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*** UPDATED x1 *** Even more problems for Schock

Friday, Feb 27, 2015 - Posted by Rich Miller

* Drip, drip, drip

Rep. Aaron Schock attended dinner and drinks in 2011 at Windsor Castle, Buckingham Palace and at a swank nightclub London — and never disclosed receiving a single gift on his financial disclosure form.

This past September, the Illinois Republican held a golf fundraiser — the “Aaron Schock Golf Classic” — at Anne Arundell Mannor in Maryland, but never reported a payment for use of the golf course and facilities on his campaign finance forms. […]

On the multi-day trip to London in June 2011, Schock attended several elaborate dinners as the guest of a person invited by the Prince of Wales Foundation. Guests were also given a customized china plate with a personalized inscription on the last day of the festivities.

Schock cannot accept a gift — including food and beverage — exceeding $50 from any source. There is an exception for close personal friends. He would have had to get approval in writing from the House Ethics Committee for any gifts worth more than $250 from personal friends, and he would have had to report accepting a gift on his annual financial disclosure forms. […]

“It is the PAC’s understanding that all required expenses in connection with this event have been paid,” a spokesman for Schock said in a statement. “However, if it is determined at the conclusion of the review that any required expenses remain unpaid, the PAC will make prompt payment. Congressman Schock takes his compliance responsibilities seriously which is why he has initiated a proactive review of this issue and others.”

Schock’s trip to London is also part of his internal audit. His office is reviewing compliance procedures in his official office, campaign and leadership PACs, it has said.

* And if you missed it the other night, click here for the Daily Show’s take.

*** UPDATE *** What kind of a guy bills taxpayers for a $40,000 job to make his office look like Downton Abbey? Sheesh

Illinois Rep. Aaron Schock repaid $40,000 from his personal checking account for redecorations to his congressional office in the style of the TV show “Downton Abbey,” according to financial records reviewed by The Associated Press.

Schock paid $35,000 earlier this month to the owner of the Illinois decorating firm Euro Trash, and $5,000 more on Thursday, the records showed. His official House expense account had previously paid the group for its services.

       

129 Comments
  1. - Annon3 - Friday, Feb 27, 15 @ 8:57 am:

    It seems we have an answer to last Friday’s question.


  2. - very old soil - Friday, Feb 27, 15 @ 9:01 am:

    Prince of Wales meets the Prince of Peoria.


  3. - MrJM - Friday, Feb 27, 15 @ 9:01 am:

    If Aaron Schock were any more posh, he go to work wearing a powdered-wig.

    – MrJM


  4. - Undergrad Economist - Friday, Feb 27, 15 @ 9:04 am:

    Why don’t the offices I intern for take me to Katy Perry concerts? Ethics are annoying.


  5. - Mouthy - Friday, Feb 27, 15 @ 9:05 am:

    You know you’re in trouble when you’ve made it to the Daily Show. Pretty sloppy bookkeeping..


  6. - PublicServant - Friday, Feb 27, 15 @ 9:05 am:

    No need for an internal audit, Congressman. The real auditors are going to handle it now.


  7. - Ghostbusters - Friday, Feb 27, 15 @ 9:06 am:

    From the link: “Schock attended several elaborate dinners as the guest of a person invited by the Prince of Wales Foundation.”

    ….the identity of said person may lead to the identity of the group behind these oppo dumps.

    The DCCC may be benefiting by leveraging this storyline, but they may not be the ones ultimately behind it.


  8. - Walter Mitty - Friday, Feb 27, 15 @ 9:09 am:

    1. When Taylor find’s out he went to a Katy Perry concert, he’s done.

    2. If, If, Taylor Swift doesn’t take care of him for the outrage of attending Katy Perry concerts, he will be able to resign on his own. Sooner and not later.

    3. None of this is anyone’s fault but his. He chose to live like a rock star and not a politician. For the good of the party, go away. Now. For once, leave your ego out of it.


  9. - Anonymous - Friday, Feb 27, 15 @ 9:10 am:

    As someone who grew up in Western Illinois I can tell you that swank London nightclubs are just part of the culture. The fine folks of his district will empathize with his choices.


  10. - Oswego Willy - Friday, Feb 27, 15 @ 9:11 am:

    Twitter, Facebook, Instagram…they are forever.

    The idea than any elected official wants to …wait for it … document their life…on a social media platform is complete malpractice by anyone they have hired, or any Staff decision that factors social media in any decision.

    If you are a legislator, statewide, mayor, whatever…

    Have only…ONLY…a regurgitation of your offical day, if you honestly have to, must, have social media, and have it lag one day.

    Why the lag?

    Lay out what your presence will look like, asses it, then post it. However, keep it to offical things. Period. Please.

    To the Post,

    I love me a good golf outing, and going to overseas events, they’re pretty hard to camoflage, so “who” is handling the literal “running of the Shop”?

    Everyone loves them some titles;

    “I’m the such and such for so and so”

    Welp, take care of who you are suppose to help. Worry about them, not about your own puffery.

    Aaron Schock appears to have a boatload of “Yes”, how about one Staffer that says, “Let’s think on this for a minute.”

    This story, this narrative, this post, this is about a 40% Staff failure, 60% Schock failure. Staff has to, must, be better than this. They all do.

    Epic Staff meltdown, Classic public official fail.

    What a shame.


  11. - Rich Miller - Friday, Feb 27, 15 @ 9:12 am:

    ===the identity of said person may lead to the identity of the group behind these oppo dumps===

    lol

    You’re over-thinking this.


  12. - Toast maybe? - Friday, Feb 27, 15 @ 9:15 am:

    Seems like the brightest line yet. If he becomes radioactive in terms of fundraising for others and gets an ethics charge upheld, is it impossible that a legitimate primary opponent might emerge?

    We’ve all been taking for granted that his seat is safe for as long as he wants it, but the sheer mass is starting to add up.


  13. - Stones - Friday, Feb 27, 15 @ 9:19 am:

    I don’t know Schock nor have I ever met him but I have known many Congresscritters over the years. He seems to have fallen into a hole whereby he’s in love with himself and the trappings of the office. I’ve seen it before and it never turns out well.


  14. - Jorge - Friday, Feb 27, 15 @ 9:21 am:

    Katy Perry and massage parlors. It’s not just haters who are gonna hate now.


