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Sandack gets blunt

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* Bernie Schoenburg asked Gov. Bruce Rauner yesterday about former Gov. Jim Edgar’s comments that the problem with the stalemate is that Rauner won’t agree to a budget without Turnaround Agenda reforms.

Rauner dodged and weaved and refused to answer the question. Bernie persisted and finally Rep. Ron Sandack stepped in over Bernie’s objections and answered the question himself…

“I respect Gov. Edgar a lot. I was part of the Edgar Fellows. But, to be fair, his tenure and stance is distinctly different than the f**d up position we find ourselves in right now.”

Ouch.

But he’s not wrong on that point. Things are a heckuva lot worse now than they were back then.

* The exchange begins at the 21:40 mark of this BlueRoomStream.com video…

posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Jun 9, 16 @ 9:51 am

Comments

Sandack’s right, but things are a lot worse in part because he and the Governor insist on starving Social Services, Higher Education, and poor school districts. This kind of neglect is unprecedented that’s for sure.

Comment by Michael Westen Thursday, Jun 9, 16 @ 9:54 am
That Sandack guy is a wordsmith.
I see why the HGOP put him in charge of messaging.

Comment by Michelle Flaherty Thursday, Jun 9, 16 @ 9:54 am
Go away, Sandack.

You’re part of the problem.

Comment by Macbeth Thursday, Jun 9, 16 @ 9:55 am
Ah, but “who” put us in the “f’d” up position we’re in?

OW, help me out. What did Sandack say in a tweet a way’s back? Can’t…quite….put…my finger on it….

Que tweet in three, two, one

Comment by Honeybear Thursday, Jun 9, 16 @ 9:56 am
===* Bernie Schoenburg asked Gov. Bruce Rauner yesterday about former Gov. Jim Edgar’s comments that the problem with the stalemate is that Rauner won’t agree to a budget without Turnaround Agenda reforms.===

Representative?

@RonSandack: I’m frustrated 2, but taking steps towards reforming IL more important than short term budget stalemate. - Ron Sandack, 9/28/15

Sandack may not be wrong about Edgar, there a great deal of truth, just read McKinney in Crain’s, he catalogued it in a one-stop piece…

But… Sandack himself made it quite clear… While blunt with his assessment of Edgar…

The answer, the honest answer to Bernie’s question is still…

@RonSandack: I’m frustrated 2, but taking steps towards reforming IL more important than short term budget stalemate. - Ron Sandack, 9/28/15

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Jun 9, 16 @ 9:57 am
I don’t think he actually dropped an F bomb. It was just a quick stammer that sounded an awful lot like F***

Comment by Handle Bar Mustache Thursday, Jun 9, 16 @ 9:57 am
I was at the lunch the other day where Governor Edgar spoke (he did quite well, he’s a very engaging speaker) and Sen. Millner introduced him. The introduction included two facts, 1) in 1994 Edgar won the Governor’s race by the widest margin ever, 2) when he left office in 1998 he left with the highest approval rating of any Governor.

Odd that that’s who they want to take on.

Comment by The Captain Thursday, Jun 9, 16 @ 10:00 am
OK, all joking aside, the governor’s office should be above this. Dropping F-bombs in the middle of an official event? The governor shouldn’t tolerate that. You shouldn’t have to bleep out an official event in the governor’s office. Does the IIS feed now come with a parental warning?
We need people to prove they are above the mess, not people constantly seeking to lower the standards of our state.
I realize the governor didn’t say it. But Sandack is his surrogate. Sandack’s stepping in on behalf of the governor. No one even bothers to say “sorry, I got carried away. I apologize for my language but this is frustrating.”

Stop telling me how f-ed up it is and un-f-it.

Comment by Michelle Flaherty Thursday, Jun 9, 16 @ 10:02 am
Handle Bar Mustache, he dropped the bomb. Complete lack of situational awareness from a man who likes to think himself a communicative genius for the Turnaround Agenda.

Comment by Stark Thursday, Jun 9, 16 @ 10:03 am
After watching Sandack in that video - and the video where Sandack rushed the podium after the House recently passed a budget - I think we have finally identified the doofus at Ottawa? They sure act a lot alike.

