56 Comments - Anonymous - Friday, Jan 22, 16 @ 8:59 am: The opening salvo gets an A. - Mouthy - Friday, Jan 22, 16 @ 9:00 am: It was a good fluff piece. B+ - Frenchie Mendoza - Friday, Jan 22, 16 @ 9:08 am: My first reaction: “Everybody’s really white.” - Anon221 - Friday, Jan 22, 16 @ 9:08 am: Would need the rubrics on what this ad was supposed to tell the voters. Was it: A) This is Bryce Benton, he’s a good guy- then grade is B. B) Madigan = BAD- then grade is an F. Reason, failed to do the math if Proft is going to claim McCann is a crony of Madigan. C)I have money to spend!- grade is an A for effort, C for lack of return on initial investment. Maybe Proft can send out a Tweet on the rubric used??? - cdog - Friday, Jan 22, 16 @ 9:09 am: This was Gov Pot talking about the Kettle yesterday. “One of the things that’s going to happen this year is our legislators are going to get called out. …They say, ‘Oh, I stand up. I work for my district.’ They’re not working for their district, … They take money from the Chicago political machine….” Callin’ YOU out, right now Rauner. Your Trooper Bryce friend just took money from the Rauner Political Machine. His projection tactics have flared up,again, on steroids. Maybe Rauner “better wake up and start smelling the coffee,” because Mr. “You watch” has a lot of attention on his cheatin’ ways, today. - Politix - Friday, Jan 22, 16 @ 9:09 am: A-. Mostly classy. Just a touch of bitter. - Politix - Friday, Jan 22, 16 @ 9:11 am: “My first reaction: “Everybody’s really white.” And this surprises you in a Republican ad because….. - Oswego Willy - Friday, Jan 22, 16 @ 9:13 am: I gave it a “B-” “Why?” Is Benton arresting his future colleagues? That’s a script error that makes no sense to what I could easily give an A. “Then why the ‘B-’?” The snark was too good to cut out, even though it ruins the flow of the script. Trading snide for substance, your letter grade drops at a quicker rate. “B-” - Team Sleep - Friday, Jan 22, 16 @ 9:14 am: Frenchie and Politix - or it could be because this is a very “white” district. Good ad. Better than most third party ads. I give it an A because really only tries to build up Bryce and keeps the “mud” out. If this is happening already - and with about 7-8 weeks left - then this is going to get ugly and much worse for McCann. Rich, the rumor you heard is assuredly true. - zatoichi - Friday, Jan 22, 16 @ 9:14 am: Change the name and throw in some standard generic claims (protect families, career politicians, jail, anti-terrorist, Madigan cronies) and this could be anybody. Nice name for a country singer though. - Elliott Ness - Friday, Jan 22, 16 @ 9:19 am: C-: I’m a Illinois State Trooper, vote for me. - Frenchie Mendoza - Friday, Jan 22, 16 @ 9:22 am: — Frenchie and Politix - or it could be because this is a very “white” district. — Yeah, cause, ya know, if the district is as white as the folks in this ad, there’s no reason for diversity or anything, right? I mean, no one notices that stuff. I agree, though: visually good, but generic and I wonder if the “Madigan and his cronies” meme is going to work its magic. Hard to believe, here are some voters that actually *like* what Madigan and Cullerton are doing and that, well, ya know, think that Rauner — especially after yesterday’s bizarre performance — is more damaging than any governor in recent memory. Including Rod. At least Rod gave free bus rides to seniors and didn’t try to starve ‘em. - Trolling Troll - Friday, Jan 22, 16 @ 9:23 am: Aren’t the ISP troopers in the FOP Union? Does a union member support union busting? Id like to see he take on unions. If he is against them he should quit the ISP and be a private detective. That is more of a “free market” policeman. - Dee Lay - Friday, Jan 22, 16 @ 9:25 am: Which is more damaging in the district? Tying McCann to Madigan and the legislators he controls Or Tying Benton to “Burn it Down!” Bruce? - The Historian - Friday, Jan 22, 16 @ 9:30 am: My reaction (and I’m a guy) is simply “Is there a more handsome person in Illinois?” - Rollo Tamasi - Friday, Jan 22, 16 @ 9:34 am: The State of Illinois FOP Lodge has already endorsed McCann. Benton appeared before their Board of Directors and they unanimously endorsed McCann. I bet that will not be in any of Benton’s campaign literature. - old time independent - Friday, Jan 22, 16 @ 9:37 am: Wonder how much money Proft is making off all these adds? Its a shame this pact wasnt around when Dan was hooked up with Larry Dominick… How soon people forget on how Dan made his big payday… - Norseman - Friday, Jan 22, 16 @ 9:43 am: Can’t resist the “Because Madigan” shots. Ok fluff piece other than that. Of course, this reinforces the Rauner credibility problem. Sure Rauner hasn’t taken a position. He’s just sent money to a hit man to do his dirty work for him. Go Sam! - White Dynamite - Friday, Jan 22, 16 @ 9:52 am: C. Too much of a retread with the same tired political blah, blah, blah white noise. Clog nailed it and McCann should make a point of this. - D.P.Gumby - Friday, Jan 22, 16 @ 9:53 am: McCann is a very unappealing candidate for many of his district. Getting the AFSME endorsement is based upon his one vote and not his overall record. The best/luckiest thing that ever happened to him is Brucie turning against him–the enemy of my enemy is my friend. - x ace - Friday, Jan 22, 16 @ 10:07 am: Five ISP Troopers In Uniform in Partisan Political Campaign Ad. Gotta suspect at least one’s, maybe all five’s, job involves Federal Funds. Hatch Act Violation ? FOP General Counsel on FOP Website Warns Officers that such Activity could be Illegal, so these guys are on notice. Violation or Not , The Uniforms Give Appearance of Impropriety. - Flannery Fan - Friday, Jan 22, 16 @ 10:08 am: Are you kidding me? Just roll the photo at the end with Bryce and his wife. You elect this family of 8s and 9s and the Senate attractiveness moves moves from a 3 to a 4 the next day! - Team Sleep - Friday, Jan 22, 16 @ 10:09 am: Flannery - that was good. “And the award for best looking Senator again goes to Senator Benton.” - LincolnLounger - Friday, Jan 22, 16 @ 10:10 am: The real question in this race is the Sangamon County GOP. The Jiminez appointment illustrates that the Sangamon GOP will dance when demanded. Let’s wait and see if they back off their McCann endorsement and go neutral in this race. The ad is a solid B. - Matthew Vernau - Friday, Jan 22, 16 @ 10:14 am: I would counter this add with something like “We don’t want nobody nobody bought!” - Rollo Tamasi - Friday, Jan 22, 16 @ 10:23 am: ?????- x ace - Friday, Jan 22, 16 @ 10:07 am: Five ISP Troopers In Uniform in Partisan Political Campaign Ad. Gotta suspect at least one’s, maybe all five’s, job involves Federal Funds.????? ———————- Wonder if any of these troopers are on Rauner bodyguard detail? The State FOP board of director’s has State Troopers on it. For this trooper not to get one vote there speaks volumes as to how radical and anti-labor his ideas must be. Just wondering if Rauner’s gold touch may wind up being a curse and not a blessing. Only time will tell. - Flannery Fan - Friday, Jan 22, 16 @ 10:24 am: Ya heard it here first, Team Sleep. If we’re gonna have a circus down there let’s at least get some good looking performers! - Century Club - Friday, Jan 22, 16 @ 10:26 am: It’s a B. A fine introduction, but in 30 seconds, you can say something besides State Trooper. As the Madigan part, I’m sure there’s a clause in Proft’s contract that says he has to include a knock on Madigan in every piece. - FIREDup! - Friday, Jan 22, 16 @ 10:26 am: x ace - You’re right on. Can he even wear his uniform in the ad? The last time a state employee did something like this, they were suspended and fined $5,000 (which Brucie can handle). If ANY Federal funding is used to pay his salary, this is a Hatch Act violation. The Hatch Act was updated to exclude municipal races, but the