  15. - NewWestSuburbanGOP'er - Friday, Feb 27, 15 @ 9:21 am:

    Is he visiting these places in an official capacity as the Congressman?


  16. - Ethan Hawk - Friday, Feb 27, 15 @ 9:22 am:

    There is always a price to be paid when a politician chooses to travel on the river as a showboat rather than as a tugboat. This may also give pause for reflection to a few other young elected officials in DC who have sought the spotlight.


  17. - Walter Mitty - Friday, Feb 27, 15 @ 9:25 am:

    OW.. You are actually being too forgiving… 100% his fault… He hired those folks… They got the orders and clearly the “culture” EXACTLY right… They did their jobs… EXACTLY how he wanted it done.. Now he is.. For the good of OUR party.


  18. - Wordslinger - Friday, Feb 27, 15 @ 9:25 am:

    What a sick joke of journalism. You think a gossip rag like Politico cares about one of 535 members of Congress travel expenditures?

    Why Schock? Because he’s young, handsome, and ga… ga… garrulous?

    Politico takes the long way around the barn to get to it, but here’s the real interest in the London trip:

    “…Schock and his friend…,” who is male.

    And in case that hammer to the head didn’t register, Politico names a female “who accompanied them” to London.

    Picking up what they’re putting down? The lady accompanied the two dudes? Savvy? Or have they been too subtle?

    The only thing I care to know at this point is who is orchestrating and paying for this elaborate and expensive homophobic campaign.

    Perhaps some journalists can start with the DCCC, as they obviously are playing a role.

    Ask the DCCC to explain the importance of gay-baiting to their operations.

    Disgusting.


  19. - flea - Friday, Feb 27, 15 @ 9:27 am:

    This goof needs a reality check….or reality show. #selfdestruct


  20. - Anonymoiis - Friday, Feb 27, 15 @ 9:28 am:

    All of this sparked by a mishandled office remodeling and interview. It doesn’t surprise me but it still amazes me how quickly it can escalate into much more.


  21. - Rich Miller - Friday, Feb 27, 15 @ 9:29 am:

    Word, as usual, nails it.


  22. - Just an Old Guy - Friday, Feb 27, 15 @ 9:29 am:

    The Congressman’s problems will begin at home when CAT and others decide that he is too much flash for their very conservative tastes, and is bringing undue attention. Today he is still a darling with many in the party locally.


  23. - PublicServant - Friday, Feb 27, 15 @ 9:30 am:

    As John Stewart said (paraphrased) “While Haters gonna hate, hate, hate…Voters are gonna vote, vote, vote…Auditors are gonna…etc, etc”


  24. - Sangamo Sam - Friday, Feb 27, 15 @ 9:32 am:

    ==the identity of said person may lead to the identity of the group behind these oppo dumps==

    This all sounds more like a “revenge dump”.


  25. - Oswego Willy - Friday, Feb 27, 15 @ 9:33 am:

    - Walter Mitty -,

    I can meet you halfway. You are correct, Schock hired the Staff, Schock made the decisions up to this. You are absolutely right.

    I don’t think I am being “forgiving” to Schock as so much as I am actually holding accountable Staff.

    Any good leader, good elected official, they have one voice that is far more conservative on image and perception than even their boss. They are the contrarian, in hopes not to make waves, or honk off other Staff or the boss, but to ask “Do a think on this for a second”

    The Staff, collectively and singularly, failed Schock by just the sheer volume of all that has gone on, and none, Schock included, thought twice about this?

    The all love them titles;

    “I’m the such and such for so and so”

    Welp, congratulations, how about lookibg out for your boss, and stop looking out for sweet selfies and perks for your boss that will backfire on you all.

    Hope the clears up my take, - Walter Mitty -.


  26. - A guy - Friday, Feb 27, 15 @ 9:35 am:

    The Jon Stewart piece is funny and very entertaining. Given today’s culture, it may even help him a little bit. There’s plenty of seriousness to all of this, but this guy still comes across as interesting and likable. Things change over time. “Haters are gonna hate”. He’s got some haters out there that someone needs to uncover for this thing to abate and start some kind of recovery. I’d be instagramming myself doing a lot of official work and legislating for a while if I were him. If his constituency begins to feel like he’s being persecuted, they’ll be even more vigilant in their support for him. We’re gonna find out just how well he’s worked that district by seeing their response to all of this.


  27. - Walter Mitty - Friday, Feb 27, 15 @ 9:38 am:

    OW… Absolutely! I can agree with Word, the problem is though, if he didn’t give so much ammo.. The sleaze angle would never be taken.. The fact is, he did these things. Some of the coverage is not fair and is disgusting. At the end of the day, he gave them the ammo.


  28. - Annon3 - Friday, Feb 27, 15 @ 9:38 am:

    Word I believe the congressman’s voting record is the reason. He set himself up on both sides of the isle.


  29. - ZC - Friday, Feb 27, 15 @ 9:38 am:

    More news media meta-commentary on Aaron Schock (try copying and pasting if clicking doesn’t work):

    http://www.slate.com/blogs/outward/2015/02/26/aaron_schock_gay_rumors_more_than_just_snarky_jokes.html


  30. - Oswego Willy - Friday, Feb 27, 15 @ 9:39 am:

    ===Given today’s culture, it may even help him a little bit. There’s plenty of seriousness to all of this, but this guy still comes across as interesting and likable. Things change over time.===

    As much as - Wordslinger - nails the “why” and the “what is going on” in the story…

    - A Guy -, this isn’t helping, or making Schock more likeable or interesting.

    You are dreaming. It will get worse before it gets better.

    Retread those sentences I grabbed of yours. Awful communications thoughts.


  31. - SGrand - Friday, Feb 27, 15 @ 9:40 am:

    I don’t think his current seat is the issue here. Not sure a single seat is worth all of this effort. But he’s wounded in what matters more: aspirations and fundraising. Once that wound has been fully inflicted, he might very well be left in a position to serve the people of his district…quietly.


  32. - A guy - Friday, Feb 27, 15 @ 9:40 am:

    Some other Congressman brings 30 of his best pals to Mortons in Northern Virginia and spends more than a Katy Perry concert. It’s just not as interesting.


  33. - illinoised - Friday, Feb 27, 15 @ 9:41 am:

    Schock is very deserving of the heat he is taking on this. He is hung up on celebrity, never met a mirror he did not like.


