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Republicans launch new anti-Hastings cable TV/digital ad

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* Background is here if you need it. Here you go…

Senator Michael Hastings. This is his record. Hastings is sued for discrimination, racism and sexism. He bullied, threatened women forced to work with him. Taxpayers paid a huge settlement to his victim. Now reports to police that Hastings battered his wife, put her in a headlock, choked her, ramming her head into a door. The governor and other leaders called for Hastings to resign. On election day, tell Michael Hastings enough is enough.

Sen. Hastings is up against Republican Patrick Sheehan.

Appropriate or not?

posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Nov 2, 22 @ 10:02 am

Comments

Totally appropriate. The voters deserve to know these things.

Comment by Hannibal Lecter Wednesday, Nov 2, 22 @ 10:13 am
Wow, that is impactful.

I don’t know who is advising Hastings or maybe he’s just not listening. His legislative career is over. Best to bow out but I guess he’s going to go down fighting.

Comment by Because I said so... Wednesday, Nov 2, 22 @ 10:15 am
If he wins all the calls for him to resign will just magically disappear.

Comment by Trap Wednesday, Nov 2, 22 @ 10:17 am
totally appropriate

Comment by Andersonville Right Winger Wednesday, Nov 2, 22 @ 10:20 am
Totally appropriate, and it appears accurate. Totally the party’s fault for not intervening here and making a loss a possibility.

Comment by Ron Burgundy Wednesday, Nov 2, 22 @ 10:20 am
===all the calls for him to resign will just magically disappear.===

What are the Powerball numbers? It’s at $1.2 billion.

From the ad…

===The governor and other leaders called for Hastings to resign===

You think this ends after Tuesday?

I know it won’t “magically” disappear

To the ad?

It’s an A

Simple, concise, biting, and all true.

Not a wasted word, thought, image. Wow.

A

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Nov 2, 22 @ 10:21 am
Appropriate. Not sure how the SDems dropped the ball so badly here, Hastings should have been pushed out ages ago.

Comment by Excitable Boy Wednesday, Nov 2, 22 @ 10:23 am
==If he wins all the calls for him to resign will just magically disappear.==.

Far from it. Dem leaders will want to replace him as per the law on filling vacancies (committeepersons vote on replacement)

To the post, yes absolutely fair and Im wondering if this will be one of the upsets of the night. His opponent is running a very smart campaign.

Comment by low level Wednesday, Nov 2, 22 @ 10:24 am
While enjoying a meal last night in Frankfort the lighted box truck circling the block (promoting Sheehan) made for some interesting conversation.

Comment by We’ll See Wednesday, Nov 2, 22 @ 10:26 am
The truth is always appropriate. With some money behind this ad and on network it might make a difference.

Comment by Nagidam Wednesday, Nov 2, 22 @ 10:27 am
I live in his district and a letter was sent over his wife’s signature saying all these reports about him are false. That said if complaints like those reported are made often enough it is hard to not believe there is some truth. Now this same principal should be applied to others in the political arena on both sides. Hard to react to the pearl clutching of this add from a party that chooses to ignore it from their own membership.

Comment by illinifan Wednesday, Nov 2, 22 @ 10:27 am
===I live in his district and a letter was sent over his wife’s signature saying all these reports about him are false===

You got totally duped https://capitolfax.com/2022/11/01/sen-hastings-former-spouse-speaks-out-after-his-campaign-sends-out-boneheaded-letter/

Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Nov 2, 22 @ 10:30 am
=== Far from it. Dem leaders will want to replace him as per the law on filling vacancies (committeepersons vote on replacement) ===

Some of the Committeepersons are his biggest supporters.

Comment by Hannibal Lecter Wednesday, Nov 2, 22 @ 10:33 am
== While enjoying a meal last night in Frankfort the lighted box truck circling the block (promoting Sheehan) made for some interesting conversation. ==

Should have added the general tone of the conversation would have approved of this ad.

Comment by We’ll See Wednesday, Nov 2, 22 @ 10:34 am
Rich Miller, thanks. Missed that post. I thought it was weird

Comment by illinfan Wednesday, Nov 2, 22 @ 10:34 am
Appropriate.

And I’m heartened to see everyone agrees. It’s moments like this where the GOP “both sides” argument fails.

Because we all know the GOP circles the wagons around their abusers.

Comment by AlfondoGonz Wednesday, Nov 2, 22 @ 10:35 am
Totally appropriate here.

I think the typically blurred line between what’s appropriate or not appropriate in a political campaign was erased completely by that letter from “Kate”.

Comment by fs Wednesday, Nov 2, 22 @ 10:37 am
Appropriate, but maybe too little too late.

I guess they just don’t have the cash, but the opposition has been low profile. Not sure Hastings’ controversy are well known by average voters in what is a pretty reliable Dem district.

Comment by OH Wednesday, Nov 2, 22 @ 10:50 am
Why the bipartisan pile-on? Is it because we’re so close to an election that the presumption of innocence is thrown out the window?

Comment by Innocent the Third Wednesday, Nov 2, 22 @ 10:54 am
===Some of the Committeepersons are his biggest supporters.===
Yes, because if he resigns after winning, they pick a Democrat vs two years of a Republican who may or may not be able to win reelection.

Comment by Nuke The Whales Wednesday, Nov 2, 22 @ 10:55 am
=== Why the bipartisan pile-on? Is it because we’re so close to an election that the presumption of innocence is thrown out the window? ===

Did you see the letter that his campaign circulated from “Kate” Hastings?

Comment by Hannibal Lecter Wednesday, Nov 2, 22 @ 10:55 am
=== Yes, because if he resigns after winning, they pick a Democrat vs two years of a Republican who may or may not be able to win reelection. ===

I don’t think there is anyone that knows him that believes he is going to resign if he wins.

