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* Democratic congressional candidate David Gill has repeatedly promised never to take corporate cash. He does so again in his latest TV ad, calling corporate and Wall Street money “legalized bribery.” Watch…
* But check out who paid for the ad…
The DCCC does take corporate and Wall St. money. So Gill just blatantly broke his “not one penny from corporations” pledge in an ad pledging not to take any cash from corporations. Ironic, no?
*** UPDATE 1 *** Right on cue, the Illinois Republican Party released an amateurish, but still correct, Internet video about this topic…
*** UPDATE 2 *** From the NRCC…
“David Gill has a history of being dishonest with Illinois families. The one thing voters know for sure is that David Gill has no problem selling himself out for political gain and he will do the same to Illinois families if sent to Congress.”
* Meanwhile, Gill has a new radio ad that has his Republican opponent up in arms. It begins thusly…
McDonald’s employee: “Next order, please.”
Announcer: “As a teenager, he worked at his parents’ McDonald’s. But these days, Rodney Davis is serving up whoppers in his campaign for Congress.”
The ad also includes a snarky “You want fries with that?” line followed by a claim that Davis “keeps super-sizing his lies.” Listen…
* Gill’s Republican opponent Rodney Davis is not amused. From a press release…
David Gill, a perennial candidate who has lost three elections for Congress, this week launched an attack radio ad against Rodney Davis for his work at his parents’ small business, a McDonald’s, while growing up in Taylorville.
This, once again, underscores Gill’s hypocrisy, as just last week he stated in an endorsement interview with the State Journal-Register that “100% of the advertising that has come from my campaign has been positive.”
The ad features a disparaging male voice which intones, “As a teenager, he worked at his parents’ McDonald’s…but these days, Rodney Davis is serving up whoppers in his campaign for Congress. He’s trying to cover up his past.” Later in the ad, a voice asks, “You want fries with that?”
“I am disgusted that David Gill would attack my family, my family’s business, and the hundreds of McDonald’s employees in the 13th District,” said Davis. “I continue to talk about the issues; about where I stand on issues and where he stands on issues. I have never once besmirched his profession, work history, family or background. David Gill, on the other hand, has continually tried to make this election a personal attack on me. He has trashed my work as a public servant, and now he is trashing the workers of my family’s small business. How low will David Gill go?”
I’m pretty sure that no candidate has ever been “disgusted” by a McDonald’s joke before now. So, we could be seeing a major first here.
* Davis goes on to defend the honor of “public servants”…
Gill also continued his attack on public sector employees by attempting to demean Davis’ work as a public employee. Gill states that Davis has been paid $1 million as a public servant, but what Gill does not say is that is over a 20-year period beginning with his first job out of college in 1992. This continues a theme of Gill and his Washington allies who have throughout this campaign belittled public servants. Earlier this year, attempts by Gill and his allies to link Davis to public scandals were debunked by local media as a “misleading attack ad.”
“‘I’m proud of my work with my family’s small business, just as I’m proud of my work as a public servant collaborating with community leaders to solve problems and move this economy forward,” added Davis. “I have never called into question David Gill’s work nor his obvious passion for medicine, and I never will. We can certainly disagree on the issues, but his personal attacks on my work and my family go too far.”
posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Oct 17, 12 @ 9:47 am
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Good lord…someone on Davis’ campaign staff needs to take a couple of deep breaths. Go after him for the hypocrisy and make it stick. But please–please–drop the tactic of he said mean things about my family”. You’re in the big leagues now. Start acting like it.
Comment by the wonderboy Wednesday, Oct 17, 12 @ 10:03 am
I don’t know, at some level I would have to give the guys props for having worked at McDonnalds. Humanizes him a bit.
Comment by OneMan Wednesday, Oct 17, 12 @ 10:06 am
As always, I speak only for myself and not David’s campaign. The real irony here is that it’s Davis’ party that has been hammering public sector workers. Last night, Romney clearly stated that government does not create real jobs. Is Davis saying he disagrees with his party leadership on public sector workers? Will Davis support teachers, a group his party is known for calling “lazy leeches”? This is the same sort of attack we’re always seeing from Republicans. They hide their real strategic initiatives behind false indignation. Only those not paying attention will vote Republican in support of public workers and it will be a sad thing that they do.
