Rep. Aaron Schock (R-Ill) And Washington's Money Swamp

Republican Representative Aaron Schock

There’s nothing unusual about the ‘Downton Abbey’ congressman

It's too easy to mock former Rep. Aaron Schock (R-Ill.), who redecorated his office with a "Downton Abbey" theme and then resigned earlier this year after questions were raised about his handling of funds. Schock's ostentatious lifestyle and his magazine covers might make him seem unusual on the Hill. In fact, he was a model congressman, so respected by his colleagues that he was immediately made a deputy whip on arriving in Washington.

See, Schock was really good at getting between rich people and their money. Fundraising is one of a lawmaker's most important skills, far more important than governing, as the Campaign Legal Center's Trevor Potter and Meredith McGehee argue at Politico: He represents everything wrong with the way Congress raises money. The dismissals of Schock as simply a 'show horse, not a work horse,' to use the old phrase, misses the more interesting—and disturbing—story. The rise and fall of Schock embodies the reality of the current campaign finance system. Members are now valued by the Leadership and fellow Members because of their fundraising prowess, not their legislating abilities. ... The true scandal is that he was doing what all "successful" Members of Congress now do—ignoring Congressional grunt work and instead raising money. Schock is gone, but the money isn't gone from politics. The flawed system that created Schock remains, and it will guarantee others just like him long and powerful careers if only they find lawyers to help them keep the books.