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Rodney Davis to host second public forum with an Eastern Bloc member

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* In July, Congressman Davis held a public forum with Rep. Dan Caulkins (R-Decatur), a member of the Eastern Bloc. As you may recall, Caulkins generally played “bad cop” to Davis’ “good cop.”

Well, Davis is holding a second forum and is partnering this time with Rep. Brad Halbrook, the sponsor of the proposal to kick Chicago out of Illinois. Press release…

U.S. Rep. Rodney Davis (R-Ill.) [yesterday] announced he will be hosting his second Open Government Night following the first event held in Decatur recently where more than 250 constituents attended. The series is in conjunction with state lawmakers to allow constituents an opportunity to hear directly from their elected officials at the state and federal level on important issues. The second event will be held in Champaign with State Representative Brad Halbrook (R-Shelbyville).

“Ensuring constituents have an opportunity to hear directly from their elected officials continues to be my priority,” said Davis. “Open Office Hours allow me to have personal, one-on-one conversations with people about the issues they care about. Open Government Nights allow people to discuss issues facing our government at the state and federal levels. I’m looking forward to discussing these issues next Monday night.”

“Events like this are a great way for area residents to hear directly from their State Representative and Congressman about the issues important to them. We need to hear from our constituents, and so I would encourage everyone to try to make it out and let their voice be heard.” said Halbrook.

* Scott Beatty of WDWS Radio will moderate the event…

The format will mirror that of Davis’ first audience Q&A event, held July 29 at Decatur’s Richland Community College. Over that 90-minute program, Davis and state Rep. Dan Caulkins took turns answering 22 questions submitted in writing by those in a crowd of around 250. Topics ranged from the tone of President Donald Trump’s tweets to gun control and soybean tariffs.

Under this format, the moderator chooses the questions. Neither Davis nor his representatives will see them or have a hand in selecting them before they’re asked, officials said.

Hat tip: Maxwell.

* Meanwhile, from Bernie…

Some tough rhetoric pushing the re-election of U.S. Rep. RODNEY DAVIS, R-Taylorville, has been in his fundraising emails that have attacked the Springfield-born Democrat running against him as representing Chicago and made apparently false claims about where her campaign money comes from.

“I don’t think they go out under my name,” Davis told me, and he said he does not approve those messages.

Well, one that did go out and said it was from Davis stated that Democrat BETSY DIRKSEN LONDRIGAN was “Chicago’s handpicked candidate,” and added, “She’s got millions of dollars pouring in from out of state billionaires. … I want to reach my fundraising goal this month and show Chicago that downstate wants a representative to speak for them.” The Davis campaign has provided no evidence to back up the millions-from-billionaires claim, which is clearly out of whack with actual fundraising.

After he toured the Ash Street underpass construction site in Springfield last week, I showed Davis that email — including his name as the messenger. He said he hadn’t seen or approved it.

I asked if it was a problem. Davis responded with a laugh, but gave no direct answer.

* Related…

* This is why you should care about the Illinois 13th, even if you can’t vote in it

posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Aug 13, 19 @ 10:19 am

Comments

The “Nice guy” shtick wears off as he’s smiling in the background of hard-righters yelling at veterans in the audience. That, plus the hard-hitting emails and dirty campaign tactics…at some point this stuff is truly “under his name” and not just stuff swirling around him. Own it, man.

Comment by NIU Grad Tuesday, Aug 13, 19 @ 10:22 am
==I asked if it was a problem. Davis responded with a laugh, but gave no direct answer.==

Going through life as a complete phony bothers the conscience of some people, leading them to lose sleep and to question some of the life choices they’ve made. Davis is obviously not on of those people.

Comment by Lester Holt’s Mustache Tuesday, Aug 13, 19 @ 10:24 am
===Well, Davis is holding a second forum and is partnering this time with Rep. Brad Halbrook, the sponsor of the proposal to kick Chicago out of Illinois.===

What a pathetic little attempt to seem engaged with folks so small minded.

Let’s revisit Mr. Davis’ email…

===Chicago has always wanted to impose their will on us, and this time it’s no different. With the support of J.B. Pritzker, Betsy Londrigan wants to make us a vassal state of the city, and sanctuary status is just the first step.===

Mr. Davis should make the “Magnificent 7” the “Hateful Eight”

Right? Exactly right.

