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* The Peoria Journal-Star editorial page spanks Aaron Schock today, finally going over most of the serious flaws with his Strangelovian idea to sell nuclear missiles to Taiwan to force China to help stop Iran from getting nuclear technology. It’s a pretty comprehensive whacking…
At any rate, Schock has been in damage-control mode ever since. First he issued the standard defenses: that his words were “misrepresented” - they weren’t - and that at least he has a specific plan, unlike his opponents, whom he described as “soft on Iraq, Iran and China.” Buried in all that was a semi-retraction: “I do not want to sell nuclear weapons to Taiwan. I want China’s cooperation in dealing with Iran.” On Tuesday his mea culpa went a bit further, saying that “maybe I’ve learned a lesson. … In retrospect, I believe I overstated the remedy. I regret mentioning nuclear weapons … It was a mistake, and I recognize that.” If he seemed nonchalant about the use of nukes before, he’s not anymore.
Nonetheless, Schock is still on his “freedom fighters” kick as his solution for Iran, pointing to previous successes with the strategy, notably Poland’s Solidarity movement in the 1980s. But the picture he paints is not complete. If he would read up on the Iran-Contra scandal, he’d discover that funding those freedom fighters was not one of this nation’s - or Reagan’s - proudest moments. John F. Kennedy’s Bay of Pigs was a fiasco. As for those U.S.-assisted freedom fighters he praises for beating back the Soviets in Afghanistan, who’s alleged to be the most famous one of all? Schock drew a blank, when asked. The answer is Osama bin Laden.
“I’m not an expert,” a defensive Schock said Tuesday. But when you don’t know something, don’t try to fake it, not at this level. No one gets it right all the time, newspaper editors included. But they’re not running for Congress and aspiring to make laws for the rest of us; Schock is. He’s shown potential, but if he wants his campaign to be taken seriously - he’s being ridiculed on statewide blogs as “Aaron Strangelove” - he need not be perfect but he must be better. He’s dug quite a hole for himself.
Not to mention that the Polish “freedom fighters” were peaceful union leaders and not armed insurrectionists.
* The Journal-Star also criticized Schock’s opponents for copping out on big issues and concludes…
If the candidates don’t recognize it by now, this is the big leagues, and we’re not off to a promising start.
* While they don’t mention it, we can only hope that the PJ-Star also now recognizes this “big leagues” fact and will start covering Schock like a congressional candidate instead of lavishing fawning praise on their local boy wonder state legislator.
Schock is only part of the problem. The PJ-Star, remember, completely ignored his outrageous nuclear proposal in its original reporting and glossed over it until today. That’s inexcusable.
But the paper’s story today doesn’t give much hope that any lessons have been learned over there. Check out the lede…
State Rep. Aaron Schock regrets his proposal to sell nuclear arms to Taiwan as a way to get China to go along with U.S. policy toward Iran, he said Tuesday, adding he “went too far.”
Oy.
posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Nov 14, 07 @ 10:10 am
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more bad press for the Schock and awe campaign.
Basically Schock has no knoweldge of history, diplomacy or politics. Depsite this complete ignorance he is not afraid (restrianed? Political Tourette’s?) from offering up insane solutions to problems. This guy is just plain dumb.
Comment by Ghost Wednesday, Nov 14, 07 @ 10:19 am
Is he dumb or is it that he’s got a lot to learn about running for Congress?
Comment by Levois Wednesday, Nov 14, 07 @ 10:30 am
What was his quote on the “freedom fighters” in Afghanistan?
I can see the flyer now…
“Schock wants to enlist help of the next generation’s Osama Bin Laden in Iran”
Seriously - who doesn’t know at this point what happened to all those mujahideen in Afghanistan.
That isn’t just political ignorance.
Comment by GoBearsss Wednesday, Nov 14, 07 @ 10:32 am
Ghost - you used my “Schock and Awe” line!
Though, I shouldn’t take credit. I am sure someone used it before me last week.
