Politics: Callahan blasts Schock’s ’socialist’ comments
(press release)
Is Aaron Schock really fit for Congress?
Aaron Schock, Republican Congressional candidate for the 18th District, once again demonstrates he is not ready for Congress. Schock was quoted in Sunday’s Springfield State Journal-Register as saying he is wary of the “level of socialism” that Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama is pushing.
“The last time we had this level of socialism being proposed and inexperience at the helm was Jimmy Carter,” the 27-year-old told SJ-R columnist Bernard Schoenburg.
Inexperience is something Aaron Schock knows all about. Aaron Schock wasn’t even born when Carter — anything but a socialist — left office.
The reporter also took Schock to task for wrongly attributing the quote “Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country,” to Sen. Ted Kennedy rather than President John F. Kennedy.
Aaron Schock is in over his head.
Aaron Schock is not the congressman the people of the 18th District want representing them in Washington during these critical times. Do we really want Aaron Schock helping to decide how to deal with the possible nuclear proliferation in Iran? Do we want Aaron Schock confronting the grave and ongoing Russian invasion of Georgia? Can Schock be trusted when it comes to the War on Terror? Is he capable of making decisions concerning our troops in Iraq and Afghanistan?
Too many questions — not enough experience.
Aaron Schock has advocated selling nuclear missiles to Taiwan to use against China. Aaron Schock has repeatedly demonstrated that he does not have the judgment, maturity and leadership skills we need in Washington.
Colleen Callahan brings the maturity, life experience and leadership skills we need to represent the men, women and children of the 18th District. Colleen will provide thoughtful leadership during the critical times that lay ahead for our nation and our district.
August 18th, 2008 at 3:50 pm
got a link for this, Bill?
August 18th, 2008 at 4:04 pm
Yes. Here.
August 18th, 2008 at 4:15 pm
Can’t say I didn’t expect this out of her….based upon his stupid comments. However, the only reasons she gives for being experienced for the position is:
1) “the maturity” – I’m older than he is;
2) “life experience” – I’ve lived longer than he has;
3) “and leadership skills” – I know when to keep my mouth shut when I don’t know what I’m saying.
What is sad – is she isn’t putting forth a strong reason to vote for her other than I’m not “Schock”. In actuality, she has even LESS experience (FAR less – NONE actually) — as an elected official at any level; let alone any that would qualify her to be a US Representative. Despite some of his missteps and misspeaks – I think he gets the nod….albeit a little reluctantly.
August 18th, 2008 at 4:29 pm
Sweet, thanks.
Peo Proud — I’d say the fact that she’s not a career politician ought be a benefit. Sure would be nice if we had less of those in Washington DC.
August 18th, 2008 at 4:30 pm
Wait a minute, this isn’t a link to the press release.
August 18th, 2008 at 5:13 pm
I received the press release via email and reprinted the entire thing.
August 18th, 2008 at 9:34 pm
postsimian — don’t disagree with your point entirely. However, I don’t think the US Rep position should be a “learning position” necessarily. Hard to fault one candidate for lack of experience while touting the other due to the same attribute. The choices are perhaps underwhelming but at least I know his opinions on certain items – all I know about her is that …. wait I know almost nothing about her.
August 18th, 2008 at 10:37 pm
I can’t believe she actually defends Carter. Does she remember the 1980 election? I don’t because, like Schock, I wasn’t born yet but I know it didn’t go too well for Carter…
And, not that I think Schock is any better, what in the world is she doing by bringing up the GWOT, Iran, Iraq-Afghanistan, and the situation in Georgia? There is nothing in her professional or educational background let alone her platform that makes her the least bit qualified to make those kinds of decisions either.
If you are going to send out a piece outlining your opponent’s lack of experience you might want to do so based on a set of issues you can contrast them on, not a set of issues that make you look just as inexperienced.
August 18th, 2008 at 10:49 pm
you know everything she thinks about the candidacy of Aaron Schock…
August 19th, 2008 at 10:01 am
Peo – heh, that’s exactly why I’m not voting for Schock, because I do know his position on the issues. Maybe Callahan can top it, I don’t know. Boy Wonder sets the crazy-bar pretty high.
August 19th, 2008 at 10:20 am
[...] weekend calling Barack Obama a socialist. Then Colleen Callahan, Shock’s opponent, started attacking Shock, saying the statement proves he “isn’t ready for Congress.” I don’t know [...]
August 19th, 2008 at 10:41 am
I wish there were better candidates running.
August 19th, 2008 at 3:32 pm
Green Party candidate Sheldon Schafer does have experience that counts in foreign affairs. He is a veteran Peace Corps volunteer who continues to maintain oversees contacts even while doing public service in the home country. He has been a professional administrator for over 30 years, and done conuntless hours of service and leadership in the community. If you look beyond the false dichotomy of Democrat-vs-Republican, you can find a candidate of sterling reputation and vast experience.
August 19th, 2008 at 5:48 pm
Doesn’t matter folks.
Shock wins this election 60/40.
August 19th, 2008 at 7:54 pm
Ms. Callahan owns a business and is deeply involved in the family business, farming. Her family has been quite active in politics. Other than Chicago, a lot of the success of downstate, and certainly in the 18th district, is dependent on agriculture. Business, agriculture, political family…Ms. Callahan offers quite a bit. As much as I hate to quote Wikipedia, I will:
“This gave her the opportunity to travel the world, including a trip to Afghanistan and Iraq, paid for at her own expense, at the invitation of the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture.
She has served on the executive boards of many local organizations, including the Peoria YWCA, the Nature Conservancy, Great Rivers Regional Board, Youth for a Cause, Peoria Children’s Home, University of Illinois Alumni Association, and Morton Community Bank. She has also served as a member of the St. Francis Medical Center Women’s Health Services Public Relations Committee, and is a member of the National Association of Women Business Owners. She was the first female President of the National Association of Farm Broadcasters (NAFB), and was chairman of the NAFB Ethics Committee.
Her family has been active in politics for a long time. Her father, Fran Callahan, was Iroquois County Democratic Chair. Her grandfather, Joe Callahan, was an Illinois State Representative. Her uncle, Gene Callahan, was the Administrative Assistant and Press Secretary for Lieutenant Governor Paul Simon and Chief of Staff for Senator Alan Dixon.”