In today’s column, Springfield Journal-Register columnist Bernie Schoenburg notes that in a recent speech, Aaron Schock advocated giving nuclear weapons to Taiwan. The reason is twofold: It would help the tiny island nation resist aggression from communist mainland China, which considers Taiwan to be part of China; and it would put pressure on China to end it’s effort to help Iran create their own nuclear weapons.
My two cents: Wow.
First, I’m glad to see Schock taking the threat of China seriously. It’s certainly at odds with the go-along, get-along attitude most of the GOP has toward them. Hey, why rock the boat when all our buddies in Big Business (like Caterpillar) are making a buck thanks to all the cheap labor, right?
But still — giving nukes away to anyone is a bad idea. How soon before the Chinese pull a pre-emptive strike? And I’m fairly certain that Israel will take out Iran’s nukes (to what I am certain will be the official condemnation and unofficial relief of ALL of Iran’s neighbors).
For a real chuckle, you HAVE to read campaign manager campaign manager Steve Shearer compare Schock to Ronald Reagan. Funny, I don’t recall Reagan bringing down communism by HANDING OUT NUCLEAR WEAPONS. And I am reminded once again of the concerns privately expressed by so many Republicans: Schock is too young and inexperienced to be making decisions about the security of the nation.
The column is full of all sorts of stuff that’s embarrassing to Schock, including how his staff snubbed Sangamon County GOP Chairman Tony Libri, not once, but twice.
The Peoria Journal Star, like the State Journal-Register, is owned by GateHouse Media. The JS occasionally runs Schoenburg’s column. Let’s see if it does so tomorrow, now that there’s something potentially embarrassing toward Schock, who they generally protected from criticism in the past.
Schock, for those of you new to this blog and the Peoria area, is running for the 18th District seat in Congress now held by Ray LaHood, who is retiring. He faces Jim McConoughey and John Morris in the Republican primary. Former Bradley Basketball coach Dick Versace is unopposed in the Democratic primary.
UPDATE: Ouch, Rich Miller of Capitol Fax, notes that the Journal Star article of the announcement led with this:
Government needs a clean break from corruption and bitter partisanship and needs to be refreshed with new leaders championing fundamental conservative principles in Congress, said state Rep. Aaron Schock.
Schock, R-Peoria, outlined his positions on the Iraq war, foreign relations, immigration, education, the economy and energy Saturday during his official announcement that he’s seeking the Republican nomination for the 18th Congressional District seat. He also outlined a few bills he would propose on those issues.
The article doesn’t even mention the nuclear angle. Miller describes this coverage as “nauseating.” My advice to Miller is that Peorians long ago learned to read the PJS with a bottle of Pepto on hand.
UPDATE 2: McConoughey will hold press conferences in Peoria and Springfield “regarding news released in this morning’s edition of the State Journal-Register.” I’ll attend the Peoria conference, and try to get it posted, as there’s free wifi nearby.
Tags: Aaron Schock, China, nuclear proliferation, Taiwan
Billy Dennis is a former reporter and editor at small daily and weekly newspapers in Illinois and Missouri. He comments on media, news and politics. He also owns and operates 
The threat from China is their ownership of the Clintons.
You might have a point there, Vonster.
very scary. that’s all i can say. voters need to know about stuff like this. hopefully morris and mcconoughey let them know even if the papers won’t.
Off topic, but I love the new design. Maybe you should stick with it awhile.
McConoughey is doing a presser on this Schock thing today at one in Peoria and at three in Spfld.
Oops. I just saw that you updated. Should’ve refreshed first.
Where did Rich mention that? Point it out, Bill
He did. It’s clearly linked.
Can anyone who attended Schock’s announcement in person tell us whether or not he actually said that stuff about Taiwan? Could he have left it out or toned it down at the last minute then forgot or not bothered to remove it from his printed text?
If that is indeed what happened, it might explain the lack of local coverage of those remarks — but it would still show awfully bad judgement on Schock’s part, to say the least.
Also, did anyone at the PJS bother to ask for a printed copy of his remarks?
[...] Jim McConoughey must have said “naive” and ‘inexperienced” a dozen times during his brief news conference today. Which is pretty must his biggest weapon against Aaron Schock, who was courteous enough to give McConoughey and other opponents John Morris an opening by suggesting that the United States arm Taiwan with nuclear weapons and arm freedom fighters in Iran. [...]
[...] Stopping short of a complete withdrawal, Congressional candidate Colleen Callahan wants a time line for an orderly withdrawal from Iraq. Basically, she wants Iraqis made responsible for Iraq. Unlike opponent Aaron Schock, who opposes a time line, Callahan has actually been to Iraq. Maybe Schock gets his advice on Iraq from the same people he gets advice on nuclear disarmament. [...]
[...] Also, LaHood was among those who expressed opposition to Schock’s position (originally defended, and then excused away as some sort of joke) that the United States ought to give nuclear weapons to Taiwan if Communist China didn’t stop arming Ir…. [...]
[...] Big Media isn’t really concerned about whatever mistakes appear on blogs. It’s concerned that there’s someone to call them on THEIR mistakes and other assorted silliness. Like, maybe, NOT reporting that a candidate for congress wants to violate the nuclear anti-proliferation agreemen…. [...]
[...] Big Media isn’t really concerned about whatever mistakes appear on blogs. It’s concerned that there’s someone to call them on THEIR mistakes and other assorted silliness. Like, maybe, NOT reporting that a candidate for congress wants to violate the nuclear anti-proliferation agreemen…. [...]