Comment by GoBearsss Wednesday, Nov 14, 07 @ 10:33 am
I’ve never met Schock, but here’s a possibility that’s crossed my mind.
He’s spent his whole adulthood getting positive press and having powerful people fawn over him. So he just assumes he can do no wrong.
So, he’s shooting off his mouth like he really was the cat’s meow. From his perspective it’s always been true.
Schock’s career of never having experienced a setback draws a start contrast with Dick Versace. Coaches experience losses all the time. And good coaches tend to lose the last game of the season.
So, the contrast between Versace and Schock is partially the contrast between someone who personally understands we don’t always achieve everything we set out to do and someone who has few if any experiences in losing and setbacks.
Comment by Carl Nyberg Wednesday, Nov 14, 07 @ 10:38 am
[…] Rich Miller again has harsh things to say about the Journal Star’s coverage of Schock: “While they don’t mention it, we can only hope that the PJ-Star also now recognizes this “big leagues” fact and will start covering Schock like a congressional candidate instead of lavishing fawning praise on their local boy wonder state legislator. Schock is only part of the problem. The PJ-Star, remember, completely ignored his outrageous nuclear proposal in its original reporting and glossed over it until today. That’s inexcusable.” […]
Pingback by Today’s news: Taking responsibility | Peoria Pundit Wednesday, Nov 14, 07 @ 10:40 am
I think a better term might be “unschooled” or “provincial.” He doesn’t seem to have the depth of knowledge and experience he needs for the job he seeks, and he appears to lack a broader understanding of the national and global implications of what he proposes. (Of course, that hasn’t stopped people from voting for Bush.)
The telling part is that Schock & his campaign have said that this was well thought out. This isn’t the only “slip” he has made of this sort. Taken as a group, the slips indicate a surficial understanding of the problems he is attempting to address.
Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Nov 14, 07 @ 10:46 am
Carl, it would seem that if you don’t know the guy, then your comments regarding how he sees things from his perspective would be kinda worthless.
“And good coaches tend to lose the last game of the season.” — So do the bad coaches. Depending on your playoff structure nearly everyone loses the last game of the year. What does that even mean?
Comment by Gene Parmesan Wednesday, Nov 14, 07 @ 10:50 am
Having read the entire PJS editorial, I think Schock’s going to have a tough time recovering.
It’s strong enough to reshape all coverage.
Comment by Yellow Dog Democrat Wednesday, Nov 14, 07 @ 10:57 am
Gene, I threw out a possibility. I think I made it clear that it was from the perspective of someone who doesn’t know the guy.
It seems to have hit a nerve with you. Republicans are frequently empathy challenged. They have a hard time feeling the plight of regular folks, although they do better at empathizing with people in power on issues like taxes.
If Versace can connect his experiences of setbacks, failures and losses (e.g. his brother dying in Vietnam) to regular folk, it could be a strong contrast to Aaron “I parlayed my political connections for a million bucks by age 25″ Schock.
Comment by Carl Nyberg Wednesday, Nov 14, 07 @ 11:00 am
Cook Political Report rates the 18th as likely Republican.
In other words, he feels the Republican winner of the primary will be the next Congressman.
Cook rates the 14th the same way.
Cook rates Weller’s 11th as a toss-up.
Comment by True Observer Wednesday, Nov 14, 07 @ 11:09 am
No 25 year old I know has $1 million. Let alone one who has been in public service their entire 7-year career.
Comment by GoBearsss Wednesday, Nov 14, 07 @ 11:10 am
The Cartoon is better than the editorial
Now let’s see if anyone takes advantage of Mr. Dreamey’s gaffe
Comment by Peoria Nukes Wednesday, Nov 14, 07 @ 11:16 am
TO…you have officially identified yourself as an apologist. Races aren’t decided by pundits and analysts who claim “likely” or “toss-up”. As for Weller’s district, it has become more of a swing district with population shifts and new voters…as well as the Republicans putting up a somewhat questionable candidate.
