A desk drawer full of campaign flyers and brochures charging local candidates with everything from being a hypocrite to endangering the well-being of senior citizens and children are being circulated to voters throughout the Northwest suburban area.
The four-color, double-sided pieces, all printed on heavy coated paper stock, focus on the negatives of candidates. The materials are funded by the political committees of some of the candidates and well-financed political action committees.
This suburban area is home to three high-profile election contests that state party leaders desperately want to capture in order to gain or maintain control or leverage of the Illinois General Assembly. Parties and PACs are literally spending millions of dollars collectively in these races.
Here’s a sample of some of the campaign pieces:
• “Blank Check Murphy created this monster”, a reference to State Senator Laura Murphy in the 28th Senate District that includes parts of Des Plaines, Park Ridge, Elk Grove Village and communities to the west. The flyer’s main focal point is a photo of House Speaker Mike Madigan wearing a Donald Trump wig. “Chicago Democrat boss House Speaker Mike Madigan combines the worst qualities of Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump.” This was paid for by conservative PAC Liberty Principles.
* That same Dan Proft mailer was mentioned often in yesterday’s Question of the Day because the Madigan/Trump/Clinton (notice the earrings and jacket) photo was used in several districts. So here it is in case you didn’t get one of your own…
Proft sure likes to play dress-up with Madigan dolls.
But if Proft is attempting to tie Democrats to Trump in the suburbs, I take it there’s a wee bit of concern about his impact on down-ballot GOP candidates.
- Homer J. Quinn - Thursday, Oct 20, 16 @ 9:51 am:
After being heavily involved in the Benton-McCann race and being involved in other GOP races, I really wish people would quit giving Dan Proft any money (even a token amount).
On a side note I now need to readjust my lunch errand plans and buy some Lidocaine for my eyes.
I am lucky–my mother is 95 years old and still much more attractive than that creation. I think folks will find the ad comical but it appeals only to the base.
Horrible ad. When the immediate response is to avert one’s eyes, who do they think will read the words. Much better to show kittens and bring the reader in.
Two things about Proft - he likes to make his money from those guys who have more of it than they know how to spend sensibly, and he has very strange preoccupations that seem to play themselves out in his political communications work.
Said it before, bears repeating: These people should hire some skip the frat hijinks and hire some actual adults if they want to appeal to any sentient humans outside their pathetic little circle.
Aside from the picture, I think it’s a little odd to move to the subject of the ad “creating this monster”. Aren’t they all reps that he controls? The power dynamic is getting hard to track.
I agree with other comments to that the image is worse than disturbing, it also looks like a middle schooler made in Microsoft paint for windows 95.
What a waste of money. Beyond childish. But this is obviously the m.o. of one-trick pony Dan Proft.
Too bad Bruce Rauner and his rich pals can’t direct some of this money they throw away to a good charitable cause and maybe help some of the people being hurt by Rauner’s refusal to do his job.
== Anon
Aside from the picture, I think it’s a little odd to move to the subject of the ad “creating this monster”. Aren’t they all reps that he controls? The power dynamic is getting hard to track. ==
Better yet, this was sent against Katie Stuart, who has never held an elected position. How did she create “this monster,” exactly?
The TV ad elicits chuckles and you do hear about it in the field. No judgement on whether it’s good or not. People do seem to remember this one more than any of the others.
The picture itself…yep, it’s pretty horrifying.
I received the same political mailer with Jennifer Bertino Tarrant morphing into Madigan.
Good thing the Dan Proft’s PAC and the GOP are creative. NOT!
People laugh at these on the way to the trash can. The TV ads in the Murphy - Tillens race are eye catching and frequent, however.
- plainfield liberal - Thursday, Oct 20, 16 @ 11:53 am:
The more they try and connect senate candidates to Madigan the less effective it is becoming. Now Trump and Hillary…seriously?
Soon voters are going to notice the Madigan angle is being overused, if they haven’t already. Just think about two years ago for instance when we saw the house candidates on fliers being tied to Madigan however less aggressively. They were more impactful then. They are ruining their own messaging!
===Just think about two years ago for instance when we saw the house candidates on fliers being tied to Madigan however less aggressively. They were more impactful then. ===
The Trump-Clinton-Madigan graphic made me laugh. At a glance I thought it was something in homage to the old Planet of the Apes movies. Then I chucked it in the recycling bin.
