* With relatively light fundraising by even the frontrunners, outside groups were bound to descend on the 2nd CD special primary. It has begun. New York’s billionaire Mayor Michael Bloomberg is jumping into the race via his SuperPAC.
From a press release…
INDEPENDENCE USA PAC RELEASES NEW TV AD HIGHLIGHTING FORMER REP. DEBBIE HALVORSON’S ANTI-GUN SAFETY POSITIONS
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Ads to focus on Halvorson’s Congressional and Illinois Statehouse record of voting to allow criminals to carry loaded, hidden guns; permitting guns in national parks; and opposing bans on large-capacity magazines
(FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE): As the race for Chicago’s 2nd Congressional District enters it final month, Michael R. Bloomberg’s Independence USA PAC today announced a significant TV ad campaign around educating Chicago voters about former Rep. Debbie Halvorson’s abysmal gun safety record.
Armed with an “A” rating from the National Rifle Association – a grade that is unlikely to continue now that she’s come against President Obama’s proposed Assault Weapons Ban — Halvorson went as far outside the mainstream in her congressional career as to vote for the National Right-to-Carry Reciprocity Act of 2009, a bill that would allow criminals to carry loaded, hidden guns in Chicago.
“Throughout her years in Washington and Springfield, Debbie Halvorson’s record on gun safety has been entirely devoid of any semblance of the kind of common-sense reforms that will keep Americans safer from the scourge of gun violence,” said Stefan Friedman, spokesman for Independence USA PAC.
Many of the other candidates in the crowded field to take the seat held by Jesse Jackson, Jr. have come out on behalf of reasonable measures that would help keep illegal guns out of the hands of criminals and make Americans safer.
The ad is linked here or available on request. A script of the ad is below.
“In the race to replace Jessie Jackson, watch out for Debbie Halvorson. When she was in congress before, Halvorson got an A from the NRA.
The NRA: against comprehensive background checks, against banning deadly assault weapons, against banning high capacity ammunition clips.
Halvorson even co-sponsored a bill that would allow some criminals to carry loaded, hidden guns into Chicago.
Debbie Halvorson: when it comes to preventing gun violence, she gets an F.
Independence USA PAC is responsible for the content of this advertising.”
The fact that they say she voted “to allow some criminals to carry loaded guns across state lines” is incredible. Hey….they are criminals. They don’t need laws! Good Grief!
Few people like “any” super Pac weighing in with an expensive opinion on a candidate. The irony is that this may be a real “plus” for Debbie. If the gun issue was a “make or break” moment for Debbie, than she probably wasn’t going to make it to the finish line first anyway. Toi will prove to be Debbie’s huckleberry. Halvorsen has been out of the spotlight for too long. The spotlight has been shining on her talented understudy Toi for enough time that the audience no longer misses the star but instead has come to appreciate her talented understudy.
Just, that would be about $25 billion when it comes to Michael Bloomberg. He’s out of a job soon and looking to keep busy.
I don’t think the $7.5 million the NRA spent in the 2012 election cycle on the federal level (about $4 million anti-Obama/pro-Romney) is going to cut it if this guy goes all in.
The ad itself is pretty strong red meat — came out pretty fast, too. I thought the dude standing with his back to the camera was a little weird, but other than that, it will resonate with those inclined to more gun restrictions.
Also, I see they use “replace Jesse Jackson” rather than “replace Jesse Jackson Jr. (And no picture.) Interesting. That suggests to me that the ad’s creators are either unaware of who was actually the failed congressman or, more likely, that the ad’s intended to be used elsewhere than just Il (for fundraising) where they hope people won’t know the difference between the 2 Jacksons.
- Kasich Walker, Jr. of the 2nd District - Tuesday, Jan 29, 13 @ 5:33 pm:
I quadruple double dog dare all candidates to speak up about an airport in Peotone.
Yer eider wid it er gainst it.
- Kasich Walker, Jr. of the 2nd District - Tuesday, Jan 29, 13 @ 5:42 pm:
I watched the ad linked above.
It confirms my belief that voters should ignore all political advertising and set the agenda for candidates to address.