Again, Cook Political Report is not a kingmaker.
Comment by the wonderboy Wednesday, Nov 14, 07 @ 11:22 am
I have a very simple request to make of all blogs, blog commenters and the Mainstream media: Can we PLEASE stop writing headlines and ledes with phrases like “Schock and Awe”? I mean, I like a play on words as much as the next guy, but at this point ALL of them have been used in regards to Rep. Schock. No doubt he is sick of them as well, having heard them all his live.
Thank you for your consideration in this matter.
Comment by Billy Dennis Wednesday, Nov 14, 07 @ 11:33 am
Billy, they’ll never dump it. Headline writers love a good play on words.
Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Nov 14, 07 @ 11:36 am
Looks like we have a little Dennis the Menace prowling these parts…
Comment by GoBearsss Wednesday, Nov 14, 07 @ 11:37 am
I should add - I do, on the other hand, know many 25 year olds who have been in public service for 6 years who are making only $24k/year. They, too, can be hawkish, but have a much better perspective on nukes, Iran, China, and Taiwan than Schock does.
They’re called corporals, specialists, and Sergeants.
Maybe Schock should join their club, instead of the DC circuit.
Comment by GoBearsss Wednesday, Nov 14, 07 @ 11:38 am
the wonderboy -
You go to great lengths to disparage Cook and then go to greater lengths to back up why Cook is right about the 11th.
Comment by True Observer Wednesday, Nov 14, 07 @ 11:39 am
Sorry Gobearsss, didnt see your use of the phrase or i would have given you a toupee tip (damn hat lovers)…I prefer to think of this as ***** minds think a like
Comment by Ghost Wednesday, Nov 14, 07 @ 11:39 am
Yea, its not like it was the most original thought ever on my part…
Comment by GoBearsss Wednesday, Nov 14, 07 @ 11:43 am
TO, you want to make it seem inevitable that the GOP will win in IL-14 and IL-18 so the other team doesn’t fight.
Guess what? People on the other side are really mad at the direction the Republican Party has taken the country.
So, go ahead and tell us we’re wasting our time to back candidates opposing Republicans. It just reminds me, and other people like me, why we should redouble our efforts to beat Republicans, especially in Congress, in the 2008 election cycle.
Remember, when it comes down to the final weeks Schock and Versace will both be asking national party organizations for money. One of them is going to get money. And one of them is going to say it’s tapped out defending incumbents in other parts of the country (if the party bosses even return the call).
Which candidate would you rather be in the last couple weeks?
Comment by Carl Nyberg Wednesday, Nov 14, 07 @ 12:00 pm
TO, Cook ratings change.
And if Cook predicted a Dem landslide a year out, you and your fellow whining Republicans would try to get the guy blacklisted from media appearances.
So, there are institutional forces that would keep a prognosticator from predicting a one-sided election even if s/he thought it would happen.
Comment by Carl Nyberg Wednesday, Nov 14, 07 @ 12:04 pm
Sorry I didn’t feel the need to walk you through the steps. Everyone who follows these things has noted that the 11th is going through drastic shifts in population and demographics. It is assumed that this will adjust what has been a typically Republican district in the next election…though no one is sure to what degree.
The point of the earlier comment was that Cook does not decide elections. No matter what Cook or any of us “believe” to be true, elections are decided at the polls. We don’t know how the changes will play out in the 11th. There is no guarantee (as you put it on another comment) of anything until the votes are counted.
Great lengths? Next time I will us 2 sentences instead of one to explain the reasoning behind something. That would be great lengths.
Your failure to provide any logical defense of Schock simply reinforces what many already believe about him and his groupies. Engage the debate, avoid playing rhetorical games, and maybe we will take you seriously.
Comment by the wonderboy Wednesday, Nov 14, 07 @ 12:10 pm
Of course the PJ-Star also got the Osama bin Laden CIA connection wrong too. Credible reports have linked bin Laden to the ISI, who was allied with the CIA in Afghanistan. Because they were allies doesn’t mean ISI doesn’t have its own interests. Blowback has just kind of been assumed. We funded anti-Soviet fighters, bin Laden was a fighter therefore we must of funded him. Those are big leaps.
