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* I’m not sure Rep. Monique Davis did herself any good by going on Fox News last night, but it’s been my experience that state legislators cannot resist the siren call of the national spotlight, so whatever…
Bill O’Reilly [last night] faced off with Illinois state representative Monique Davis, who said on a radio show this week that many of her constituents have “suspicions” that Chicago police are gunning down black children. O’Reilly told Davis that she unfairly legitimized a “destructive” rumor, and that she had a responsibility in her role as an elected official not to say such garbage in the public eye.
Davis insisted to O’Reilly that she wasn’t alleging anything, just repeating what constituents told her. O’Reilly pressed her on why she didn’t dismiss it as “crazy,” explaining that she has “credibility as an elected official” and she should know better than to say police are killing black kids. Davis suggested that given how such a high number (70 percent) of murders in Chicago remain unsolved, “people are wondering what the heck is going on.”
O’Reilly still insisted she was being “irresponsible,” and switched to overall problems in the black community. Davis told O’Reilly he was “terribly wrong” about the majority of black problems originating in the collapse of the family unit, pointing to poor education and a lack of “resources to help these kids to anything.” O’Reilly brought up the out-of-wedlock pregnancy rate, to which Davis shot back that unmarried actresses get pregnant all the time. O’Reilly said, “Actresses aren’t living in the ghetto.”
* Video…
* More…
“I didn’t say it, Bill. I repeated what members of my community have said to me,” Davis said. “It is crucially important that people realize that was not Monique Davis’s statement.”
“Do I have to say that?” Davids asked when O’Reilly prompted her to refute such statements as falsehoods.
“Yeah, you do,” O’Reilly shot back. “Here’s why you have to say it, two reasons: Number one, you have credibility as an elected official, alight? And number two, people don’t know where you stand…That is destructive to the discourse. Chicago police as you know are not gunning down black children. You know that, right?”
Bill O’Reilly complaining that somebody who doesn’t have a nationally televised cable TV show is being “destructive to the discourse” is more than a tad bit ironic. Just sayin…
The full transcript is here.
posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Aug 2, 13 @ 10:59 am
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I can’t stand either of them so I can’t watch it. But for maybe the first time in my life, I partially agree with Bill O’Reilly. Good Lord!
Comment by Chicago Cynic Friday, Aug 2, 13 @ 11:10 am
===“credibility as an elected official”====
Monique???? uhhh…..no
Comment by Been There Friday, Aug 2, 13 @ 11:11 am
You do not need to repeat everything that you hear—even if you hear lots of times. Grow up Monique.
Comment by Belle Friday, Aug 2, 13 @ 11:15 am
O’Reilly is right. Elected officials hear crazy things all the time… but they don’t have an obligation to repeat it. Moreover, Davis’ original statement on the Detroit radio show inferred that she thought it was a possibility.
Comment by Just Observing Friday, Aug 2, 13 @ 11:15 am
Not an O’Reily fan by any stretch. However i cannot argue that he did not have a point about her comments. In fact O’Reily could have been reading CapFax comments from Rich posting the original story.
Comment by Mason born Friday, Aug 2, 13 @ 11:16 am
Monique is right about one thing. The collapse of the family unit, the lack of resources, and poor education is causing a lot of problems for her constituents, not the least of which is her election as their representative.
Comment by PublicServant Friday, Aug 2, 13 @ 11:17 am
I can’t stand O’Reilly and never watch Fox News, but I’d have to say he was spot on in his criticism of Davis. She was irresponsible in making those public statements.
Comment by Wensicia Friday, Aug 2, 13 @ 11:17 am
Bill O’Reilly and Monique Davis together? I thought Obama signed an executive order banning torture.
Comment by wordslinger Friday, Aug 2, 13 @ 11:20 am
Been There - she may not have credibility in Springfield, but she certainly does with the voters who keep sending her there.
All public officials have a higher duty to be responsible. You don’t know how people will interpret your words, you need to choose them carefully.
I agree with O’Reilly completely on this one - her statement gives it some legitimacy in the community she represents and that is totally irresponsible. If I were a criminal being charged for resisting arrest, fleeing the scene or even shooting at a police officer - I would be very tempted to use Rep. Davis remarks as part of my defense.
She is encouraging lawlessness. If she wants to question police efficacy, as a member of the House for 26 years and as someone who holds a masters degree she certainly knows that there are better ways to do that.
I’m not an O’Rielly fan at all, but I applaud him for calling her out on this one.
Comment by siriusly Friday, Aug 2, 13 @ 11:22 am
Did anyone mention the term “stupid”. That is what come to mind to me.
Comment by Anon Friday, Aug 2, 13 @ 11:22 am
I don’t always agree with him, but I love Bill O’Reilly. He is straight forward in what he believes, and regularly holds the politicans feet to the fire.
Instead of repeating an absurd rumor, did Rep. Davis discuss the no snitch attitude prevelent among her constituents ? Perhaps the reason the murders don’t get solved is “nobody saw anything”.