  34. - Nick Naylor - Friday, Feb 27, 15 @ 9:42 am:

    I have been trying for months to get a reservation for dinner at Winsor Castle and Buckingham Palace but the place is tougher to get into than Alinea.


  35. - Oswego Willy - Friday, Feb 27, 15 @ 9:44 am:

    ===Some other Congressman brings 30 of his best pals to Mortons in Northern Virginia and spends more than a Katy Perry concert. It’s just not as interesting.===

    It’s - Wordslinger -’s interpretation of what people are hinting at is making this “interesting”. He’s right.


  36. - Politix - Friday, Feb 27, 15 @ 9:45 am:

    hahahaha there are some awesome burns in here. Thank you, people.

    I don’t think I’ve ever seen an easier takedown of a pol-golden boy-media darling. Dunzo.


  37. - A guy - Friday, Feb 27, 15 @ 9:46 am:

    Willy, let’s just agree to disagree. This guy is very likable to a lot of people. The potential for a boomerang effect exists here, especially if what Sling has posited (very correctly) becomes a wider perception. I believe it will. I don’t know if it will get worse before it gets better.

    Even here, there’s a growing perception of “piling on” and a “conspiracy” of folks with poor intentions.

    The dude’s fascinating to a lot of people. John Warner was fascinating to people back in the day. Social Media has changed everything. You’re witnessing it right before your very eyes. For the first time in a while, I’m now thinking this guy is going to come out a lot more OK on this. The bad guys are gilding the lily. That’s when you start losing.


  38. - Wordslinger - Friday, Feb 27, 15 @ 9:47 am:

    Schock is being hounded because some maliciously juvenile and prurient interests want him to say “I’m gay.”

    It’s homophobia. Nothing more, nothing less.

    Mind your own business. Seriously, does anyone want to know how Mitch McConnell gets down?

    Maybe Schock should challenge Kirk in the primary. Call it the Homophobic snd Gay-Baiting Political Consultant Full Employment Act.

    The people behind this are creeps.


  39. - Politix - Friday, Feb 27, 15 @ 9:48 am:

    =The dude’s fascinating to a lot of people.=

    Are people fascinated by him or by his chutzpah? It’s the latter.


  40. - Richard - Friday, Feb 27, 15 @ 9:52 am:

    With all the buzz on Schock’s Jesse Jr.-style campaign spending, I have a feeling someone will re-examine the 407 bucks he spent on a Lombard ultrasound clinic “for expectant mothers.” Very strange:

    http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2013-12-19/news/ct-campaign-spending-met-2-20131219_1_campaign-spending-campaign-funds-campaign-committee/2


  41. - Oswego Willy - Friday, Feb 27, 15 @ 9:54 am:

    ===Willy, let’s just agree to disagree.===

    See “Rutherford, Dan” and how that turned out.

    ===This guy is very likable to a lot of people. The potential for a boomerang effect exists here, especially if what Sling has posited (very correctly) becomes a wider perception.===

    This is more about Schock, his way, his voting record, his choices, his perception… his.

    The only way this boomerangs back is if Schock makes choices to blunt this undercurrent AND any and all investigations exonerates Schock 100%, then maybe Schock can get back to the status quo. Maybe.

    ===I believe it will. I don’t know if it will get worse before it gets better.===

    Oh, - A Guy -, I’m surprised at you. Investigations are just beginning. The storm is still in the building mode, not even close to the ending of the storm and reconstruction of the broken house.


  42. - Nick Naylor - Friday, Feb 27, 15 @ 9:59 am:

    As Jon Stewart points out, correctly in my opinion, didn’t the congressman bring it on himself with postings to Instagram and questionable expenditures? StubHub? Private airplane trips? Massages? This isn’t about taking your “besties” to Morton’s in Virginia.

    Either the Congressional ethics rules matter or they don’t, irrespective of the Congressman.


  43. - MrJM - Friday, Feb 27, 15 @ 10:00 am:

    Funny how people sometimes just hear what they’re attuned to hear, i.e. I was so peeved by the sound of Aaron Schock’s patrician aspirations that I didn’t even hear the homophobic dog-whistles throughout that Politico piece.

    But Word’s right. They are there, they are gratuitous and they are shameful.

    – MrJM


  44. - Toast maybe? - Friday, Feb 27, 15 @ 10:04 am:

    Word is right. It is also true that the is-he-or-isn’t-he question has been there for a very long time. Let’s say he is, and let’s say he’s forced out against his will. Might that actually help him? Whether he or anyone is isn’t anyone’s business but their own, and to be outed by the media might create some sympathy. It’s the 21st century. No one save fringe nutballs cares whether someone is gay, even in Peoria.


  45. - A guy - Friday, Feb 27, 15 @ 10:10 am:

    No question Schock’s judgement has failed to take into account the perspective of how he may be perceived by the generations older than he. He’s been coddled like LeBron since his splashy entrance on to the scene. He’s got some maturity to attain to be sure.

    I think his crew thought the whole Downton Abbey theme was going to be a great PR move for him. They were obviously mistaken.

    Comparing him to Rutherford?? No sale on that one Willy. No such accusations have been part of this one. No interns or employees quitting at truck stop restaurants after being told to “stay in the car”. No temper tantrums, etc.

    Hanging out at Windsor? Sort of fits ala John Kennedy Jr. If he’s been working his district the way it’s reported he has, his folks will defend him. That’s what I’m waiting to see.


  46. - Soccermom - Friday, Feb 27, 15 @ 10:12 am:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ez0mB4zZPYA


  47. - Apocalypse Now - Friday, Feb 27, 15 @ 10:14 am:

    Congressman Schock is an embarrassment to himself, his fellow Republicans, and the citizens of his district. The last thing the Republicans in Illinois want is attention drawn to a Congressman acting like a frat boy and nouveau riche.


  48. - Streator Curmudgeon - Friday, Feb 27, 15 @ 10:14 am:

    Nobody mentioned David Letterman’s riff on Schock this week. When your poor choices turn you into a national laughingstock, maybe you’re losing your effectiveness both as a fundraiser and a leader.

    You can blame whatever group you want, but the Downton Abbey office was over the top, and Schock isn’t helping himself with his “What, me worry?” attitude. Ray LaHood can’t be enjoying how his successor is carrying on.


