* WTAX…
Illinois lawmakers have yet to draw up the every-ten-years redistricting map for congressional seats. Until they do, U.S. Rep. Rodney Davis (R-Taylorville) will be waiting.
Davis, who now represents the 13th District, says 2022 will be a Republican year regardless of whether he runs for Congress or governor.
“I think Gov. (JB) Pritzker is going to be a one-term governor,” said Davis Monday. “I think we Republicans will nominate a candidate that will rally Illinoisans around him or her and be able to change Illinois. Change the way things are going in Illinois. And you do not have to look too far to see what corruption in Illinois means. Look at (former Illinois House Speaker) Mike Madigan and his henchmen that have run this Capitol for decades, and many in the news media turned a blind eye to it.”
- Arsenal - Tuesday, Sep 28, 21 @ 10:30 am:
That’s cute.
- Ron Burgundy - Tuesday, Sep 28, 21 @ 10:31 am:
Big talk from the guy who can’t even predict his own future.
- A Guy in Illinois - Tuesday, Sep 28, 21 @ 10:32 am:
Proving once again that the Republicans in Illinois are a reality based party.
- Ducky LaMoore - Tuesday, Sep 28, 21 @ 10:32 am:
I mean, it’s possible but not likely. That’s just something every Republican has to say, I think.
- Arsenal - Tuesday, Sep 28, 21 @ 10:37 am:
==That’s just something every Republican has to say, I think. ==
It’s absolutely boilerplate. It’d be malpractice to say otherwise.
But when his big thing is still “Because…Madigan”, it kinda tells you how woeful things are.
- TooManyJens - Tuesday, Sep 28, 21 @ 10:38 am:
Mark Maxwell says, re: Davis, “a lot of people in labor think he’d be a compelling candidate.” Does anyone know what that’s about? Davis doesn’t even present himself as pro-labor; he only ever touts his meetings with farmers and small business owners, never unions. And he’s one of those guys who wants to throw people off unemployment so they’ll go back to work at low-paying jobs (nevermind the data indicating that ending benefits didn’t actually increase employment rates).
- ZC - Tuesday, Sep 28, 21 @ 10:39 am:
I wonder if you polled it how many IL Republicans would still say, Mike Madigan is the Speaker of the IL House.
- northsider (the original) - Tuesday, Sep 28, 21 @ 10:41 am:
Seems like he’s been away too long.
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Sep 28, 21 @ 10:41 am:
===Mike Madigan===
It’s all the Raunerite/Trumpkins have.
While Davis office shops, hoping not to face Mary Miller, or be stuck facing LaHood, it’s as though Davis’ only connection to Illinois politics is what IPI and Wirepoints say, and no one told him Madigan left the scene months ago.
I do wonder how Davis feels about Texas’ abortion law.
Is Davis a danger to women’s health in Illinois if he stays in Congress or runs for governor?
Davis has been quiet on abortion for a while, no?
- Cheryl44 - Tuesday, Sep 28, 21 @ 10:41 am:
Who is Mark Maxwell?
- Grandson of Man - Tuesday, Sep 28, 21 @ 10:42 am:
“Change the way things are going in Illinois.”
Have Republican empty words ever been emptier? Change things with what? Pritzker increased the minimum wage, enacted a capital bill, balanced budgets, climate bill, marijuana legalization, etc. The dude is signing a bill like every other day.
- Give Me A Break - Tuesday, Sep 28, 21 @ 10:42 am:
From the man who goes into a fetal position and weeps at the thought of taking on the Stable Genius Mary Miller.
- Fayette County - Tuesday, Sep 28, 21 @ 10:42 am:
Anything is possible I guess. But, with the current list of Republican candidates, I wouldn’t bet against Pritzker serving another 4 years.
- Arsenal - Tuesday, Sep 28, 21 @ 10:44 am:
==Does anyone know what that’s about? Davis doesn’t even present himself as pro-labor==
He usually gets some internationals’ endorsements, tho, bc he’s good on Davis-Bacon. The locals in his CD don’t love that, tho.
- Cubs in '16 - Tuesday, Sep 28, 21 @ 10:46 am:
===“I think we Republicans will nominate a candidate that will rally Illinoisans around him or her and be able to change Illinois.”===
To quote Judge Smails, “Well? We’re waiting…”
- Bruce( no not him) - Tuesday, Sep 28, 21 @ 10:46 am:
— (former Illinois House Speaker) Mike Madigan—
But don’t forget his henchmen. It’s all about the henchmen.