This isn’t an accident. Mr. Davis knows *exactly* what he’s doing.

Mr. Davis use to be better.

Narrator: Davis isn’t better.

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Aug 13, 19 @ 10:28 am
Curious. Davis could have chosen the state rep that actually represents the majority of CU. Instead he chose this extremist that will make him look moderate by comparisooooooh. Yeah, no. I get it.

Comment by knownothing Tuesday, Aug 13, 19 @ 10:28 am
==I asked if it was a problem. Davis responded with a laugh, but gave no direct answer.==

Not exactly what I would have picked up from the Rauner campaign book.

Comment by Ducky LaMoore Tuesday, Aug 13, 19 @ 10:37 am
“Not exactly what I would have picked up from the Rauner campaign book.”

Fake Rodney Davis: “Focus, Bernie. Focus.”

Comment by NIU Grad Tuesday, Aug 13, 19 @ 10:44 am
Perspective?

===“They can say whatever they want, and they can feel that way. And a lot of people feel that way,” Edgar acknowledged. “I’m just saying if you’re working in a system where you’re in the minority and you want to help your constituents, then you have to try and figure out how you can work with them. Fighting with people might be fun, and maybe it plays well back home, but it’s not very effective.”

“Illinois is one state, contrary to what some people might say,” Edgar said. “There’s no way they’re going to kick Chicago out of the state. Sure, maybe it sounds great at a rally in Mount Vernon or some place, but in reality that’s not going to happen.”===

- Jim Edgar

===Davis is holding a second forum and is partnering this time with Rep. Brad Halbrook, the sponsor of the proposal to kick Chicago out of Illinois.===

Edgar is trying to bring sanity back.

Davis is not only stoking crazy, Davis is giving it a forum for credibility.

Guess who’s side I’m on?

#EdgarAllDay

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Aug 13, 19 @ 10:52 am
==I showed Davis that email — including his name as the messenger. He said he hadn’t seen or approved it.==

By any chance, was “It wasn’t me” (by Shaggy) playing in the background at the time?

Comment by Jocko Tuesday, Aug 13, 19 @ 10:57 am
If only Bernie could ask somewhat tough questions to people on the left.

Comment by Pick a Name Tuesday, Aug 13, 19 @ 10:57 am
===tough questions===

What’s so tough?

“Do you support racist and dividing language?”

Rodney Davis is going to stand on a stage with Mr. Halbrook, after last year campaigning with Mr. Trump.

It’s not a tough question.

The answer is I support the racist ways of Donald Trump by also aiding with Mr. Halbrook and the dividing Illinois.

That’s the answer, no matter the question stylings.

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Aug 13, 19 @ 11:02 am
Thank you Rep. Davis for your service to Illinois.

Comment by Unpopular Tuesday, Aug 13, 19 @ 11:05 am
===Thank you Rep. Davis for your service to Illinois.===

- Old, angry, white, rural voters, looking to leave She-Caw-Go behind.

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Aug 13, 19 @ 11:06 am
“Davis responded with a laugh…”

So… he “endorsed” this form of “identity theft”???

He continues his blind, deaf, and mute act while smirking.

Comment by Anon221 Tuesday, Aug 13, 19 @ 11:08 am
First…let me say this…about that…Ha?

I’m tired of politicians laughing…seriously.

Comment by Dotnonymous Tuesday, Aug 13, 19 @ 11:14 am
The thought of a two state solution(where have i heard that) is silly. That being said. Come down to southern Illinois and you can have a cup of coffee with old Blue and two of his buddies that just happen to be black and listen to them rant for seperation. And BTW , one of them always wears a MAGA hat.

Comment by Blue Dog Dem Tuesday, Aug 13, 19 @ 11:17 am
===Come down to southern Illinois and you can have a cup of coffee with old Blue…===

No thank you.

How about you have coffee with that guy who’s a multimillionaire who moved to a state with higher income taxes.

You’re trolling for attention.

Go call your two friends and have coffee. Get some fresh air.

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Aug 13, 19 @ 11:19 am
==If only Bernie could ask somewhat tough questions to people on the left.==

Another victim heard from.

Comment by Demoralized Tuesday, Aug 13, 19 @ 11:25 am
==that just happen to be black==

And that’s relevant how?

==listen to them rant for seperation==

Yeah, that’s what I want to do. Listen to a couple of irrational whiners.

