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Nauseating coverage *** Updated x6 ***

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* When state Rep. Aaron Schock officially announced his congressional campaign, this is how the Peoria Journal-Star led its report

Government needs a clean break from corruption and bitter partisanship and needs to be refreshed with new leaders championing fundamental conservative principles in Congress, said state Rep. Aaron Schock.

Schock, R-Peoria, outlined his positions on the Iraq war, foreign relations, immigration, education, the economy and energy Saturday during his official announcement that he’s seeking the Republican nomination for the 18th Congressional District seat. He also outlined a few bills he would propose on those issues.

* Not a single mention was made of Schock’s most incendiary proposal within the PJ-Star’s glowing article. Bernie fill us in

State Rep. Aaron Schock, who is running for Congress, has some audacious — well, maybe “shocking” is a better word — ideas about foreign policy. […]

In particular, Schock’s plan to offer nuclear arms to Taiwan if China doesn’t go along with U.S. policy toward Iran seemed odd to me.

An international relations expert I checked with agreed, saying that idea not only shows “incredible naivete,” but, if carried out, probably would lead to war between China and Taiwan. […]

“The statement about selling nuclear weapons to Taiwan reflects an incredible naivete about international relations,” he said of Schock’s idea. “Transferring nuclear weapons technology to any state is a violation of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. It would also encourage other states to do the same, specifically to enemies of the United States.”

Oy.

* The Galesburg paper ran this recent profile of Schock

One of the shooting stars of the Republican party made a stop in Knox County Tuesday. […]

Despite being the youngest of three Republican candidates for the seat - Jim McConoughey and John Morris, both from Peoria are the others -Schock is considered the front-runner, both in terms of the polls and fundraising. He has been tapped for big things by national Republican operatives, according to columnist Robert Novak.

Americans love a winner, so candidates (like commercial products) will always try to burn in the message that he or she is “number one.” But there’s more to a campaign than who is winning, and thankfully we have people like Bernie Schoenburg around to point that out.

* More congressional stuff…

* McQueary: Lipinski’s opponents line up on ballot

* Illinoize: The Lauzen letter to my family

* Would-be Hastert successors start mudslinging

*** UPDATE *** From a press release…

Jim McConoughey, a candidate for the Republican nomination in the 18th Congressional District, will be holding News Conferences this afternoon in Peoria and Springfield. McConoughey will make a statement regarding news released in this morning’s edition of the State Journal-Register. An availability session will follow.

The schedule is as follows:

1:00 p.m. McConoughey for Congress Headquarters
1200 West Main Street, Suite 9
Peoria, Illinois

3:00 p.m. Blue Room
State Capitol, Mezzanine
Springfield, Illinois

If McConoughey’s smart, he’ll use this as an opportunity to make the case that Schock just isn’t seasoned enough to be a Congressman. That seems to me like the best line of attack against the 26-year-old candidate.

*** UPDATE 2 *** Billy Dennis was at the presser and filed this report

Jim McConoughey must have said “naive” and ‘inexperienced” a dozen times during his brief news conference today. Which is pretty must his biggest weapon against Aaron Schock, who was courteous enough to give McConoughey and other opponents John Morris an opening by suggesting that the United States arm Taiwan with nuclear weapons and arm freedom fighters in Iran. […]

Jonathan Ahl of WCBU was sorta playing word games by suggesting that Schock was being irresponsible by making the statement, because the public needs to know what opinion candidates have on foreign policy. The word Ahl suggested that McConoughey meant was “stupid.”

And Karen McDonald, the PJS reporter who’s article didn’t mention Aaron’s desire to ship nukes to Taiwan? She asked McConoughey why he didn’t say what HE wanted to do about China and Taiwan. My two cents: Why bother asking? The Journal Star won’t print it.

…Adding… Since some of you aren’t bothering to click on the link to Bernie’s column, here are some Schock quotes…

“If China continues to be irresponsible about nuclear proliferation in Iran, we should tell them that if they do not care about proliferation — and since they are enablers of it in Iran — that if they don’t change their position, we will sell Pershing nuclear missiles to Taiwan for their defense.”