  49. - Bluefish - Friday, Feb 27, 15 @ 10:16 am:

    Keep in mind that for all but one year of his adult life he’s held elected office. His missteps are in part due to him having virtually no real world grounding.


  50. - Soccermom - Friday, Feb 27, 15 @ 10:18 am:

    Here’s a question — if the initial story had been handled better, would this have happened? If the Congressman had owned the whole “decorating” thing, and said - look, we work in a glorious building, and I think our offices should reflect that. If he had paid the decorator and picked up any expenses over, say, 19k.

    Or was this going to happen no matter what?


  51. - Oswego Willy - Friday, Feb 27, 15 @ 10:19 am:

    ===Comparing him to Rutherford?? No sale on that one Willy.===

    You must’ve missed those reports of traveling habits documented by Natasha Korecki and Rutherford and those undercurrents.

    Yep. Exactly the same.

    ===…his folks will defend him. That’s what I’m waiting to see.===

    If you know if Schock defenders, not apologists, that are vocal right now, please share. With possibly more coming out with investigations, what will be the tipping point to go into defense mode, not run and hide mode?


  52. - Rich Miller - Friday, Feb 27, 15 @ 10:20 am:

    ===Or was this going to happen no matter what?===

    It gave whomever this was an opening. “I saw my opportunities and I took ‘em” sorta thing.


  53. - Anonymoiis - Friday, Feb 27, 15 @ 10:22 am:

    ==Might that actually help him? ==

    Politically, in his District? No way. Now, in general life terms in our celebrity crazed culture I’m sure he could spin it into a different and successful career…but I’m guessing he’s not wanting the political career tanking that would precede his Celeb career.


  54. - Oswego Willy - Friday, Feb 27, 15 @ 10:22 am:

    - Soccermom -,

    You are On It.

    “I did it. I was wrong, I am sorry. I will pay for it.”

    Ok, now what? Would have been 1000 times better than hiding and trying to make a deal with the reporter.

    Epic Staff Fail.


  55. - walker - Friday, Feb 27, 15 @ 10:23 am:

    What Word said, I didn’t want to believe, but sadly do.

    There are way too many slimy wannabes in the business of political innuendo and attack. And this subtle “gay-baiting” is a sick part of it. It has no proper place now, and might eventually disappear as having no political impact.


  56. - Avery's Binky - Friday, Feb 27, 15 @ 10:24 am:

    Love the YouTube link, Soccermom. Classic and true.


  57. - Arsenal - Friday, Feb 27, 15 @ 10:25 am:

    “Given today’s culture, it may even help him a little bit.”

    Someday, we’ll find an attack on a Republican politician that you DON’T think will ultimately redound to that Republican politician’s benefit. Until then, we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the next election.


  58. - A guy - Friday, Feb 27, 15 @ 10:26 am:

    -===Rich Miller - Friday, Feb 27, 15 @ 10:20 am:

    ===Or was this going to happen no matter what?===

    It gave whomever this was an opening. “I saw my opportunities and I took ‘em” sorta thing.===

    Yep x 1000.


  59. - VanillaMan - Friday, Feb 27, 15 @ 10:27 am:

    This is very annoying.
    Politically, he is in a safe GOP district.
    Visually, he is obviously a young man in the prime of his life, filling his bucket list and showing everyone on Instagram.
    He is a good congressman and works his district like a hungry young man looking at climbing the political ladder.
    He is likable and obviously intelligent.
    The criticism from MSNBC and the Comedy Channel are mocking him for who he is as though he is living large on our tab. They are covering this congressman like a bunch of gossipy old hags.

    These criticisms are so amazingly similar to the ugly, sniping that was used for attack against Congressman John F. Kennedy. For a political party who worships at Camelot and all those Life magazine and celebrity crushes from watching Jack Kennedy’s climb to political fame and fortune, it is as though that generation has morphed into the crabby ear-haired WWI generation.

    For crying out loud, these Schock complainers were orgasmic over Barack Obama’s suit ensembles and couldn’t praise him enough over his façade. What is it about Aaron Schock that is driving these same People magazine readers bonkers?

    What’s with the double standard?


  60. - Oswego Willy - Friday, Feb 27, 15 @ 10:27 am:

    The Jon Stewart / The Daily Show take is just about the sheer silliness of it all.

    Politico is a Natasha Korecki special.

    They are going about it with two different angles to be seen.


  61. - Anonymous - Friday, Feb 27, 15 @ 10:27 am:

    I guess Ann Callis picked the wrong district to run in!! Lol


  62. - Joe Bidenopolous - Friday, Feb 27, 15 @ 10:28 am:

    I’m not even sure we know the “why” here. To me, that’s the second-most interesting question after the “who.” Obviously we know the message being pushed.

    All of this OR wasn’t cheap, someone funded it, and whoever did so at least thinks they have a good reason to do it. I find it difficult to believe that DCCC or other D groups spent money on it. They seem to be leveraging what they’ve been given, but I don’t think they funded it. So who did, and why?

    I don’t immerse myself in federal stuff, so I don’t have a lot of insight. But at the state level, there was one now-very important guy who probably funded a robust OR book a year and a half ago or so.


  63. - VanillaMan - Friday, Feb 27, 15 @ 10:30 am:

    Letterman doesn’t like him?
    Talk about crabby ear haired geezers!


  64. - Arsenal - Friday, Feb 27, 15 @ 10:30 am:

    “Let’s say he is, and let’s say he’s forced out against his will. Might that actually help him?”

    Probably not. ‘Cause he’s gonna get forced out over the “is he or isn’t he?” He’s gonna get forced out (or not, as the case…probably WILL be) for ethics violations, and no, that’s not gonna help.

    It’s Spring Training, so let’s use a baseball metaphor: if this all plays out that way, his highest Similarity Score is with Jim McGreevey.


  65. - Rich Miller - Friday, Feb 27, 15 @ 10:31 am:

    === To me, that’s the second-most interesting question after the “who.”===

    In order to get to the “who,” you have to first figure out the “why.”


  66. - Avery's Binky - Friday, Feb 27, 15 @ 10:31 am:

    Good point, Bluefish. Life has a way of tempering a person and one must question the choices made by this 33 year old. He still has much to learn, it appears.


  67. - Soccermom - Friday, Feb 27, 15 @ 10:31 am:

    It’s clear that Somebody had an oppo book ready to go. I’m guessing that’s the person who called the WaPo Style section, to get the ball rolling.

