* A whole bunch of people sent me a link to this WaPo story about Congressman Aaron Schock’s newly renovated DC office…
Bright red walls. A gold-colored wall sconce with black candles. A Federal-style bull’s-eye mirror with an eagle perched on top. And this is just the Illinois Republican’s outer office.
“It’s actually based off of the red room in ‘Downton Abbey,’ ” said the woman behind the front desk, comparing it to the luxurious set piece at the heart of the British period drama. […]
She introduced herself as Annie Brahler, the interior decorator whose company is called Euro Trash. She guided me to Schock’s private office, revealing another dramatic red room. This one with a drippy crystal chandelier, a table propped up by two eagles, a bust of Abraham Lincoln and massive arrangements of pheasant feathers.
Then, my phone rang.
It was Schock’s communications director, Benjamin Cole.
“Are you taking pictures of the office?” he asked. “Who told you you could do that? . . . Okay, stay where you are. You’ve created a bit of a crisis in the office.”
What? They thought nobody would find out? It’s a public office, for crying out loud. I mean, yeah, some of it was donated by the designer and Schock paid for the rest, but it’s still in the Rayburn Building.
* A pic…
You really should go read the whole thing.
*** UPDATE *** Uh-Oh…
House rules prohibit Members of Congress from accepting most gifts valued at $50 or more — including “gifts of services, training, transportation, lodging, and meals, whether provided in kind, by purchase of a ticket, payment in advance, or reimbursement after the expense has been incurred.”
Stephen Spaulding, policy counsel for the non-partisan Common Cause, told ThinkProgress that this donation of services from a professional decorator could well violate both the spirit and letter of the House gift rules: “It certainly raises plenty of questions that I think [Schock] needs to answer.”
- Formerly Known As... - Tuesday, Feb 3, 15 @ 9:55 am:
This is the funniest thing I have read in a long time. Amazing.
- Anonymoiis - Tuesday, Feb 3, 15 @ 9:55 am:
That’s just….odd. Why are they so defensive about the whole thing?
- Ron Burgundy - Tuesday, Feb 3, 15 @ 9:56 am:
Strange. Both the decor and the defensiveness.
I hear some of the more combative GOP members are now going for a Game of Thrones look with their offices.
- Electro-Convulsive Therapy - Tuesday, Feb 3, 15 @ 9:59 am:
Of course they are defensive. Taxpayers are broke and this is how he decorates his office? Sick on all levels.
- Sangamon GOP - Tuesday, Feb 3, 15 @ 10:00 am:
His old office was blue and had the same theme and look. He had a photo of it on his Christmas card last year, so it clearly isn’t much of a secret. Aaron has more style than anyone I (or you) probably know. For better or worse, that is who he is. I enjoy the fact that he pushes convention.
- Sun - Tuesday, Feb 3, 15 @ 10:00 am:
The comment section on WaPo is a must read.
- Pot calling kettle - Tuesday, Feb 3, 15 @ 10:00 am:
So proud. He’s all about style. Now the substance thing…
- anon - Tuesday, Feb 3, 15 @ 10:01 am:
if i remember correctly its illegal to take pictures in a congressman’s office unless you live in that district or work for the member. I think that’s why the staffer was getting angry.
- Matt Belcher - Tuesday, Feb 3, 15 @ 10:01 am:
I fail to comprehend the kerfuffle, looks just like me mate’s granny’s flat in sussex it does.
- VanillaMan - Tuesday, Feb 3, 15 @ 10:01 am:
He’s young, has six-pack abs that landed him on the cover of Men’s Health and is a prodigious fundraiser. He’s also one of the most media-savvy members of Congress, with an Instagram feed that features him surfing, hiking across glaciers, tangoing on the streets of Buenos Aires and smiling next to duck-faced pop star Ariana Grande.
Duck-faced?
What kind of news is this anyway? US Weekly? International Globe? People? Pop Stars Today?
The entire article drops pop cultural references like an article in Tiger Beat.
What crap. I am no Schock fan, but this stuff is stupid.
- Anonymoiis - Tuesday, Feb 3, 15 @ 10:01 am:
==Taxpayers are broke and this is how he decorates his office? Sick on all levels.==
If they’re telling the truth and the “taxpayers” didn’t pay anything for this, then that’s a dopey argument and reason to be defensive.
- Sangamon GOP - Tuesday, Feb 3, 15 @ 10:02 am:
As Chick Todd said, “You know it’s summer in Washington when Congressman Schock isn’t wearing socks with his suit”!
- Sangamon GOP - Tuesday, Feb 3, 15 @ 10:02 am:
Chuck Todd…sorry
- jogger - Tuesday, Feb 3, 15 @ 10:03 am:
Very, very odd. Also, why on earth would someone name their design company “Euro Trash”?
- Tim Snopes - Tuesday, Feb 3, 15 @ 10:05 am:
The guy conservative businessmen love to embrace and send their money to. Interesting formula for success.
- David's Blanket - Tuesday, Feb 3, 15 @ 10:05 am:
A scandal involving Downton Abbey? How delightfully Schocking!
- archiesmom - Tuesday, Feb 3, 15 @ 10:06 am:
Pheasant feathers? Really?
