It’s already getting super ugly
Friday, Jul 1, 2016 - Posted by Rich Miller
* A couple of readers have told me about a new robocall. One recorded it. It’s not pretty…
* Script…
Hi, my name is Karol, and I’m appalled that our state Representative Ron Sandack admitted in the Tribune that he accosted a female state worker on the House floor. Please call Ron Sandack at… and demand he apologize for his inexcusable behavior.
The referenced Tribune story is here.
* The incident in question came at a particularly emotional moment on the House floor. The Democrats had just jammed through a budget and adjourned for the evening. Tensions were high. The alleged act can be seen by clicking here and going to the 51-minute mark.
There’s no candidate disclosure on that robocall, but Sandack’s Democratic opponent used several of the same words from the call in a post on his website last month. From what I can gather, this was not a Madigan operation thing. Likely the candidate himself.
* From Rep. Sandack…
As the House Republican Floor Leader I confronted Speaker Madigan’s lawyer and the House of Representatives’ Parliamentarian about the outrageous breach of procedural rules and etiquette the evening the House Democrats jammed a $7B out balance budget through the House. Debate was unceremoniously cut off, no vote verification occurred, and the Democrats immediately thereafter gaveled out of session after the vote, all in clear violation of House Rules. My conversation with the Parliamentarian was pointed and assertive, and rightfully so. The next day the House Democrats on their own motion reconsidered their actions and held another vote on their unbalanced budget bill. I spoke to the House Parliamentarian subsequently to advise I meant nothing personally, had no intention to startle, and was only speaking up for and defending my caucus in the face of some brazen procedural shenanigans that should never have happened.
I do know, by talking to all involved, that what Sandack says at the end was true. He did talk to her, they worked it out and moved along.
But, man. It’s only July 1st. Gonna be a long, hot summer.
- Honeybear - Friday, Jul 1, 16 @ 1:15 pm:
Oh man, that’s ah…..that’s I think below the belt. I’m not a fan of the owl but jeez.
- A guy - Friday, Jul 1, 16 @ 1:16 pm:
Oh boy. It appears the entire game is going to be played out of bounds. Ugh.
- Winnin' - Friday, Jul 1, 16 @ 1:20 pm:
Sandack has done a yeoman’s job of playing attack dog on the House floor to the point where he relishes embarrassing other legislators. Perhaps there is a feeling that turnabout is fair play.
- Oswego Willy - Friday, Jul 1, 16 @ 1:21 pm:
Shorter(?)
Ron Sandack is irrational and unhinged… but will apologize for it later(?)
Ron is just Krazy for his Kaucus… but we talked it out(?)
Do you discuss what happened… if nothing happened at all(?) if there was nothing to clear up…
Maybe the Owl should sit out a few plays…
- Anon221 - Friday, Jul 1, 16 @ 1:23 pm:
Ron just can’t seem to help himself…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YkLSkBewa3o
- Coach - Friday, Jul 1, 16 @ 1:24 pm:
First I just went back to watch the above situation. I am appalled at what I saw by a member of the legislator even if it was a very tense situation. It reminds me of watching parents losing control in a game and coming down to the playing floor after a game official because of a supposedly bad call. Sorry but there is no place for things like that on the house floor or on the playing floor!
- Tella - Friday, Jul 1, 16 @ 1:29 pm:
Just wait ’til they start having fun with the Daily Show video of Sandack.
And all that tweeting he does has got to be an oppo researcher’s dream.
I know he’s in a solid Republican district, but Trump is likely to under perform McCain and Romney in DuPage…any chance Sandack can be in play?
- Ducky LaMoore - Friday, Jul 1, 16 @ 1:30 pm:
At least he sleeps well over the weekends.
- Oswego Willy - Friday, Jul 1, 16 @ 1:32 pm:
If you’re just going to chase me around, at least entertain…
To the Post,
Sandack is not in any danger right now in his race. The statement he made is solid to buttress this fallout but now is the time Uihline and Proft can show their good faith and prop Sandack up.
It’s July… but…
- Curious - Friday, Jul 1, 16 @ 1:32 pm:
Alright, I’m calling it now. July 4th weekend rule: everybody take a nap, eat a hot dog (no ketchup) and come back to work Tuesday in a better frame of mind.
- Chicago_Downstater - Friday, Jul 1, 16 @ 1:44 pm:
Can I just say that I’m proud of the parliamentarian for not backing down even when he was blocking the exit?
That being said, I don’t think this is going to be effective at all. I have a feeling most folks who care that he got in the parliamentarian’s face will accept that the two of them came to an understanding later. Still I suppose his opponent had to try.