Comment by Hannibal Lecter Wednesday, Nov 2, 22 @ 10:57 am
-Is it because we’re so close to an election that the presumption of innocence is thrown out the window?-

This isn’t a court of law so that’s irrelevant. This is about deciding if someone is worthy of the public trust and holding high office.

Comment by Ron Burgundy Wednesday, Nov 2, 22 @ 11:00 am
This is not only appropriate, it is necessary. The only thing wrong with it is it is three weeks too late. I hope the buy is large.

Comment by Day Late Wednesday, Nov 2, 22 @ 11:05 am
===Because we all know the GOP circles the wagons around their abusers.===

I think former State Rep. Long would disagree with you.

https://www.wcsjnews.com/news/local/state-rep-jerry-long-asked-to-resign-amid-allegations/article_c3591100-b839-11e8-8d4c-cb7ea8ea1afe.html

Comment by Nagidam Wednesday, Nov 2, 22 @ 11:11 am
The GOP circles the wagons around abusers…Bill Clinton, Ted Kennedy, etc. etc. Both sides do this, depending on who the abuser is. You can point to examples all around.

This ad is totally appropriate no matter what party this particular clown represents. Let the voters tell us whether it matters.

Comment by Captain Obvious Wednesday, Nov 2, 22 @ 11:24 am
What’s the buy?
hard, nearly impossible, to saturate cable and digital in 6 days

Comment by Over It Wednesday, Nov 2, 22 @ 11:28 am
Wow. My jaw dropped. Effective.

Comment by CubsFan16 Wednesday, Nov 2, 22 @ 12:01 pm
That’s a powerful and impactful ad. And all the more necessary and appropriate since the “Kate” letter is apparently being accepted as fact at least by some in his district.

Comment by Responsa Wednesday, Nov 2, 22 @ 12:04 pm
“And I’m heartened to see everyone agrees. It’s moments like this where the GOP “both sides” argument fails”

You brought it up so have to throw out Mapes and Kevin Quinn. MJM protected those guys for years.

Comment by Donnie Elgin Wednesday, Nov 2, 22 @ 12:33 pm
== I don’t think there is anyone that knows him that believes he is going to resign if he wins. ==

Yep. True to his military background, Mike Hastings is a no-surrender, seek-and-destroy kind of guy. The last few months have proven he’s willing to blow himself up in the process.

Comment by M&M Wednesday, Nov 2, 22 @ 12:52 pm
A+ ad. I think some democratic leaders that are still supporting him, need to have this ad run and then say, they still support him.

Comment by Lurker Wednesday, Nov 2, 22 @ 12:57 pm
==MJM protected those guys for years.==

Huh? Almost as soon as the allegations were made public, they were thrown out of his organization.

Comment by low level Wednesday, Nov 2, 22 @ 1:24 pm
=I don’t think there is anyone that knows him that believes he is going to resign if he wins.=

Agree. It will be fascinating to watch what happens if he does win. Does he get a 2-year or a 4-year seat? (all caps) Huge test for Harmon either way

Comment by Joe Bidenopolous Wednesday, Nov 2, 22 @ 1:33 pm
“Huh? Almost as soon as the allegations were made public, they were thrown out of his organization”

Those two terrorized women in MJM’s office
and organization for years.

IG report …
It found Mapes had a long history of making inappropriate sexual comments and that these comments “created an intimidating, hostile and offensive work environment.”

Quinn was under investigation under ethics act allegation for over a year - he refused to cooperate

https://www.nprillinois.org/equity-justice/2019-10-02/inspector-general-says-quinn-harassed-alaina-hampton

Comment by Donnie Elgin Wednesday, Nov 2, 22 @ 1:43 pm
What are the options for removing Hastings if he wins next week? And until he is officially removed, can the Senate President refuse to let him caucus with the Democrats, remove all committee assignments and give him a cubicle in the basement? It would go a long way in showing you are serious about not allowing a bully to continue have power.

Comment by Day Late Wednesday, Nov 2, 22 @ 2:34 pm
I know him well. He’s an A+ narcissist. He’s not going to back down, and he’s going to destroy himself in the process. It seems like the Matteson-Olympia Fields area is supporting him big time. His signs are everywhere. I wonder what he’s done for them? Gotta be the money or a big promise. This will be an interesting one for sure.

Comment by WhoaThereBear Wednesday, Nov 2, 22 @ 2:53 pm
==can the Senate President…?==

Yes. The President controls all majority party committee assignments and staff resources.

Comment by low level Wednesday, Nov 2, 22 @ 3:01 pm
== Yes. The President controls all majority party committee assignments and staff resources.==

Great! I hope the Senate President acts like a Leader and strips Hastings of caucusing ability, all committees and his office space. Otherwise, what has changed? His COS just helps Hastings on the side until he becomes a lobbyist again with no consequences? We all move on like this is all ok?

Comment by Day Late Wednesday, Nov 2, 22 @ 3:21 pm
“What are the options for removing Hastings if he wins next week?”

Perish the thought that faced with a reprehensible candidate, voters (even D’s) support the imperfect but scandal-free GOP candidate.

Comment by Donnie Elgin Wednesday, Nov 2, 22 @ 3:59 pm
Of course it’s appropriate. Every abuser should be put on blast in this manner. Time is up.

Comment by Politix Wednesday, Nov 2, 22 @ 4:13 pm
“The GOP circles the wagons around abusers…Bill Clinton, Ted Kennedy, etc. etc. Both sides do this, depending on who the abuser is.”

Seems like the Ds have stopped doing so. Witness: Andrew Cuomo, Anthony Weiner, etc. Even Al Franken for far less aggressive behavior.

Comment by Proud Sucker Wednesday, Nov 2, 22 @ 4:26 pm