- Tim Snopes - Tuesday, Feb 3, 15 @ 10:07 am:
Can you imagine if he had the opportunity to get possession of the Governor’s Mansion? Opulence and no socks allowed?
- P. - Tuesday, Feb 3, 15 @ 10:08 am:
Cool. Now how do I get some free decorating again? I must have missed that part.
- Langhorne - Tuesday, Feb 3, 15 @ 10:08 am:
Wow. Just way over the top.
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Feb 3, 15 @ 10:09 am:
Gotta eat it.
Gotta own it.
The coverup, or in this case the stopping of the reveal, is worse than …the decor.
- OneMan - Tuesday, Feb 3, 15 @ 10:09 am:
I guess it is best I am not in congress because my office would look like the inside of the TARDIS
- Anonymoiis - Tuesday, Feb 3, 15 @ 10:12 am:
==Cool. Now how do I get some free decorating again? I must have missed that part.==
You say to the decorator that you’ll have a photojournalist come take some pictures, then make it into a big controversy so everyone knows who the decorator was. Free advertising for free decorating.
- Anon - Tuesday, Feb 3, 15 @ 10:13 am:
Very odd, why not say many members of Congress decorate their offices and I believe that is ok as long as it comes out of their pockets. Then give the guy a tour. No story worth posting comes from that.
- I-72 Blues - Tuesday, Feb 3, 15 @ 10:13 am:
Crisis? Good grief. You don’t expect anyone to see how a public office is decorated?
- Responsa - Tuesday, Feb 3, 15 @ 10:14 am:
Red is my favorite color, too, Aaron.
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Feb 3, 15 @ 10:16 am:
“For an working office decor - meh, a ‘6′. For a working movie set - ‘9′…”
- quicknote - Tuesday, Feb 3, 15 @ 10:16 am:
Another example of the Streisand effect.
- too obvious - Tuesday, Feb 3, 15 @ 10:19 am:
Is it legal for a congressman to accept free design services for a government office? I wouldn’t think so.
When he starts calling staffers footmen it’s time to call the guys in the white coats.
- Overpaid State Worker - Tuesday, Feb 3, 15 @ 10:19 am:
Ahh, the good ol’ streisand effect.
- Anonymoiis - Tuesday, Feb 3, 15 @ 10:20 am:
==OPTICS MATTER.==
Tell me, which “optics” are worse: having a decorated office in DC, which you could presumably prove that you paid for out of pocket….or throwing a “fit” and creating a story that makes your office look like a bad reality show on HGTV hosted by a congressman with a flamboyant reputation?. Or maybe it’s the style of decoration he’s worried about the public knowing about? The whole reaction to what should be a non story is just…odd.
- walker - Tuesday, Feb 3, 15 @ 10:22 am:
The photo from the reception area is pretty tasteful, actually.
But “crystal chandelier” and “massive arrangements of pheasant feathers?” Oh my. In a working office of a public building?
Where do these folks get the idea that they are nobility? If they are embarrassed to have the public see the decorations, why have a public office?
- Well then - Tuesday, Feb 3, 15 @ 10:23 am:
Me thinks he doth protest too much.
- Formerpol - Tuesday, Feb 3, 15 @ 10:25 am:
Who cares about stuff like this!? People, find more serious issues to vent about.
- Hank Scorpio - Tuesday, Feb 3, 15 @ 10:25 am:
The Congressman will now likely remodel his office to resemble the home of Ron Swanson from Parks and Recreation. This would be in line with other Team Schock reactions to these types of stories (Aaron by the pool with the woman over his shoulder comes to mind).
- Wordslinger - Tuesday, Feb 3, 15 @ 10:28 am:
“Rep. Schock? It’s Diana Rauner. I’d like to pick your brain about the governor’s mansion….”
In all the weeks of planning and work that went into this, did no one, once, raise the question of how it would look, politically? Bizarre.
- Sangamo Sam - Tuesday, Feb 3, 15 @ 10:29 am:
“Exercising humility is important to me.”
Aaron Schock, Huffington Post. December 16, 2010.
LOL!!!!
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/natalia-lopatniuk-brzezinski/rep-aaron-schock-talks-po_b_797738.html
- Are Ya Kiddin' Me? - Tuesday, Feb 3, 15 @ 10:30 am:
Sun…Thx for WaPo comments point out…the comments are hilarious….
- Joe Bidenopolous - Tuesday, Feb 3, 15 @ 10:31 am:
Is anyone who actually knows Aaron surprised? Really?
- I-72 Blues - Tuesday, Feb 3, 15 @ 10:31 am:
With the Obamaesque free ride he gets from the media, I’m sure no one at all expected the question.
- A guy - Tuesday, Feb 3, 15 @ 10:32 am:
Not so sure the young man isn’t just getting the response he wants here. Seems like this office has just become a “must see” on the Capitol tour.
I bet the space in Peoria has less panache.
- William j Kelly - Tuesday, Feb 3, 15 @ 10:38 am:
No one seems to have a problem with Obama’s white house rewrite. http://youtu.be/ThIf6B4HT9o
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Feb 3, 15 @ 10:38 am:
Stranger Than Fiction…
- Sir Reel - Tuesday, Feb 3, 15 @ 10:42 am:
This story has everyone seeing red.