Comment by Joe M Thursday, Jun 9, 16 @ 10:05 am
Sandack may be a good wordsmith, but he is a hyperpartisan charlatan.

His unconditional defense of Rauner have proved this over and over again.

Barickman’s in the same category.

Is there any issue on which they will not defend Bruce Rauner?

Comment by Handle Bar Mustache Thursday, Jun 9, 16 @ 10:06 am
Dear Owl,

We are in the position we are in because knuckleheads like you are unwilling to increase taxes to sufficient levels that would enable government, including all of its social service components, to run effectively.

You believe that lower taxes are the magic economic elixir. Well, taxes went down 17 months and 9 days ago. Where’s the magic boost in jobs causing a massive influx of tax revenue? It doesn’t exist because it’s a fantasy. Your philosophy is a fiction. You and the rest of the Raunerbots are wrecking the state because of your fanatical belief in an ideology that has never worked in the past, won’t work now, and will never work in the future.

So, save your F bombs, and your faux disbelief in the “position we find ourselves in.” You and your ilk put us here. Own it.

Comment by Fusion Thursday, Jun 9, 16 @ 10:08 am
Sandack would fall in line to be pro-lead in Chicago school buildings before he’d vote to allocate state dollars to fix the problem. Pathetic.

Comment by Stark Thursday, Jun 9, 16 @ 10:09 am
I really like Sandack. A lot. I will always be grateful he stepped up and did the right thing on marriage equality while the GOP continues to drag their knuckles.

That being stated, I fear he is becoming entranced with himself. The provocative floor speeches, Chicago Tonight appearances, and rushing to any microphone has become startling.

I appreciate leadership, but I also recognize vanity.

Resist the same urges, Sen. Barickman.

Comment by Indochine Thursday, Jun 9, 16 @ 10:12 am
So wait… things we’re so much better back then… Well, let’s see. Mike Madigan was in charge then. What has changed?

Comment by Ducky LaMoore Thursday, Jun 9, 16 @ 10:13 am
It remains bizarre that this unprecedented, willful fiscal and economic sabotage can be done in the name of alleged fiscal responsibility and economic growth policies that remain unquantified.

If they could put hard, reasonable projections behind the governor’s political agenda, they would have done so long ago.

Billions in new debt, thousands of lost jobs…up is down, east is west — it’s just jabberwocky.

Sandack will be droppping more f-bombs after Munger’s press conference outlining the fiscal consequences of this manufactured “crisis creates opportunity and leverage” fiasco.

Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Jun 9, 16 @ 10:13 am
He may not be wrong in his assessment, but how about courtesy, decorum, maturity, watching your mouth? Not his strong suits but the f-bomb is beyond his usual bluster.

Comment by Say What Thursday, Jun 9, 16 @ 10:14 am
**I don’t think he actually dropped an F bomb. It was just a quick stammer that sounded an awful lot like F*** **

LOL - no, he definitely dropped an F bomb

Comment by AlabamaShake Thursday, Jun 9, 16 @ 10:16 am
HAHA!! When I read the transcript, i didn’t realize that he said the full f word in the press conference. Absolutely priceless!!!

Comment by There They're Their Thursday, Jun 9, 16 @ 10:16 am
–But, to be fair, his tenure and stance is distinctly different than the f**d up position we find ourselves in right now.”–

To be fair, those are just random words. Put together in that order, they don’t actually express a cogent thought.

Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Jun 9, 16 @ 10:17 am
More bad language from the HGOP? Yet yesterday there were those that condemned a private citizen for the same language. Shouldn’t the HGOP be setting the example? The hypocrisy of elected officials is quite unsettling.

Comment by A Jack Thursday, Jun 9, 16 @ 10:18 am
Is it true that Sandack will be replacing CK as Rauner’s press secretary - or is that just a rumor?

Comment by Joe M Thursday, Jun 9, 16 @ 10:18 am
–But he’s not wrong on that point. Things are a heckuva lot worse now than they were back then.–

That is extremely true. They were better economic times, less budget stress and following a government that worked instead of one that was demolished for 12 years.

Comment by Ahoy! Thursday, Jun 9, 16 @ 10:19 am
In my humble opinion the GOP people are loosing their “cool” and lacking good judgement when addressing the issues and stalemate.