- Albany Park Patriot - Thursday, Oct 20, 16 @ 9:44 am:
Tired.
- Honeybear - Thursday, Oct 20, 16 @ 9:46 am:
NOOOOOOOOOOO! It burns us! Put the evil picture of the Madtrumpclinigan away! We will do what you wishes! Just put it away!
- wordslinger - Thursday, Oct 20, 16 @ 9:51 am:
–Thoughts?–
Proft sure likes to play dress-up with Madigan dolls.
But if Proft is attempting to tie Democrats to Trump in the suburbs, I take it there’s a wee bit of concern about his impact on down-ballot GOP candidates.
- Homer J. Quinn - Thursday, Oct 20, 16 @ 9:51 am:
Madigan’s transition is stunning and brave.
- G'Kar - Thursday, Oct 20, 16 @ 9:51 am:
Madtrumpclinigan sounds worse than Al Gore’s Manbearpig!
- Amalia - Thursday, Oct 20, 16 @ 9:51 am:
thank goddess that Hillary wears pants.
- hisgirlfriday - Thursday, Oct 20, 16 @ 9:52 am:
Too many names for one mailer. Plus “boss House Speaker” sounds clunky. Should just be Boss Speaker.
- Rabid - Thursday, Oct 20, 16 @ 9:52 am:
G BLT community should be outraged
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Oct 20, 16 @ 9:53 am:
Proft is gonna Proft.
I don’t know, is it memorable, sure, to sway voters, dunno.
I don’t think I’ve heard anyone compare Trump to Madigan outside this ad yet.
- Cheryl44 - Thursday, Oct 20, 16 @ 9:54 am:
My EYES!!!!
- Team Sleep - Thursday, Oct 20, 16 @ 9:55 am:
After being heavily involved in the Benton-McCann race and being involved in other GOP races, I really wish people would quit giving Dan Proft any money (even a token amount).
On a side note I now need to readjust my lunch errand plans and buy some Lidocaine for my eyes.
- Eamus Catuli - Thursday, Oct 20, 16 @ 9:55 am:
I don’t get why they threw Hillary in there, but there’s not much method to Proft’s madness.
- Not It - Thursday, Oct 20, 16 @ 9:56 am:
Is this for real? Did someone actually spend money on this? I’m embarrassed for whoever designed this.
- GA Watcher - Thursday, Oct 20, 16 @ 9:57 am:
Dan Proft needs a new hobby.
- illinoised - Thursday, Oct 20, 16 @ 9:58 am:
I am lucky–my mother is 95 years old and still much more attractive than that creation. I think folks will find the ad comical but it appeals only to the base.
- very old soil - Thursday, Oct 20, 16 @ 9:58 am:
Horrible ad. When the immediate response is to avert one’s eyes, who do they think will read the words. Much better to show kittens and bring the reader in.
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Oct 20, 16 @ 9:58 am:
I’m sorry, it’s on me, my bad…
I must’ve missed the Rauner endorsing seated members up for re-election…
Rauner is more popular than Madigan, so if I missed those ads, that’s on me.
- Dee Lay - Thursday, Oct 20, 16 @ 9:59 am:
Dan Proft continues to prove he is the Clown Shoes of Illinois politics.
Clown Shoe Proft.
- Ron Burgundy - Thursday, Oct 20, 16 @ 10:03 am:
–LGBT community should be outraged–
The sighted community should be outraged.
- Moe Berg - Thursday, Oct 20, 16 @ 10:03 am:
Two things about Proft - he likes to make his money from those guys who have more of it than they know how to spend sensibly, and he has very strange preoccupations that seem to play themselves out in his political communications work.
- Louis G. Atsaves - Thursday, Oct 20, 16 @ 10:04 am:
The earrings are all wrong! 19 days to go before all this nonsense is all over!
- phocion - Thursday, Oct 20, 16 @ 10:06 am:
Looks like a reject from a “Planet of the Apes” casting call.
- Ron Burgundy - Thursday, Oct 20, 16 @ 10:11 am:
–Looks like a reject from a “Planet of the Apes” casting call.–
Well done. Take your stinking paws off me, you dirty politician!
- Ahoy! - Thursday, Oct 20, 16 @ 10:12 am:
I chuckled.
- d.p.gumby - Thursday, Oct 20, 16 @ 10:16 am:
And exactly how does one vote “No”?