- Formerly Known As... - Tuesday, Feb 3, 15 @ 10:42 am:
To Congressman Schock’s credit, at least he paid for this out of his own pocket.
When they decide to put up fancy chandeliers, bronzed doors and similar decorative props in Springfield, we pay for it.
- One of the 35 - Tuesday, Feb 3, 15 @ 10:44 am:
Oh for crying out loud! The biggest change is the paint color. Oh yeah, red doesn’t cover very well so it probably had to have 4 coats. Big deal!
- A guy - Tuesday, Feb 3, 15 @ 10:44 am:
If he decides to “live” in the office and save money on outside rent, I see a canopy bed. lol. At least this guy’s fun.
- 47th Ward - Tuesday, Feb 3, 15 @ 10:48 am:
Boy, the comment section at the WaPo is brutal. Somebody ought to tell Mr. Cole that the first rule when you’re in a hole is to stop digging.
- Judgment Day - Tuesday, Feb 3, 15 @ 10:49 am:
“I guess it is best I am not in congress because my office would look like the inside of the TARDIS”
——————-
Second. All that gear I’d bring in, and they better have one giant pipe and have a fiber backbone. And power, plenty of juice. I’m sure they have to have some big time hosting capabilities in the area.
If you are going to operate from the Tardis, you got to be able to run the logistics.
- Marty Funkhouser - Tuesday, Feb 3, 15 @ 10:51 am:
Everybody knows what this story is really about.
- Tony - Tuesday, Feb 3, 15 @ 10:53 am:
Jeez, Cole - settle down, girlfriend. That’s the worst thing to do if you’re a comm director from a journalist’s perspective. You just drew attention to an issue that wasn’t an issue before you drew attention to it.
- And I Approved This Message - Tuesday, Feb 3, 15 @ 10:57 am:
Bet he personally pays for the turpentine.
- Tommydanger - Tuesday, Feb 3, 15 @ 10:59 am:
Just Schocking!
- A guy - Tuesday, Feb 3, 15 @ 10:59 am:
To the update: I think the “Decorator” has been more than adequately compensated in extensive earned media here. But, for the sake of the country, get a bill and just pay it. But wait a day. More earned media.
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Feb 3, 15 @ 11:01 am:
Congressman Schock,
Have the decorator bill you, pay the bill.
You gotta eat it, gotta own it…
Gut to…pay…for it. In more than one way.
- Shark Sandwich - Tuesday, Feb 3, 15 @ 11:06 am:
VanillaMan,
“Duck-faced? What kind of news is this anyway?”
‘Duck face’ refers to a facial expression, like smiling or frowning, rather than her general appearance.
- Mittuns - Tuesday, Feb 3, 15 @ 11:13 am:
Just another example of who Schock is. A do-nothing schmoozer, far more style than substance, more marketer than policymaker.
- Aldyth - Tuesday, Feb 3, 15 @ 11:15 am:
I daresay, the good Congressman is doing a major facepalm right about now.
- Walter Mitty - Tuesday, Feb 3, 15 @ 11:15 am:
As a resident of Belvidere,Illinois, I can tell you that’s Illinois politics. They have their heads so far up their butts, their breath smells like Preparation H.
Wow… I stopped reading the comments after 5… and ran into this gem… Why continue? Not good, Mr. GoodLooking.
- Team Sleep - Tuesday, Feb 3, 15 @ 11:17 am:
All superficialities aside, the turnover in Schock’s operation is showing.
- Loopholed - Tuesday, Feb 3, 15 @ 11:19 am:
I think — according to WaPo comments — there is a provision in the ethics rules that allows for citizens of your state to donate something for “promotional purposes.” I’d say she got that.
- Sangamon GOP - Tuesday, Feb 3, 15 @ 11:19 am:
At least Schock didn’t do what Governor Deval Patrick did in Boston: $11,300,000 on his “museum quality” office, with “bunker”.
http://www.masslive.com/politics/index.ssf/2014/08/massachusetts_governors_office.html
- 47th Ward - Tuesday, Feb 3, 15 @ 11:26 am:
===A whole bunch of people sent me a link to this WaPo story===
How many of them are working for Governor Rauner?
- Nearly Normal - Tuesday, Feb 3, 15 @ 11:31 am:
I will make sure I see my congressman’s office the next time I am in DC. There is always a lot of people waiting to see him. Will this be on the official tour now?
- Demoralized - Tuesday, Feb 3, 15 @ 11:35 am:
==At least Schock didn’t do what Governor Deval Patrick did in Boston: $11,300,000 on his “museum quality” office, with “bunker”.==
*sigh*
Yet another member of the “yeah, but” crowd.
Victims abound.
- Zeitgeist - Tuesday, Feb 3, 15 @ 11:38 am:
The only Schocking (sic) thing here is Schock needed an interior designer.
- Matt Belcher - Tuesday, Feb 3, 15 @ 11:40 am:
==At least Schock didn’t do what Governor Deval Patrick did in Boston: $11,300,000 on his “museum quality” office, with “bunker”.==
False equivalence alert. Respectfully, one IS a working office in Rayburn and the other is part of a circa 1798 three story historical tourist attraction, now handicap accessible. (They have a lovely oil-on-canvas portrait of Governor Romney there as well.)