- Doug Simpson - Friday, Jul 1, 16 @ 1:47 pm:
I have no sympathy for Sandack. His party does this all the time. For instance, the term Obamacare is not meant as one of endearment. So either everyone lays down their arms, or if he cant control himself than he should find another line of work that does not involve having to serve the public.
Its. That. Simple.
- Lucky Pierre - Friday, Jul 1, 16 @ 1:48 pm:
What is the point of the robocall if this is a safe district. I don’t think he admitted to accosted a female state worker. The video clearly shows be briefly touched her elbow to get her attention and he was forcefully making his point. Gaveling the session to a close was a clear violation of the rules and was confirmed by the revote the next day.
- Rich Miller - Friday, Jul 1, 16 @ 1:49 pm:
===if this is a safe district===
Some say it ain’t.
- Moe Berg - Friday, Jul 1, 16 @ 1:53 pm:
He grabbed and yelled at a staff member. Wouldn’t matter the gender, but all the same I think those of us with normal moral settings are rather incensed that a middle-aged adult male was so lacking in control of his emotions he could not keep his hands off a woman who was just doing her job and is not the presiding officer of the chamber. Not that it would be any better if he had grabbed at the speaker.
Sandack revealed his true self there. We learn who people really are when they are under pressure. With the misogynist Trump leading the ticket, the GOP really can’t afford these sorts of incidents.
- Oswego Willy - Friday, Jul 1, 16 @ 1:58 pm:
Sandack should worry that being “Ron Sandack” - the Twtter Guy, the “Frustrated” Guy, the TV appearance Quote Guy…
Then there’s the Labor and Democrats looking around… maybe seeing a Former Mayor that now supports Muni Bankruptcy… after a letter as a Mayor he felt, different…
Now we will see how Uihile repays a favor. In reality, Sandavk bear back Uihline, so Ron owed Uihline nothing. Now is the time for Proft and Uihline to show up.
- Norseman - Friday, Jul 1, 16 @ 2:00 pm:
+ with the $ being spent we’re going to have to put up with this crud much longer than we used to.
- Lester Holt's Mustache - Friday, Jul 1, 16 @ 2:06 pm:
I wonder to what extent a Trump factor will play in terms of what is or is not an out of bounds attack during this cycle? It may be hypocritical to claim an attack is out of bounds when your presidential candidate is making racist attacks against judges and accusing Hillary of “murdering an ambassador”. At what point do candidates all figure the electorate is so used to over-the-top accusations with no basis in fact, might as well release the hounds?
- A guy - Friday, Jul 1, 16 @ 2:06 pm:
== but Trump is likely to under perform McCain and Romney in DuPage===
Don’t be so sure. He beat a lot of those type of Republicans in the primary in DuPage. Hillary is seriously despised by many in DuPage, Obama was not.
- Lucky Pierre - Friday, Jul 1, 16 @ 2:10 pm:
Pointless to prognosticate on the Presidential election right now with huge swings in the polls and the uneasiness with both candidates by their parties. Hillary will be interviewed by the FBI this weekend. No one will be paying attention because it is a holiday weekend. What are the odds one or both candidates are replaced?
- LakeviewJ - Friday, Jul 1, 16 @ 2:23 pm:
State Republicans sent a million bucks to HRO today. Game on, buckle up.
- Morty The Monopoly Man - Friday, Jul 1, 16 @ 2:34 pm:
I hate to disagree here, but in the clip I saw Rep. Sandack put his hands on two individuals while shouting at them.
I’m not a regular blue room watcher, but shouldn’t that be out of bounds?
Is it common?
- @MisterJayEm - Friday, Jul 1, 16 @ 2:49 pm:
Dudes can’t vote against HRC more than once just because they ’seriously despise’ her.
– MrJM
- Formerly Known As... - Friday, Jul 1, 16 @ 2:52 pm:
Ugh. If that is the =tone= this early, forget making progress after November.
- CrazyHorse - Friday, Jul 1, 16 @ 2:56 pm:
After repeated exposure to the Owl’s antics, it’s become clear that he is the guy we all knew in high school or that annoying relative that gets loud and obnoxious when debating even the most trivial of details.
After that Daily Show interview, I’d hope he’d avoid all microphones and cameras but all owls must hoot I guess.
- Read It - Friday, Jul 1, 16 @ 3:00 pm:
Morty, no that’s not common behavior for 117 members, but not entirely out of character for Sandack. Anyone who knows the Parliamentian will attest she’s no fragile kitten and loud conversations with Sandack aren’t uncommon. She could definitely handle her own. The more remarkable part of the incident is her restraint. No one would have blamed her if she punched him. She might have gotten a standing ovation. Now time to move on.
- A guy - Friday, Jul 1, 16 @ 3:03 pm:
===Dudes can’t vote against HRC more than once just because they ’seriously despise’ her.===
A lot of the dudettes in Dupage despise her too. We’ll see.