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Sep 28, 21 @ 10:49 am:
===“I think we Republicans will nominate a candidate that will rally Illinoisans around him or her and be able to change Illinois.”===
As of this writing, I see no serious candidate for the GOP nomination that has declared.
Not policy-wise, not to the politics, not to the financial wherewithal, not with the ability to build outside, “old, angry, regional, and white”
Not one declared candidate is viable.
- Hard D - Tuesday, Sep 28, 21 @ 10:51 am:
Davis isn’t waiting on anything but Ken Griffin deciding who he’s giving 25-50 million to. All the Republican candidates can talk and talk and talk it means zero till Griffin writes the check.
Pay to the Order of ———————
25,000,000
KG
- MisterJayEm - Tuesday, Sep 28, 21 @ 10:51 am:
“I think we Republicans will nominate a candidate that will rally Illinoisans around him or her”
Unless the IL-GOP is gonna start dabbling in necromancy, this ain’t never gonna happen.
– MrJM
- TooManyJens - Tuesday, Sep 28, 21 @ 10:53 am:
Cheryl44:
===Who is Mark Maxwell? ===
Local reporter in C/U, generally pretty astute. When he says something I usually assume he has a basis for it, which is why I wondered what I was missing.
Arsenal:
Thanks for the info. That helps.
- NonAFSCMEStateEmployeeFromChatham - Tuesday, Sep 28, 21 @ 10:53 am:
==While Davis office shops, hoping not to face Mary Miller, or be stuck facing LaHood,==
Don’t forget possibly facing Bost too.
- Hon Don Gerard - Tuesday, Sep 28, 21 @ 10:54 am:
Has Rodney called for an audit of 2018 yet?
[ insert photo of biker cosplay Rauner getting snubbed at Trump rally here ]
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Sep 28, 21 @ 10:56 am:
=== Bost===
Doubtful.
The DCCC wants to either keep LaHood busy or Mary Miller talking. That’s maximizing the map drawing out Mary Miller
- Flyin' Elvis'-Utah Chapter - Tuesday, Sep 28, 21 @ 11:00 am:
Davis, put up or shut up.
At least the other four, warts and all, have the onions to announce.
- Skeptic - Tuesday, Sep 28, 21 @ 11:00 am:
““I think we Republicans will nominate a candidate that will rally Illinoisans around him or her” Translation: “I drove around and saw a few ‘Fire Pritzker’ signs and extrapolated from there.”
- Lake Effect - Tuesday, Sep 28, 21 @ 11:05 am:
Mike Madigan cleared the way for JB. He bullied labor into endorsing JB and not giving Kennedy any support. His committees were the colossal donor for the bulk of House Dems in competitive exurban and suburban seats, no matter what these Dems did to him this year. He made them. They tried to rid themselves of him. His specter may kill them next year. It’s fitting.
- Jibba - Tuesday, Sep 28, 21 @ 11:14 am:
Name an R candidate that many Dems will support. If you can’t, then this is more wishful thinking.
- skutt - Tuesday, Sep 28, 21 @ 11:16 am:
Like who exactly? The names I’ve seen floated aren’t exactly serious people.
- In 630 - Tuesday, Sep 28, 21 @ 11:22 am:
This is like when a coach of a big underdog is asked about their chances before a game. They can’t say “we’re gonna get smoked” They gotta lean in to the fact that they have a chance- maybe not a big one, but a chance.
- Strategy Geek - Tuesday, Sep 28, 21 @ 11:34 am:
Viable GOP candidate? That guy from California did a nice web ad.
- Seats - Tuesday, Sep 28, 21 @ 11:39 am:
To Jibba. Kinzinger could get some Dem votes. But not enough Republican votes.
- City Zen - Tuesday, Sep 28, 21 @ 11:50 am:
JB’s not going anywhere. The best the ILGOP can hope for is to have JB and his allies spend more than expected. That requires a competitive contender. I don’t see one yet.
- Jibba - Tuesday, Sep 28, 21 @ 11:57 am:
Kinzinger could get some Dem votes===
I don’t see many. I admire him for his stance on truth, but his policies are typically conservative. As you suggest, he wouldn’t get past the GOP primary.
There are some disaffected Dems who will vote for any alternative b/c covid has impacted them badly, but it is not like Quinn, who was disliked by many of all parties. Dems mostly are happy with JB.