- Jakita Wagner - Tuesday, Feb 3, 15 @ 11:42 am:
I can’t believe this has found its way to my feeds three times since last night. This is such a non-story, and I’m saying that as someone predisposed to not like the guy.
That being said, the defensiveness is really weird.
- COPN - Tuesday, Feb 3, 15 @ 11:44 am:
Everything about this is hilarious…
“Washington has always been more “Veep” than “House of Cards.””
~Ben Tarris, WaPo
I’m pretty sure that applies to Springfield as well.
- Irishpirate - Tuesday, Feb 3, 15 @ 11:46 am:
Jakita the defensiveness is not weird.
It’s the decorating that dare not speak its name.
Young Aaron needs someone in that office who can speak to him and tell him how things are going to appear because there seems to be a bit of battle going on between Aaron’s need for red paint and his desire to hide said paint.
- Give Me A Break - Tuesday, Feb 3, 15 @ 11:51 am:
I want to see a story on Bost’s office décor. Not sure it would good to feature the office duck blind and coon hound cages though.
- Anonymous - Tuesday, Feb 3, 15 @ 11:51 am:
WOW—limits of donation—kind of basic political fundraising? Maybe he needs a bit of investigation into more of his fundraising and spending?
His staff should have put a stop on the decor spending if he couldn’t figure it out himself. Red walls are so horrid to cover…I have some experience in that matter.
- Amalia - Tuesday, Feb 3, 15 @ 12:01 pm:
when they say his feathers got ruffled it can really happen!
- Pot calling kettle - Tuesday, Feb 3, 15 @ 12:02 pm:
==I guess it is best I am not in congress because my office would look like the inside of the TARDIS ==
Rich, this could be a fun QOTD: “How would you decorate your Congressional office?”
Personally, I think I’d go with the Starship Enterprise, complete with sliding doors and uniforms for the staff. (I bet no one would want to wear a red one!)
- Educated in the Suburbs - Tuesday, Feb 3, 15 @ 12:07 pm:
Schock’s Schlock Shocks Flock
- Just Observing - Tuesday, Feb 3, 15 @ 12:08 pm:
Here’s why I don’t think he broke ethics rules. He does not get to keep the office. In theory, the taxpayers “benefit” from the free interior decorating.
- A guy - Tuesday, Feb 3, 15 @ 12:09 pm:
C’mon, you don’t paint your walls red and put sconces up with black candles because you don’t want to get noticed. Mission complete. Even better than expected.
- Chicago Cynic - Tuesday, Feb 3, 15 @ 12:10 pm:
1) This is hideous
2) We all know why this is a story
3) What the hell were they thinking throughout this process. “Hey, I’ve got a fabulous idea. Let’s do our office so over the top it will be the grandest in all of Congress. But let’s not tell anybody lest we get accused of excess…
Oy.
Oh, and one more thing….YUCK.
- Wordslinger - Tuesday, Feb 3, 15 @ 12:14 pm:
Guy, where do you see that Schocks people are pleased with the reaction?
You are immune to information, aren’t you?
- Wensicia - Tuesday, Feb 3, 15 @ 12:18 pm:
I didn’t know Schock hailed from a red-light district.
- ZC - Tuesday, Feb 3, 15 @ 12:18 pm:
Hee, this is a fun one.
I just reviewed the House Ethics Manual on gifts, and they might have to add a new paragraph after this one. They cover a lot of scenarios; “accept an offer to repaint your House office” is not one of them.
Oddly what this looks to me most like is that the letter of the gifts ban was most likely violated, but -not- the spirit. I mean, I don’t think Schock probably now owes a big implicit favor to Euro Trash.
There was an easy step here involved, though. What Shock needed to do was get a finding from the House Standards of Official Conduct committee, that this was permissible. Maybe they would have OK’d it. Somehow I’m betting his office didn’t take that step.
- Wordslinger - Tuesday, Feb 3, 15 @ 12:19 pm:
“Schock’s Schlock Shocks Flock.”
I think “Variety” wants to sign you as a copy editor. Well done.
Reminiscent of the old headline for a story on how rural movie goers weren’t interested in movies about rural life:
“Sticks Nix Hick Flicks”
- Fr. Murphy - Tuesday, Feb 3, 15 @ 12:19 pm:
Oswego Willie - but you had that same answer about movie sets on the previous CF discussion re: Rauner and AFSCME. I didn’t understand it there but here I do.
- A guy - Tuesday, Feb 3, 15 @ 12:23 pm:
===Wordslinger - Tuesday, Feb 3, 15 @ 12:14 pm:
Guy, where do you see that Schocks people are pleased with the reaction? You are immune to information, aren’t you?===
You’re right Sling. “It’s all so unexpected and coming out of nowhere”. They’re shocked over there, completely and utterly…
And yes, I’m declaring my immunity. Decorative, not Diplomatic.
- Annon3 - Tuesday, Feb 3, 15 @ 12:25 pm:
It seems like an odd over reaction on a slow news day. Maybe his staff is still smarting over the stuff said about him when he was exiting the Govs race primary.
- Rich Miller - Tuesday, Feb 3, 15 @ 12:26 pm:
===on a slow news day===
Meh. It was in the Style section.