“Non-proliferation will either be enforced universally or not at all — it is their choice,” Schock continued. “The Chinese will come around, I have no doubt.”

And Schock’s mouthpiece backed it up…

Schock’s campaign manager, Steven Shearer, responded that “academia routinely looked down on President Reagan and ridiculed him when he said that the Soviet Union was going to fall into the ash heap of history.” Reagan’s controversial positioning of Pershing missiles in Europe in the early 1980s “led to the first arms reduction in history,” Shearer claimed.

Here’s the difference: Reagan deployed American missiles to Western Europe, and America controlled those missiles. Selling Pershings to Taiwan means they would control those missiles, not us.

*** UPDATE 3 *** Schock responds

The first step in the diplomatic dance that is necessary to prevent Iran getting nuclear weapons is to strengthen our President’s hand in negotiations. My comprehensive proposal on the Iranian threat will undermine the Iranian regime by their own people and get China’s attention to become a partner in stopping this threat from Iran.”

“While I have offered innovative ideas based completely on President Reagan’s successful strategy to end the Cold War, my opponents are operating cynical campaigns of being quick to attack while offering no substance on the issues what-so-ever themselves,” said Schock. “The people are tired of cynical candidates who run for office while avoiding dealing with our nation’s challenges while problems get worse. Our country needs leaders who are willing to address problems instead of waiting until they become a crisis.” […]

McConoughey is now on record as being soft on Iraq, Iran and China. He is running in the wrong primary.

Again, the US owned and controlled those Pershings that Reagan sent to Western Europe. Schock would turn control of those nukes over to the Taiwanese.

It really is amazing that this was totally ignored by the Peoria paper.

*** UPDATE 4 *** From the SJ-R

McConoughey said at a State Capitol news conference today that the 26-year-old Schock, a state representative, made a “serious and reckless statement” with regard to nuclear weapons.

Serving in Congress requires maturity and steadiness, McConoughey said.

I’m curious how the Journal-Star will play this tomorrow. Guesses?

*** UPDATE 5 *** Democratic candidate Dick Versace

“I’ve traveled across this great district on the Common Sense Express and I’ve heard what’s important to people in this community. Dishing out nuclear weapons to foreign places like Taiwan wasn’t mentioned. After eight years of reckless foreign policies coming from Washington, the last thing we need is another career politician who is willing to make dangerous proposals like this one without first considering the consequences.”

* Republican John Morris

“Being in Congress is a very important responsibility and one has to be very thoughtful in their statements. I support policies that promote freedoms abroad. Congress and our next congressman need to work to make the world safer. My number one priority in Congress will be keeping America and its military strong,” Morris said. “Giving away nuclear weapons is completely irresponsible.”

*** UPDATE 6 *** From Lee News

‘’This isn’t a Ronald Reagan idea. It’s a Dr. Strangelove idea,'’ McConoughey said.

posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Nov 8, 07 @ 9:45 am

Comments

  1. I’ve asked this question in related blogs a few times, but no one has commented…why in the heck is Mayor Burns in this race. Ego aside, is he a plant, like the Lipinski tradition. Recent poll by Lauzen’s camp has the race 38-38-4 (L-O-B) and while that’s only 80%, Burns could decide which of the 2 millionaires win the GOP primary. Does anyone out there have a view as to Burns’ motives?

    Comment by kane county doc Thursday, Nov 8, 07 @ 9:53 am

  2. Is the young Mr. Schock insane? China has been saber rattling for a while toward Taiwan, and when Bush proposed giving Taiwan missile shield technology, Beijing flipped.

    How on earth could this kid think that giving Taiwan nukes could ever be a good idea?

    Looks like he’s from the George Bush school of Foreign Policy. These neo-con types should leave the foreign policy to the grown ups.

