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Question of the day

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Illinois

U.S. Rep. Rodney Davis said it’s not too great being a Republican in a Democrat-controlled Congress.

“It sucks,” he said during a Monday visit to Champaign. “I’d much rather be in the majority.”

And with redistricting expected to remove one U.S. House seat in Illinois, putting his own seat on the line, Davis didn’t shoot down rumors that he’s considering a run for governor in 2022.

“You never say never,” Davis said, before criticizing current Gov. J.B. Pritzker for problems at the Illinois Department of Employment Security. “I’m gonna criticize any elected official who’s just not doing the job that I think my constituents expect him or her to do.”

* The Question: Think he’ll do it? Take the poll and then explain your answer in comments, please…

bike trails

posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Mar 16, 21 @ 11:42 am

Comments

up or out is a bold move. boldness is not a trait davis embodies.

Comment by blue line Tuesday, Mar 16, 21 @ 11:44 am
Maybe I’m not seeing the bigger picture if there is one, but he barely eeks out victories over Betsy Davis-Londrigan each time they’ve competed. I just don’t see any way he gets anywhere close to enough votes from the northern part of the state.

Comment by Chambanalyst Tuesday, Mar 16, 21 @ 11:44 am
No. He’s not bold as blue line says, has to know the money reality, and in a primary isn’t considered hardcore enough in his part of the state vis a vis Bailey. He’s got the name and tenure to probably survive redistricting though.

Comment by Ron Burgundy Tuesday, Mar 16, 21 @ 11:47 am
2020 was barely eeking out a victory? 9.5 points?? Remember Davis has routinely won in a district Obama and Pritzker have won.

Comment by Sweet N Sour Tuesday, Mar 16, 21 @ 11:48 am
No.

Because the following quote demonstrates he doesn’t have the mindset needed.

“I’d much rather be in the majority.”

The ‘majority’ is any group of legislatures you can get together and accomplish something with. Maybe it consists of a majority of republican legislators. Maybe it consists of a majority of democratic legislators.

If he can’t find himself in the majority, and in fat uses it as a badge of honor, that sounds to my ears as an admission he is incapable of working with a diverse group of people to get something accomplished for everyone in the state.

I’m sure he likes the attention of being asked, but up to now he doesn’t display the integrity to actually do it.

Comment by TheInvisibleMan Tuesday, Mar 16, 21 @ 11:50 am
I voted yes, but would switch to no after reflecting on it more. Rodney is a complainer. The job of Governor requires someone to take action to solve problems, or at least to look busy and let other people figure it all out. Running for Governor might be something he would do, but I doubt he wants to do the job.

Comment by NIU Grad Tuesday, Mar 16, 21 @ 11:52 am
K street pays better.

Comment by Kittycakes Tuesday, Mar 16, 21 @ 11:53 am
It may be tough to be in the minority, it’s much tougher to run a state with inherent challenges trying to recover from a global pandemic.

Voted twice against impeaching Trump.

Voted against the Covid-19 package in 2021

Davis gets Griffin money? Never know.

The most vulnerable is Frerichs.

That Frerichs Tax is sitting out there waiting for someone to cut Frerichs down to size.

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Mar 16, 21 @ 11:53 am
Guessin’ RapidRodney might rather lose a governor
s campaign than U.S. Senate or Governor. To stay in House he will need to beat Empty Suit LaHood or ‘Zinger or both. At least running for governor gives a chance to raise money in Chicago and job hunt.

Comment by Annonin' Tuesday, Mar 16, 21 @ 11:59 am
Oh please oh please oh please…

Politicians are always coy when they want to run but aren’t ready to formally announce it yet. I expect him to give it a go.

Comment by Nick Name Tuesday, Mar 16, 21 @ 12:01 pm
“I’m gonna criticize any elected official who’s just not doing the job that I think my constituents expect him or her to do.”

LOL, ok. Davis himself isn’t doing the work his constituents expect of him. Did he vote to send them money they need? Did he vote to support vaccination efforts? Did he vote to give schools the resources they need to open safely? Did he vote to support benefits for unemployment despite his constant nagging about it?

Comment by hmmm Tuesday, Mar 16, 21 @ 12:02 pm
The current field is already crowded. Not sure if Davis could fare too well in a primary.

Comment by Practical Politics Tuesday, Mar 16, 21 @ 12:03 pm
Being in the minority sucks?

Davis came to suck the swamp dry…right along with Trump.

I say, “Suck Away”,Rodney Davis.

Comment by Dotnonymous Tuesday, Mar 16, 21 @ 12:09 pm
Don’t care. Won’t vote for me.