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Feb 3, 15 @ 12:28 pm:
- Fr. Murphy -
I was toggling back and forth between two posts and inadvertently posted the snark first to the wrong post.
If you have penance for me, please be gentle,… and my spelling has been really bad too the last couple weeks, since I’m confessing…
- Fr. Murphy - Tuesday, Feb 3, 15 @ 12:33 pm:
Oswego Willy - Your penance is 3 Our Fathers, 3 Hail Mary’s and vow to edit posts….3 times. Go in peace and sin no more!
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Feb 3, 15 @ 12:41 pm:
- Fr. Murphy -
I’ll include an Act of Contrition too.
Thank you.
To the Post,
It can be a slow news day, a Saturday, or even enjoying the new office with a delicious Sundae…
The Schock Crew believed this renovation would go unnoticed? That is the first big fail.
- Soccermom - Tuesday, Feb 3, 15 @ 12:47 pm:
I would have gone with Farrow and Ball. Subtler.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/downton-abbey/10225839/Downton-Abbey-paint-a-shade-too-far-in-the-rush-for-vintage-chic.html
- Soccermom - Tuesday, Feb 3, 15 @ 12:50 pm:
I mean, note the deeper tones of the Rectory Red.
http://us.farrow-ball.com/a-royal-redecoration/content/fcp-content
- 47th Ward - Tuesday, Feb 3, 15 @ 12:55 pm:
Wait, I thought Marsala was the color of 2015?
http://www.pantone.com/pages/index.aspx?pg=21163&
- Anonymous - Tuesday, Feb 3, 15 @ 12:56 pm:
Liviing on Lord Grantham’s level of wealth while Illinois suffers on a “Footmans” purse!
Only from Illinois could this level of arrogance occur.
- just another guy - Tuesday, Feb 3, 15 @ 12:58 pm:
The man wore a blue suit to Rauner’s inauguration. I would not expect him to settle for a beige office.
- PatrickinCary - Tuesday, Feb 3, 15 @ 12:59 pm:
I hear he’s a decent rep, though to tell the truth I think his judgment on where and when to flash his particular flair is a little lacking; To my mind you can’t be both the straight laced conservative by day and the more colorful opposite by night. Such a house divided ‘cannot long stand’….
- Walter Mitty - Tuesday, Feb 3, 15 @ 1:02 pm:
You are all so rude! He is young and attractive. You don’t meet celebrities with beige… It’s a fact. Hmm… That may fit on a bumper sticker for his future campaign… Anyone have a number to his campaign manager…asking for a friend…
- VanillaMan - Tuesday, Feb 3, 15 @ 1:05 pm:
Twenty minutes with all my kids in those rooms and they won’t look so fabulous anymore.
- G'Kar - Tuesday, Feb 3, 15 @ 1:08 pm:
I know many Republican politicians want to go back to the Gilded Age of Robber Barons, but geesh, this is a bit too much!
- VanillaMan - Tuesday, Feb 3, 15 @ 1:10 pm:
How could a guy from Peoria have taste like this?
- MrJM - Tuesday, Feb 3, 15 @ 1:13 pm:
Austerity for thee, but not for me.
– MrJM
- paddyrollingstone - Tuesday, Feb 3, 15 @ 1:16 pm:
Man, those are some mean spirited comments on the WP article. I think we should all be congratulated here at Cap Fax for our civility and our manners.
- vole - Tuesday, Feb 3, 15 @ 1:16 pm:
Schock voted to cut public funding of PBS. That’s about all I got to say about Abbey Downton.
- VanillaMan - Tuesday, Feb 3, 15 @ 1:18 pm:
‘Duck face’ refers to a facial expression, like smiling or frowning, rather than her general appearance.
OH DUCK faced!
Sorry, it wasn’t as nasty as my dyslexia imagined it to be.
- A guy - Tuesday, Feb 3, 15 @ 1:24 pm:
-===Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Feb 3, 15 @ 12:41 pm:
- Fr. Murphy -
I’ll include an Act of Contrition too.
Thank you.====
Kudos for recognizing that you got off too easy! lol.
- Yellow Dog Democrat - Tuesday, Feb 3, 15 @ 1:29 pm:
Apparently Lord Schock and his decorator are unclear on the concept of “picture rail.”
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Feb 3, 15 @ 1:30 pm:
- A Guy -
Luke 6:29
- Archiesmom - Tuesday, Feb 3, 15 @ 1:55 pm:
= I guess it is best I am not in congress because my office would look like the inside of the TARDIS =
Yes, One Man, but which Doctor’s TARDIS?
- Formerpol - Tuesday, Feb 3, 15 @ 1:59 pm:
You critics are being rotten to decor.
- Ghost - Tuesday, Feb 3, 15 @ 2:30 pm:
I would have gone with the motiff from the hotel in The Shining myself
- Federalist - Tuesday, Feb 3, 15 @ 2:42 pm:
If there were no more tax dollars (and maybe none) used in this than other members of Congress what in the Holy Blazes is this all about!
And if that’s all there is to it, I would be embarrassed to even mention it!
- VanillaMan - Tuesday, Feb 3, 15 @ 2:54 pm:
I think its called Bordello Red.