==one of them always wears a MAGA hat==

Who cares.

Comment by Demoralized Tuesday, Aug 13, 19 @ 11:27 am
==The thought of a two state solution(where have i heard that) is silly. That being said. Come down to southern Illinois and you can have a cup of coffee with old Blue and two of his buddies that just happen to be black and listen to them rant for seperation. And BTW , one of them always wears a MAGA hat.==

You sure think your anecdotal evidence holds a ton of weight, huh?

I can let you meet with plenty of my educated southern Illinois friends who realize that southern Illinois quickly becomes Eastern Kentucky without Chicago.

Comment by So_Ill Tuesday, Aug 13, 19 @ 11:28 am
===Who cares.===

Trolling for attention

To the Post,

The only way this whole thing can be salvaged is if Davis tells Halbrook *before* they speak he (Davis) agrees with Edgar and if asks will say so publicly.

Otherwise, Davis is showing agreement with Halbrook on this separation from Chicago.

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Aug 13, 19 @ 11:30 am
===I showed Davis that email — including his name as the messenger. He said he hadn’t seen or approved it.===

Yet again, strangely, magically, Davis has no idea what his campaign is up to.

Comment by Nick Name Tuesday, Aug 13, 19 @ 11:31 am
I guess politics is now a comedy club…. just keep on laughing Rodney….right into retirement

Comment by Gohawks123 Tuesday, Aug 13, 19 @ 11:31 am
===If only Bernie could ask somewhat tough questions to people on the left.===

Do you feel better, having gotten that off your chest?

Comment by Nick Name Tuesday, Aug 13, 19 @ 11:34 am
“Chicago has always wanted to impose their will on us, and this time it’s no different. With the support of J.B. Pritzker, Betsy Londrigan wants to make us a vassal state of the city, and sanctuary status is just the first step.”

Fear, fear, fear. Scare whitey. Brown and black immigrants are coming in and taking over. That’s the GOP and its base, led by Trump who knows it more than anyone.

Comment by Grandson of Man Tuesday, Aug 13, 19 @ 11:47 am
” . . . hard-hitting emails and dirty campaign tactics . . . .”

Thank goodness the Democrats in that District aren’t campaigning in similar fashion. All their stuff is squeaky clean and disinfected./snark

Comment by Louis G. Atsaves Tuesday, Aug 13, 19 @ 11:53 am
==If only Bernie could ask somewhat tough questions to people on the left.==

“Do you know people in your campaign are doing several things you don’t approve of?” Seems like not a very tough question. The answer is either “yes”, “no” or “I have campaign workers?”

Comment by Da Big Bad Wolf Tuesday, Aug 13, 19 @ 11:55 am
===Thank goodness the Democrats in that District aren’t campaigning in similar fashion.===

So, as you go “both sides”, you support racist, separatists campaigning.

Good to know - Louis G Atsaves -

Thanks.

Rauner and Trump keeps exposing the truth.

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Aug 13, 19 @ 12:00 pm
===Thank goodness the Democrats in that District aren’t campaigning in similar fashion. All their stuff is squeaky clean and disinfected.===

All those times the Dirksen Londrigan campaign sent operatives to Davis fundraisers to get drunk and pick fights, or sent someone to crash a Davis press conference.

Comment by Nick Name Tuesday, Aug 13, 19 @ 12:09 pm
Since Rodney doesn’t have the courage of, say, a Rep. Kinzinger to call out his president on the race stuff, and he’s voted against a bunch of gun control legislation, I’m sure Louis will have no objection from some outside liberal group tying Rodney to white supremacists and their actions like the mass killings in El Paso. Londrigan can say “I don’t know anything about that”, and I’m sure that counselor atsaves and the folks he talks to would be just fine with it. Both sides, after all

Comment by Lester Holt’s Mustache Tuesday, Aug 13, 19 @ 12:24 pm
I’m interested to see if Rep. Halbrook can outshout Rep. Caulkins?

Will Davis chuckle in the innocent background…I wonder…should be a good show.

Comment by Dotnonymous Tuesday, Aug 13, 19 @ 12:35 pm
Why don’t they try harder to win elections and impose downstate morals on Chicago?

