Republican Peter Roskam debated his Democratic challenger Sean Casten tonight. Of course, Roskam, who hasn’t had a town hall in his own district in 10 years, couldn’t be caught dead debating in his own district where his constituents might be able to actually see him in person. Instead the debate was held in downtown Chicago, 20+ miles from where his constituents actually live.
Once the debate started, one thing was quickly clear — Roskam supports Trump, but he doesn’t want you to know he supports Trump.
Despite falling wages, a Republican tax plan that will hurt his constituents with limits on state and local tax deductions, and a trade war that is killing Illinois farmers and manufacturers, Roskam said Trump was “good on the economy” with a straight face. Noting this sounded like a wee bit too much support of Trump, he tried to look tough on Trump with a harsh rating complete with shrugged shoulders, calling him “jumbling” (gasp!) on other issues. Yes, he used the word “jumbling” and not what I first thought I heard, a more accurate bumbling. Wow, Roskam sure is tough on Trump!
Casten was unequivocal. Without hesitation he said he believed Trump was “The worst president of our generation.” Roskam had a sad at this statement. How uncivil!
When Roskam tried to talk up Trump’s economy as doing so well, Casten brought up the fact that the longest streak of continuous employment and economic growth began seven years prior to Trump under President Obama’s economic policies. Roskam down played the reality of Trump inheriting a growing economy from his predecessor and said everything was going gangbusters!
When Roskam was asked why the Republican tax cuts Trump promised would grow wages, yet wages were actually decreasing, Roskam again dodged and said Trump’s tax cut was working, it just needed a bit more time! That’s right boys and girls, wages are stagnating or dropping as corporations set record profits, but just give it more time…
Throughout the debate, one thing was certain: Roskam has Trump’s back. Several times he talked about being an outspoken critic of Trump, but there were never any meaningful actions to back up that claim. What would you expect from a guy who votes with Trump 94% of the time?
The contrast couldn’t be clearer in Illinois’ sixth district:
Roskam votes with Trump 94% of the time.
Casten thinks Congress should to be a check and balance on Trump.
Given IL-06 voted for both Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama, Roskam seems more than a bit out of touch with his constituents in his overwhelming support of Trump.