the issue in ways that reflect Americans’ varying viewpoints and are grounded in the science of fetal development and maternal health,” lawyers for the Republicans told the justices.
Signing on from Illinois: Reps. Mike Bost (IL-12), Rodney Davis (IL-13), Mary Miller (IL-15), Adam Kinzinger (IL-16) and Darin LaHood (IL-18).
In recent months, Kinzinger’s Republican credentials have been questioned as he has called out Trump for his role in the attack on the Capitol and for serving on the House panel investigating it.
The Illinois Republican’s support for ending Roe v. Wade is a reminder that he really is a conservative.
* Personal PAC…
While U.S. Rep. Adam Kinzinger was standing up to Trump’s big lie about the 2020 election, he enthusiastically added his name to a right-wing brief to the U.S. Supreme Court asking that Roe v. Wade be overturned—-with no exceptions for rape and incest!
The brief Kinzinger put his signature to is full of unscientific, anti-abortion propaganda and lies about women, doctors, pregnancy and abortion. This should come as no surprise as Kinzinger, Representatives Rodney Davis, Mike Bost and Mary Miller all have 100% anti-abortion voting records and were part of the 228 right-wing members of Congress who pledged their deep desire to have abortion become illegal, dangerous and deadly again for millions of American women, including those in Illinois.
With more than 20 states and counting already having passed “trigger laws” declaring that when (not if!) Roe is overturned, abortion will be illegal, this is no time to look past Adam Kinzinger’s big lie about the ability of women to make reproductive health care decisions for themselves. We must stand together to keep Adam Kinzinger and all his anti-abortion allies from outlawing abortion in our Illinois.
…Adding… Press release…
Minooka businessman Michael Rebresh has announced his candidacy for Illinois’ 16th Congressional District against incumbent Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R):
“I’m a father, a husband, a successful businessman of more than 23 years and, unlike Joe Biden, I actually DO drive an 18-wheeler,” Rebresh says. “I’m also a longtime Minooka resident and a staunch conservative Republican who supported President Trump in 2016 and 2020 - not based on his personality but based on his policies. That’s why today I am announcing that I’m running for Congress in Illinois’ 16th Congressional District.”
Rebresh says that he is the only announced Republican challenger to Kinzinger who lives in the district. “The people of the 16th congressional district DESERVE true representation and they cannot get that representation from carpetbaggers looking to profit from a quick political opportunity,” he said
But Rebresh says the worst offender is incumbent Rep. Adam Kinzinger, who has used his seat for his own gain – not the people’s. “He is a handpicked loyalist of Democrat House Speaker Nancy Pelosi,” Rebresh says. “While doing Nancy’s bidding and furthering his own interests, he ignored the riots that devastated Illinois’ cities and towns last year and failed to recognize the local thin blue line we all count on.”
Rebresh says that Kinzinger viciously attacked President Trump for the last five years and has ignored the concerns of the residents of the 16th district over and over again. He says that residents are concerned about their kids returning to school with mask mandates and theoretical political agendas being taught in the classroom. Rebresh also says that Kinzinger knew the risk that the Byron and Dresden nuclear power plants would be shut down a year ago, costing residents their jobs and causing energy costs to skyrocket, and did nothing.
“We can and must do better than Rep. Adam Kinzinger and, if elected to represent the people of the 16th Congressional District, I will,” he says.
Rebresh is the owner of Azamon Logistics and a longtime resident of the Minooka area where he lives with his wife, Sherry, and their three young children, Wyatt, Holly and Brett.
- Cable Line Beer Gardener - Tuesday, Aug 3, 21 @ 1:49 pm:
How nuts is the Republican Party when they don’t care to vaccinate or wear masks, that this issue is what they are concentrating their efforts on? this war on women has to stop!
- ArchPundit - Tuesday, Aug 3, 21 @ 1:53 pm:
He’s conservative, he’s just not crazy.
- Just Me 2 - Tuesday, Aug 3, 21 @ 1:55 pm:
Instead of complaining about all Republicans, I find it interesting Personal PAC single out the reasonable one.
- Norseman - Tuesday, Aug 3, 21 @ 1:55 pm:
Disagree with his policy positions as you want, but Kinzinger has demonstrated a commitment to our democracy that is becoming almost nonexistent among the GOP. He’s staked his political career on that. In this age and in comparison to the corruption that has consumed the GOP, that makes him a hero.
- Lefty Lefty - Tuesday, Aug 3, 21 @ 2:04 pm:
His commitment to democracy ends when his party packs the courts and his policies align with the occasional acceptable judicial fiat.