    Comment by jerry 101 Thursday, Nov 8, 07 @ 10:16 am

  3. Russia’s decision to place Nukes in Cuba worked out well, I do not see why we shouldn’t try the same thing with Taiwan. Heck lets send some to darfur, chile…any small country that would like them. The more nuclear weapons we circulate around the globe the safer the world will be. Fortunetly China does not have a huge portion of its capital tied into the United States such that they could do crushing damage to our economy if we start such a cold war with them. The devaluation of the dollar is already causing china to pull back some of its US investment, which is causing damage right now to our economy, just imagine if we arm taiwan with Nukes.

    Comment by Ghost Thursday, Nov 8, 07 @ 10:23 am

  4. ===Russia’s decision to place Nukes in Cuba worked out well===

    The difference is that the Soviets would’ve still controlled those nukes, as we did in Turkey. Schock would allow Taiwan control. That’s much, much worse.

    Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Nov 8, 07 @ 10:34 am

  5. Schock’s comments on Taiwan should make him lose the race. They are just plain stupid. You cannot be taken serious when you say that you would sell nuclear arms to Taiwan. His error is so grand he should be written off as a nut. The Peoria paper’s coverage is just bad.

    Lipinski race: It is insulting to tell a candidate that they are just a plant. If you don’t want to vote for someone, don’t vote for them. Don’t accuse them of being a stooge. It is tough enough to take the criticisms and insults when you are a candidate without having emotional partisans also accuse you of not wanting to actually win the election. This line of attack is just unfair and shouldn’t be encouraged. You guys are all in the same party, so play nice.

    Oberweis/Lauzen: I see both as flawed candidates. Oberweis’ problems are more obvious. Lauzen’s problem is that he is too polarizing in his method of campaigning. He is utterly tone-deaf towards voters who are different from he. He makes it obvious.

    His wife’s “letter” is a case in point. Mrs. Lauzen’s “letter” is attractive to the Lauzens and to those who see wives as only supporters to husbands. What year is this? 1948? It’s presentation is embarrassingly sexist and dated.

    So it is sincere, useless and insulting all at the same time. What kind of campaign would put this piece of crap out there? The kind Lauzen runs. He might be able to beat Oberweis, but he has boxed himself into a corner for the General.

    Comment by VanillaMan Thursday, Nov 8, 07 @ 10:36 am

  6. Well said about Lauzen, Vanilla. Those same things that make Chris a formidable candidate in the GOP primary leave him vulnerable in the general. Even in a lean-GOP district.

    The Lauzens have done a very similar mailing in a past race. It works for them. And they really do think it should be the 50s.

    Comment by Stuck with Sen. CPA Thursday, Nov 8, 07 @ 10:59 am

  7. Zhong Hua Ming Guo

    Why on EARTH does anyone assume the ROC does NOT have nukes?

    Lets see. Lots of hi Tech. Check.

    Lots of money. Check.

    Lots of contacts in places with Uranium, Check.

    If India, Pakistan, and Israel can make them, so can Taiwan.

    Comment by Pat Collins Thursday, Nov 8, 07 @ 11:03 am

  8. Vanilla Man is absolutely right: reckless comments about selling US nuclear weapons to foreign countries should automatically disqualify him from public office.

    It’s not just his suggestion that we sell nuclear weapons to Taiwan; it’s that he wants to use the threat of selling those weapons to Taiwan as leverage on the Peoples’ Republic of China to “support our position on Iran.”

    Moreover, some of his other statements suggesting that the US should start funding clandestine operations to foment revolt against governments we don’t like are equally scary.

    It’s almost like he’s overcompensating for his moderate record on social issues by becoming a foreign policy neo-con hawk on steroids.

    Comment by the Other Anonymous Thursday, Nov 8, 07 @ 11:14 am

  9. I’d be interested to hear Congressman LaHood’s thoughts on this. Those statements are unreal. Sure, it’s good to try and be bold. But advocating violating the Nuclear Proliferation Treaty!!!! Yikes.

    Looks like the “frontrunner” just stepped in it bigtime. Good catch by Bernie, though. For a twenty-something candidate at this early stage: Ouch!

