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Column: Rep. Aaron Schock making waves in national debate
Chris Kromphardt / Columnist
Issue date: 2/23/09 Section: Opinions
President Barack Obama recently visited Peoria on a trip to promote his stimulus plan to a group of workers at the Caterpillar plant. He singled out Caterpillar — which had recently laid off 20,000 workers — as an example of a company that would stand to benefit from the stimulus package.
Accompanying Obama on the trip, making his first trip on Air Force One, was Rep. Aaron Schock, R-Ill., the newly elected 27-year-old Congressman who represents Peoria, as well as Springfield and Jacksonville. During his speech, Obama called on the workers to let Schock know what they thought about the $787 billion bill.
Later, Schock was quick to report to the American people what Caterpillar had said. From the floor of the Capitol, Schock testified that not a single employee said they supported the plan. Indeed, he had received 1,400 letters from constituents saying they opposed Obama's proposal.
Enjoying the spotlight from his inclusion on Obama's Midwest trip, Schock also appeared on MSNBC, proclaiming the people of central Illinois had spoken and as such it was his duty to vote "no" on the bill. The stimulus bill went on to pass the House 246-183. Not a single Republican voted for the bill, and only seven Democrats voted against it.
Clearly this was a partisan issue. The Democrats were in the driver's seat from the beginning and the Republicans were holding on by their collective fingertips, trying to have any influence at all.
However, the trip did prove somewhat beneficial for Schock. By highlighting the Caterpillar plant in his district, he was put in the position to have a distinct voice in one of the biggest debates in recent history. Ever the shrewd young opportunist, Schock recognized the chance to make a name as something other than the House baby; now he was a man of the people, the dude from Caterpillar Country who said no to stimulus.
Such a maneuver is par for the course for Schock, who has held public office since the age of 19. He has been swiftly moving up the ranks in Illinois, moving from the Peoria School Board to the General Assembly, to the House of Representatives. Of his political acumen, Schock said, "I'm a big believer that when political opportunity presents itself, you've got to seize it."
But Schock doesn't hesitate to make opportunities for himself. He ran his first election as a write-in candidate and enlisted the help of then-President George W. Bush to help his Congressional campaign seal the deal in 2008. This Caterpillar instance seems to be just another indication that Schock is looking to keep moving up the food chain.
Now, Schock is every Republican's dream. He's fresh, new and not afraid to bring the fight to the Democratic establishment.
However, there are inconsistencies in Schock's rhetoric stemming from his attempts to supposedly reconcile "Republican" with "change."
There are cracks in the Schock machine, ones big enough through which Caterpillar heavy machinery can drive.
Chris Kromphardt is a senior political science major. He can be reached at 581-7942 or at DENopinions@gmail.com.
Accompanying Obama on the trip, making his first trip on Air Force One, was Rep. Aaron Schock, R-Ill., the newly elected 27-year-old Congressman who represents Peoria, as well as Springfield and Jacksonville. During his speech, Obama called on the workers to let Schock know what they thought about the $787 billion bill.
Later, Schock was quick to report to the American people what Caterpillar had said. From the floor of the Capitol, Schock testified that not a single employee said they supported the plan. Indeed, he had received 1,400 letters from constituents saying they opposed Obama's proposal.
Enjoying the spotlight from his inclusion on Obama's Midwest trip, Schock also appeared on MSNBC, proclaiming the people of central Illinois had spoken and as such it was his duty to vote "no" on the bill. The stimulus bill went on to pass the House 246-183. Not a single Republican voted for the bill, and only seven Democrats voted against it.
Clearly this was a partisan issue. The Democrats were in the driver's seat from the beginning and the Republicans were holding on by their collective fingertips, trying to have any influence at all.
However, the trip did prove somewhat beneficial for Schock. By highlighting the Caterpillar plant in his district, he was put in the position to have a distinct voice in one of the biggest debates in recent history. Ever the shrewd young opportunist, Schock recognized the chance to make a name as something other than the House baby; now he was a man of the people, the dude from Caterpillar Country who said no to stimulus.
Such a maneuver is par for the course for Schock, who has held public office since the age of 19. He has been swiftly moving up the ranks in Illinois, moving from the Peoria School Board to the General Assembly, to the House of Representatives. Of his political acumen, Schock said, "I'm a big believer that when political opportunity presents itself, you've got to seize it."
But Schock doesn't hesitate to make opportunities for himself. He ran his first election as a write-in candidate and enlisted the help of then-President George W. Bush to help his Congressional campaign seal the deal in 2008. This Caterpillar instance seems to be just another indication that Schock is looking to keep moving up the food chain.
Now, Schock is every Republican's dream. He's fresh, new and not afraid to bring the fight to the Democratic establishment.
However, there are inconsistencies in Schock's rhetoric stemming from his attempts to supposedly reconcile "Republican" with "change."
There are cracks in the Schock machine, ones big enough through which Caterpillar heavy machinery can drive.
Chris Kromphardt is a senior political science major. He can be reached at 581-7942 or at DENopinions@gmail.com.
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Viewing Comments 1 - 4 of 5
Antonio
Antonio
posted 2/24/09 @ 12:24 AM CST
In a nutshell, this is what this article tells me: 1) Congressman Aaron Schock has been an active public servant since age 19, 2) He is quickly rising the political latter, and 3) When it came to this stimulus package, he reacted based on what the people of his district wanted (a prime example of a good public servant if you ask me). (Continued…)
What?
posted 2/24/09 @ 8:01 AM CST
I don't get it. Are you saying that Schock actually did get letters from his district in support of the spending bill? Or, did he trick Obama into asking people to send letters when he knew that they would not support it?
Chris
posted 2/24/09 @ 1:11 PM CST
Just for clarification, not to start an argument:
A link to a column I wrote last summer when Bush did the fundraiser that looked at inconsistencies with Schock trying to present himself as a "Change" candidate while enlisting the help of the major cause of such calls for change was left out. (Continued…)
Meh
posted 2/24/09 @ 3:41 PM CST
Aaron Schock is also a closeted, self-loathing homosexual who owes it to himself to come out of the closet.
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