Another bad day for Schock
Wednesday, Mar 11, 2015 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Politico…
The question to Rep. Aaron Schock was simple: Do you think you’ve broken any rules or federal laws? But the scandal-plagued congressman did not have a definitive answer. […]
During the interview, Schock seemed frustrated with the persistent questions in recent weeks about his lavish lifestyle and seemingly lax accounting of his spending of taxpayer and campaign dollars. He was, at turns, testy, reflective and willing to play the victim. He declined repeatedly to answer whether he ever accepted an improper gift as a member of Congress. […]
In a comment sure to enrage his Capitol Hill colleagues, he argued that if the media spent time digging into the spending of other lawmakers — like they have his — reporters would “find a story to write about any member of Congress.” […]
“Well, I would say I take my compliance obligations seriously,” he said when asked whether he accepted improper gifts. “So, to your point, you know, obviously there’s things that we’re going through and if there need to be amendments to my reports, there will be.”
Asked again if he thinks he has accepted anything for free and not disclosed it, Schock said, “I have not, uh,” and then paused. “I would just leave it at that.”
He was equally evasive about whether he had broken House ethics rules or federal campaign laws.
“Well, I certainly hope not,” he first said. Pressed again whether he could say confidently he has not, Schock replied, “Well, I’m not an attorney.” […]
Asked whether he feels singled out, Schock said, “I’m just simply saying that I think it’s gotten to the point where folks are,” he paused for six seconds, “I’ll leave it at that.”
That’s quite a slanted story, but if Schock didn’t want to answer questions, he shouldn’t have taken any.
* Medialite piles on…
In 2010, on the Bravo reality TV series Top Chef he certainly gave the impression that he understood, almost authoritatively, Congressional ethics rules. Season 7, filmed in Washington, D.C., like many seasons of Top Chef, held challenges thematically based on the season’s location. During that one, he was invited to guest judge a challenge inspired by — yes, seriously — ethics rules dictating what members of Congress can and cannot accept as gifts.
In this case, the “gift” was food: an ethics rule passed in 2008 dictated what sorts of food and meals members of Congress could and couldn’t accept. Food at receptions, for example, as long as it could fit on a toothpick and could be eaten while standing up, were kosher. The argument went that lobbyists could buy undue influence by treating members of Congress and their staffers to free steak dinners and the like — but not just by serving a steak on stick. (Citizen.org has a thorough breakdown of the meal restrictions on members of Congress.)
So when host Padma Lakshmi announced that the challenge was to create a gourmet dish that could fit on a toothpick, she tapped Rep. Schock, then the youngest member of Congress. In what now appears to be a completely forgotten and likely regrettable memory, he provided a quick lesson on Congressional ethics rules:
When you become a new member of Congress and win an election, the first day is spent on ethics. Believe it or not, a good portion of that discussion is about food. Basically, the Ethics committee wants to make sure that there’s not too much undue influence between the elected officials and the paid lobbyists in Washington, D.C.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Mar 11, 15 @ 1:24 pm:
===He was equally evasive about whether he had broken House ethics rules or federal campaign laws.
“Well, I certainly hope not,” he first said. Pressed again whether he could say confidently he has not, Schock replied, “Well, I’m not an attorney.”…===
Yikes.
Congressman, keep your powder dry. Don’t answer if you say you aren’t answering. That is horrible, you should no better.
“Certainly hope not” isn’t instiling hope you didn’t.
Pathetic.
- Stones - Wednesday, Mar 11, 15 @ 1:25 pm:
Schock is his own worst enemy. Why grant an interview when you aren’t prepared to answer the obvious questions? He looks like a rank amateur.
- MrJM - Wednesday, Mar 11, 15 @ 1:36 pm:
“Gracious! It’s all so dreadfully confusing.”
[fans self]
[retires to fainting couch]
– MrJM
- Roland the Headless Thompson Gunner - Wednesday, Mar 11, 15 @ 1:37 pm:
Stick a fork — a rather a toothpick — in this guy.
- How Ironic - Wednesday, Mar 11, 15 @ 1:38 pm:
At this point I think Schock’s credibility would have trouble filling the tip of a toothpick.
This has gone from mildly amusing regarding decorating an office, to career ending. I don’t think he’s going to survive, particularly with his less than inspiring interview.
- Roland the Headless Thompson Gunner - Wednesday, Mar 11, 15 @ 1:39 pm:
Maybe Schock can team up with Brian Williams in a new reality show (after they’re bounced from their current jobs.) The show could feature the two of them traveling around the world — with Williams making stuff up about what they saw and Schock pretending to pay for it.
- And I Approved This Message - Wednesday, Mar 11, 15 @ 1:40 pm:
Tick. Schock. Tick. Schock.