You have the GOV. calling people corrupt, you have Sandack using profanity, etc. There comments are completely embarrassing, unfounded, and unprofessional.

The GOP. better start acting like adults or expect little respect from the DEMS and no solution to the problems facing Illinois.

Comment by MOON Thursday, Jun 9, 16 @ 10:19 am
@Wordslinger: I admire your abilities as a communicator. I also am not a defender of the current governor. The phrase, “willful fiscal and economic sabotage”, however, seems to me to apply perfectly to the period of Illinois history during 2003 - 2015 when Illinois Democrats had a complete hammerlock on state government. Phony budgets. Record deficits. Massive tax increases. Crippling job losses. This all ain’t Rauner’s fault — it just explains his election.

Comment by Indochine Thursday, Jun 9, 16 @ 10:20 am
Was Sandack the guy cussing the Governor the other day?

Stay classy Ronnie!

Comment by JS Mill Thursday, Jun 9, 16 @ 10:20 am
I agree w Handle Bar Mustache on the “quick stammer that sounded an awful lot like the F bomb.” Nobody surrounding him in the video really reacted

Comment by Bobby Nozick Thursday, Jun 9, 16 @ 10:20 am
@Joe M- Sorry, didn’t see your post you beat me to it and with more style!

Comment by JS Mill Thursday, Jun 9, 16 @ 10:21 am
Well, no Ducky, Edgar was in charge, not Madigan. Just as Rauner would be in charge, if he wanted to be. It’s called being a Governor. Rauner should try it some time.

Comment by Michael Westen Thursday, Jun 9, 16 @ 10:21 am
Perfidy,
In the context of war, perfidy is a form of deception in which one side promises to act in good faith (such as by raising a flag of truce) with the intention of breaking that promise once the enemy is exposed (such as by coming out of cover to attack the enemy coming to take the “surrendering” prisoners into custody). Perfidy constitutes a breach of the laws of war and so is a war crime, as it degrades the protections and mutual restraints developed in the interest of all parties, combatants, and civilians.

In practice, combatants find it difficult to respect protected persons and objects if experience causes them to believe or suspect that their adversaries are abusing a claim to protection under international law to gain a military advantage.

Comment by Honeybear Thursday, Jun 9, 16 @ 10:22 am
===Sandack gets blunt===

He’d be better off smoking one instead. Might calm him down a bit and give him some much-needed perspective.

Comment by 47th Ward Thursday, Jun 9, 16 @ 10:22 am
-So wait… things we’re so much better back then… Well, let’s see. Mike Madigan was in charge then. What has changed?-

We have an Ayn Rand bishop for Governor today whereas we had a conservative statesman in the 90’s.

Comment by The Muse Thursday, Jun 9, 16 @ 10:22 am
DUCKY

What has changed is a new Governor and a loust economy.

Comment by MOON Thursday, Jun 9, 16 @ 10:23 am
Sorry that perfidy quote was from Wikipedia. It’s what I’m talking about. Remove war and insert politics.

Comment by Honeybear Thursday, Jun 9, 16 @ 10:23 am
No one reacted since that is par for the course for Sandack.

Comment by A Jack Thursday, Jun 9, 16 @ 10:24 am
In Downers Grove, Sandack is known as a master chef for serving up word salad.

Comment by Hamlet's Ghost Thursday, Jun 9, 16 @ 10:25 am
Translation: “We’re winning!”

Comment by Wensicia Thursday, Jun 9, 16 @ 10:27 am
==Mike Madigan was in charge then. What has changed?==

A Governor who says no (union busting) reforms, no budget.

Comment by AC Thursday, Jun 9, 16 @ 10:27 am
Is “I was part of the Edgar Fellows” Sandack’s version of “I drive a Dodge Stratus”? Because I really don’t see how that has anything to do with the point he was trying to make.

Comment by Juice Thursday, Jun 9, 16 @ 10:28 am
==Things are a heckuva lot worse now than they were back then.==

Yeah, thanks to the math challenged, crisis creating income tax cut. Stand back or you might get washed away by the sea of revenue that should be along any day now. Oh, it only works if you ban real unions? Stand back or you might get washed away by the sea of revenue in Scott Walker’s Wisconsin. Oh, Wisconsin is 36th in job creation. Rauner & Sandack would bother me less if they would just be honest and say how happy they are with their tax cut & partial government shut down. Right now, there is not a darn thing people can do about it.

