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* From the DCCC…
New Mailer Delivers Aaron Schock’s Latest Ethical Lapses And Tax Dollar Abuses Right To Voters Door
Following a flurry of news stories exposing Congressman Schock’s shocking abuse of tax dollars, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee today launched a direct mail piece to show voters exactly what their hard earned tax dollars were going to fund. This mailer is being delivered to thousands of voters in Schock’s district.
According to reports, Schock spent more than $220,000 in tax payer funds to redecorate his swanky Washington DC office in a Downton Abbey theme, to fund his global gallivanting as well as a private plane and a photographer to chronicle his travels.
“Congressman Schock seems to be confused: he was elected to be a member of Congress, not the Earl of Grantham,” said Matt Thornton of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. “His lavish lifestyle and blatant abuse of tax dollars is just the latest head scratching failures from Republicans who control Congress.”
This is not Congressman Schock’s first ethical lapse. In 2013, Schock was involved in an ethics complaint surrounding campaign contributions that also ensnared fellow Republican Congressman Rodney Davis.
* Click the pic for a larger image of the mailer…
I just don’t understand what the Democrats think they are gaining by these attacks except causing a little trouble for a guy in a safe district.
…Adding… People, this is a DCCC mailer - the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. It has nothing to do with Kirk’s Senate race or whatever. If anything, the DCCC should be happy to see him move on to greener pastures.
Insights are usually appreciated, but put this into context, please.
posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Feb 20, 15 @ 12:12 pm
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Rich - Perhaps the goal is to keep him from aspiring to do something beyond that safe district. I don’t get the sense that Schock sees himself representing the 18th forever and has greater aspirations. Maybe this is the Dem’s attempt to reign in those aspirations a bit.
Comment by pundent Friday, Feb 20, 15 @ 12:17 pm
I’m with you, Rich. The only explanation I can think is that this is somehow part of a strategy involving Mark Kirk’s re-election and/or to make Schock less attractive to raise money for other Republicans.
Comment by Just Me Friday, Feb 20, 15 @ 12:17 pm
===keep him from aspiring to do something beyond that safe district===
The DCCC should want him running for something else.
Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Feb 20, 15 @ 12:18 pm
=== somehow part of a strategy involving Mark Kirk’s re-election===
I doubt the DCCC is in on something like that.
The fundraising thing, maybe, but I doubt it’ll work.
Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Feb 20, 15 @ 12:19 pm
The ad helps keep him out of the Senate race, if he has any plan to run for it next year.
Comment by Parnell Friday, Feb 20, 15 @ 12:23 pm
You think that the Democrats might want to take advantage of the Earl of Grantham`s ethical lapses to help defeat him at election time? You think the G.O.P. might do the same if given the opportunity?
Comment by BobH Friday, Feb 20, 15 @ 12:30 pm
Rauner is only person I know of who sends attack mailers against Schock.
Comment by William j Kelly Friday, Feb 20, 15 @ 12:30 pm
How accurate is this? The travel is and part of the photographer’s fees are paid by his campaign or third parties, not the taxpayers, right?
Comment by Just Observing Friday, Feb 20, 15 @ 12:35 pm
The photog is partially paid for by taxpayers.
Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Feb 20, 15 @ 12:37 pm
Rich - while I like Schock, actually think this is a good “guerilla” attack that might get inside his head, the heads of some less safe members, distract them, get them off their game. Plus, coming this early, I think the message gets through better than 14 months from now when there is advertising clutter.
Comment by Summerwind Friday, Feb 20, 15 @ 12:41 pm
What can I say-this is Illinois. Did this guy get his start in the Illinois Legislature?
Comment by Earl Shumaker Friday, Feb 20, 15 @ 12:41 pm
=== I think the message gets through better than 14 months from now when there is advertising clutter===
Meh. That district is by far the safest GOP district in Illinois.
Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Feb 20, 15 @ 12:43 pm
Rich has forgotten about Tom Railsback, who made the mistake of believing he had a safe district until his golfing trip with Paula Parkinson changed all of that. Voters in that district may lean heavily in his party’s favor, but they aren’t afraid to cross party lines.
Comment by Interested Observer Friday, Feb 20, 15 @ 12:48 pm
There are a lot of suburbs in 18. Maybe the DC Dems think the suburbs could be persuaded to vote Democratic in 2016.
They’d be wrong, but that might be the thought process.
Comment by GraduatedCollegeStudent Friday, Feb 20, 15 @ 12:51 pm
Could this be tied to his House leadership position? Though that would argue for flogging the story (more)in the national media, not an in-district mailer.
Comment by Toffee Friday, Feb 20, 15 @ 12:51 pm
This is the DCCC not the DSCC so maybe not about his statewide ambitions. It appears to be inside the Beltway Ball and the point may not be the Earl Peoria County but others who are not in such safe seats.
They could also be bored and tired of his shtick and having some fun.
Comment by Annon3 Friday, Feb 20, 15 @ 12:57 pm
The 2014 results might auger that the DCCC is just bad at its job.
Comment by Arsenal Friday, Feb 20, 15 @ 12:57 pm
I guess one could say the Earl is having a “annus horribilis”
Comment by Annon3 Friday, Feb 20, 15 @ 1:04 pm
Congressman Schock’s district is as safe a Republican district as they come. I would rank it on par with Congressman Shimkus’s district. Yes, it has Democratic-leaning pockets, but who would rise up to try and unseat Congressman Schock? Rep. Gordon-Booth is an impressive young legislator in her own right, but she is a relatively new mom and that district is huge and much different than a district that has a population split between urban and rural areas. Senator Koehler and Senator Sullivan are both committee chairmen, and Senator Sullivan enjoys a leadership post to boot. Mayor Ardis and Mayor Moore (Peoria and Quincy, respectively) are both Republicans and Mayor Moore was backed to the hilt by Congressman Schock. I just cannot see a serious upset bid in the making.
Comment by Team Sleep Friday, Feb 20, 15 @ 1:09 pm
I agree with others that the most logical reason is the DCCC would be to try to keep Rep Schock boxed into his safe-spot in the 18th District. And I hope it works. I like Congressman Schock and think he does a pretty good job as a Representative. But I also believe that’s exactly where he should stay. I don’t think he’d necessarily be a great Governor, Senator - or President.
He’s got a good job and appears to be living a fun life as well. Don’t walk away from that.
I know politicians innately have their eye on the next level up - but I’d prefer he continue doing the job he’s demonstrated he’s competent doing.
Comment by Anon Friday, Feb 20, 15 @ 1:12 pm
===most logical reason is the DCCC would be to try to keep Rep Schock boxed into his safe-spot===
Why would the DCCC want to keep an effective Republican politician in the House?
Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Feb 20, 15 @ 1:14 pm
The DCCC Wants that seat back this cycle, so identify threats in order of importance and attack them ASAP. Schock is a big threat if he puts in for the US Senate. Kirk can’t keep up with Schock’s energy for a primary. I wouldn’t be surprised if Durbin had some hand in this, helping Kirk just to get him through the primary to be hit with an energizer bunny Dem candidate like Kwame Raoul.
Comment by Toure's Latte Friday, Feb 20, 15 @ 1:16 pm
What a waste of money by the DCCC. This is a very safe district for the GOP. Why send this out?
Then I got to thinking, is this the first salvo in an effort to undermine Schock who has been the GOP Poster Boy since his first term? Are they going to use this as step one in an effort to undermine Schock to encourage another GOP’er to run against Aaron in the primary? Maybe keep Schock too busy in the primary to be running all over the country supporting other GOP candidates?