“Davis suggested that given how such a high number (70 percent) of murders in Chicago remain unsolved, “people are wondering what the heck is going on.””
Comment by AFSCME Steward Friday, Aug 2, 13 @ 11:23 am
Lord help me, but O’Reilly is spot on.
You’re an elected official, Ms. Davis. Your words carry weight.
And as to your defense that you do not believe the statements yourself: Would you run around publicly asserting that you hear strawberries are the best fruit ever, after you had tried them yourself and decided you really hated them?
No way. You would probably say, “I hate strawberries” or “Strawberries are not very tasty in my opinion” or “No comment on the issue of strawberries”.
There is a reason you express an opinion publicly, Rep. Davis.
And it is not because you think it’s blatantly false and baseless.
Nor is it because you repeat everything you are told by constituents. Otherwise, your next comment surely would have been, “Some people also tell me the local police do an incredible job of saving lives while risking their own”.
Comment by Formerly Known As... Friday, Aug 2, 13 @ 11:28 am
“she may not have credibility in Springfield, but she certainly does with the voters who keep sending her there.”
Unless of course her voters either agree with everything she says or her voters are listening to everything she says.
Comment by Levois Friday, Aug 2, 13 @ 11:32 am
“State Rep Says Stupid Stuff”
Apparently that’s now national news.
I think the real story is not that a state rep said crazy stuff, but that there are no consequences for her saying crazy stuff.
She’s made many crazy comments over the years, and has not faced any consequences from party leadership or voters.
I see no reason for her to stop making crazy comments. Why should she?
Comment by Skeeter Friday, Aug 2, 13 @ 11:34 am
===and has not faced any consequences from party leadership ===
Local party leadership tried to beat her in several Democratic primaries. Didn’t work.
Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Aug 2, 13 @ 11:36 am
It took Rep. Davis to give O’Reilly credibility. Amazing.
Comment by Darienite Friday, Aug 2, 13 @ 11:37 am
So, Rich, do you agree or disagree with Bill O’Reilly’s comments to Repr. Monique Davis, or not?
Comment by JoeInPeoria Friday, Aug 2, 13 @ 11:39 am
Rich, was that at the ward or district level, or was it from the state party?
My understanding was that the Speaker did not oppose her and she also did not lose anything in terms of committees.
Comment by Skeeter Friday, Aug 2, 13 @ 11:40 am
There goes the “no snitch” rumor again. How about not coming forward because you fear that if you do, the police can’t protect you from retaliation? After all, it’s obvious to the residents forced to live there that they aren’t being protected from the violence that is so prevalent in their daily lives. It has nothing to do with a “no snitch attitude”, and everything to do with survival instinct.
Comment by PublicServant Friday, Aug 2, 13 @ 11:41 am
===was that the Speaker did not oppose her===
He almost never opposes any of his own members.
However, he is historically allied with the 19th Ward, and those folks tried several times to defeat her. Also, Sen. Trotter backed a candidate against her a few years ago.
Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Aug 2, 13 @ 11:43 am
I’m trying to imagine a scenario where Davis believes she can go on w/O’Reilly and convince him she is reasonable. So, she says to her staff - “hey, this will turn out well”.
Frankly, I don’t know what is more pathetic & outrageous - Monique Davis alleging cops are murdering her constituents or the fact that she is safe in her district for the foreseeable future.
Comment by dupage dan Friday, Aug 2, 13 @ 11:50 am
she keeps saying she is only repeating what was told to her, she doesnt necessarily believe it. she is winking at the statement, so she can pretend she said nothing wrong, yet her “community” knows she is giving the statement credence by not rejecting it outright.
Comment by langhorne Friday, Aug 2, 13 @ 11:52 am
Public Servant, they problem will continue until people start to do the right thing. Chicago Police need to be get more aggressive. Their arrests are way down over the last few years. The problem is politicians like Davis who continually undercut authority, shift blame and deflect any criticism of her constituents who are guilty of the things she’s complaining about.
Comment by Downstate Illinois Friday, Aug 2, 13 @ 11:53 am
Thanks, Rich. I was unaware of the opposition to her.
Comment by Skeeter Friday, Aug 2, 13 @ 11:59 am
===I was unaware of the opposition to her. ===
Then why did you assume there wasn’t ever any opposition? Didn’t have anything to do with race, did it?
Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Aug 2, 13 @ 12:08 pm
“Davis suggested that given how such a high number (70 percent) of murders in Chicago remain unsolved, “people are wondering what the heck is going on.”” I guess nobody told her the CPD crystal ball is out for repair and there is no money in the budget for repairs!
Comment by Pacman Friday, Aug 2, 13 @ 12:10 pm
Downstate, if by doing the right thing, you mean make themselves a target of gang retaliation by coming forward and testifying, you first. My point is that there’s not a “no snitch” attitude in the vast majority of people in these crime-infested warzones that aren’t in a gang, or is it your expert opinion that they’re all in a gang? Instead, people don’t come forward and testify because they justifiably fear for their lives if they do.