Wash. Rinse. Repeat…Wash. Rinse. Repeat.
- Michelle Flaherty - Wednesday, Mar 11, 15 @ 1:46 pm:
I would pay to see John Shimkus at a Katy Perry concert. Please tell me that story is out there.
- Wensicia - Wednesday, Mar 11, 15 @ 1:53 pm:
==Asked whether he feels singled out, Schock said, “I’m just simply saying that I think it’s gotten to the point where folks are,” he paused for six seconds, “I’ll leave it at that.”==
Interesting response. I still say he knows who is behind this.
- Retired Op - Wednesday, Mar 11, 15 @ 1:54 pm:
Today’s National Review editorial calling for his resignation hammers it home well. /praise for NR
- vole - Wednesday, Mar 11, 15 @ 1:55 pm:
Using his status as the 5th biggest fund raiser for the GOP in the House as a justification for living large only demonstrates how badly he does not get the optics. And he is also trying to mask all other lapses in judgement by limiting the conversation to the episodes using the private planes. Schock is slick but now he can fool only some of his own partisans.
- Snucka - Wednesday, Mar 11, 15 @ 2:09 pm:
I LOL’d at “he paused for six seconds”. Can we get verification that it was not, in fact, a seven second pause?
- Politix - Wednesday, Mar 11, 15 @ 2:10 pm:
Very childish interview. Poor Mr. Entitled is feeling mistreated.
“I’m the 5th largest fundraiser…” Nice humblebrag. He’s the worst.
- VanillaMan - Wednesday, Mar 11, 15 @ 2:15 pm:
He does so well on Instagram, Facebook and on reality television - I am a bit surprised he fails so badly in real life.
- Illini97 - Wednesday, Mar 11, 15 @ 2:21 pm:
Why on Earth did he agree to the interview? What did he think it was going to be about?
- Buster - Wednesday, Mar 11, 15 @ 2:24 pm:
Zorn today dubs him, “Laughingstock Schock.” Ouch!
- Aldyth - Wednesday, Mar 11, 15 @ 2:46 pm:
I’m sure he’ll find a cushy lobbying job.
- anon - Wednesday, Mar 11, 15 @ 2:54 pm:
Roland @1:39 wins
- Chicago Cynic - Wednesday, Mar 11, 15 @ 3:10 pm:
I have generally believed Shock would be able to survive this…now I’m not so sure given all the crap swirling around that six pack.
- pundent - Wednesday, Mar 11, 15 @ 3:26 pm:
Now serving crow - on a stick of course.
- Truthteller - Wednesday, Mar 11, 15 @ 3:29 pm:
This behavior by Mr. Schock is in no way typical of congressional offices, members of Congress. Maybe there are a few bad apples, but not prolific. The House ethics rules are there, and are very strict. His behavior is indefensible. The rest of the Illinois congressional delegation should be offended that he would suggest they are all as guilty as he is.
- pundent - Wednesday, Mar 11, 15 @ 3:35 pm:
Truthteller - The other problem with Schock’s comment is the story that ran earlier this week comparing and contrasting his junket to New York with other Congressman. It doesn’t really support his argument that “everyone is doing it”.
- Anonymous - Wednesday, Mar 11, 15 @ 3:36 pm:
MJM 1:36. Outstanding. “Gracious me” I humbly add
- Walter Mitty - Wednesday, Mar 11, 15 @ 3:40 pm:
He was done last week…There should be a “Schock clock” on the site that starts the countdown to resignation. Then the indictment.
- Charlatan Heston - Wednesday, Mar 11, 15 @ 4:01 pm:
as we see time and time again, huffing on the crack pipe of self importance has consequences
- Wordslinger - Wednesday, Mar 11, 15 @ 4:02 pm:
Alarming that he gave such an unfocused and inprepared interview, especially to Politico.
Didnt he hire a p.r. firm? Geez, what are they doing? What did he think they wanted to talk about? The Export-Import Bank?
Doesn’t he have any veteran friends in politics who can offer him guidance? Because his judgement is strikingly bad.
- Walter Mitty - Wednesday, Mar 11, 15 @ 4:06 pm:
The National Review article sums it all up..Kudos Retired OP…
- G'Kar - Wednesday, Mar 11, 15 @ 4:29 pm:
Maybe he and Jeremy Clarkson can team up for a reality show.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Mar 11, 15 @ 4:29 pm:
Congressman Schock;
* Unilaterally clean house.
* Release a timely report of lapses of judgement
* Develop an action list, do what’s on the list. Publicly.
* Hire “old, boring” seasoned Staff.