- froganon - Tuesday, Aug 3, 21 @ 2:08 pm:
Hats off to Kinzinger for his defense of democracy, a stand that the majority of Republicans have abandoned. But the irony of standing with the Party that relentlessly touts its devotion to personal freedom…EXCEPT when it comes to women and their health and reproductive freedoms is beyond rich. Admire and respect him for his work on the Jan. 6 Commission - yes, vote for him - no.
- Amalia - Tuesday, Aug 3, 21 @ 2:10 pm:
Yep, Kinzinger seems decent but not about women’s bodies and their health. Conservatives are holding women hostage to rape and incest with their laws. think about that. a living woman is less important than a fertilized egg. monsters.
- Dysfunction Junction - Tuesday, Aug 3, 21 @ 2:14 pm:
==Admire and respect him for his work on the Jan. 6 Commission - yes, vote for him - no.==
Wait, you’re saying people can base votes on individual policy positions instead of overall tribal loyalty? How long has this been “a thing”?
- SWIL_Voter - Tuesday, Aug 3, 21 @ 2:22 pm:
Not a good omen for a country when the Overton window has shifted so far, a politician forcing a rape victim to carry her rapist’s baby to term, but who doesn’t want to necessarily overthrow the constitution is the reasonable voice in his party.
- west wing - Tuesday, Aug 3, 21 @ 2:40 pm:
This Democrat appreciates his backbone in standing up to Trump and the insurrectionists defending democracy.
- Northsider - Tuesday, Aug 3, 21 @ 2:52 pm:
“Azamon” Logistics, eh?
Coincidence, surely, just like McDowell’s, amirite?
- Anonymous - Tuesday, Aug 3, 21 @ 2:56 pm:
==ongress and the States have shown that they are ready and able to address the issue in ways that reflect Americans’ varying viewpoints and are grounded in the science of fetal development and maternal health,” lawyers for 228 Republican lawmakers, including leadership in both chambers, told the justices.
- historic66 - Tuesday, Aug 3, 21 @ 3:03 pm:
Rebresh was an organizer of the “million unmasked” march last summer. One of his claims is that masks will lead to psychological problems down the road.
https://wsiltv.com/2020/07/25/million-unmasked-group-rallies-outside-illinois-capitol/
- Glengarry - Tuesday, Aug 3, 21 @ 3:06 pm:
Rebresh, is an anti-masker. Nuff said.
- Crispy - Tuesday, Aug 3, 21 @ 3:11 pm:
I strongly disagree with Kinzinger’s views on reproductive rights, but am still grateful for his military service and support for basic democratic principles.
That said, I find many GOPers’ anti-vaxx, anti-mask militancy really ironic when compared to their positions on reproductive health.
Why, it’s almost as though they believe in “freedom” and “My body, my choice”–except when it applies to women of childbearing age. It’s quite puzzling.
- TheInvisibleMan - Tuesday, Aug 3, 21 @ 3:16 pm:
It seems Rebresh has tried real hard to scrub his social media before the announcement.
Unfortunately for him, other people copy pasted the text of his comments elsewhere. As mentioned above, he was the organizer of one of the unmask rallies in Springfield.
—-
July 2020
Written by Michael Rebresh
Good morning my fellow Patriots! We are in the final hours before the Million Unmasked March this Saturday, July 25th at the Capitol Building in Springfield, IL! We are looking forward to a great day with a big turnout of like minded parents and families who want to see the guidelines for return to school amended and rejected! It is time to get our kids back to school. Real school, with teachers and classmates and a return to normalcy for our Kids! We have stuff planned for the kids during the 9-10am hour. Pledge of Allegiance to the United States of America at 10 and a host of speakers kicking it off from there. We MUST make our voices heard far and wide! This is expected to be a peaceful rally. Please be sure to check the announcements page for guides on what to bring with you and how to make this a great day for you and your family. We are excited to see all those smiling faces of new friends and fellow advocates for our Children! Be well and see you on Saturday! Oh, and no masks required to attend!
—-
Without seeing a picture of him yet, I’m guessing he wears the standard uniform of a grey goatee.
- 47th and Lake Park - Tuesday, Aug 3, 21 @ 3:21 pm:
“Darwin must be spinning in his coffin/ The fittest are surviving much less often”– NOFX
- JoanP - Tuesday, Aug 3, 21 @ 3:38 pm:
= Rebresh is the owner of Azamon Logistics =
I take it he’s relying on folks who can’t spell.
- Dotnonymous - Tuesday, Aug 3, 21 @ 3:48 pm:
Azamon Logistics is an homage… to dyslexia?