    I think that’s going to leave a mark!

    Comment by Rayfan Thursday, Nov 8, 07 @ 11:20 am

  10. […] UPDATE: Ouch, Rich Miller of Capitol Fax, notes that the Journal Star article of the announcement led with  this: Government needs a clean break from corruption and bitter partisanship and needs to be refreshed with new leaders championing fundamental conservative principles in Congress, said state Rep. Aaron Schock. […]

    Pingback by Peoria Pundit » Politics: Schock wants to give nuclear weapons to Taiwan. Seriously (UPDATED: JS coverage ‘nausiating,’ ignored nuke proposal) Thursday, Nov 8, 07 @ 11:34 am

  11. Rich, we who live in Peoria and are forced to depend on the Journal Star for coverage of local and state news have long ago learned to NOT depend on the Journal Star for coverage of local and state news. Thank God for the Internet. Myself, I keep a bottle of the pink stuff handy for the many occasions when the JS turns my stomach. You should see how they operate during city council elections.

    There is one question that remains; Will the people who run the Journal Star have the [DELETED BY MILLER] to run Bernie Schoenburg’s column tomorrow?

    Comment by Billy Dennis Thursday, Nov 8, 07 @ 11:42 am

  12. The amazing thing is that Schock put this in writing and sent it out. Doesn’t anybody review his releases?

    Comment by Pot calling kettle Thursday, Nov 8, 07 @ 11:50 am

  13. Pat Collins, India and Pakistan long had identifiable nuke programs before they had nukes. israel gets their nukes from us. it is more likely Blago will appologize for the mess he has made and resign then it is that Taiwan has secret nukes.

    Comment by Ghost Thursday, Nov 8, 07 @ 11:59 am

  14. Pat, there is no way China would allow Taiwan to build nuclear weapons, and they are certainly watching. Schock’s foreign policy statement on this isn’t just naive, it’s incredibly dangerous. Having thoughts like this about foreign policy make him unfit as a congressional candidate. I love the idea of getting some fresh ideas and people in politics and DC, but it looks like maybe some more seasoning is in order.

    Comment by Gene Parmesan Thursday, Nov 8, 07 @ 12:05 pm

  15. KC doc,

    When analyzing whether Burns is a “plant”, the first question you must ask is which candidate does he take more votes from? I can’t believe the 14th is as far right GOP as either of the 2 GOP front runners. In Burns’ mind, he may think the 2 front runners have all the conservative voters locked up already, and if he could peel off most of the undecideds (who are likely more moderate to liberal) and 5% from each of the front runners, he could squeak a win in a 3 way race. That being said, I think he takes slightly more potential votes from Milk Dud than Col. CPA. I don’t see him as a Lauzen plant, though.

    As far as the general in the 14th, I can’t see a Laesch or Stein holding up to whoever wins the GOP because they are way left for the 14th - this is not Kos or MoveOn country. If Foster comes out being seen as a pragmatic moderate, he may have a shot. Serra is moderate enough but unfunded.

    It should be an interesting and bizarre set of primary and general races, best watched with a smile from outside the district.

    Comment by Six Degrees of Separation Thursday, Nov 8, 07 @ 12:10 pm

  16. On what issue are Laesch and Stein too far to the left?

    Comment by Carl Nyberg Thursday, Nov 8, 07 @ 12:18 pm

  17. Chung Hua Ming Kuo

    It’s not a matter of China letting or not. It’s a matter of Taiwan wanting to make one or not and getting the Uranium. We’re talking 1940’s technology here……

    Shock too irresponsible

    And so what about a certain Presidential candidate wanting to engage in personal diplomacy? I would expect if O can day things like that, it’s ok for Shock to say how he’d vote if it came up.

    Comment by Pat Collins Thursday, Nov 8, 07 @ 12:26 pm

  18. Pat, you’re actually equating diplomacy (no matter how ill-advised you may believe it is) with selling nukes to Taiwan?

    Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Nov 8, 07 @ 12:27 pm

  19. How will the PJStar cover the news conference?

    Headline: “Schock Fosters Debate on Taiwan”

    Comment by Pot calling kettle Thursday, Nov 8, 07 @ 12:33 pm

  20. “Shocking,” completely irresponsible, and ignorant remarks about foreign policy from the boy wonder - it appears he will not folow in the footsteps of the moderate Ray LaHood. I don’t think this comment “will play in Peoria.”

    Comment by Captain America Thursday, Nov 8, 07 @ 12:33 pm

  21. “It’s not a matter of China letting or not.”– Yes, Pat, it is. Even if Taiwan had the knowhow, funds, and desire to build nukes, China would not allow it to happen. They would likely take a stance similar to the one the US and Israel are taking against Iran. Taiwan is only 120 kms off the coast of China, is still considered part of the Republic of China, and has a whole lot of military hardware pointed straight at it. They certainly have quite a bit of influence as to what Taiwan can or cannot do.

    Comment by Gene Parmesan Thursday, Nov 8, 07 @ 12:37 pm

  22. ===And so what about a certain Presidential candidate wanting to engage in personal diplomacy? I would expect if O can day things like that, it’s ok for Shock to say how he’d vote if it came up.

    One not equal to the other. In fact, the supplying of nuclear weapons to Taiwan would violate the Non-Proliferation Treaty and remove any tools we have now to fight proliferation. If we were to do such a thing, we would lose any ability to stop Pakistan and North Korea from spreading nuclear technology.

    Talking to someone is quite a bit different from supplying them with nuclear weapons. Or we would have been supplying the Chinese with nukes for years.

    Comment by ArchPundit Thursday, Nov 8, 07 @ 12:37 pm

  23. To understand the issues around China, one has to understand that the mainland has said that if Taiwan were to declare independence, it would invade. That isn’t an idle threat and it is one of the reasons Powell kept sending envoys behind the envoys Rumsfeld was sending to Taiwan. Rumsfeld apparently wanted to start that war with a declaration of independence by Taiwan, while the sane part of the world understood nothing good would come out of it.

    Specifically the Chinese Anti-Secession Law of 2005 is thought to include the development of WMDs by Taiwan as a reason to invade the way it is written.

    Comment by ArchPundit Thursday, Nov 8, 07 @ 12:47 pm

  24. Surprise-

    Schock is running for the GOP nomination.

    The lib/dems who are posting don’t know it, but the GOP faithfull are still cheering Chaing Kai-shek.

    When elected, Schock will make the cover of all the news magazines.

    If elected, Oberweis will have an immediate commanding presence not only in the Illinois delegation but the entire congress.

    The incumbents who only know how to steal from the government, will want to sidle up to Oberweis because with his advice they can make legitimate money.

    Comment by True Observer Thursday, Nov 8, 07 @ 12:51 pm

  25. Does anyone who attended the announcement recall Schock actually saying this? Perhaps he skipped or toned down the part about Taiwan and nukes at that event, but didn’t bother to take it out of his printed text.

    Comment by Secondhand Bookworm Thursday, Nov 8, 07 @ 12:55 pm

  26. ===the GOP faithfull are still cheering Chaing Kai-shek===

    Maybe I’m off the mark, but I doubt many people, including Republicans, could even tell you who that is.

    Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Nov 8, 07 @ 12:55 pm

  27. Nukes to Taiwan?

    That’s Schocking!

    Comment by Six Degrees of Separation Thursday, Nov 8, 07 @ 12:56 pm

  28. Silly rabbit, Schock beat you all again. He has you talking about his stuff and even another candidate following him. The news is all about him. Nice job.

    Comment by anonymous Thursday, Nov 8, 07 @ 12:57 pm

  29. ===The news is all about him. ===

    Not all news is good news.

    Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Nov 8, 07 @ 12:59 pm

  30. Carl-

    Laesch has called for Cheney and Bush’s impeachment and immediate withdrawal from Iraq, as well as a no-war pledge against Iran. Would play well on the Gold Coast, not in the 14th…I’m definitely not making a personal value judgment here. Stein is more moderate than Laesch, but (also definitely not a value judgment on my part) will need to overcome the already-started anonymous attacks on him as a person of the Jewish faith who also happens to be an attorney.

    Comment by Six Degrees of Separation Thursday, Nov 8, 07 @ 1:07 pm

  31. onsidered part of the Republic of China

    That’s PEOPLE’s Republic. Plain ol’ is ROC = Taiwan.

    Jiang Jieshi

    I have a copy of the paper congratulating him on the 100th anniversary of his birthday.

    Seriously.

    Shock and Awe for Taiwan

    The point is that congressmen only get to VOTE on such things, and they are 1/435 such votes. We all know many examples of Congressmen saying things just as silly.

    Presidents DO things.

    As for Taiwan’s nukes, TODAY China does have a credible threat against Taiwan. Both missiles and blockade and invasion.

    But their ability do to so is recent. As late as 1990 Taiwan could easily control the air over the straits, and break any blockade. China’s economic improvement has allowed them to make those threats real possibilities.

    Did Taiwan get what they need for a nuke or two during that time? Did they not see it coming and want an ace in the hole?

    Given that the CIA thought they could have one in 5 years or less in 1974, I am not so sure the ROC needs the guy from close to Pekin.

    Comment by Pat Collins Thursday, Nov 8, 07 @ 1:14 pm

  32. Pat, this is what he said…

    ===“If China continues to be irresponsible about nuclear proliferation in Iran, we should tell them that if they do not care about proliferation — and since they are enablers of it in Iran — that if they don’t change their position, we will sell Pershing nuclear missiles to Taiwan for their defense.”

    “Non-proliferation will either be enforced universally or not at all — it is their choice,” Schock continued. “The Chinese will come around, I have no doubt.”===

    If that isn’t off the wall bizarre I don’t know what is.

    Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Nov 8, 07 @ 1:17 pm

  33. 6 degrees,
    Thanks for the insight…sitting here in Kane, wondering what the hell is happening to my GOP? Burns can’t win, Obie still spending his milk money and no word from Denny as to he would like to replace him. That’s just odd. Kane is not Cook, with the Lipinskis, Jacksons, Madigans, Hynes, etc, and Denny is NOT “annointing anyone” but it already less than 90 days from the election and the Former Speaker is “speechless”. go figure

    Comment by kane county doc Thursday, Nov 8, 07 @ 1:25 pm

  34. KC doc-

    It’s possible Hastert has more value as a behind the scenes arm twister than a public endorser these days. Last year has not been too kind to him in the public eye. Just a thought.

    Comment by Six Degrees of Separation Thursday, Nov 8, 07 @ 1:38 pm

  35. Wow, we have a congressional candidate from Illinois advocating selling nukes to Taiwan and abdoning the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty so as to coerce action on Iran, a poster that thinks Oberweis will “have an immediate commanding presence” in Congress (if elected), and a discussion of Chaing Kai-shek? Things are getting too weird here today; I think I’m getting the Fear.

    Comment by Gene Parmesan Thursday, Nov 8, 07 @ 1:45 pm

  36. ===Things are getting too weird here today===

    And that’s exactly why I try to stay away from the national stuff. But this was just too big to pass up.

    Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Nov 8, 07 @ 1:48 pm

  37. what he said

    Actually, I think it’s a way to make a point to China about their behavior having consequences. I think I could explain that easily to a group of people in line at Target or Walmart somewhere.

    I suspect a lot of people will NOT find that off the wall. It can certainly be spun that way, and you never want to explain in politics.

    But I do not find it that odd. Nor, despite the agreement of Guiliani and Clinton, did I find Obama’s point odd either.