is a state race. Sen. McCann better check that out! - A guy - Friday, Jan 22, 16 @ 10:34 am: It’s a very strong pass. Good pluses. Takes advantage of a youthful, handsome candidate with an attractive spouse. Shows him in a service role. Excellent pacing. Musical bed is uplifting. Takes an opening poke at Madigan and then offers a solution. Well produced. - DecaturGuy - Friday, Jan 22, 16 @ 10:43 am: Wow. Thank goodness Proft upgraded his media team. Last cycle i think Proft’s commercials were produced on powerpoint. this is a great spot, well-done. hits on all the key spots and begins to set up the contrast. I’m really stunned. Proft’s stuff in the past has been awful, this ad is functioning at an entirely new level. nice job. i give it an A. - cdog - Friday, Jan 22, 16 @ 10:49 am: I am offended by the use of uniformed officers to influence voters. Creepy! And hopefully illegal, prosecutable, and therefore won’t be used. If someone campaigned against these uniformed officers, isn’t there an innuendo of potential selective enforcement of laws. F. - wordslinger - Friday, Jan 22, 16 @ 10:51 am: Benton has a good introductory story. I would let him tell it, in his own and his family’s voices. I think it’s weird when a candidate is presented as some abstract concept by a third party in an introductory spot. That’s out-of-town-consultant-stupid. Overall, it’s phone-it-in and frantically paced. Could have been much better just by letting the dude speak and tell his own story, like a real person. If you want people to get to know him, why wouldn’t you do that? - X-prof - Friday, Jan 22, 16 @ 10:52 am: OW - You are one tough grader. === Is Benton arresting his future colleagues? === Why not? This is Illinois government, right? - Ricardo - Friday, Jan 22, 16 @ 10:53 am: Excellent intro piece…even set up the coming hit pieces by using Madigan. This is really an important race that will answer key questions. Can a Republican survive a primary after crossing Rauner? And then, if McCann loses the nomination, can the Dems pick up a downstate GOP seat by running against Rauner? - Team Sleep - Friday, Jan 22, 16 @ 10:58 am: X-Prof - to steal Willy’s thunder, electing Bryce Benton to the Senate would lead to a sitcom: “Benton & Munoz”. Hilarity would ensue. - Team Sleep - Friday, Jan 22, 16 @ 11:00 am: Ricardo - as constructed (or gerrymandered) that is one of the reddest districts in Illinois. On a county level, some areas are competitive. But at the state and federal level, it is all GOP all the time. - Nearly Normal - Friday, Jan 22, 16 @ 11:00 am: I wonder if his fellow troopers knew they were going to be in this ad while in uniform. That may be a problem. Other than that, there is not much “there” there. I get that the candidate is a state trooper and has a pretty wife and kids. Other than the swipe at Madigan, which is to be expected, I did not learn much more about this candidate. C+ - Oswego Willy - Friday, Jan 22, 16 @ 11:01 am: - X-prof - I would’ve given an “A”… I would’ve asked for drafts, given notes, and hoped it was “fixed”. You turn in “B-” work, you get a “B-”…. ’cause Proft knew what he wanted to convey, it scripted out sloppy, and by haunt it :30, fast-sloppy is covered by brevity. I’m tryin’ - X-prof -, lol - Anon221 - Friday, Jan 22, 16 @ 11:20 am: OW- Maybe Proft could use the CapFax group as a focus group. That way he “grades” might show some improvement and he might avoid some pesky “plagiarism” problems (Hatch Act???) - Anon221 - Friday, Jan 22, 16 @ 11:21 am: ..his not he. Oh boy, it’s Friday! - A guy - Friday, Jan 22, 16 @ 11:22 am: I guess if he was a milkman, we’d need Elsie’s permission. He’s a trooper. How is that possibly different than any other candidate showing what they do for a living. Hatch Act?? Don’t think so. - Blue Dog - Friday, Jan 22, 16 @ 11:44 am: B- effort. You lead with the State Trooper angle when Sam McCann can easily put together an Ad touting his endorsement from your