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* If you read today’s Sun-Times, you saw that Congressman Aaron Schock went off on Gov. Pat Quinn yesterday…
The Peoria Republican stopped short of saying he intends to run, insisting that decision won’t come until after the November elections. But, significantly, Schock also did not rule out the possibility of running for the state’s top political job. […]
And in going after Quinn, Schock certainly was sounding like a candidate.
“He’s been in state government for 30 years. He’s been at the helm of the state for what will be six-plus years. He’s proven incapable of turning the ship around,” Schock said of Quinn.
Schock described Quinn as lacking focus.
“I think part of it is I don’t think he has the personality that’s engaging, that instills confidence,” from his party, Schock said. “I think he doesn’t have the capacity perhaps to put it all together.”
* But some of what he said didn’t make the cut in the dead tree edition. It was included in the paper’s political blog, which is all over the Republican National Convention…
Schock said he has been approached by business leaders to consider running for governor in 2014, but he said he’s delivered a sharp message to them about not spreading fundraising dollars around multiple GOP candidates who will make for a bloody primary battle.
“If you want a strong candidate and you want party unity and you want people to whittle down the candidates before the primary, then you as a businessman must stand up and say you know what, this is insanity, this is who we collectively believe is the strongest candidate, and we’re willing to put our money where our mouth is and fund them,” he said.
Schock also delivered a subtle jab at some of those who have tested the waters for a 2014 gubernatorial run, saying those with election losses in their background demonstrate “weakness” that can be exploited in a general election.
State Sen. Kirk Dillard (R-Hinsdale) lost by 193 votes to state Sen. Bill Brady (R-Bloomington) in the 2010 GOP primary. Brady went on to lose to Quinn in the fall elections. State Treasurer Dan Rutherford, before winning his current office in 2010, lost a bid to unseat Secretary of State Jesse White.
“If you are a candidate who’s lost, the natural question is what’s different, what’s going to change? Clearly, there’s a sense of weakness there,” Schock said, insisting he isn’t meaning to single out any particular candidate with the criticism.
“It doesn’t mean you can’t win, but I do think it makes your argument in the primary that you’re the strongest candidate in the general election a little bit tougher,” Schock said.
* And he also took an obligatory shot at the Republican Party’s chief demon…
Schock also didn’t mince words for Madigan (D-Chicago) and said he isn’t intimidated by the House speaker, who has been the GOP’s favorite pin cushion leading up to the fall elections with “Fire Madigan” messaging that is getting slapped on coffee mugs, golf polos and dog t-shirts.
“I maybe don’t buy into the reality of Mike Madigan,” Schock said.
“For anyone to suggest that well, gee, we should play nice, or you shouldn’t take him on, or you shouldn’t try to beat him because you might have to work with him, that’s politics,” he said. “To me, if you’re serious about changing the direction of the state, if you’re serious about wanting to be governor or whatever it is people want to be, if they don’t want to take him on, then they’re not going to be serious players once they’re elected.
“You can’t fix the state if you don’t deal with pensions, and clearly, Madigan, who’s been there for 30 years, has shown no willingness to do that,” said Schock, who served two terms in the Illinois House under Madigan’s rule.
He’s looking more like a candidate every day. But I’m told he probably won’t run if kabillionaire Bruce Rauner jumps in. Rauner is expected to attend the convention this week.
* Related…
* Republican 2014 governor hopefuls jockey in Tampa: “They’re the unannounced announced, if you will,” said Comptroller Judy Baar Topinka, an unsuccessful Republican governor nominee in 2006 but not a future contender for the job. “They’re trying to take the pulse on what everybody is saying and trying to get support and to lock in donors. You have the beginnings of a full-fledged gubernatorial campaign going on two years ahead of time.”
posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Aug 29, 12 @ 9:08 am
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I haven’t been a schock fan at all but he’s 1110 percent right with all of those comments except for “letting business whittle things down”. Dan Rutherford also might want to stop dressing like a 1982 used car salesman.
Comment by Shore Wednesday, Aug 29, 12 @ 9:22 am
If he’s so against anyone who has ever lost a race, am I safe to assume he was against Romney in the primary?
Comment by ChicagoR Wednesday, Aug 29, 12 @ 9:22 am
“I maybe don’t buy into the reality of Mike Madigan,” Schock said.
“For anyone to suggest that well, gee, we should play nice, or you shouldn’t take him on, or you shouldn’t try to beat him…..”
Where has Mr. Dreamey been snoozin’? Perhaps he “forgets” his own very pricey state rep. campaigns, the billboard initiative, etc.
Dreamey…they tried…they failed… but they tried!
BTW Dreamey looked a little pasty in the picture he needs to get back to the tanning booth.
Comment by CircularFiringSquad Wednesday, Aug 29, 12 @ 9:24 am
Doesn’t buy into the reality of Mike Madigan? Oooh, the Sith Lord will teach him about reality.
Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Aug 29, 12 @ 9:25 am
“But I’m told he probably won’t run if kabillionaire Bruce Rauner jumps in.”
It’s a shame that the Republican Party has become the play thing of the rich and not so famous.