    Either they got lucky with Schock’s response, or the Somebody was pretty sure that Schock’s people would go ballistic and turn a stupid little story into a great big one.


  68. - Amalia - Friday, Feb 27, 15 @ 10:32 am:

    still shocking, but not awe any more.


  69. - SGrand - Friday, Feb 27, 15 @ 10:35 am:

    I observed my “average voter” non-political wife who lives in the district come across the Jon Stewart piece through a Facebook post last night. Watched her laugh and exclaim “Oh My!” at the Entertainment Tonight style spin and bullet points.

    I was watching something that isn’t going to be easily fixed in the mind of a voter who spends no time reading substance. She’s not rallying around him (although I’m sure she voted for him), she’s laughing at him. Not good.


  70. - Responsa - Friday, Feb 27, 15 @ 10:41 am:

    ==Or was this going to happen no matter what?==

    Yes, soccermom it was absolutely going to happen no matter what. It is fully orchestrated. New things plotted on a weekly timetable. Drip drip drip. The office redecorate was merely the appetizer to a big showy multi-course meal. It is shameful. It is what the phrase “politics of personal destruction” was coined to represent.


  71. - Toast maybe? - Friday, Feb 27, 15 @ 10:42 am:

    Whoever first said “Rauner” a few days ago was right. He has the money. He has the motive. He has the take no prisoners mentality. So long as it’s a Republican in that seat, he doesn’t much care. His little way of saying paybacks are hell. Plus, it shows he’s willing to work on a bipartisan basis…


  72. - VanillaMan - Friday, Feb 27, 15 @ 10:42 am:

    Congressman Schock is an embarrassment to himself, his fellow Republicans, and the citizens of his district.

    Yeah, god forbid there exists a Republican who knows how to have fun, right? They all have to behave like either Pat Robertson or Paul Ryan trying to cover himself up so no one sees a chest hair. There is such a warped sense of what is a Republican in the US that anyone who steps outside their stereotype is instantly branded as a novelty.

    The double standards and biases here are insane.


  73. - too obvious - Friday, Feb 27, 15 @ 10:43 am:

    Because of some provincial attitudes by some, a key angle to the motivation behind the focus on Schock is barely discussed in Illinois.

    The gay community is certainly not bound by such outdated attitudes. Many gay writers all over the country refuse to ignore the elephant in the room because they view Schock as a hypocrite.

    An openly gay columnist at Slate nailed it yesterday:

    What We Talk About When We Talk About Aaron Schock
    http://www.slate.com/blogs/outward/2015/02/26/aaron_schock_gay_rumors_more_than_just_snarky_jokes.html


  74. - Amalia - Friday, Feb 27, 15 @ 10:44 am:

    well now I have to double check if he reported a dinner in D.C. that I was at. interesting.

    as for the politics of personal destruction, let me get this correct, if we know that someone is doing even one, but here a whole bunch of unethical things, we are supposed to hold back because……???????


  75. - langhorne - Friday, Feb 27, 15 @ 10:45 am:

    Schock-ing. and dumb as can be. one of those “i can do things more fun than you can imagine doing” pics is more than enough. but to keep doing it shows there is no staff guidance, no judgement. just self-absorbed, self-important ego. for a lot of his constituents, a trip to the state fair w the family is a big deal. not jumping off glaciers, etc.


  76. - Responsa - Friday, Feb 27, 15 @ 10:47 am:

    Amalia, follow along with us. It’s. not. about. the. dinners.


  77. - Amalia - Friday, Feb 27, 15 @ 10:48 am:

    I do get what you are saying. what I would say to anyone is if you have such information about anyone, bring it out.


  78. - Joe Bidenopolous - Friday, Feb 27, 15 @ 10:54 am:

    =In order to get to the “who,” you have to first figure out the “why.” =

    True dat. I’m just personally more interested in the “who” because given the message, the “why” is discredited in my mind.


  79. - Juvenal - Friday, Feb 27, 15 @ 10:54 am:

    This is all pretty straightforward and I don’t see anything homophobic about it.

    As I understand it, Schock was traveling with a buddy from High school who is happily married.

    This a straightforward story about a Congressman living the high life on someone else’s dime, similar to the former governor of Virginia.

    You all act as if there is some conspiracy here.

    But no one broke into Schock’s office and
    Painted it red.

    Then his Flak threw himself in the headlights and got himself burned.

    Followed by a very natural evolution of stories about Schock’s spending.

    Schock’s branding was extraordinary as long as he was in control of the messaging. But he lost control over a few cans of paint and it just imploded.

    This happens a lot.


  80. - Wordslinger - Friday, Feb 27, 15 @ 10:58 am:

    AN, what exactly are you embarrassed about?

    Soccermom, this was all set to go, regardless of the first WaPo react.

    Too many stories, on too many subjects, too quickly for it to be any other way.

    Somebody’s taken a lot of time and gone to a lot of expense.

    Clearly, some Dem types are playing a role, although I can’t see what it gets them. They’re not going to flip that seat. Whatever money Schock raises could just as easily go to another GOPer on Ways and Means.

    Who are the GOPers in line for the seat if Schock were gone? Is someone concerned he might run for Senate in 2016? Perhaps some tasty cold revenge for Schock’s peeps going after a certain candidate in last year’s primary?

    Those are the areas I’d look at.


  81. - Rich Miller - Friday, Feb 27, 15 @ 11:01 am:

    ===although I can’t see what it gets them===

    It’s about punishing him for public votes and private life.


  82. - SGrand - Friday, Feb 27, 15 @ 11:02 am:

    If ever there was a good weekend head home to Peoria with the personal photographer and whip out the government credit card at Big Al’s.


  83. - 47th Ward - Friday, Feb 27, 15 @ 11:03 am:

    ^^^^^

    Yep.


  84. - Soccermom - Friday, Feb 27, 15 @ 11:04 am:

    Oh, Word — clearly this was all set to go. I’m just wondering whether the WaPo story was designed to go in the direction it went. Because think about it — the Style reporter meets the designer in the Congressman’s office, but nobody tells the Congressman first. Then the spokesperson goes bananas, turning a little story into a great big deal.