* Find a new Crew, get a better, politically-savy “kitchen cabinet” whose main goal is to watch Staff, your district “home-base” and
* Stop. All. Social. Media. Forever.
Do all those things, you may be able to get through this with some shred of…something.
Still, it getting late, or maybe too late(?)
OW
- anonymoose - Wednesday, Mar 11, 15 @ 4:54 pm:
These quotes from the Congressman are just heartbreaking.
Asked again if he thinks he has accepted anything for free and not disclosed it, Schock said, “I have not, uh,” and then paused. “I would just leave it at that.” He was equally evasive about whether he had broken House ethics rules or federal campaign laws. “Well, I certainly hope not,” he first said. Pressed again whether he could say confidently he has not, Schock replied, “Well, I’m not an attorney.”
He needed an interview to put out the fire. He stepped deep into the fire - and I don’t think he can get out of this one. Mr. Schock had an investigation about campaign contributions a few years ago, you would expect much, much better from him.
- Carl Nyberg - Wednesday, Mar 11, 15 @ 5:16 pm:
I have no special knowledge. I am purely speculating.
But it sorta feels like there’s something bigger about to break.
Schock knows he’s going to get humiliated even worse by something else.
So, he tells himself that he can control the current allegations with his charm. He always has. The fraud with the notary stamp should have done him in. He survived that.
So, he takes and interview that he’s totally unprepared for b/c his mind is someplace else.
- Empty Suit - Wednesday, Mar 11, 15 @ 5:23 pm:
Sounds like his next highly reported meal could be bread and water.
- Wordslinger - Wednesday, Mar 11, 15 @ 6:51 pm:
The National Review never fails to deliver with the weird, as it does again in its call for Schock’s resignation.
Apparently, Schock “looks like…. Robert Plant.” I don’t quite see the resemblance, or understand how they got there.
Also, he’s “living like Lucrieza Borgia.” Can’t say that the allegedly murderous and incestuous daughter of a Renaisscance pope was the first historic figure that sprang to mind regarding Schock’s controversies.
I’ll have what they’re having, but not too much, it’s only Wednesday.
- DuPage Dave - Wednesday, Mar 11, 15 @ 9:07 pm:
Zorn’s “Laughingstock Schock” tag says it all. He can no longer be considered a serious person. He can get re-elected 27 times but will never get any respect.
- Lost in Translation - Wednesday, Mar 11, 15 @ 9:18 pm:
===Apparently, Schock “looks like…. Robert Plant.” I don’t quite see the resemblance, or understand how they got there.===
I agree Word, this too was weird:
“by treating Congress as if it were the Atlantic Records hospitality department in the summer of 1975″
This must be another of the old crusty white guys Schock referred to.
Everyone is jumping on to this takedown.
- NewWestSuburbanGOP'er - Wednesday, Mar 11, 15 @ 9:34 pm:
Why doesn’t anybody in the Illinois delegation pull him aside and talk to him?
- SGrand - Wednesday, Mar 11, 15 @ 9:35 pm:
Schock poll hit this in-district R household tonight around supper time.
- Amalia - Wednesday, Mar 11, 15 @ 9:43 pm:
ah Wordslinger. yes, finally, it’s all about what Schock does and does not do and that is simply that.
- Midway Gardens - Wednesday, Mar 11, 15 @ 10:18 pm:
“Haters gonna hate” is really the best he’s done so far. So weak. As Jon Stewart pointed out: “But also auditors are gonna audit, indicters are gonna indict, and voters are gonna vote”.
- Late to the Party - Thursday, Mar 12, 15 @ 8:18 am:
from the article : Schock ” argued that if the media spent time digging into the spending of other lawmakers — like they have his — reporters would “find a story to write about any member of Congress.” […] ”
reminds me of Blago just before the vote to kick him out of office when he said something like the members should be very careful how they vote since he had done nothing more than what they have all been doing.
That is along the lines of if everyone else is {fill in the blank} then its OK for me to do it.
That, boys and girls, is one of the biggest problems our society faces right now. No personal responsibility. Our collective excuse for not doing the right thing is “[ begin whiny voice] well everybody else is.”
- Wordslinger - Thursday, Mar 12, 15 @ 8:49 am:
LttP, thanks for clueing us in on “one of the biggest problems facing our society.”
And here I thought it was just a story about Schock’s spending and bad spin. Who knew it went so deep?
I’m guessing you see “big problems facing our society” just about everywhere. And kids on your lawn, too.
- Not it - Thursday, Mar 12, 15 @ 8:51 am:
What was he thinking?
- Late to the Party - Friday, Mar 13, 15 @ 8:37 am:
Wordslinger,
When one of our “leaders” uses the same excuse that an 8 year would use then I think it does go that deep.