By Steve Rhodes
“The tension in the air between Dan Rutherford and Aaron Schock might be subtle this week in Tampa, but it’s present,” the Daily Herald reports.
“The two Republicans who reportedly are mulling Illinois gubernatorial bids in 2014 also have important – and strikingly different – roles in Mitt Romney’s campaign for president.”
Well, it’s not clear yet whether any role will be something to brag about or run away from, but let’s play along.
“Rutherford, the state treasurer from Chenoa, has spent months traveling around the state as Romney’s Illinois campaign chair, telling voters that with his help, the former Massachusetts governor is going to fight for ‘every inch’ of territory, winning independent and moderate votes in President Barack Obama’s backyard.
“Schock, a two-term Congressman from Peoria, is taking advantage of the national spotlight. His youth and close friendship with vice presidential pick Paul Ryan of Wisconsin have vaulted him onto a larger stage, aided further by the Romney campaign’s fall plans to utilize him on college campuses and as a surrogate in tough swing states.”
So Rutherford has exploited his role as Romney’s state chair to further his own campaign for governor, just as he’s used the Treasurer’s office as an extension of his campaign.
Meanwhile, Schock is using his role to build a larger national footprint, which could come in handy with out-of-state donors for a gubernatorial run, or more likely raise his profile in Congress and maybe even fetch a role in a Romney-Ryan administration.
Personally, I don’t think Schock is running for governor and I think Rutherford would be a disastrous nominee. So let’s call it a draw.
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Posted on August 29, 2012