Comment by Nearly Normal Friday, Feb 20, 15 @ 1:17 pm
I would posit that the DCCC could be placating a donor or a few of them who have made this a condition of their continued largesse. As Rich points out, it makes no sense no matter when you do it.
They look slimy doing it. Independents hate this kind of crap. I think they’re actually helping the guy.
Comment by A guy Friday, Feb 20, 15 @ 1:28 pm
Maybe his arrogance rubbed someone in the DCCC the wrong way and they thought they would give him a headache. Really nothing more, but enough to throw him off his game for a week and cause some aggravation in his fabulous life.
Comment by hakuna matata Friday, Feb 20, 15 @ 1:29 pm
==Rep. Gordon-Booth is an impressive young legislator==
Rep. Gordon-Booth lives in IL-17 as does Sen. Koehler
Comment by lost in translation Friday, Feb 20, 15 @ 1:29 pm
When it gets really personal….look for a person.
It looks really personal.
Comment by A guy Friday, Feb 20, 15 @ 1:32 pm
I don’t get it either. But I’d bet it is mostly a major disconnect between immature DC bubble minds and local realities. In other words, wasting money.
Comment by Responsa Friday, Feb 20, 15 @ 1:38 pm
The Chair and the crown look very nice. He’s a young man . We see how fiscally responsible he when he thinks it’s free.
I would like to see a paid bill coming out of his pocket. Then he will learned a lesson.
Comment by Mokenavince Friday, Feb 20, 15 @ 1:39 pm
If there’s a rational thought behind it (And I haven’t given up on my “DCCC just doesn’t know what it’s doing” theory!), it might be a test balloon. The DCCC will have plenty of money, but no real path to a House Majority…so, whatever, waste some money on trying something out. If it works, they’ll do more, if it doesn’t, it’s not much of a loss.
Comment by Arsenal Friday, Feb 20, 15 @ 1:43 pm
All I can figure is they have money and they have staff. Justify their esistence, use them or lose them, and Schock is the flavor of the week.
Seriously, you raise all this money and create this permanent campaign infrastructure and less than ten percent of House seats are truly competitive.
You have to do something. It’s not like Congress is busy governing or anything.
Comment by Wordslinger Friday, Feb 20, 15 @ 1:46 pm
Example number 455 why not to take the DCCC seriously.
Waste of money!
Comment by Under Influenced Friday, Feb 20, 15 @ 1:49 pm
Schock-ing
Comment by NW Illinois Dem Friday, Feb 20, 15 @ 1:58 pm
This mailing seems like an earmark from a donor.
The DCCC is too busy screwing-up in IL-10, IL-12 & IL-13 to start thinking about how they are going to screw-up in IL-18.
Comment by Carl Nyberg Friday, Feb 20, 15 @ 2:00 pm
==That district is by far the safest GOP district in Illinois. ==
Minor quibble, but IL-15 has Cook PVI of R+14 and IL-18 is R+11.
The underlying point is still sound. Even tainted by a scandal, national Dem money would be reluctant to invest in IL-18.
Schocks’s enemies are those of his own house. Some 1%er who is allied with Schock’s true enemies sent the DCCC a check to do this mailing.
Comment by Carl Nyberg Friday, Feb 20, 15 @ 2:07 pm
Does anyone know if what he spent from taxpayer dollars is out of line with what other members of Congress spend?
This is ar eal question. Hard to comment if we do not know that basic fact.
Comment by Federalist Friday, Feb 20, 15 @ 2:08 pm
Speaking as a former employee of the DCCC, very little of what the organization does has anything to do with winning elections. An off-season mailer attacking a safe seat is a great example. They’re good at collecting data and money, but not much else.
Comment by North Friday, Feb 20, 15 @ 3:30 pm
I think I’d agree with the trouble making aspect of it. Spending money on an off season mailer in such a safe district seems odd. I suppose they just wanted to throw coals on the fire. From that point of view, it worked.
Comment by QCLib Friday, Feb 20, 15 @ 4:18 pm