It is a congressman’s office so it is probably what his “contributors” expect when they visit.
- A guy - Tuesday, Feb 3, 15 @ 2:55 pm:
===Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Feb 3, 15 @ 1:30 pm:
- A Guy -
Luke 6:29===
Thanks friend for picking one I didn’t have to Google. Raised Catholic to date, we have some catching up to do on verses-lol. All in fun pal.
- A guy - Tuesday, Feb 3, 15 @ 2:57 pm:
Hope you guys don’t cause him to get a free paint job over this to change it back to Eggshell white.
That Red…it’s kinda growing on me.
- Wordslinger - Tuesday, Feb 3, 15 @ 3:07 pm:
National and international press starting to have too much “fun’” at Schock’s expense, much of it the usual gay-baiting.
Guy, still think this was all part of the “plan” to get attention from Schock’s peeps? Think he was hoping to be compared to one of the “The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” in the London papers?
Then “mission complete, even better then expected,” as you put it.
- Bigtwich - Tuesday, Feb 3, 15 @ 3:12 pm:
Luke 6:29===
What? The shirt comes off too?
- A guy - Tuesday, Feb 3, 15 @ 3:15 pm:
Sling, not going to get dragged into the gay bating discussion.
To answer your question; Yes. I don’t think you go out there and decorate an office in this motif without knowing it will garner attention. Lots of it. It did. The dude has some flair. He’s not afraid of it. What do you think the response to the off color criticism is going to be in the next phase of this?
It’s his office for heaven’s sake, not a hide-out. Might be time for him to call that Treehouse guy to build a district office in some Peoria Oaks.
- Schock Girl - Tuesday, Feb 3, 15 @ 3:23 pm:
Am I the only one who is thinking Benjamin or the staffer who let the guy wanting to do an interview into the office in the first place, is fired ?
Just a thought…I like the office I don’t really care if it was modeled after a PBS Show or someone infamous. It’s red because he’s Republican and…people…stop to realize something…
HE”S THE THIRD YOUNGEST MEMBER IN CONGRESS !
So something that’s trendy today will look like crap to those who enjoyed their trends of the 90s and tho the new trends set in the future.
So can we shut up about Schock’s new office….please.
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Feb 3, 15 @ 3:28 pm:
===So can we shut up about Schock’s new office….please.===
Wrong tact.
@FakeCong.Schock - I wanted to model the office after Downton Abbey because someone already had a Charlie Brown office #Caricature
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Feb 3, 15 @ 3:29 pm:
@FakeCongSchock - Men’s Fitness, forgive me #AbbeyOverAbs
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Feb 3, 15 @ 3:31 pm:
@FakeCongSchock - Mirrors, no matter the shape or size make a room bigger #EgosToo
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Feb 3, 15 @ 3:33 pm:
@FakeCongSchock - tours are at request except at 3, which is high tea time #SorryBoston
- A guy - Tuesday, Feb 3, 15 @ 3:34 pm:
My first office years ago was in the phase of Neon Volkswagen Lime Green walls. The adjacent office had bright orange from the same deranged color palette. This passed for modern back then. Keep you awake! I swear you could actually smell those walls.
Comparably, the red is tame and rather soothing.
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Feb 3, 15 @ 3:35 pm:
@FakeCongSchock - I’m aware how it looks. Any real fan knows that the table selected wasn’t in season one #CheckYourDVR
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Feb 3, 15 @ 3:38 pm:
@FakeCongSchock - Downton Abbey is ratings gold back in the District #IfItPlaysInPeoria
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Feb 3, 15 @ 3:40 pm:
@FakeCongSchock - it was this, or the “Friends” Central Perk, k? #AaronWillBeThereForYou
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Feb 3, 15 @ 3:46 pm:
@FakeCongSchock - it was either this or Arnold’s from “Happy Days” #SitOnItNoSitOnThatCouch
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Feb 3, 15 @ 3:49 pm:
@FakeCongSchock - telling others to shut up is a great way for a light to shine brighter #DowntonAbbeyLightsToo
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Feb 3, 15 @ 3:53 pm:
@FakeCongSchock - I wasn’t trying to stop the press from showing the pictures, I just wanted to be in them first #LookAtMeDontLookAtTheOffice
- Anonymoiis - Tuesday, Feb 3, 15 @ 3:55 pm:
Yeah, Schock Girl, that tone isn’t a good way to get people to stop talking about it. Especially on here. You may as well post a YouTube video screaming for everyone to “Leave Schock alone!!”
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Feb 3, 15 @ 3:57 pm:
@FakeCongSchock - Office Hours are now Sundays 9 pm, Eastern, 8pm Central and Pacific #ReadyForPrimeTime
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Feb 3, 15 @ 4:04 pm:
@FakeCongSchock - I had the Ways and the Means to get this sweet office, I hopevits not too taxing to my reputation #CommitteeHumor
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Feb 3, 15 @ 4:08 pm:
@FakeCongSchock - instead of Casual Fridays, I plan on Fake British Accent Thursdays #PipPipCherrio
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Feb 3, 15 @ 4:10 pm:
@FakeCongSchock - let’s be fair, Barack gets to play “West Wing” day after day after day, no one complains! #AaronSorkinAaronSchock
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Feb 3, 15 @ 4:12 pm:
@FakeCongSchock - and Bruce is playing “This Old House” back in Illinois. Makes sense to me #SetsSetForDopiness
- A guy - Tuesday, Feb 3, 15 @ 4:15 pm:
Willy, any chance you could cut the dose in half next time?