Comment by Just Me 2 Tuesday, Aug 13, 19 @ 12:53 pm
==Thank goodness the Democrats in that District aren’t campaigning in similar fashion.==

Well, now that’s two victims heard from.

Comment by Demoralized Tuesday, Aug 13, 19 @ 12:59 pm
This event isn’t even in Halbrook’s district. If Davis is all about how bipartisan he is, isn’t it a bit odd that he’s not doing this event with Ammons, who represents Parkland Community College, where this event is to be held?

Comment by Anon217 Tuesday, Aug 13, 19 @ 1:18 pm
Careful Congressman, don’t sully your reputation or pick up any ignorant habits with this goofball

Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Aug 13, 19 @ 1:36 pm
@OswegoWilly

===How about you have coffee with that guy who’s a multimillionaire who moved to a state with higher income taxes.===

You realize how much of an elitist you come of as? You’re exactly the kind of people I’d like to get out of this state. You and all the other trash that looks down their noses at anyone who just so happens to see things differently. Total garbage.

Comment by Captain Tuesday, Aug 13, 19 @ 1:54 pm
- Captain -

With respect, mind your business. You seemingly have no idea the trolling the commenter in question does, and the logic behind some of the trolling.

If you knew the context, you might look at it different.

To all this…. LOL….

===You’re exactly the kind of people I’d like to get out of this state. You and all the other trash that looks down their noses at anyone who just so happens to see things differently. Total garbage.===

Lemme guess, you’re a 51st state supporter?

I’ll leave it there.

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Aug 13, 19 @ 1:57 pm
Yes I am. For no other reason than the difference in culture between Chicago and the rest of the state.

Comment by Captian Tuesday, Aug 13, 19 @ 2:03 pm
==You and all the other trash that looks down their noses at anyone who just so happens to see things differently. Total garbage.==

Captain aren’t you doing the same thing? So are you trash too?

Also it looks to me like BDD and OW are enjoying their sport, as usual.

Comment by Da Big Bad Wolf Tuesday, Aug 13, 19 @ 2:05 pm
“I respond to tough questions all the time,” Davis said.

When did that start?

Comment by btowntruth from forgottonia Tuesday, Aug 13, 19 @ 2:17 pm
===For no other reason than the difference in culture between Chicago and the rest of the state.===

“Culture” is doing a lot of work there.

How would you describe… culture?

Lemme guess again, you think Jim Edgar is wrong and the the separatists are right, to make a further point.

Don’t forget, define culture for me.

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Aug 13, 19 @ 2:40 pm
- Captain -

One last question, as you’re defining culture… do you think Chicago is a tax eater or do more state taxes leave Chicago than Chicago gets back?

Thanks.

OW

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Aug 13, 19 @ 2:42 pm
==. For no other reason than the difference in culture between Chicago and the rest of the state.==

Chicago and the rest of the state have the same culture, American culture.

People on Capitol Fax are from all over. It would be hard for us to have a conversation and and share the same memories and references if we didn’t. We also wouldn’t get each other’s jokes.

But people with different cultures can still participate in running government. No reason why they can’t or why they shouldn’t.

Comment by Da Big Bad Wolf Tuesday, Aug 13, 19 @ 3:03 pm
Ugh…the SoILexit folks are just so jacked up these days. I swear it’s like some kind of contagion has spread.
But OW, if you ever go to a Cards or Blues game down in the Metro East, give me a heads up. Forget the coffee. I’ll buy you a beer or whatever you want.

Comment by Honeybear Tuesday, Aug 13, 19 @ 3:57 pm
- Honeybear -

Your hospitality is only equal to your passion to do good for this state. That’s a high bar.

Thanks, bud. Appreciate that.

OW

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Aug 13, 19 @ 4:00 pm
Representative Davis, profile in courage. Hey Rodney…leave your big brother behind and come answer to your voters all by yourself.

And for all the North Kentucky people, can my downstate county go with Chicago?

Comment by Jibba Tuesday, Aug 13, 19 @ 4:25 pm
==That being said. Come down to southern Illinois and you can have a cup of coffee with old Blue and two of his buddies that just happen to be black and listen to them rant for seperation. And BTW , one of them always wears a MAGA hat.==

I’m sure that would be a hoot, but it’s too long of a drive. Your friends can’t comment here at Capitol Fax?

Comment by Da Big Bad Wolf Thursday, Aug 15, 19 @ 9:05 am