    Comment by Pat Collins Thursday, Nov 8, 07 @ 1:50 pm

  38. I should have read the article, though. I usually do.

    Comment by Pat Collins Thursday, Nov 8, 07 @ 1:53 pm

  39. ===Actually, I think it’s a way to make a point to China about their behavior having consequences. I think I could explain that easily to a group of people in line at Target or Walmart somewhere.===

    You mean while they’re buying Chinese-made goods?

    Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Nov 8, 07 @ 1:55 pm

  40. Not only is selling Nukes to Taiwan a terrible idea because it would start a war, but doesn’t he realize that China would undoubtedly retaliate against us?

    Not militarily, the Chinese could inflict a lot of damage on us, but we’d wipe them out if a nuke war started.

    No, economically. China could easily send us into a deep, deep economic recession. China could stop buying our debt. It could demand repayment on obligations. It could cut off exports. It could inflict all kinds of damage.

    The United States is so dependent on China, its not even funny. We are no longer a self sustaining country. We depend on China, on the Saudis, on the Venezuelans even.

    Comment by jerry 101 Thursday, Nov 8, 07 @ 2:20 pm

  41. Rich… ok so it was a gratuitous insult and ya dont want to go there.. but its still a vulnerability that the GOP doesnt want to deal with.

    Comment by The Horse Thursday, Nov 8, 07 @ 2:29 pm

  42. Please don’t do it again. Let’s try to maintain some standards here.

    Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Nov 8, 07 @ 2:36 pm

  43. Can anyone provide us with the specifics of what he said? A direct transcript or press release of the speech?

    Without this, its hard to know if its just one journalist misrepresenting what hsi original point and context were.

    Comment by downstateyp Thursday, Nov 8, 07 @ 2:47 pm

  44. Bernie has extensive quotes in the story. Go read it. I can’t see how those quotes could possibly be taken out of context.

    Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Nov 8, 07 @ 2:48 pm

  45. Maybe I’m reading too much into it… but could this be one reason LaHood hasn’t been too quick to endorse Schock, and actually donated money to his two GOP primary opponents first? The “official” explanation for the donation delay was that LaHood was waiting for Schock to officially announce his candidacy; but I wonder.

    Comment by Secondhand Bookworm Thursday, Nov 8, 07 @ 2:58 pm

  46. Appears Schock doesn’t get it. You have to advocate starting a nuclear war to avoid being labeled “soft” on foreign issues. Now that’s twisted. Looks like we might have our very own Alan Keyes right here in the 18th. Much more like this and Schock’s going to make Keyes look like a statesman!

    Comment by Rayfan Thursday, Nov 8, 07 @ 5:19 pm

  47. […] UPDATE: Capitol Fax has much more, including Shock’s opponents playing the inexperience card. Will this play in Peoria? […]

    Pingback by Critical Mass » Blog Archive » Aaron Shock: Give nukes to Taiwan Thursday, Nov 8, 07 @ 7:58 pm

  48. There is now a link to the Schoenberg column on the PJS website, but it’s not real conspicuous. It’s headlined “Schock’s foreign policy raises eyebrows.”

    Comment by Secondhand Bookworm Thursday, Nov 8, 07 @ 10:29 pm

  49. […] I’ve already linked to Rich Miller’s coverage. Archpundit is really letting Schock have it with both barrels. He’s calling him “Aaron Strangelove.” He was clearly picking up on what McConoughey said: “”This isn’t a Ronald Reagan idea. It’s a Dr. Strangelove idea.” […]

    Pingback by Peoria Pundit » Politics: McConoughey wins the day v. ‘Aaron Strangelove’ Friday, Nov 9, 07 @ 1:11 am

  50. It’s shocking that “The Kid” didn’t have enough good sense to claim his statement wasn’t a serious proposal but a hypothetical musing meant to stimulate a debate about Iran. By defending his original statement he has impaled himself as a nuclear nut case. He should go back to playing fantasy video games and spend some time growing up.

    Comment by Louis Howe Friday, Nov 9, 07 @ 5:39 am

  51. Schock needs an older and wiser handler - Carter???

    Comment by Shelbyville Friday, Nov 9, 07 @ 8:12 am

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