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* Peoria Journal-Star columnist Phil Luciano’s piece today is about a somewhat suspect change of heart by congressional candidate Aaron Schock…
The latest pol to stagger me is Aaron Schock. The Peoria wunderkid is skyrocketing to notoriety, but his recent loop-dee-loops make me dizzy.
First came Schock’s innovative approach to world peace: sell nuclear missiles to Taiwan, which somehow would not prompt China to go ballistic but instead embrace American policies. Hmm. That’s like trying to win over the neighborhood bully by calling him a yellow-bellied wussy. Good luck.
Then came news of Schock’s refusal to show up at debates if opponents videotape him. He says he’s worried they might use footage to kick him in TV ads. Um, yeah, duh - that’s politics. Worse, by dodging cameras, he comes off like a whiny Britney Spears scurrying from paparazzi - hardly the image of a get-tough Republican.
But his oddest move is his yes-I-do/no-I-don’t support for Rudy Giuliani, as revealed in the Word on the Street column Monday.
Schock endorsed Giuliani last spring and planned to run as a delegate. He was even on Giuliani’s “leadership team,” which meant he was supposed to have some influence over events in Peoria and the Rock Island area.
But when Schock decided to run for congress he didn’t just drop out of the Giuliani leadership team, he also withdrew his endorsement. Schock’s campaign manager explains…
“When you’re in a primary of your own, you’re not going to endorse other candidates.”
Not really. Lower-tier candidates often love to hitch their stars to presidential contenders.
LaHood announced he wouldn’t run again in July. Schock had been preparing to run for that seat for longer than he will likely admit. He was up and running almost immediately, and on August 24th, he was announced as the regional chair for Peoria and Rock Island.
Schock’s decision to abandon Giuliani was news to House GOP Leader Tom Cross, who supports Schock in the race and is heading Giuliani’s campaign effort in Illinois.
“We thought he was on board,” said Cross spokesman David Dring.
Oops.
Luciano’s closing argument…
It seems like more political tap-dancing. Plus, it begs the question: Can an effective leader change his mind so much?
Discuss.
posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Dec 19, 07 @ 9:52 am
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Yes Aaron appears to be a rising star, but the kid is a flip flopper. He should not be trusted.
Comment by Palatine Wednesday, Dec 19, 07 @ 9:59 am
I have been overcome with Schock and awe (tm Gobearsss). Who wants a leader that during a political campaign is afraid to change his mind and stand on every side of an issue. This way we know that whatever position we are looking for, he will support it at some point. I know I prefer a leader who has no idea moment to moment what they think or plan to do. Plus its nice to have somone who is not bound by any sense of loyalty and is not afraid to bounce along on popular opinion and turn on freinds. Nothing screams out the ability to make deals in the legislature like a good old backstabbing. I have finally found a scenerio where I would vote for blago, if he was running against Schock.
Comment by Ghost Wednesday, Dec 19, 07 @ 9:59 am
If the Dems don’t field a candidate in the 18th, they are missing a great opportunity.
Comment by Pot calling kettle Wednesday, Dec 19, 07 @ 10:05 am
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. I DON’T TRUST THIS KID AND WOULD NEVER VOTE FOR HIM FOR ANYTHING.
Comment by Little Egypt Wednesday, Dec 19, 07 @ 10:27 am
Have you noticed?
Good or bad, people only talk about winners.
Comment by True Observer Wednesday, Dec 19, 07 @ 10:37 am
===people only talk about winners.===
Actually, people seem to talk most about frontrunners, which Schock certainly is, or surgers.
Or, they talk a lot about candidates who massively flame out, which might possibly eventually happen here.
Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Dec 19, 07 @ 10:40 am
This inexperience, it’s why he probably should have waited
Comment by ahoy! Wednesday, Dec 19, 07 @ 10:49 am
Time Line-
Sullivan decides not to run. Over for the Democrats.
Tazewell County Republican Chairman (happens to be a woman) endorses Schock. Over for the Republicans.
Schock has a safer seat than even those in Chicago because the machine can always turn on you.
Even Daley has to worry about the ward committeemen endorsing him.
By virtue of circumstance, Schock is a rare commodity in politics. He is a free agent. He does not owe. Not to LaHood, not to anyone except that county chairman.
Comment by True Observer Wednesday, Dec 19, 07 @ 10:56 am
TO…are you serious? Doesn’t owe anyone? Check the financial reports.
Sullivan deciding not to run was not the end for the Dems. Versace entering the race and scaring off other legitimate candidates was.
Comment by the wonderboy Wednesday, Dec 19, 07 @ 1:02 pm
You can’t buy tickets at the race track after the race.
Only in politics can you buy tickets after the race.
In fact, it’s surprising how much money is bet on horses that don’t even have a primary or general opponent.
These kinds of bets don’t pay off as much.
Comment by True Observer Wednesday, Dec 19, 07 @ 2:02 pm
“Can an effective leader change his mind so much?”