I do agree with you that Davis is a problem, and said so above.
Comment by PublicServant Friday, Aug 2, 13 @ 12:11 pm
No Rich, and that’s a strange assumption. In fact, that never crossed my mind. I’ve never raised race in that manner and I have no idea what leads you to the conclusion that I would.
It had to do with the fact that I still have not heard of her losing any committee assignments and the fact that as far as I can tell she’s still acting in the same manner (i.e. crazy) as she has for a while.
Based on what I could see, there did not appear to be any consequences in the past for her remarks.
Comment by Skeeter Friday, Aug 2, 13 @ 12:18 pm
Well Oreilly is right. Davis is a disgrace. The complete breakdown of the family unit is a big problem. Study after study has shown fathers make a huge difference in children’s lives.
Comment by Fed up Friday, Aug 2, 13 @ 12:23 pm
Monique Davis appearing on the O’Reilly Factor is exactly the kind of programming Roger Ailes dreams about. That’s how you keep your audience tuned in, give them exactly what they want. This is perfect for Fox. If Davis keeps this up, they’re going to offer her a regular guest spot, probably pay her a nice stipend and fly her to/from the studio.
She’s the perfect foil for O’Reilly. Absolutely perfect.
Comment by 47th Ward Friday, Aug 2, 13 @ 12:33 pm
Many cite the breakdown of the family, particularly absentee fathers, to be at the crux of the problems in the African-American community.
Meanwhile, African-American legislators are nearly lockstep in their opposition to same sex marriage citing preserving traditional families and the bible.
Isn’t it ironic?
Comment by LincolnLounger Friday, Aug 2, 13 @ 12:39 pm
To me the operative word of their whole exchange was “ghetto”!
It affects the officers who respond there & the victims who live there.
Davis knows her constituency - I’ll give her that much!
Comment by WhoKnew Friday, Aug 2, 13 @ 12:49 pm
Never thought I would see the day when dozens of commenters here would be giving props to Bill O’Reilly.
Now going outside to watch for flying pigs.
Comment by Arthur Andersen Friday, Aug 2, 13 @ 1:00 pm
Publicservant
I think you bring up a good point that those of us not living in those neighborhoods sometimes forget. As long as the gangs can control the neighborhoods the residents have to deal with their rules. It’s one thing to stand up for what’s right when you can go home and sleep relatively safely in your bed it’s another when that retribution can fall on your child in your own yard.
Comment by Mason born Friday, Aug 2, 13 @ 1:03 pm
Monique Davis. Queen of the race baiters.
Comment by Downstater Friday, Aug 2, 13 @ 1:20 pm
I am speechless
Comment by in absentia Friday, Aug 2, 13 @ 1:40 pm
I was expecting Monique to be more of her usual militant self. Good to know that no matter how much the US progresses on civil rights and moves past its ugly history, we will still have folks like Monique blaming current major issues on that ugly past.
Comment by Paul Lyin Friday, Aug 2, 13 @ 2:10 pm
47th Ward pegged it. Maybe they can resurrect Point/Counterpoint. That would be a scream.
Comment by dupage dan Friday, Aug 2, 13 @ 2:17 pm
Davis and O’Reilly - dueling ego’s. I had to take an antacid after watching this.
Comment by Waldi Friday, Aug 2, 13 @ 2:23 pm
==Remember the people who elected her are the same people who re-elected Gus Savage, Mel Reynolds, and Jessie Jackson Jr. to Washington even after they were under investigation.==
Maybe when you are part of a community that historically has been systematically subjected to harassment, false arrest, lynch mob justice, and media-driven guilty-until-innocent exploitation and pandering you will be more than willing to give the benefit of the doubt to someone, no matter how sleazy, when the man says they are guilty and prefers you don’t ask questions or wait for a criminal justice process to play out.
Comment by Precinct Captain Friday, Aug 2, 13 @ 3:45 pm
O’Reilly gave Rep Davis several opportunities to provide evidence of the alleged comments her constituents were saying that she happened to over hear. No evidence has surfaced yet!
Comment by Rufus D Doofus Friday, Aug 2, 13 @ 3:45 pm
I was expecting something more ugly. Rep. Davis did a fine job representing her point of view, and so did O’Reilly. That being said, I don’t happen to agree with Rep. Davis’ excuses for the continued plight of certain urban African Americans. Blame and shame is her game; her constituents aren’t winning.
A final point. The high rate of unsolved homicides in African American communities is attributable to the failure of the community to work with the police to turn in the bad guys. Go ahead and say it’s because of distrust of police. But you can’t then go and blame the cops if you’re not willing to stand up and work with them to take back the streets.
Comment by phocion Friday, Aug 2, 13 @ 3:54 pm
The usual suspects are no where to be found on this one…..don’t blame them, Rep. Davis dropped the ball big time.
Comment by Not in the Know Friday, Aug 2, 13 @ 4:16 pm