- illinifan - Tuesday, Sep 28, 21 @ 12:01 pm:
Whoever they nominate will appeal to a minority. They will not win again until they decide to begin to more people and begin to offer policies that are grounded in reality.
- Primate - Tuesday, Sep 28, 21 @ 12:04 pm:
OW, that is a good question. Another fair question is: Why did Nancy Pelosi want to keep Congressman Davis on the January 6th Commission? Wrong or right, Republican disdain for the Speaker is unanimous. Either, he states he is against anything associated with her appointment or he plays it as a moderate - which is nothing but a jockeying ploy for the general. Today’s comments are just an effort by his Rauner handlers to get him into a news cycle. Proof is that the Congressman was on local radio this morning and said nothing of significance.
- 47th Ward - Tuesday, Sep 28, 21 @ 12:05 pm:
I predict Rodney Davis will be a five-term Congressman.
- Publius - Tuesday, Sep 28, 21 @ 12:08 pm:
Maybe the ILGOP should nominate Mike Madigan to be their candidate for Governor. Then they can go back to blaming him for everything again.
- Joe Bidenopolous - Tuesday, Sep 28, 21 @ 12:38 pm:
=I predict Rodney Davis will be a five-term Congressman.=
five-term *former* Congressman…
- Broom - Tuesday, Sep 28, 21 @ 12:42 pm:
Man a lot of hate on here from the same people who also said Rodney was toast less than a year ago…
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Sep 28, 21 @ 12:44 pm:
=== same people===
Really, which ones?
I know I didn’t… so… who else?
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Sep 28, 21 @ 12:48 pm:
It’s tough to see Davis as a “victim” when Davis continues to invoke “Mike Madigan”
Davis is out of touch with Illinois, it appears.
- IllinoisCitizen - Tuesday, Sep 28, 21 @ 1:01 pm:
Rodney Davis is toast. At the very least, he’s milquetoast.
- Weir - Tuesday, Sep 28, 21 @ 1:10 pm:
If you are gonna chastise people for always bringing up Madigan, you can’t turn around and spout stuff about Rauner. It’s not a consistent position.
Rauner is retired from public life. Madigan may be too, but his future is a bit more,um, uncertain.
- Levois J - Tuesday, Sep 28, 21 @ 1:17 pm:
Time will tell on that, however, I’m not that impressed with the Republican field if they hope to make the Governor a one-termer. We have a year to see how the election shakes out!
- Ron Burgundy - Tuesday, Sep 28, 21 @ 1:22 pm:
-same people-
Congratulations to him on being bland enough to win a general election against a flawed opponent in a fairly friendly district.
His bigger concern now is being too bland to win a primary given where his party has gone.
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Sep 28, 21 @ 1:24 pm:
===If===
When a party’s “not for profit think tank” does a whole film on Rauner, runs against Rauner, “today”, and has pictures and ads against Rauner, lemme know, lol
Rauner is punchline to the hypocrisy that Raunerites refuse to see and should be mocked, and mocked often, as those same folks before Rauner bought and sold them were actually better legislators.
Davis isn’t even in the statehouse… either chamber.
It’s pathetic and sad that an out of touch congressman isn’t caught up on Illinois politics, but here we are.
- Lucky Pierre - Tuesday, Sep 28, 21 @ 1:43 pm:
It would be wise to take all of the usual naysayers with a grain of salt.
Big surprise no one thought Governor Rauner or the fair tax failing was a possibility either.
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Sep 28, 21 @ 1:50 pm:
=== Big surprise no one thought Governor Rauner or the fair tax failing was a possibility either.===
Really? Who would that be?
I’d think before you answer, lol
- Demoralized - Tuesday, Sep 28, 21 @ 2:03 pm:
==no one thought Governor Rauner==
Who would those “no ones” have been? Because I’m pretty certain a ton of people thought Quinn was in big trouble.
==or the fair tax failing==
Again, I’m pretty sure a lot of people saw the difficulty in this one as well.
Does spouting garbage come naturally to you because you seem to do it quite easily.
- MisterJayEm - Tuesday, Sep 28, 21 @ 2:09 pm:
“no one thought Governor Rauner or the fair tax failing was a possibility either”
You’ve been on here long enough to know that this isn’t true, so either you’ve suffered some brain damage or you’re lying.