Shouldn’t that be: “Can a leader be effective when he changes his mind so much?”
If he’s an “effective leader,” then it’s up to him to determine if he can/should change his mind frequently.
Comment by Another Pro-gunner Wednesday, Dec 19, 07 @ 2:24 pm
Illinois has a long history of sending weirdos to congress, Schock will follow in that great tradition.
Comment by Kid Vegas Wednesday, Dec 19, 07 @ 2:25 pm
Excellent, TO. You have been successful in applying an analogy of no sense or value to the discussion. Well done.
Comment by the wonderboy Wednesday, Dec 19, 07 @ 2:27 pm
Sometimes, comprehension is difficult.
Comment by True Observer Wednesday, Dec 19, 07 @ 2:48 pm
Easy to explain. Cross asked, Schock had no GOP primary at the time and said yes.
Now, Schock’s running in a GOP primary in a district where GOP voters are very conservative. And Schock has endorsed the most liberal, gay rights-supporting, gun-control-backing, abortion-rights protecting Presidential candidate in the Republican field. Oops.
A better follow-up question is to ask Schock why he endorsed Guiliani in the first place. Love to hear him wiggle out of that one.
Comment by Yellow Dog Democrat Wednesday, Dec 19, 07 @ 3:12 pm
No, it isn’t an issue of comprehension. It’s simply a case of your rebuttal does not provide evidence to your argument that he is a “free agent”. The guy received big money before he held office, so how is that buying tickets to the track AFTER the race? Check his numbers when he ran against Sloan. I repeat, your analogy does not seem to apply in this case at all.
Comment by the wonderboy Wednesday, Dec 19, 07 @ 3:19 pm
Rules of the Game-
Whatever they paid for, they got from their player in the minor league.
This is a new ball game in the majors.
Comment by True Observer Wednesday, Dec 19, 07 @ 3:38 pm
Everyone is so negative. I don’t know much about Schock, other than what I’ve read here and on blogs.
A young guy who appears pretty slick. Isn’t that standard for Illinois Republicans.
There is a silver lining here, everyone. Ray LaHood is gone. Slowly but surely, the world improves.
Comment by Bruno Wednesday, Dec 19, 07 @ 3:48 pm
TO, mixed metaphors and multiple sports in the same thread! I am sure that his donors feel the same way regarding past support which allowed him to be a candidate.
By the way, you seem to imply that he was bought and paid for in the state house, so are you saying he will be again? Just the type of individual we want representing us in DC. Of course, it would seem to be SOP for a Shearer candidate.
Comment by the wonderboy Wednesday, Dec 19, 07 @ 4:34 pm
yea.. the dems are missing a good bet. Steve Waterworth took 30% of the vote just by being on teh ballot against Ray w no $ and no organization. I guess vaible Peoria Dems are as rare as statewide viable GOP’ers
the wunderkinder is just a punk
Comment by The Horse Wednesday, Dec 19, 07 @ 5:34 pm
A single Republican state rep can’t give anyone anything.
People, organizations, pacs and corporations contribute to have access.
The value of the contributions turns on when they were given and how much they were needed.
A $1,000 at one point may mean everything and at another nothing.
The point is that Schock didn’t need anything from anyone after Sullivan and Darin LaHood dropped out.
Actually, LaHood dropped out after the Tazewell Chairman endorsed Schock.
That’s why he owes her and no one else.
Comment by True Observer Wednesday, Dec 19, 07 @ 6:19 pm
If only history was as shortsighted as that analysis.
Comment by the wonderboy Wednesday, Dec 19, 07 @ 6:33 pm
Schock is tring to hide his connection to Rudy because Rudy is pro-choice, pro-gun control and pro-gay rights. (Just like Judy Barr Topinka, who Schock supported for governor in ‘06.) Schock is claiming to be a conservative and doesn’t want everyone to know he is tied in with Rudy.
Comment by Harry Hopkins Wednesday, Dec 19, 07 @ 7:29 pm
It’s very easy to hide your connection to a Presidential candidate by running for delegate pledged to him.
Easier explanation-
Schock signed up when Guiliani looked like a sure thing.
Now that Giualiani is virtually done, Schock comes up with a convenient excuse to bail.
As he figured, everyone is looking around somewhere else for the ball.
Comment by True Observer Wednesday, Dec 19, 07 @ 9:05 pm
===A better follow-up question is to ask Schock why he endorsed Guiliani in the first place. Love to hear him wiggle out of that one.
That’s easy. A noun, a verb, and 9-11.
Comment by ArchPundit Wednesday, Dec 19, 07 @ 10:28 pm
Aaron Schock is the worst possible candidate and will do irreparable harm to the Republican party, if by some chance, he’s able to hoodwink the voters of the 18th district.
This kid will lie and say anything to get elected. He is a scandal waiting to happen.
Comment by sarah smith Wednesday, Dec 19, 07 @ 11:30 pm