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Feb 3, 15 @ 4:21 pm:
Telling others to “shut up” makes the optics stand out even more. Sometimes controlling how things go depends on how you react.
@FakeCongSchock - the only real problem I have is we have to wait a whole week before we find out what hapoens in the office next #NoBingeWork
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Feb 3, 15 @ 4:23 pm:
===Willy, any chance you could cut the dose in half next time?===
Well, I was done, but one for you - A Guy -
@FakeCongSchock - it was either this or the set of “The Office” but the other 434 members have that.
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Feb 3, 15 @ 4:46 pm:
I’m sorry, this one is for me…
@FakeCongSchock - it was either this, or the bar on Tatooine in “Star Wars” #ThisIsNotTheCongressmanYoureLookingFor
- Yellow Dog Democrat - Tuesday, Feb 3, 15 @ 4:51 pm:
Anyone who thinks this is a silly, non-issue should ask Senator Loleta Didrickson.
- lost in translation - Tuesday, Feb 3, 15 @ 4:52 pm:
@FakeCongSchock - the red walls match a pair of my Toms #theyrecomfytoo
- Big Mouth - Tuesday, Feb 3, 15 @ 5:03 pm:
This guy can’t be straight.
- Precinct Captain - Tuesday, Feb 3, 15 @ 5:05 pm:
==- Big Mouth - Tuesday, Feb 3, 15 @ 5:03 pm:==
Go to hell.
- Wensicia - Tuesday, Feb 3, 15 @ 5:29 pm:
==@FakeCongSchock - it was either this or the set of “The Office” but the other 434 members have that.==
This one gets my vote. Good stuff, OW.
- MrJM - Tuesday, Feb 3, 15 @ 5:39 pm:
“Taxpayers pay thousands for Rep. Schock’s renovations”
http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2015/02/03/schock-renovations-downton-abbey/22814807/
– MrJM
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Feb 3, 15 @ 5:44 pm:
- Wensicia -,
Thanks.
- South Of I-80 - Tuesday, Feb 3, 15 @ 5:47 pm:
==-Anonymoiis - Tuesday, Feb 3, 15 @ 3:55 pm:==
go to hell for attacking Schock Girl
Just because she believes this story should have never gotten any light to it, doesn’t mean you should attack her personally. It just makes you look sleezy and prove you are a coward.
- Stones - Tuesday, Feb 3, 15 @ 5:53 pm:
It’s going to take at least 3 coats of Kilz to cover that stuff up!
- Lady Grantham - Tuesday, Feb 3, 15 @ 5:59 pm:
My word, you American peasants are so drab. When will you realize that a true aristocracy can’t be built without a few luxurious gifts.
- Wensicia - Tuesday, Feb 3, 15 @ 6:10 pm:
Lady Grantham happens to be American. If you watched Downton Abbey, you’d know this.
- Jeff Trigg - Tuesday, Feb 3, 15 @ 6:45 pm:
Lady Grantham being an American doesn’t necessarily preclude her from referring to others as American peasants.
Is red paint really that much more expensive than other colors? And is it really worth more than $50 for a decorator to say “I think these walls would look great in red”? And is that a guitar case, or a gun case in the corner?
- Macoupin Minority - Tuesday, Feb 3, 15 @ 7:08 pm:
Red paint pigments contain a certain amount of gold. If he does a good job representing his constituency, regardless of his taste that is what is important.
- LookingBack - Tuesday, Feb 3, 15 @ 8:01 pm:
the most stuipd story, now who really cares what
he does with his office. Get a life people. I am sure state workers on state time making comments.
- Pot calling kettle - Tuesday, Feb 3, 15 @ 8:02 pm:
@FakeCongSchock - I’m asking my staff to call me Lord Grantham from now on. #AristocracyIsFun
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Feb 3, 15 @ 8:03 pm:
- LookingBack -,
Feel better?
- Pot calling kettle - Tuesday, Feb 3, 15 @ 8:06 pm:
==Schock spent $79,061 on furniture purchases==
@FakeCongSchock - OK, but I saved money by having @DanRutherford redo the plumbing. #SawItOnFacebook
- Pot calling kettle - Tuesday, Feb 3, 15 @ 8:15 pm:
==Feel better?==
I would feel better if you posted more @FakeCongSchock tweets. It’s inspiring. LOL
@FakeCongSchock - No matter what nickname I use, the comments keep coming @WillyWontStop!
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Feb 3, 15 @ 8:25 pm:
Very well … - Pot calling kettle -
Couple more
@FakeCongSchock - This was my second choice, to be honest. My first choice was to make the entire Capitol like the Hogwarts Castle, but Universal-Orlando beat me to it #NotAmused
- Wensicia - Tuesday, Feb 3, 15 @ 8:31 pm:
==Lady Grantham being an American doesn’t necessarily preclude her from referring to others as American peasants.==
I doubt it. Yet, it doesn’t preclude a certain wealthy, recently elected public official from thinking the same about state workers.