– MrJM
- Dotnonymous - Tuesday, Sep 28, 21 @ 2:11 pm:
“If you are gonna chastise people for always bringing up Madigan, you can’t turn around and spout stuff about Rauner. It’s not a consistent position.” - Weir
Yes I can…and…I don’t care.
- Lt Guv - Tuesday, Sep 28, 21 @ 2:13 pm:
“I’ll have what he’s having.”
- Lurker - Tuesday, Sep 28, 21 @ 2:30 pm:
Thank you Weir. The one was a complete failure for 4 years and it is ok to mention in every post. The other was in office for 150 years and is the main person to ruin Illinois but ……
- Jake - Tuesday, Sep 28, 21 @ 2:33 pm:
DeGroot needs new talking points for his boss, or is MJM all they have?
- RNUG - Tuesday, Sep 28, 21 @ 2:50 pm:
I don’t see the IL GOP with a strong candidate that can beat JB … and I lean towards the GOP side.
- The Old Man - Tuesday, Sep 28, 21 @ 3:08 pm:
Rodney has proved time and time again that he is a survivor. Go back and check all the polls just before his elections, ,they had him 6 or 7 points down with a few days to go and each time he won.
Rodney is a survivor, watch and see.
- ThatOneGuyinBlono - Tuesday, Sep 28, 21 @ 3:10 pm:
===Davis doesn’t even present himself as pro-labor===
He does tho, he courts (and wins over) the Trades, and tells public sector unions to screw off.
- Siriusly - Tuesday, Sep 28, 21 @ 3:21 pm:
Madigan
Madigan
Madigan
Squirrel
- Arsenal - Tuesday, Sep 28, 21 @ 3:22 pm:
==Big surprise no one thought Governor Rauner or the fair tax failing was a possibility either. ==
This is an easily disproven lie that I would expect to see thrown back in your face a few times.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2014_Illinois_gubernatorial_election
Cook, Rothenberg, and RCP all had the race ranked as a “Toss up”.
- Arsenal - Tuesday, Sep 28, 21 @ 3:28 pm:
==Go back and check all the polls just before his elections, ,they had him 6 or 7 points down with a few days to go and each time he won.==
What is up with you guys just making stuff up today?
NYT on October 25, 2018 had Rodney up 46-41.
https://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2018/house/il/illinois_13th_district_davis_vs_londrigan-6472.html
- Unconventional wisdom - Tuesday, Sep 28, 21 @ 4:04 pm:
So what Republican is going to beat Pritzker? I can’t think of any unless some really unknown disastrous event comes up before election.
Overall, this state is very Blue with a number of downstate, and less populated, Red areas.
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Sep 28, 21 @ 4:25 pm:
=== this state is very Blue===
It’s not.
The Raunerite/Trumpkin voter choices have made this state “toxic” for the base-type candidates that Raunerite/Trunpkins prefer in primaries.
Bad choices have forced the lean as much as anything. A diverse state needs moderates
- Ron Burgundy - Tuesday, Sep 28, 21 @ 4:34 pm:
-Rodney is a survivor, watch and see.-
Maybe in his current area, but he’s never run statewide and never tested himself against the Mary Miller wing. As for statewide, assuming he could win a primary, he and whose money are going to come close to being competitive with Pritzker? If there’s anything holding him back right now, it’s the cash.
- Pundent - Tuesday, Sep 28, 21 @ 4:51 pm:
=Overall, this state is very Blue with a number of downstate, and less populated, Red areas.=
Nah. The state is, and always has been, purple. And that doesn’t play right now. But that’s a reflection of the recent past and future candidates not the people of this state. You’re likely not going to see a change in this state until there’s a clean break in the GOP from Donald Trump and that doesn’t seem like in the near term.
- Voting2022 - Tuesday, Sep 28, 21 @ 4:57 pm:
https://www.wmay.com/2021/09/28/davis-vaccination-requirement-offensive-to-health-care-workers/?sc_ref=twitter
If he’s gonna run for gov, saying things like that above won’t help him…
- Radio Frequency - Tuesday, Sep 28, 21 @ 5:34 pm:
===Proof is that the Congressman was on local radio this morning and said nothing of significance.===
I can’t remember him ever him saying anything of significance.
“I think Gov. (JB) Pritzker is going to be a one-term governor,”
Talk is cheap.
- Eastern Bloc Gulag - Wednesday, Sep 29, 21 @ 10:22 am:
someone needs to get Rodney an updated directory of the Illinois General Assembly. Spoiler: Mike Madigan ain’t in it.