    I am having a vision of somebody who knows Schock’s comms guy, saying — Oh my goodness, if we send the Style reporter to the office, the comms guy will go bananas. (I’m guessing the comms guy has a reputation — you don’t get that stupid without a lot of practice.)

    Or has that book been sitting around for months waiting for an opportunity?

    That’s my question — was the whole thing orchestrated, or just the follow-on stories?


  85. - Jimmy CrackCorn - Friday, Feb 27, 15 @ 11:07 am:

    I still do not see what the endgame here is if this whole oppo tsunami is being pushed by the DCCC. Is it just to slow down a fundraising juggernaut? I hope this is not the case.

    Is this coming from a fed-up advocate (LGBT, or otherwise)? That weird super secret SuperPAC in Ohio is active again. Curious timing… http://www.opensecrets.org/news/2015/02/another-link-in-ohio-dark-money-network/


  86. - ZC - Friday, Feb 27, 15 @ 11:08 am:

    I don’t have any issue with Schock’s sexuality nor what color he paints his office on the taxpayer’s dime. Nor whether he has a good time during his private life (which public figures still get to have).

    But there are separate issues here about disclosing who does you favors, transparency rules that exist for a compelling reason, and possible “personal use” violations of taxpayer money and political campaign contributions.

    Even if they bust you for the wrong reasons, if you did the crime, you’re still busted.


  87. - vole - Friday, Feb 27, 15 @ 11:12 am:

    Nope. To me it is totally a class thing. That Schock has tied his identity with living the high life, the cosmopolitan, among all the highly mobile celebs, and the big money/power elites who are bankrolling much of the GOP and the Democratic Party. And the fact that Schock likes to primp the plumage of a moderate while parroting all the talking points of his winger party. He represents a descent from LaHood and Michel.


  88. - Peoria Poll Watcher - Friday, Feb 27, 15 @ 11:13 am:

    I truly don’t understand the national media’s gay-baiting on this. That rumor’s been around Peoria since the kid was in high school, and NOBODY CARES. His voters know, they don’t care. The attitude here is, “He’s single, he keeps his private life private, he doesn’t spend a lot of time campaigning on morality/social issues, so who cares?” I’m a democrat, I can’t STAND the guy, and even I think the question of his orientation is just shrug-worthy. If there are national lefties trying to push a “gay” angle, I don’t think they’ve talked to folks on the ground in Peoria, because his voters really don’t care, and even his opponents really don’t care. It’s such old news.

    Now, having a Downton Abbey office and voting to defund PBS, THAT has occasioned a lot more grumpiness I’ve been hearing around town and on social media.

    The spending — I think people are kind-of just reeling and waiting for all of the revelations to finish coming out, but I think everyone assumed he was low-level corrupt in the way that so many politicians are. There were a couple of significant ethics questions during his first couple of local campaigns (something about illegally notarizing a document for a family member that he knew had a false statement on it? My recollection is hazy), so at first with these stories people were like “eh, not surprised, but par for the course for politicians” though as it’s grown people are getting more disgusted.

    He has always had problems locally with the perception that he isn’t a serious person — because he’s young, but also because when he’s off his talking points, he’s not real bright, and especially in his early campaigns he said some real boneheaded things. He’s much better at managing the media and staying on his talking points now, but not real bright when caught by surprise. All of this frivolity — the instagram pictures, the concerts, the celebrities — doesn’t help with his “not a serious person” image problem.


  89. - Soccermom - Friday, Feb 27, 15 @ 11:18 am:

    No matter why this thing was dropped, it appears that Schock has been ignoring the rules. So he violated the first law of politics — never give anybody a stick to hit you with.

    Schock delights in the spotlight. That’s one of the reasons he’s been such a prolific fundraiser - people want to meet the hot young congresscritter. But that also gives his enemies a large and high-profile target.


  90. - chi - Friday, Feb 27, 15 @ 11:24 am:

    =It’s about punishing him for public votes and private life.=

    Well that’s also a legitimate discussion to have. Hypocrisy is not a desirable trait in an elected official.


  91. - Walter Mitty - Friday, Feb 27, 15 @ 11:24 am:

    Yeah, god forbid there exists a Republican who knows how to have fun, right? They all have to behave like either Pat Robertson or Paul Ryan trying to cover himself up so no one sees a chest hair. There is such a warped sense of what is a Republican in the US that anyone who steps outside their stereotype is instantly branded as a novelty.

    The double standards and biases here are insane.

    VM…. I really think it comes down to the spending public money on what you should not be. I can’t be up in arms about Quinn maybe buying votes with Neighborhood recovery… And then say have a lavish lifestyle on the public expense… That is the only double standard.. Great he’s a fun guy and Republican..


  92. - Wordslinger - Friday, Feb 27, 15 @ 11:30 am:

    Rich, you could be right. But why now? Could have done that years ago.


  93. - walker - Friday, Feb 27, 15 @ 11:30 am:

    VMan: Well-written diatribe about the media participation in this.

    But you might be surprised if we ever find out who was the initial driver of this attack on Schock, at least the subtle gay-baiting part of it.

    Having sat in more than a few political strategy sessions, where the idea of “outing” a candidate was introduced as a possible tactic, that “great” idea was always put forth by a twenty-something firebrand who wanted to make his bones in the slime-meister world. The idea was always killed by the “ear haired geezers” [thanks for that my friend] in the room. The up-and-comers were also sharply chastised.

    In our case the concluding statement was “We Democrats don’t do that to people.” — but I wouldn’t claim that to be universal in my party, and I wouldn’t presume that most regular Republicans don’t have that same level of decency.

    A lot of very slimy people get attracted to politics, and I don’t mean the politicians.


  94. - Annon3 - Friday, Feb 27, 15 @ 11:30 am:

    VM I think when you peel this onion to its core you will find his party the seems very bipartisan but similar goals.


  95. - Rich Miller - Friday, Feb 27, 15 @ 11:32 am:

    ===But why now?===

    You go where the money is. The DCCC et al (if there is an et al) apparently now have some funder(s) for the hit job.


  96. - Amalia - Friday, Feb 27, 15 @ 11:33 am:

    if he’s gone from office, it opens opportunities for others. also, keeps him from any other office, or moving up in leadership. he opened the door with the decorating issue, one or several people saw an opportunity to knock him down, and the benefits are for the many to figure out. happens all the time. it’s always about the dinners.