Comment by James Knell Thursday, Jun 9, 16 @ 10:30 am
Things are f***ed now for sure. But the turnaround agenda addresses these f***ed up things in the same way the invasion of Iraq addressed the problem of al Qaeda.

Comment by JPC Thursday, Jun 9, 16 @ 10:30 am
“Get Blunt” isn’t the word choice I would have used.

“Continues to show his lack of professionalism” is a bit more appropriate. Sandack has the impact on state governance as much as a fart in a strong breeze.

Comment by Dee Lay Thursday, Jun 9, 16 @ 10:30 am
Politically neutral on this, but I also believe this is a stammer that just unfortunately sounds like an F bomb. Something like the “F- uhh, situation we find ourselves in.”

Comment by Words Matter Thursday, Jun 9, 16 @ 10:30 am
When I read the lede, I thought the representative might be taking advantage of Illinois’ new relaxed Medical MJ law.

Comment by Six Degrees of Separation Thursday, Jun 9, 16 @ 10:30 am
Pretty sure what has changed is the failure to fund pensions has caught up with us.

Comment by Shemp Thursday, Jun 9, 16 @ 10:31 am
He is right, things are worse now. Decades of spending more than revenue without cutting back or increasing taxes have built up the ‘credit card’ debt.

Pension contributions in particular have been minimal (until recently) for decades.

No surprise it is worse. But many Governors of both political parties, including Edgar, as well as the GA (Madigan has been there for 45 years) have contributed to this mess that keeps accelerating.

Yea, lots of blame to go around.

Comment by Federalist Thursday, Jun 9, 16 @ 10:33 am
Honeybear,

Your timing @ 9:56 was impeccable!
Or was it collusion to get a walk-on in Dad’s Home State?

Comment by WhoKnew Thursday, Jun 9, 16 @ 10:33 am
The f**d up position we find ourselves in right now is because Rauner chose to make a bad situation worse by holding the budget hostage.

Comment by Norseman Thursday, Jun 9, 16 @ 10:34 am
==position we find ourselves in right now==
==taking steps towards reforming IL more important than short term budget stalemate==

Begs the question, how long does this need to go on for “reforming Illinois” to be less important than a budget?

Comment by Timmeh Thursday, Jun 9, 16 @ 10:35 am
I stared in disbelief when I heard that: did Sandack really just drop the F-bomb? I guess he really is frustrated 2. Taking steps toward reforming IL more important than avoiding four-letter words.

Comment by Nick Name Thursday, Jun 9, 16 @ 10:35 am
I totally get that Gov Rauner is bad at politics, but the insistence that nothing needs to be reformed as part of the budget process, from how prevailing wage is calculated, to work comp, to pensions, to school funding formulas, etc. boggles my mind. All those things cost State and local governments serious dollars. The Gov may not have perfect answers, but the topics not only merit discussion, they require it. Sick of my home State being a place I would never recommend a friend come to or my kids to stay in having seen the writing on the wall. I would like to be proud of Illinois again some day.

Comment by Shemp Thursday, Jun 9, 16 @ 10:39 am
It’s nice to hear Sandack rail about how we can’t “tax and spend”. Really? Isn’t that one of the basic functions of government? And if we were to get the “reforms” that he says are absolutely critical wouldn’t we have to continue to “tax and spend”?

Comment by pundent Thursday, Jun 9, 16 @ 10:44 am
@Shemp. These are interesting theoretical topics. Mileage varies hugely on the extent to which they make any difference–for the better or worse. The evidence suggests Rauner’s agenda would make things worse for many people. But let’s say that’s not conclusive. It’s at least the case that the jury is out on whether they make things better. Interestingly, you’ve left off two key things (1) revenue pure and simple and (2) the way revenue is generated. In Illinois, we place the tax burden (as a percentage of income) on the bottom. Subtracting social services (and increasing costs of education) just makes it worse for them.