The state has already spent $30 million buying 2,300 acres for it, and estimates it would take another $70 to acquire the land for the rest of the footprint.
Here’s hoping the powers-that-be take the opportunity to end this boondoggle and environmental disaster and sell when Illinois farmland is sky high.
“…or, more likely, that the ad’s intended to be used elsewhere than just Il (for fundraising) where they hope people won’t know the difference between the 2 Jacksons.”
Michael Bloomberg is a billionaire. He doesn’t raise money. He spends his own.
There is a much less complicated explanation: word economy.
in the fall cycle the NRA did very poorly with their finance sponsored picks and Bloomberg did very well with the few he financed. the Bloomberg effort is quite knowledgeable.
He said word economy. He means adding “junior” makes it longer and there are right tight time limits for tv spots.
- Kasich Walker, Jr - Tuesday, Jan 29, 13 @ 8:59 pm:
@ Arthur - JJ, Jr. may have left the building, but I haven’t heard any Illinois leaders change their position regarding Peotone.
Halvorson was for it, as was Quinn & Hutchinson.
The gun issue has been around (along with the shootings, whether in schools or from towers) for decades.
I have never heard Kelly speak about Peotone. If the tragic shootings in CT had not occurred recently, I wonder which issue Kelly would have come up with when she brought her finger out of the wind.
NRA should not be the issue. Should be whether Chicago or Illinois controls our district. Yes, except for the geography of #2, Chicago & Illinois are separate places.
LIVE session coverage...
- OneMan - Tuesday, Jan 29, 13 @ 4:09 pm:
Meh…
Besides the guilt by association thing which was good, not sure this is going to cost her many votes.
- paratroopervet - Tuesday, Jan 29, 13 @ 4:10 pm:
why would a criminal need a law to let him carry a gun across state lines. that’s why they are criminals..they don’t care about laws.
- NIref - Tuesday, Jan 29, 13 @ 4:28 pm:
I hate Super-PACs.
- Just The Way It Is One - Tuesday, Jan 29, 13 @ 4:43 pm:
Must be nice to have billions so you can throw your “2 cents in” (pun intended) wherever in the Country you want to…
- Sunshine - Tuesday, Jan 29, 13 @ 4:49 pm:
The fact that they say she voted “to allow some criminals to carry loaded guns across state lines” is incredible. Hey….they are criminals. They don’t need laws! Good Grief!
- Muffin Man - Tuesday, Jan 29, 13 @ 4:59 pm:
Few people like “any” super Pac weighing in with an expensive opinion on a candidate. The irony is that this may be a real “plus” for Debbie. If the gun issue was a “make or break” moment for Debbie, than she probably wasn’t going to make it to the finish line first anyway. Toi will prove to be Debbie’s huckleberry. Halvorsen has been out of the spotlight for too long. The spotlight has been shining on her talented understudy Toi for enough time that the audience no longer misses the star but instead has come to appreciate her talented understudy.
- wordslinger - Tuesday, Jan 29, 13 @ 5:02 pm:
Just, that would be about $25 billion when it comes to Michael Bloomberg. He’s out of a job soon and looking to keep busy.
I don’t think the $7.5 million the NRA spent in the 2012 election cycle on the federal level (about $4 million anti-Obama/pro-Romney) is going to cut it if this guy goes all in.
The ad itself is pretty strong red meat — came out pretty fast, too. I thought the dude standing with his back to the camera was a little weird, but other than that, it will resonate with those inclined to more gun restrictions.
- Responsa - Tuesday, Jan 29, 13 @ 5:10 pm:
There’s nobody-nobody-whose opinion I crave more and respect more than Mike Bloomberg. /sarc
- Responsa - Tuesday, Jan 29, 13 @ 5:18 pm:
Also, I see they use “replace Jesse Jackson” rather than “replace Jesse Jackson Jr. (And no picture.) Interesting. That suggests to me that the ad’s creators are either unaware of who was actually the failed congressman or, more likely, that the ad’s intended to be used elsewhere than just Il (for fundraising) where they hope people won’t know the difference between the 2 Jacksons.