- Streator Curmudgeon - Thursday, Oct 20, 16 @ 10:16 am:
Dan Proft’s bogus “newspapers” are handy to wrap your apple peelings in.
- Reality Check - Thursday, Oct 20, 16 @ 10:18 am:
Said it before, bears repeating: These people should hire some skip the frat hijinks and hire some actual adults if they want to appeal to any sentient humans outside their pathetic little circle.
- A Jack - Thursday, Oct 20, 16 @ 10:23 am:
Okay, now can we see Rauner as a cross between Ayan Rand and Howdy Doody?
- Rabid - Thursday, Oct 20, 16 @ 10:25 am:
Trick or treat mugshot apprehend at fairground with toilet paper
- Anon - Thursday, Oct 20, 16 @ 10:30 am:
Aside from the picture, I think it’s a little odd to move to the subject of the ad “creating this monster”. Aren’t they all reps that he controls? The power dynamic is getting hard to track.
I agree with other comments to that the image is worse than disturbing, it also looks like a middle schooler made in Microsoft paint for windows 95.
- Saluki - Thursday, Oct 20, 16 @ 10:33 am:
Looks like a wooky from Star Wars
- Tommydanger - Thursday, Oct 20, 16 @ 10:39 am:
Take a look. You take a look. Look at her, look at her words, you tell me what you think. I don’t think so.
- just sayin' - Thursday, Oct 20, 16 @ 10:52 am:
What a waste of money. Beyond childish. But this is obviously the m.o. of one-trick pony Dan Proft.
Too bad Bruce Rauner and his rich pals can’t direct some of this money they throw away to a good charitable cause and maybe help some of the people being hurt by Rauner’s refusal to do his job.
- illini97 - Thursday, Oct 20, 16 @ 10:53 am:
== Anon
Aside from the picture, I think it’s a little odd to move to the subject of the ad “creating this monster”. Aren’t they all reps that he controls? The power dynamic is getting hard to track. ==
Better yet, this was sent against Katie Stuart, who has never held an elected position. How did she create “this monster,” exactly?
- A guy - Thursday, Oct 20, 16 @ 10:55 am:
The TV ad elicits chuckles and you do hear about it in the field. No judgement on whether it’s good or not. People do seem to remember this one more than any of the others.
The picture itself…yep, it’s pretty horrifying.
- AlfondoGonz - Thursday, Oct 20, 16 @ 10:59 am:
If you’re gonna go for it, go for it and give him a Hitler mustache.
- Anonymous - Thursday, Oct 20, 16 @ 11:04 am:
Chewbaca before facial hair
- HRC2016 - Thursday, Oct 20, 16 @ 11:11 am:
I received the same political mailer with Jennifer Bertino Tarrant morphing into Madigan.
Good thing the Dan Proft’s PAC and the GOP are creative. NOT!
- walker - Thursday, Oct 20, 16 @ 11:44 am:
People laugh at these on the way to the trash can. The TV ads in the Murphy - Tillens race are eye catching and frequent, however.
- plainfield liberal - Thursday, Oct 20, 16 @ 11:53 am:
The more they try and connect senate candidates to Madigan the less effective it is becoming. Now Trump and Hillary…seriously?
Soon voters are going to notice the Madigan angle is being overused, if they haven’t already. Just think about two years ago for instance when we saw the house candidates on fliers being tied to Madigan however less aggressively. They were more impactful then. They are ruining their own messaging!
- Rich Miller - Thursday, Oct 20, 16 @ 11:55 am:
===Just think about two years ago for instance when we saw the house candidates on fliers being tied to Madigan however less aggressively. They were more impactful then. ===
They were? In which races?
- Anonymous - Thursday, Oct 20, 16 @ 12:02 pm:
Dan Proft is saying, “I’m Winning!”
- LakeCountyOG - Thursday, Oct 20, 16 @ 12:15 pm:
The Trump-Clinton-Madigan graphic made me laugh. At a glance I thought it was something in homage to the old Planet of the Apes movies. Then I chucked it in the recycling bin.
Thank you Dan for the humor!
- Midstate Indy - Thursday, Oct 20, 16 @ 12:35 pm:
Why did they have to drag Tony Soprano’s mom into this…?
- Amalia - Thursday, Oct 20, 16 @ 3:25 pm:
Illinois is in need of a makeover.
- lovecraft - Thursday, Oct 20, 16 @ 7:30 pm:
grotesque