- Shytown - Tuesday, Aug 3, 21 @ 3:50 pm:
I hate having to remind myself that Kinzinger, for all he’s done around the insurrection, is still a right wing repub who wants to set women back a few generations because they obviously shouldn’t be trusted with making decisions about their own health.
- Drake Mallard - Tuesday, Aug 3, 21 @ 3:52 pm:
Yeah, let’s get rid of all the moderates. So we can spend more time just screaming at each other
- We've never had one before - Tuesday, Aug 3, 21 @ 4:27 pm:
This would be a wonderful time for Kinzinger to cross the aisle.
- Manchester - Tuesday, Aug 3, 21 @ 4:37 pm:
I like Kinzinger’s support for democracy and his stance on Trump’s insurrection while still finding his far right policy positions abhorrent. Someone should tell him the 50’s are calling and they want their decade left in the past where it belongs.
- FearTheTree - Tuesday, Aug 3, 21 @ 4:53 pm:
“This would be a wonderful time for Kinzinger to cross the aisle. ”
Didn’t the Dems just vote out a Pro-Life congressperson in Chicago?
- Jibba - Tuesday, Aug 3, 21 @ 4:58 pm:
=== in ways that reflect Americans’ varying viewpoints===
Unless you actually want an abortion, that is. Hilarious that they are selling the idea that the antiabortion laws reflect a diversity of opinion.
Don’t like them? Don’t have one. That is a compromise that reflects America’s varying viewpoints.
- CEA - Tuesday, Aug 3, 21 @ 6:23 pm:
I don’t see a way in which overturning Roe ends well for the GOP. Roe is the firewall that lets Republican candidates take aggressive anti-abortion positions when courting evangelicals, without alienating suburban and swing-state voters who understand that under Roe their rights are not at imminent risk. The 2014 Pew study counted 30 states (including Alaska, Florida, Oklahoma, Montana, and Iowa) in which a majority of respondents said that abortion should be legal in most or all circumstances, and 8 more which were within a couple of points and have likely tipped since then. There were only 11 states in which a majority said it should be illegal in most or all circumstances. If Roe goes down and Republicans actually have the power to turn the reproductive rights clock back to 1973, it’s going to be a lot harder for them to win outside the very deep South and the very rural West with an electorate that is getting younger and less religious every year.
- Lester Holt’s Mustache - Tuesday, Aug 3, 21 @ 6:25 pm:
== Coincidence, surely, just like McDowell’s, amirite? ==
“See, that’s the difference with the Big Mic - we don’t put any sesame seeds on our buns.”
- Grandson of Man - Tuesday, Aug 3, 21 @ 6:34 pm:
I strongly disagree with Kinzinger’s overall voting record, but he stands bravely for democracy. He, Rep. Cheney and Sen. Romney, among too few others, are the patriots many flag thumpers will never be. I strongly support that small part of the GOP vs. Trumpism, even if I almost completely oppose its policies.
- Henry Francis - Tuesday, Aug 3, 21 @ 6:39 pm:
It looks like Mr. Rebresh’s business was originally incorporated in 2012 as “Executives Privilege Car Service, Inc.”; and then he changed the name to “Premier Black Cars, Inc.” and then to “Azamon Logistics”.
Perhaps he should use such originality in his campaign and change his own name to Michael Trump.
- Responsa - Tuesday, Aug 3, 21 @ 7:26 pm:
So he likes the spotlight but Dems don’t like him and Repubs don’t like him. That’s quite a constituency you’ve got going for you there, Adam.
- Huh? - Tuesday, Aug 3, 21 @ 7:33 pm:
“Kinzinger has demonstrated a commitment to our democracy”
I disagree. Prior to 1/6/2021, kinzinger was nearly a 100% trumpite. He voted against the first tramp impeachment for abuse of office.
I voted for kinzinger when he first ran as US representative. I made a mistake and will never vote for him again.
Throughout the tramp administration, kinzinger violated his oaths of office as an officer in the National Guard and as a US representative.
- Bond Guy - Tuesday, Aug 3, 21 @ 8:55 pm:
So Roe v Wade creates a “vise grip” on abortion politics? Doesn’t overturning it also create a “vise grip” only in the opposite direction? And what about the “vise grip” on all those other pesky constitutional rights that prevent momentary majorities from enacting their own form of tyranny (unless
you’re in that majority, of course).
Also - could someone explain to me why Roe v Wade has to be overturned BEFORE Congress and the States can“address the issue in ways that reflect Americans’ varying viewpoints?”