colleagues? It’s a weak open easily brushed off. - xxtofer - Friday, Jan 22, 16 @ 11:55 am: I agree with the questions about appearing in uniform, using OTHERS in uniform, etc. I get in trouble if I use my state affiliation (a college) for personal uses, but is he not doing exactly the same thing. Let’s file a complaint! - Senior Master Trooper - Friday, Jan 22, 16 @ 12:34 pm: As a trooper myself, I KNOW that you are not allowed to identify yourself as a trooper without the consent of the Department. - DuPage Don - Friday, Jan 22, 16 @ 12:37 pm: I give it an A for alliteration - Anonymous - Friday, Jan 22, 16 @ 12:49 pm: Got BB’s mailer today at home and it has a few inconsistencies to say the least. Not to mention return address is 211 S. CLARK CHICAGO, IL. If Sam just highlights this part it’s good for a couple hundred votes in his favor. 1. Highlighted in yellow is “Not a career politician”; yet he currently sits on SMEAA board and is seeking higher office, sure sounds like he wants a career as one. 2. Serves as ISP officer in Counter Terrorism Unit. Can’t imagine some of his salary has not been federally funded. - wordslinger - Friday, Jan 22, 16 @ 12:57 pm: Today’s lesson for the GOP GA caucuses: Sen. McCann bucked Gov. Rauner and voted his district on one bill that already had a veto-proof majority in the Senate, but failed to acquire the same in the House. The measure did not become law. For that one vote, on that one failed bill, the Republican governor unleashed on Republican McCann a nasty cheap hustler like Proft with $1.8 million to tune him up. Given that, and given how the governor tossed you under the bus on the K-12 approp, and given how you are enablers to the misanthropic wreckage caused by the hostage strategy….. …. how are you feeling about your public service, today? Lincolnesque? I sincerely hope that in the near future some of you find the key to that box where you’ve stored your testicular virility. - Retired ISP - Friday, Jan 22, 16 @ 12:59 pm: As to the other state police officers in the picture, I know 3 are retired, not sure about the fourth. Unless policy has changed recently, officers are not allowed to use the uniform for a political or business purpose. My guess is a Complaint Against Department Member has, or will be shortly, made against the trooper to the Division of Internal Investigations. - Anonymous - Friday, Jan 22, 16 @ 1:11 pm: ==made against the trooper to the Division of Internal Investigations.== Excep it’s important to note this ad was not created by the trooper - x ace - Friday, Jan 22, 16 @ 1:31 pm: Here’s what FOP General Counsel Says : http://www.fop.net/programs/research/hatchact.pdf Multiple Pitfalls, Perhaps ? - Arthur Andersen - Friday, Jan 22, 16 @ 1:38 pm: I’m still not sure about my vote here yet, as I wrote a few days ago. This ad didn’t help me decide. I don’t like the use of the uniform on a political candidate, approved or not. Grade: C - G'Kar - Friday, Jan 22, 16 @ 1:49 pm: My reaction when listed his work with the FB I and counter terrorism was: “wouldn’t it be better to keep his current job? “ - FIREDup! - Friday, Jan 22, 16 @ 1:52 pm: x ace - Thanks for the info. If the rules are being followed he’ll have to give up his job to continue this campaign in the very near future. The Hatch Act is a FEDERAL act. Even a billionaire Governor can’t save you from the Feds. Of course, he could be reinstated after he loses. - btowntruth - Friday, Jan 22, 16 @ 3:26 pm: D. “McCann is a Madigan crony” is just a straight up lie. I am not a McCann supporter by a longshot but he’s hardly a Madigan crony. And the use of the photos of him in uniform might be a no-no.They should know better. - Former Downstater - Friday, Jan 22, 16 @ 4:50 pm: Proft notified the ISBE that he’s spending about $325k on an IE benefiting Benton. http://elections.il.gov/CampaignDisclosure/CDPdfViewer.aspx?FiledDocID=599329&DocType=Image Sorry, comments for this post are now closed.