Comment by JPC Thursday, Jun 9, 16 @ 10:45 am
He gripes about Madigan and the Democrats not being in session during this Rauner-made crisis. I distinctly remember a certain governor going to an “undisclosed location” during from mid-December to early January, which was revealed later to be Morocco and Spain. This crisis was made by Rauner, and because of his “Do as I say, not as I do” mentality, this crisis will never get solved. Madigan has negotiated budgets with every governor until Rauner. This problem lies at Rauner’s doorstep, not Madigan’s.

Comment by Hottot Thursday, Jun 9, 16 @ 10:51 am
@Shemp - When pressed Rauner provided a benefit of 1.4%. Now Sandack would lead you to believe that these 1.4% reforms will somehow solve a taxing and spending problem. There’s absolutely no correlation to be found. Taxes will still go up and the impact on spending will be imperceptible. Now does this mean that we don’t need “reforms”? Of course not. But Rauner has been unable to make the case that his view of necessary reforms solves any problems. In fact it can be argued that it makes thing worse for a whole lot of people. This becomes particularly clear when you understand who reaps the benefits of the 1.4%.

Comment by pundent Thursday, Jun 9, 16 @ 10:54 am
Things were better (Quinn Admin) before they were worse (Rauner Admin).

Comment by Winnin' Thursday, Jun 9, 16 @ 11:04 am
He’s not wrong at all on that point.

Too blunt, but not wrong.

Comment by Formerly Known As... Thursday, Jun 9, 16 @ 11:12 am
You stay classy Ron Sandack!

Comment by Union Leader Thursday, Jun 9, 16 @ 11:15 am
Numerous independent academic studies have universally refuted any positive economic benefit from any aspect of Rauner’s turn around agenda.

These same ALEC sponsored changes have been tried in other state and none have achieved any of their promised goals or positive economic benefit.

Since Sandack is an apostle of Rauner’s turn around agenda, make him quantify and rationally prove to the taxpayers as why Rauner’s agenda is more important than a state budget and a functioning state government.

This nonsense has gone on too long, put up or shut up Sandack.

Comment by Chicago 20 Thursday, Jun 9, 16 @ 11:23 am
@Shemp - from a February media statement ==According to the Illinois Department of Revenue, if our state’s economy had grown at just the national average over the last 15 years, we would have generated $19 billion in additional revenue – even without the 2011 tax hike.==

Any compromise on mainstream reforms that gets Illinois closer to even average economic growth will be progress imho.

Comment by Formerly Known As... Thursday, Jun 9, 16 @ 11:28 am
“mainstream” reforms.

Comment by JPC Thursday, Jun 9, 16 @ 11:31 am
We are in this position today because people like him have actively and aggressively created it. And do correct me if our state is somehow better off today under Rauner than Quinn. This is a planned creation. No one’s pulling the wool over anybody here. For those who hold Madigan responsible (and he is not without blame), why is it all so much worse in 2016 than 2014? Rauner is the answer to that.

Comment by AnonymousOne Thursday, Jun 9, 16 @ 11:43 am
Sorry, Oswego Willy. Your nickname for Ron (the Owl) just hasn’t caught on.

I say we go with “Excitable Boy.” Every time I see him bloviating on the House floor, or gesticulating for a TV camera, or charging Heather Wier, I hear that Warren Zevon song playing in my head.

Comment by Sandack's new nickname Thursday, Jun 9, 16 @ 11:56 am
=Any compromise on mainstream reforms that gets Illinois closer to even average economic growth will be progress imho.”

If the case could be made that Rauner’s “reforms” would help accomplish this, I’d expect that we would have heard it many, many times by now.

Comment by pundent Thursday, Jun 9, 16 @ 11:57 am
===Sorry, Oswego Willy. Your nickname for Ron (the Owl) just hasn’t caught on.===

Really, lol, you go with that…

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Jun 9, 16 @ 12:16 pm
Starve the beast may work in the private sector, but it ain’t a good governing strategy- particularly when he’s insulated himself from retribution from his pet constituencies.

Now that’s f’ed up.

Comment by Boone's is Back Thursday, Jun 9, 16 @ 12:24 pm
=following a government that worked instead of one that was demolished for 12 years.=
12 years? You mean the good old days of Cellini deals and MSI kickbacks?