Comment by Norseman Wednesday, Aug 29, 12 @ 9:25 am
Apparently Mr. Schock doesnt pay attention to the politics of his party, at least on a national level. Lets see…Mitt lost in 2008, but is his party’s candidate in 2012. John McCain lost in 2000, then won his primary in 2008. Bob Dole lost in 1988, then was his party’s nominee in 1996. George W. Bush lost in 1980, then was his party’s nominee in 1988 and 1992. Does he read the history books? Losing in the past has no relevance on one’s run in the future. Better bone up, kid.
Comment by anon Wednesday, Aug 29, 12 @ 9:26 am
Maybe Bruce Rauner is what is needed in Springfield to clean up the financial mess created by Rod and Pat.
Comment by Cassiopeia Wednesday, Aug 29, 12 @ 9:36 am
Anon 9:26, since only one of those folks you listed actually won the general election, maybe he has a point about previous losers not making strong candidates.
Comment by Mankow Wednesday, Aug 29, 12 @ 9:37 am
“Schock also delivered a subtle jab at some of those who have tested the waters for a 2014 gubernatorial run, saying those with election losses in their background demonstrate “weakness” that can be exploited in a general election.”
Wow. The kid has gotten way too cocky. Don’t get me wrong, I believe younger candidates can be great candidates, who can bring a great level of energy to the office. But they also need to have a level of humbleness (Yes, I know the type of people who run for office usually lack humbleness). But we’re young. We have yet to experience many life events that can make us more empathetic and a better person.
Schock has had people treating him like the golden boy for too long. He’s accomplished for a young man, but it certainly has gone to his head. I would really like to see him run for governor and lose. It will teach him a great deal, and if he handles it right, he could be a better man and candidate.
Comment by Miss Marie Wednesday, Aug 29, 12 @ 9:41 am
Miss Marie - I agree completely, couldn’t have put it better (though I probably would have put it much meaner and I’m glad to be reminded to take the venom out of my mind when dealing with Schock).
Comment by Colossus Wednesday, Aug 29, 12 @ 9:54 am
I’ve now read over several “governor wannabe” stories over the last two days. Sad that none of them referenced Dan Cronin as a potential candidate. Anyone who wants a fresh candidate with a record of accomplishment and appeal to a broad spectrum should be taking a hard look at Dan, current Chairman of the DuPage County Board and long time State Senator.
Comment by Conservative Republican Wednesday, Aug 29, 12 @ 10:02 am
@anon
George W Bush didn’t run until 2000. It was George H.W. Bush in 1980. Now who needs to bone up? heh.
Comment by HA! Wednesday, Aug 29, 12 @ 10:06 am
shock won’t run. this is a statewide tee up for the Durbin seat. he woul dbe much better suited to keep the DC thing going.
By playing in the Governor speculation game, he doesn’t have to form an exploritory committee and can get all the statewide recognition.
Comment by Todd Wednesday, Aug 29, 12 @ 10:24 am
i think Todd nailed it. by fluffing himself up, schock gets some statewide pub and can pretend his later endorsement of someone else matters. maybe host a fundraiser for them. but he is much better suited (literally and figuratively) to washington.
i didnt think of cronin, but he would fit my criteria for a good candidate.
running against he-madigan might help generate a smidgen of interest in a legislative race here or there, but is nonsense for a statewide candidate.
how about redistricting the supreme court?
Comment by langhorne Wednesday, Aug 29, 12 @ 10:36 am
durbin will be 71 by the time his current term ends. might be his last.
i will trust in rich to ask any candidate for statewide office to lay out exactly what their own public pension will be. i wanna know that much more than anything beyond a couple years’ worth of income tax returns. show me how many special little bumps you get for all your service going back to the mosquito abatement district or whatever.
Comment by langhorne Wednesday, Aug 29, 12 @ 10:43 am
Maybe in 2014 a bunch of “downstaters” will run with Kirk Dillard and will split the vote so Dillard wins the primary. This would be a very plausible victory in a November election. Kind of like the opposite of 2010. It’s going to be hard for a congressman to run in 2014, too close to the Republican House ei, the “worse congress ever.”
Comment by Ahoy! Wednesday, Aug 29, 12 @ 11:03 am
I get the sense that the Congressman is only able to take his brutal honesty half-way.
Comment by Knome Sane Wednesday, Aug 29, 12 @ 11:21 am
Spoken like a true candidate.
Interesting that it is “business leaders” who could encourage him to run, and a multi-millionaire opponent who could discourage him.
As usual, JBT has the best comment.
Comment by walkinfool Wednesday, Aug 29, 12 @ 11:22 am
–“I maybe don’t buy into the reality of Mike Madigan,” Schock said.–
Those are words. Each and every one of them has a definition. I just maybe don’t understand what they are supposed to express in that sentence.
Dude, you used to be president of a school board. Work on the lingo.
Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Aug 29, 12 @ 11:42 am
The congressman has no legislative accomplishments to run on. He sponsored a total of 30 bills in the 111th and 112th Congess. Twenty nine of those bills weren’t even voted on by his colleagues in the House. He couldn’t even get a resolution passed congratulating a Medal of Freedom recipient or his Fire Sprinkler Incentive Act. This is what passes for success?