- rilt - Tuesday, Feb 3, 15 @ 8:35 pm:
Lady Grantham would not refer to anyone as a peasant
There is no royalty in America, someone please tell West and Kardashian.
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Feb 3, 15 @ 8:44 pm:
@FakeCongSchock - Let’s see Lumburgh find my red stapler in this office setting #NotMovingToTheBasement
- anon - Tuesday, Feb 3, 15 @ 8:48 pm:
This guy is worthless, his district is in economic upheaval and he’s worried about the color of his walls.
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Feb 3, 15 @ 8:49 pm:
@FakeCongSchock - where did I mess up? Told her less “Gatsby” more “Downton Abbey”. My bad. #LiteratureIsClassier
- Sangamon GOP - Tuesday, Feb 3, 15 @ 8:50 pm:
Yellow Dog Democrat - very impressed that you remembered Comptroller Didrickson’s red office in the Illinois Capitol. It was two stories tall and made quite the impact when someone walked in. The fireplace was pretty over the top, too.
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Feb 3, 15 @ 8:51 pm:
@FakeCongSchock - for Halloween, I’ll dress up the place like an ordinary Congressional office #ThatsScary
- Yellow Dog Democrat - Tuesday, Feb 3, 15 @ 9:05 pm:
@Sangamon: Those who do not learn from history….of course, Congressman Schock would have been 12 at the time.
Here is what makes me laugh: Schock’s office chiding the WaPo reporter for not wanting to interview the Congressman about something more substantial.
HE iS A STYLE REPORTER.
What was Schock hoping for? A debate over something more substantial, like boxers v. Briefs or whether Red or Green is the new black?
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Feb 3, 15 @ 9:13 pm:
@FakeCongSchock - a colleague came by to see the space. They said “Winter is coming” and laughed. I don’t get it. #GameOfThrownForALoop
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Feb 3, 15 @ 9:17 pm:
@FakeCongSchock - I spend all this money for this Downton Abbey office and every time I enter everyone in unison says “Norm!” #CheersAaron
- Yellow Dog Democrat - Tuesday, Feb 3, 15 @ 9:24 pm:
Irony alert:
million dollar red
- Yellow Dog Democrat - Tuesday, Feb 3, 15 @ 9:27 pm:
How is that for a color match, Willy?
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Feb 3, 15 @ 9:29 pm:
- YDD -,
I’m green with envy you got that right.
- Pot calling kettle - Tuesday, Feb 3, 15 @ 9:35 pm:
@FakeCongSchock - People keep telling me I should have decorated the office like Rep. Frank Underwood. #IDontGetIt
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Feb 3, 15 @ 9:38 pm:
@FakeCongSchock - the office will be closed until my staff secures their SAG cards to be “on set” #TheresNoBusinessLike…
- Pot calling kettle - Tuesday, Feb 3, 15 @ 10:12 pm:
@FakeCongSchock - If you tilt back the head on the bronze bust, you can open a secret door! #ToTheBatcave
- Yellow Dog Democrat - Tuesday, Feb 3, 15 @ 10:23 pm:
I bet that Schock was hoping that “million dollar red” was something he could confide to only his most intimate friends.
I have to say, I have to question his decision to go with the golden wheat paint for piping on the trim. That may have indeed been the design of the set, but gold leaf seems most appropriate.
If your are going to jump, go all in.
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Feb 3, 15 @ 10:34 pm:
As a Staff and as a Crew helping the Principle steer clear of these easily seen gaffes…fail.
I say it often; the biggest compliment I gibe is that o like how a pol, a Crew, a staffer, a Staff..,how they go about their business.
This isn’t going about your business in a way to be admired.
Do better.
- Wordslinger - Tuesday, Feb 3, 15 @ 10:35 pm:
And the complaint with the House Ethics Committee has been filed, accepting gifts.
Can’t buy this kind of publicity. This is going great.
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Feb 3, 15 @ 10:38 pm:
===Can’t buy this kind of publicity. This is going great.===
Nothing like an ethics probe to boost the “Q” rating thru the roof…
- Pot calling kettle - Tuesday, Feb 3, 15 @ 10:51 pm:
With all of the bad news on the blog lately, this was a kind of a gift from the Schock crew. I thank them for it.
===Can’t buy this kind of publicity. This is going great.===
Rep. Schock needs to talk to his peeps about what he meant when he asked them to get some “earned media”
- Pot calling kettle - Tuesday, Feb 3, 15 @ 10:53 pm:
@FakeCongSchock - You think the DC office looks cool, wait until you see the district office. #PiratesOfTheCaribbean
- Ela Observer - Wednesday, Feb 4, 15 @ 12:47 am:
I wish you could post photos here. I have a great photo of Schock’s gigantic faux French manor house in Peoria, complete with mini-Buckingham fountain in the lawn. Biggest house in the neighborhood, by far. This is not nearly the first time he’s gone over the top.
- Yellow Dog Democrat - Wednesday, Feb 4, 15 @ 6:33 am:
@Ela Observer.
Send it to Rich. Heck, send it to me too!
Oldyellerdem at gmail
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Feb 4, 15 @ 7:42 am:
Congressman Schock made the “Today” show.
Fun.