  97. - 47th Ward - Friday, Feb 27, 15 @ 11:35 am:

    ===But why now?===

    He’s in his first term in leadership as a Senior Deputy Whip.

    You can be in leadership. You can be in the closet. You can’t be in both.


  98. - Oswego Willy - Friday, Feb 27, 15 @ 11:38 am:

    ===You can be in leadership. You can be in the closet. You can’t be in both.===

    Agreed.

    The forces pushing this on Schock, I feel, are sending this message.

    We do not like your votes reflecting not how you may live, but now in leadership, a price now needs to be paid.


  99. - Wordslinger - Friday, Feb 27, 15 @ 11:42 am:

    I got ya.


  100. - Thunder Fred - Friday, Feb 27, 15 @ 11:45 am:

    - Amalia - Friday, Feb 27, 15 @ 10:44 am:

    well now I have to double check if he reported a dinner in D.C. that I was at. interesting.

    I would like to go ahead and nominate this for next years Golden Horseshoe for the Most Awkwardly Ham Handed Humble Brag of the Year.


  101. - Tough Guy - Friday, Feb 27, 15 @ 11:46 am:

    Lifestyles of the rich and famous. Also soon to be lifestyles of the unelectable.


  102. - vole - Friday, Feb 27, 15 @ 11:48 am:

    The simple fact is that Schock has been in line with Paul Ryan preaching extreme austerity in federal spending, cutting severely back on entitlements, while demonstrating this extravagance in spending with both public and donor funds. That is the big rub. And why people are finding this so gauling. You can’t blame the sharks for the blood in the water. Schock was chumming it himself.


  103. - A guy - Friday, Feb 27, 15 @ 11:49 am:

    It’s pretty personal here. That should be a way to thin the herd of suspects.


  104. - Amalia - Friday, Feb 27, 15 @ 11:57 am:

    @ Thunder Fred, boo hoo. Me and about 50 other people were treated to him standing up and dishing on and on when he was simply being introduced from a table. hoisted by his own ego.


  105. - QCLib - Friday, Feb 27, 15 @ 12:07 pm:

    - Wordslinger - Friday, Feb 27, 15 @ 9:25 am:

    Word, as a gay man, I’m pretty comfortable with attacks on his sexuality. If there are attacks to be made, they’re well deserved for someone who is against marriage equality, voted against DOMA’s repeal, and voted against DADT’s repeal.

    If someone has that record and are members of the community, they deserve to crash and burn.


  106. - Wensicia - Friday, Feb 27, 15 @ 12:19 pm:

    ==In order to get to the “who,” you have to first figure out the “why.”==

    This seems very personal to me.


  107. - chi - Friday, Feb 27, 15 @ 12:23 pm:

    As a straight man, I’m pretty comfortable with these attacks too. Just as I’m comfortable attacking Jeb Bush and others who admit smoking marijuana (in some cases regularly) yet have the gall to want to put people in jail for longer and longer periods for doing the same thing. Or people like Rauner who decry the corruption in Springfield and then forms a $20 million dollar extortion fund. Hypocrisy should always be attacked.


  108. - Oswego Willy - Friday, Feb 27, 15 @ 12:27 pm:

    If this is a person/group upset at the duality of Schock’s career and votes and his personal choices and life, I can understand if the premise as an alleged hypocrisy.

    It doesn’t, however, make this campaign against him in that personal realm any less shady or distasteful.

    The Daily Show take, and the Jon Stewart rant/mocking is focusing on the failures of the Staff and Schock in understanding rules and optics matter, no matter who we are talking about.

    The Politico take, with dog-whistles hidden in plain sight, isn’t about driving the facts of the story. It is about glossing the facts with a shiny coat of “wink and nod”

    Those pushing the Politico path must be pleased The Daily Show is helping with the “facts” of what is up, so when hit pieces continue to drop out, the undercurrent is “justified” because it’s “really about” the miscues and not about the unspoken rationale.


  109. - And I Approved This Message - Friday, Feb 27, 15 @ 1:02 pm:

    Schock repaid the Treasury $35,000 for the office re-decorating today. After apparently using his office allowance to pay for it in December.

    http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2015/02/27/schock-spending-downton-abbey/24062665/


  110. - vole - Friday, Feb 27, 15 @ 1:11 pm:

    Oswego, Schock has entered the entertainment world just as the news realm has entered it. And how many of us don’t see some entertainment value in CapFax? The Schock posts don’t keep happening here to cause yawns among subscribers or freeloaders like me. (Thanks Rich and the subscribers!)


  111. - Jechislo - Friday, Feb 27, 15 @ 1:11 pm:

    Under a microscope, each of us has flaws that are amplified.


  112. - Oswego Willy - Friday, Feb 27, 15 @ 1:15 pm:

    - vole -,

    You may want to re-read my comment.

    It’s about the angles of the story, and how each approached it.


  113. - Ginhouse Tommy - Friday, Feb 27, 15 @ 1:16 pm:

    Don’t care who he dates but he does like to live it up. He has shown an obvious disregard for the rules. That is going to cost him. You want to say “Dude wake up and smell the coffee willya”. Too late now. These rules apply to everyone.


  114. - the butler did it - Friday, Feb 27, 15 @ 1:20 pm:

    OW, how can anyone blame the staff, whether they told him this/that was a bad/good idea, its up to him to listen. Besides, ee hired the staff, do you know of any pol who truly listens to his staff,…is he/she hiring?
    also, there’s no way any staff member said lets decorate your office like downtown abbey.


  115. - Oswego Willy - Friday, Feb 27, 15 @ 1:34 pm:

    ===OW, how can anyone blame the staff, whether they told him this/that was a bad/good idea, its up to him to listen.===

    If you don’t have one contrarian to at least take pause and think on things like this, then yeah, some Staff needs to think on wether they are there to help, or there because it’s Kool.

    ===Besides, ee hired the staff, do you know of any pol who truly listens to his staff,…is he/she hiring?===

    Yeah, pols listen to Staff constantly. Staff is one of the best assets a pol has.

    ===also, there’s no way any staff member said lets decorate your office like downtown abbey.===

    You’re probably right, but I’m “probably” right that not many, if any, said he shouldn’t.