Comment by Huh? Tuesday, Mar 16, 21 @ 12:11 pm
He does have crossover appeal. If he’s drawn out of his district and decides to run statewide, it could be what some call a “dummymander”. I’m not sure he’d win but he may figure he may as well go for it. Being in the minority in the legislative branch definitely does suck. Even with the legislature still controlled by Dems, being the chief executive of a state is much better then the minority party in the legislative branch.

Comment by low level Tuesday, Mar 16, 21 @ 12:18 pm
I voted yes. It kind of makes sense vs running in a primary against another Republican incumbent. He would be have the best odds in a gubernatorial primary against the current field. And DC is a place where a lot of people get pretty jaded. So I lean towards yes, he will do it.

Comment by Ducky LaMoore Tuesday, Mar 16, 21 @ 12:22 pm
=K street pays better.=

You also don’t have to make any tough decisions there, and Rodney’s 8 years in Congress has been a good apprenticeship in avoiding tough decisions.

Comment by Joe Bidenopolous Tuesday, Mar 16, 21 @ 12:23 pm
Blueline lead this thread with the most succinct and accurate explanation

Comment by AlfondoGonz Tuesday, Mar 16, 21 @ 12:26 pm
No. Money, money, money…money.

Comment by Southsider Tuesday, Mar 16, 21 @ 12:36 pm
If anything, it’s Kinzinger who is going to be drawn out, not Davis. Davis probably has it easier staying in Congress, especially since the Republicans won’t be in the minority as of January 2023!

Comment by The Snowman Tuesday, Mar 16, 21 @ 12:40 pm
Would not be surprised if he ran for governor if his new district looks unfavorable.

It’s not like he seems to have any real convictions about things he actually wants to achieve for people when in office as he is just is a run of the mill Republican political careerist type.

So now is about the time for him to either try to move up the ladder or go make more money as a consultant or lobbyist.

Comment by hisgirlfriday Tuesday, Mar 16, 21 @ 12:43 pm
=didn’t shoot down rumors that he’s considering a run for governor=

“Rumors”. What a great word for “friends and staff”. Rodney will get no respect if he runs for any statewide office let alone governor. Sheesh.

Comment by Colin O'Scopy Tuesday, Mar 16, 21 @ 12:44 pm
He deserves to run against the likes of Bailey etc in a primary.
I would actually listen to that debate.

Comment by BTO2 Tuesday, Mar 16, 21 @ 12:46 pm
I say no. He wouldn’t have a snowball’s chance of winning and if he thinks being in the minority in the U.S. House is tough, he sure wouldn’t like to govern from a super minority in IL.

Comment by Mancheser Tuesday, Mar 16, 21 @ 12:53 pm
I voted Yes, but it depends on Mike Z.

If Z sees a path for Rodney, he’s Z’s first pick.

I think that It’s tough to get Griffin to write a check to a guy that voted against certifying the electoral college, and I read Davis’ vote to certify as a sign he was seriously thinking about running.

Comment by Thomas Paine Tuesday, Mar 16, 21 @ 1:05 pm
No

He’s a backbencher.

Comment by Sir Reel Tuesday, Mar 16, 21 @ 1:11 pm
My personal opinions aside, Davis is an excellent retail politician, adept at appearing bipartisan but governing the opposite. He can be a regular guy one minute and a partisan the next, as needed. Hearing him on NPR this morning taking about how he had personally given the gov funds and how it was misspent shows that he can really frame a message. Don’t count him out.

Comment by Simple Simon Tuesday, Mar 16, 21 @ 1:16 pm
Said Yes. He has enough arrogance and has never struck me a being very sharp to think he has a chance.

Comment by JS Mill Tuesday, Mar 16, 21 @ 1:35 pm
Please run so we can bear you like a drum and send you home.

Comment by flea Tuesday, Mar 16, 21 @ 1:38 pm
I voted no but I’d love to see him try and fail.

Comment by Cheryl44 Tuesday, Mar 16, 21 @ 1:44 pm
Davis is too loyal to Trump to appeal to moderates, but not quite Trumpy enough to appear to hard liners. I don’t see it happening. Davis will most likely get an unfavorable map, but being in the out party during a midterm could give him a boost. He will run for re-election.

Comment by Independent Tuesday, Mar 16, 21 @ 2:32 pm
Who?? S/

Comment by Bruce( no not him) Tuesday, Mar 16, 21 @ 3:41 pm
…meh…

Comment by running for Gov Tuesday, Mar 16, 21 @ 4:13 pm