Comment by Qui Tam Thursday, Jun 9, 16 @ 12:35 pm
That SlickHeadSandy has got great tongue
It is different perhaps because we had Edgar skipin’ a whole pension payment, the RAMP, BigBrain Consultant Stu Levine handing out pension cash, Ryan Early Retirementpalooza, Blagoof Union Expansion…yup quite a bit has happened Slickhead

Comment by Annonin' Thursday, Jun 9, 16 @ 12:36 pm
=He’s not wrong at all on that point.=
What point?

Comment by Qui Tam Thursday, Jun 9, 16 @ 12:38 pm
===SlickHeadSandy===

… Makes me laugh every time….

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Jun 9, 16 @ 12:39 pm
Owl vs. Excitable Boy

Sounds like a good Capitol Fax “Question of the Day” to me!

Comment by Sandack's new nickname Thursday, Jun 9, 16 @ 12:40 pm
Or: Owl vs. Excitable Boy vs. SlickHeadSandy

Comment by Sandack's new nickname Thursday, Jun 9, 16 @ 12:41 pm
I’d vote “SlickHeadSandy”…

To the Post,

Being disingenuous by trying to deflect to Edgar won’t negate the Sandack tweet.

Ever.

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Jun 9, 16 @ 12:42 pm
–He’s not wrong at all on that point.

Too blunt, but not wrong.–

Like all cultists, you’re immune to facts and reason.

Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Jun 9, 16 @ 12:48 pm
Willy @ 12:42 - Well said.

Comment by Norseman Thursday, Jun 9, 16 @ 12:48 pm
Here’s my thoughts on this matter. First of all, the hits on the pension ramp are extraneous. The heart of Edgar’s arguments are tactics and the methods Rauner uses to attempt to achieve his goals. So taking for granted the state Illinois is in is much worse than when Edgar was in office, if Edgar was the one taking office in January 2015 what would be different now in June 2016? Let’s say Edgar had some of the same policy goals as Rauner. Would Edgar have passed some desired reforms? Edgar is saying that how Rauner is going about things isn’t working and he’s 100% correct. So stop doubling down and figure out a way forward.

Comment by MyTwoCents Thursday, Jun 9, 16 @ 1:07 pm
Sandack going nuts for Rauner reminds me of how “all-in” Hoffman was for Blago, right or wrong, right to the end. In both cases, guys I liked and respected turned to the Dark Side.

Comment by Newsclown Thursday, Jun 9, 16 @ 1:07 pm
Who Knew, no collusion just lucky I got to set him up like that. It was pretty cool wasn’t it.

Comment by Honeybear Thursday, Jun 9, 16 @ 1:13 pm
The choice part of this is not the F bomb, but the fact that Sandack feels the need to bail out a stammering Rauner, and Rauner is happy to let him do it.

Comment by orzo Thursday, Jun 9, 16 @ 1:20 pm
I’m in favor of “SlickHead Sandy” from now on. But all 3 are pretty good.

Comment by Big Joe Thursday, Jun 9, 16 @ 1:47 pm
I thought he was glass bowl.

Comment by Trolling Troll Thursday, Jun 9, 16 @ 1:56 pm
===I say we go with “Excitable Boy.”===

Um, you’ve never actually read the lyrics to that song, have you?

Comment by 47th Ward Thursday, Jun 9, 16 @ 2:05 pm
===Um, you’ve never actually read the lyrics to that song, have you?===

*whew*… (Sigh)

Thanks - 47th Ward -…. Glad you called this.

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Jun 9, 16 @ 2:16 pm
Yet again, the Lee Elia parallels apply

Comment by Skeptic Thursday, Jun 9, 16 @ 2:18 pm
Same man that physically intimidated a female legislative staff member on the floor so yep, tenure and stance very different. And not in a good way.

Comment by Tucker Thursday, Jun 9, 16 @ 7:08 pm
==Ah, but “who” put us in the “f’d” up position we’re in?==
Culligan and Rauner equally for the past year and a half. Culligan and Blagojaquinn for the twelve years before that. I can go back further if you like, but that covers probably 75% of the trouble we’re in.

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Jun 9, 16 @ 9:24 pm