    That’s the rub, that’s the Staff fail


  116. - Loop Lady - Friday, Feb 27, 15 @ 1:44 pm:

    Stick a fork in him…he’s done. Fast flame out for the wunderkid…


  117. - The butler did it - Friday, Feb 27, 15 @ 1:44 pm:

    Ow, points are well taken, but the thought of voters thinking this is the staffs fault (as opposed to his) is not fair w/out more. Also, the thought of him firing staff as a cover for his mistakes is also not fair.


  118. - Oswego Willy - Friday, Feb 27, 15 @ 2:08 pm:

    ===Ow, points are well taken, but the thought of voters thinking this is the staffs fault (as opposed to his) is not fair w/out more. Also, the thought of him firing staff as a cover for his mistakes is also not fair.===

    It’s not for the voters.

    The Staff, this is an epic fail.

    There is a reason no other office is like Schock’s. Because it heightens scrutiny.

    There’s a reason other Congresscritters don’t have “intense” Facebook or Instagram accounts, it heightens awareness of possible conflicts.

    I love people on Staff. They work hard, work long hours, and usually go above and beyond…

    This is an instance that Staff failed, and epic failure, by not being able to keep the Biss from hurting himself.

    Like I said;

    If you don’t have one contrarian to at least take pause and think on things like this, then yeah, some Staff needs to think on wether they are there to help, or there because it’s Kool.

    The Staff also failed him, just not quite as much as his own decisions did.

    Schock needs to think changes for himself, not for the press.


  119. - Justin - Friday, Feb 27, 15 @ 2:15 pm:

    As a gay man, I don’t get why so many fail to see that Schock’s sexuality is a perfectly legitimate matter of public interest. It’s the vile hypocrisy: not only does Schock support the Federal Marriage Amendment to ban gay marriage nationwide, but he also thinks employers should have the right to fire people just for being gay. Meanwhile, he finances his own flamboyant lifestyle on the taxpayers’ dime, so completely self-unaware that he succeeded in making a perfect mockery of himself. Just desserts.


  120. - Responsa - Friday, Feb 27, 15 @ 2:22 pm:

    == as a gay man, I’m pretty comfortable with attacks on his sexuality. If there are attacks to be made, they’re well deserved for someone who is against marriage equality, voted against DOMA’s repeal, and voted against DADT’s repeal.
    If someone has that record and are members of the community, they deserve to crash and burn.
    ==

    Just to be sure we understand your position on representation, if a congressperson from either party, on any issue, votes in congress on a matter that reflects his district’s preferences rather than his own personal ones, he is a bad congressman who must be punished? In other words if a representative is for the construction of the Keystone pipeline but knows from polling, incoming phone calls, and questionnaires that 90% of her district is against it, is she then in your mind a hypocrite if she votes against the pipeline on behalf of her constituents?


  121. - A guy - Friday, Feb 27, 15 @ 2:25 pm:

    118 comments and growing….Oy.

    This campaign has had it’s desire effect here with all of the commentary. I, for one, hope the guy gets through all this. I don’t care who or what he likes. I don’t care much where he goes. I do care that he operates within the rules. I also care that the rules get applied equally across the entire spectrum. This whole mess is bad for government and the people we’d like to see get involved. The next time someone talks about people who throw money at elected officials but never put themselves up for election, read this thread. It’s less worth it now than it ever was.


  122. - Justin - Friday, Feb 27, 15 @ 2:35 pm:

    To Responsa, your example with the Keystone pipeline is not apt. More apt would be a Congressman who votes for stiffer drug sentences even though he secretly loves snorting coke. Or a Congressman who votes for strict gun control even though he hoards assault weapons. Or a Congressman who is secretly gay even though he has one of the worst anti-gay voting records in Congress. In each example, the politician’s hypocrisy is rank. “Do as I say, not as I do.”


  123. - GraduatedCollegeStudent - Friday, Feb 27, 15 @ 2:49 pm:

    ===Just to be sure we understand your position on representation, if a congressperson from either party, on any issue, votes in congress on a matter that reflects his district’s preferences rather than his own personal ones, he is a bad congressman who must be punished? In other words if a representative is for the construction of the Keystone pipeline but knows from polling, incoming phone calls, and questionnaires that 90% of her district is against it, is she then in your mind a hypocrite if she votes against the pipeline on behalf of her constituents? ====

    There may be a lot of rural territory in the 18th district, but there is also a lot of affluent suburbs. Schock doesn’t need to take the hard social conservative line that he does.


  124. - Responsa - Friday, Feb 27, 15 @ 2:52 pm:

    Sorry, I believe it is you missed the point, Justin. Congresspeople are generally expected to vote their district’s priorities. When they don’t do that, it ticks off voters and they loose elections. This is not to excuse illegal or personal unethical behavior. Of course not. But just because you think an individual may be a closet hypocrite has little bearing on his/her performance for the district. The pipeline is actually a perfect example because it takes the emotion out of the equation. To your other example if a rep is caught snorting coke one would assume that the voters will replace him at first opportunity. But if the district’s base is big on stiffer drug laws, then the coke head congressman voting for stiffer drug sentencing is representing his district–not himself.


  125. - Nick Naylor - Friday, Feb 27, 15 @ 2:55 pm:

    =Schock doesn’t need to take the hard social conservative line that he does.=

    He does have to take that hard social stance if he wants to continue to rise up through the Leadership ranks of this Tea Party Congress.


  126. - SGrand - Friday, Feb 27, 15 @ 3:22 pm:

    How long do those walls stay red? Do you leave them red to stand your ground? Or remove the constant reminder for yourself, staff, the press and every visitor? Over-Under… are they still red by the 4th of July?


  127. - G'Kar - Friday, Feb 27, 15 @ 4:04 pm:

    For those of you interested in how this plays in Peoria, here is an article by Phil Luciano in the Peoria Journal Star: http://www.pjstar.com/article/20150225/NEWS/150229531/0/SEARCH


  128. - GraduatedCollegeStudent - Friday, Feb 27, 15 @ 4:30 pm:

    ====He does have to take that hard social stance if he wants to continue to rise up through the Leadership ranks of this Tea Party Congress. ====

    Meh. Seniority, fundraising, and not actively undermining Boehner would work just as well if that is his goal.


  129. - Nick Naylor - Friday, Feb 27, 15 @ 4:42 pm:

    =Seniority, fundraising, and not actively undermining Boehner would work just as well if that is his goal.=

    Tell that to Peter Roskam.


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