Comment by Calhoun Native Wednesday, Aug 29, 12 @ 11:45 am
Since Schock went to DC, he has moved to the right. To win statewide, whether for governor or US Senator, it helps to be more moderate, the way he was as State Rep.
So the telltale sign may be if Schock starts to distance himself fromt the Tea Party wing of his party. Supporting a federal marriage amendment isn’t the way to do it. Remember that Sen. Rutherford was the only Republican in the Senate to vote for civil unions.
Comment by reformer Wednesday, Aug 29, 12 @ 11:59 am
Rich et al:
I read the Madigan remarks quite differently. I don’t read them as much as an attack on Madigan as an indictment of his own party leaders, whom he seems to think are afraid of Madigan’s shadow.
Comment by Yellow Dog Democrat Wednesday, Aug 29, 12 @ 12:17 pm
Explain to me again how the primary weakened Bill Brady to make him lose the general? Explain how there wasn’t party unity after the primary?
These are just myths peddled by politicians who don’t want to do the real work of making Republicans believe they are the best candidate in the first place.
Comment by Fight for Chicago Wednesday, Aug 29, 12 @ 12:44 pm
I’m quite surprised that someone so young who has so many elections still ahead of him is pushing the theory that any one electoral loss discredits you in any future election. That’s likely to come back to bite him.
Comment by The Captain Wednesday, Aug 29, 12 @ 1:09 pm
@Fight for Chicago -
The real goal of those calling for a “winnowing” of the candidate field is to force conservatives out of the race.
Its not that the primary “weakened” Brady. More that a crowded field allowed a conservative to win AND forced him to run hard on his conservative credentials.
Comment by Yellow Dog Democrat Wednesday, Aug 29, 12 @ 1:10 pm
Calhoun Native is right on point. What is he going to run on? He’s done nothing and has no ideas. Evidently, he also doesn’t think very much about big issues, like Federal Marriage act, or Illinois pensions, except not being in Madigan’s world. He seems to just spout what he’s told by his puppet-master.
Comment by D.P. Gumby Wednesday, Aug 29, 12 @ 1:11 pm
=== Schock also delivered a subtle jab at some of those who have tested the waters for a 2014 gubernatorial run, saying those with election losses in their background demonstrate “weakness” that can be exploited in a general election. ===
Mr. Schock, allow me to introduce you to someone you may have heard about: this is Mr. Lincoln, of Springfield.
Comment by TwoFeetThick Wednesday, Aug 29, 12 @ 3:29 pm
“Dan Rutherford also might want to stop dressing like a 1982 used car salesman”-Shore
Hey come on. The clothes,the singing; there is future for him to replace the singing Ford man.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oAsBsDKh9NE
Comment by Samarai Wednesday, Aug 29, 12 @ 4:39 pm
In Rutherford’s defense, there’s an entire generation — or two — who bought their first cars before 1982 and who wish that our elected leaders were more like the ones we had when they were growing up.
By and large, they are called “Republicans.”
If I’m Rutherford, I’d happily appear in a picture in one of those 1982 suits next to a picture of Schock’s ab workout.
Comment by Yellow Dog Democrat Wednesday, Aug 29, 12 @ 5:16 pm
Congressman Schock, I have some advice for you regarding Mr Madigan, the same advice I have given the past two Governors and some of our party’s candidates. Make an effort to make an accommodation. If you go for him, don’t wound him, because if you do he will heal and then he will come for you and it won’t be pretty.
Comment by steve schnorf Wednesday, Aug 29, 12 @ 11:21 pm
Weed hopper Schock, I too have advice for you that has been handed down through thousands of years. In going to battle against the one that is called the Supreme Leader of Madigatistan, you will err by using “short sword chopping” techchnique. You cannot cut down a man with a long sword using this method.Rather, the mind must be fully engaged and fear not death, or dwell on the threat that HE will come for you “and it won’t be pretty.”
As with most disciplines in martial arts, Musashi notes that the movement of the sword after the cut is made must not be superfluous; instead of quickly returning to a stance or position, one should allow the sword to come to the end of its path from the force used. In this manner, you will do more than inflict wounds and the dreaded retaliation. Thus, fix your determination, focus and method; then follow completely through with determination. Follow this advise and you shall prevail weeed hopper.
Comment by Samarai Thursday, Aug 30, 12 @ 12:00 am
Schock is basically accusing the GOP of being a bunch of possums.
Roll over, play dead, hope Mike Madigan loses interest.
It’s an interesting take on things, maybe not far from the truth, but not the kind of thing you usually hear from a “leader” in your own party.
I just think that fair reporting requires follow-up questions. Schock shouldn’t get away with painting everyone in the party with the same brush. Who are the folks within his party that he thinks are afraid of Mike Madigan’s shadow?
Comment by Yellow Dog Democrat Thursday, Aug 30, 12 @ 7:47 am
Weed Hopper Schock: Mr. Madigan has a large can of Roundup, you may soon see it used and you won’t like or enjoy it. Just saying.
Comment by Give Me A Break Thursday, Aug 30, 12 @ 8:13 am