Politics: Don’t like Bush? Then you are no patriot
George Bush, who may very well go down in history as one of the worst presidents we’ve ever had, will be in town July 25 to campaign for Aaron Schock. And for $500 you can dine in their glorious presence.
Some people might suspect that it’s wise for Schock to want to avoid a Bush endorsement. Not so.
“Any patriotic American would be honored to have the President of the United States come to help them and I am very honored,†said Schock.
I guess anyone who doesn’t think highly of Bush — and this includes a LOT of Republicans, conservatives and otherwise — isn’t really a patriot.
Maybe Schock will get convert Bush to HIS way of thinking and we’ll soon be handing out nuclear weapons to Taiwan.
July 10th, 2008 at 4:33 pm
He didn’t say “Bush” — he said “the President of the United States.” Big difference.
July 10th, 2008 at 4:43 pm
The MAN who is going to be in town campaigning for him isn’t Teddy Roosevelt, Gerald Ford or Dwight Eisenhower.
July 10th, 2008 at 5:07 pm
I can see why the Republicans would want to pump up Aaron Schock as a new rising all star, but isn’t his re-election in this district a shoe-in? So… they’re it might hurt some other candidates chances if Bush is campaigning for them, but not Schock, and not here?
July 10th, 2008 at 6:04 pm
It’s about respect for the office of the president, whether you like him or not. I personally can’t stand Jimmy Carter or Bill Clinton, but it might be fun to meet them, since, of course, they’re among the very few men to occupy the Oval Office. Besides, we’re Americans first, and Dems, Repubs and Indy’s second.
July 10th, 2008 at 6:11 pm
This isn’t about MEETING President Bush. I’d like to someday meet a president. This is about one politician endorsing and campaigning for another. What is an endorsement supposed to be other than a statement “If you trust MY judgment, vote for this candidate.” Therefore, that politician’s judgment can be trusted is up for debate.
July 10th, 2008 at 6:34 pm
Ray LaHood was on WEEK-TV at 5 pm and said he called the White House to help get the President to come for Schock. When President George W. Bush’s first Attorney General John Ashcroft came to campaign for Darin LaHood that was excellent by you. Undoubtedly, Darin LaHood will join his father, Schock and President Bush at this upcoming event. If President Bush also says something nice about Darin LaHood will that change your support of Darin?
July 10th, 2008 at 6:57 pm
Ray LaHood and Darin LaHood are moderate and generally independent Republicans. As far as I know, they’ve never equated support of Bush with patriotism. The senior LaHood, as a matter of fact, never drank W’s Kool Aid, and has given him advice Bush didn’t want to get.
July 10th, 2008 at 7:22 pm
IL-18: Aaron Schock Not Afraid to Bear Hug Radioactive Toxic Sludge
July 10th, 2008 at 7:48 pm
Respect for the Office of the President, yes? But paying $$$$ to get a photo taken with Mr. Impeachable doesn’t seem to respect the office at all. If Republicans really respected the office, they would call for Georgie Jr.’s impeachment. We live in frightening times.
July 10th, 2008 at 8:49 pm
The fact that Bush is coming here might indicate the GOP thinks Schock is vulnerable. I don’t think he’s a shoo-in.
On the other hand, Callahan might be able to exploit the Bush connection somehow. I’ll bet it at least crossed the minds of Schock’s handlers that being seen with Bush might be a gamble.
July 10th, 2008 at 9:09 pm
Somehow I think Schock was *told* Bush was coming here, not asked.
July 10th, 2008 at 9:11 pm
PeoriaIllinoisan: Which would be ANOTHER difference between Ray LaHood and the young man who is seeking to take his place.
July 10th, 2008 at 9:56 pm
I almost want to go so I can get the inside scoop, but that would mean donating $500 to Aaron Schock’s campaign. Bleeuurrgh.
July 10th, 2008 at 10:10 pm
Simple. JUst pay the $500 to Schock. THEN give $1,000 to Colleen.
July 10th, 2008 at 10:47 pm
I’ve thought of this as well, but alas, doing so would force me to choose between bills and political mischief. That’s a really tough decision for me, but something tells me Mrs. Postsimian would make me pay for it in testicles.
Anyone want to make pledges to send me into the lions den?
July 11th, 2008 at 9:41 am
How can you give $5000 for a picture when the max you can donate is $2300. The money must be going to something else, maybe Schock’s new PAC.
July 11th, 2008 at 9:57 am
PI- I don’t think Schock is a shoo-in AT ALL! I marched with Colleen Callahan in the West Peoria 4th of July Parade, and she was getting loads of crowd support. She’s got a great staff, and she’s getting out there talking to people, one on one. I’ve met with her one on one – and have also met with Schock one on one – and my vote is solidly for Callahan. She’s smart and straightforward, whereas Schock was slick and distant.
It’s one thing to elect Schock locally, and to the state legislature – we all knew he couldn’t do too much damage (though I didn’t vote for him). But he’s going to be way out of his league in DC. Look at the kind of ideas he’s already pitched should he become our Representative in DC – they either echo the current Bush disasters or they’re worse – sending nuclear weapons to Taiwan?! Oh brilliant! Let’s just give every little country with proximity to our enemies the power to contaminate the entire planet and kill off humanity.