- Kasich Walker, Jr. of the 2nd District - Tuesday, Jan 29, 13 @ 5:33 pm:
I quadruple double dog dare all candidates to speak up about an airport in Peotone.
Yer eider wid it er gainst it.
- Kasich Walker, Jr. of the 2nd District - Tuesday, Jan 29, 13 @ 5:42 pm:
I watched the ad linked above.
It confirms my belief that voters should ignore all political advertising and set the agenda for candidates to address.
- Dazed & Confused - Tuesday, Jan 29, 13 @ 6:11 pm:
Given her lack of fundraising prowess, this hurts. Will be interesting to see if they do the same against Toi (doubtful) give her strong NRA record.
- railrat - Tuesday, Jan 29, 13 @ 6:27 pm:
not sure billionaire super pac zealots sway the voters
- Six Degrees of Separation - Tuesday, Jan 29, 13 @ 6:31 pm:
Peotone airport don’t matter to about 90% of the 2nd CD voters, maybe 95%. Glad somebody cares.
- Responsa - Tuesday, Jan 29, 13 @ 6:42 pm:
It would be very fun if when she shoots her next ad Debbie were to be prominently holding a big gulp.
- wordslinger - Tuesday, Jan 29, 13 @ 6:47 pm:
–not sure billionaire super pac zealots sway the voters–
It’s not them, so much, as the ads they buy.
I don’t recall anyone last cycle turning down help from billionaire super pac zealots. They seemed quite popular among candidates.
- Knifefighter - Tuesday, Jan 29, 13 @ 6:58 pm:
Hey railrat–
I hate superpacs as much as the next guy, but Joe Baca may disagree.
- railrat - Tuesday, Jan 29, 13 @ 7:08 pm:
word and knife point well made thats a sad testimony isnt it
- Arthur Andersen - Tuesday, Jan 29, 13 @ 7:22 pm:
Question, not opinion.
Didn’t the Peotone airport leave the building with JJJ?
- wordslinger - Tuesday, Jan 29, 13 @ 7:27 pm:
AA, let’s hope so.
The state has already spent $30 million buying 2,300 acres for it, and estimates it would take another $70 to acquire the land for the rest of the footprint.
Here’s hoping the powers-that-be take the opportunity to end this boondoggle and environmental disaster and sell when Illinois farmland is sky high.
- Bill F. - Tuesday, Jan 29, 13 @ 7:41 pm:
“…or, more likely, that the ad’s intended to be used elsewhere than just Il (for fundraising) where they hope people won’t know the difference between the 2 Jacksons.”
Michael Bloomberg is a billionaire. He doesn’t raise money. He spends his own.
There is a much less complicated explanation: word economy.
- Amalia - Tuesday, Jan 29, 13 @ 7:48 pm:
in the fall cycle the NRA did very poorly with their finance sponsored picks and Bloomberg did very well with the few he financed. the Bloomberg effort is quite knowledgeable.
- Responsa - Tuesday, Jan 29, 13 @ 7:52 pm:
Bill D–What does “the economy” have to do with them deciding to use Jessie Jackson instead of JJJ’s name in the commercial?
- Knifefighter - Tuesday, Jan 29, 13 @ 7:55 pm:
Responsa–
He said word economy. He means adding “junior” makes it longer and there are right tight time limits for tv spots.
- Kasich Walker, Jr - Tuesday, Jan 29, 13 @ 8:59 pm:
@ Arthur - JJ, Jr. may have left the building, but I haven’t heard any Illinois leaders change their position regarding Peotone.
Halvorson was for it, as was Quinn & Hutchinson.
The gun issue has been around (along with the shootings, whether in schools or from towers) for decades.
I have never heard Kelly speak about Peotone. If the tragic shootings in CT had not occurred recently, I wonder which issue Kelly would have come up with when she brought her finger out of the wind.
- concern1 - Wednesday, Jan 30, 13 @ 7:52 am:
I have some avice for Bloomberg…crawl back under the rock you came from in NY we don’t need your advice in Illinois
- Tbone - Friday, Feb 1, 13 @ 3:37 pm:
NRA should not be the issue. Should be whether Chicago or Illinois controls our district. Yes, except for the geography of #2, Chicago & Illinois are separate places.