The default position of the US is going to place priority on indigenous fighters lest they be vulnerable Soviet propaganda about bringing outsiders in to interfere with the legitimate govt. blah..blah…blah..(ie. invasion). Of course its Afghanistan and the rules might be different.
Bin Laden family members and colleagues denied CIA funding. The CIA has never definitively said whether or not they supported the bin Laden group. They probably condoned their actions in Afghanistan, but again allowing people to operate in another country is far from support.
The Bay of Pigs failed when Kennedy pulled American support. It wasn’t the fault of those “freedom fighters.” Nicaragua went democratic and I’ve never heard or read anything about Reagan regretting funding the Contras. He came to regret dealing with the Mossad and Iranians to fund the Contras, but not the Contras themselves.
No wonder the Star avoided criticizing Shock on his nonsensical proposal — they appear to be about as credible as he is.
Comment by Greg Wednesday, Nov 14, 07 @ 12:17 pm
greg, do not forget how well supporting local fighters worked with the contra’s
Comment by Ghost Wednesday, Nov 14, 07 @ 12:35 pm
Billy D: I am Schocked that you would want to restrict our comments on the Aarrent ways of the young rep from Peoria.
Comment by Pot calling kettle Wednesday, Nov 14, 07 @ 12:36 pm
Daniel Ortega is now the President of Nicaragua. So I guess we’ll know we have succeeded in Afghanistan when Mullah Omar is back; too bad we killed Saddam, or we could wrap things up in Iraq.
The U.S. has a long history of bumbling through the domestic policies of other nations. We usually fail to achieve our goals and often weaken our international standing by showing gross hypocrisy. Even when we succeed (i.e. pushing the Soviets out of Afghanistan, the current situation in Afghanistan and Iraq), our leaders snatch failure from the jaws of victory through lack of planning and effective follow through.
So, when Schock (or anyone) proposes forcing our will on another country, I think it shows a serious misunderstanding of our nation’s capabilities or history. Although, I suppose handing out nucs to stop nuclear proliferation is somewhat akin to supporting dictators to promote democracy, and we have a long history of the latter.
Comment by Pot calling kettle Wednesday, Nov 14, 07 @ 12:56 pm
Maybe it’s just me, but I think the PJS took is easy on Schock. My own assessment of Schock’s plan to give away WMDs as a form of diplomacy is laced with words like “inexperienced” , “juvenile” “painfully naive”. Seems to me that the PJS did Schock a favor by not presenting this for what it is: Proof that this 25-year-old kid lacks the legitimate know-how, intelligence and experience for this office and has no business being a serious candidate for the United States Congress. The PJS is still in Schock’s corner simply for the fact that this editorial doesn’t derail his entire career, as it would have with doubtlessly any other 25-year-old running for Congress.
Comment by Schock the Monkey Wednesday, Nov 14, 07 @ 1:52 pm
Last year I believed (and posted on this blog)that Aaron Schock, having won reelection to the State House in a heavily Democratic district, might be an example of someone the Illinois GOP might look to in the future (say, 15 or 20 years down the road) as an example of how to do things right. Unfortunately, I now have to take that statement back. Never knew crow could taste so great
Comment by Bookworm Wednesday, Nov 14, 07 @ 3:00 pm
When the U.S. Constitution was written, a 25-year old would have had a lot more “real-life” experience than a 25-year old today. Schock’s inexperience is illustrative.
Comment by Pot calling kettle Wednesday, Nov 14, 07 @ 3:38 pm
Lets face it, most of the guys serving in Springpatch these days are goofs and just aren’t D.C. material, especially on the GOP side. Schock would be way over his head in most other state legislatures. Congress is a pipedream.
Comment by GOP'er Wednesday, Nov 14, 07 @ 11:03 pm