Comment by Ellen Beth Gill Wednesday, Oct 17, 12 @ 10:10 am
Rodney has made a living going after candidates when he worked for George Ryan, John Shimkus and the RNC. It’s fair to bring up the McDonald’s connection for two reasons. A) Dr. Gill is clearly trying to make the point that a family-owned McD’s is the only private sector job Rodney has had. I don’t care about that, but I’m sure some voters do. B) Rodney’s employment at McD’s allows the Gill folks to come up with a clever script. I actually thought the ad was funny.
Comment by Team Sleep Wednesday, Oct 17, 12 @ 10:13 am
Angered by being drawn into a ridiculous fray by implication, “The Burger King has ordered Gill , Davis and Ronald all be immediately Guillotined.”
Comment by x ace Wednesday, Oct 17, 12 @ 10:16 am
Sheesh, dial the drama down about 12 notches Rodney.
Comment by just sayin' Wednesday, Oct 17, 12 @ 10:18 am
Obviously, the DCCC doesn’t get all of it’s money from corporations. Last I saw, there were over 1 million individual donors to the committee. That’s a lot of (real, not corporate) people supporting it.
What’s funny is that no one gave a crap when the NRCC paid for a portion of Rodney’s TV last month, or that the Republican Party is paying for his mail. I guess everyone assumes a career hack will do anything to win.
Comment by Former Downstater Wednesday, Oct 17, 12 @ 10:27 am
FD, the difference is that Davis made no such pledge about corporate cash. Gill has done so repeatedly. And, for crying out loud, corporate cash is paying for part of the Gill ad that blasts corporate cash! You can’t see the hypocrisy in that? Are you that hyper-partisan? C’mon, man.
Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Oct 17, 12 @ 10:30 am
Oh please, Rich. You don’t see any hypocrisy in a Republican claiming to be the supporter of public sector workers? Seems to me you’re more stuck on the horse race than the issues that affect people.
Comment by Ellen Beth Gill Wednesday, Oct 17, 12 @ 10:33 am
So what we can’t point out any hypocrisy unless you point out all hypocrisy?
Give me a break…
Comment by OneMan Wednesday, Oct 17, 12 @ 10:35 am
Ellen, Davis is a former public employee. I haven’t heard him bashing public workers. Gill, on the other hand, has constantly bashed corporate cash for years. I know he’s your relative, but he’s being hypocritical on this particular point.
Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Oct 17, 12 @ 10:37 am
I think it’s more hilarious that Rodney gets so peeved every time someone takes a poke at him. Grow up, man. You’ve been a political hack your entire life, getting the job with Ryan because of his parents’ support and sliding off government payroll to manage Shimkus’ campaigns. Yes, a true public servant.
Comment by Former Downstater Wednesday, Oct 17, 12 @ 10:38 am
Rich, you and I both know that the reality is that Davis will participate in a further downgrade and elimination of public sector workers if elected. Public sector workers will lose jobs and pay and join the ranks of the unemployed or underemployed. Americans will be out the services of these public sector workers. We also know that this political stuff is just political stuff and in the end matters little to the people in their everyday lives. Get a little perspective.
Comment by Ellen Beth Gill Wednesday, Oct 17, 12 @ 10:42 am
===Get a little perspective. ===
I’d ask you to do that first. This is a political blog. We discuss political things. If you can’t handle that, go elsewhere.
Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Oct 17, 12 @ 10:46 am
Rich, under that theory, politics is a stand alone, has nothing to do with governing the country. I’d say governing the country is top priority and politics is just how we get there. You know I do not shy away from political wrangling, but the real issue is what will be the outcome for people, not these goofy fights. Davis’ claim of indignation is ridiculous when you consider that a Republican House with Davis being one person who would create that power situation means public workers will be a target. Silly for you to support him in his indignation regarding public sector work.
Comment by Ellen Beth Gill Wednesday, Oct 17, 12 @ 10:53 am
At this point, I don’t believe either candidate looks congressional. A good manager can portray that even when it’s not true. Never seen such poor judgement in so many places at one time at this level.
Comment by Madison Wednesday, Oct 17, 12 @ 10:55 am
The McDonald’s lines are clever, though not very important. To object to them as attacking family members and hundreds of fellow employees is laughable.
To stretch getting money from the DCCC, (or RNCC for that matter) into “taking money from corporations” is a way to create a story about not much.
Comment by walkinfool Wednesday, Oct 17, 12 @ 10:57 am
The radio spot concept is awful.
Seriously, you can’t make your points without ridiculing minimum-wage Mickey D employees? What kind of Democrat is that? Just dumb. I wonder what concepts it beat out?
And the DCCC spot is ludicrous. “This anti-corporate cash spot paid for by corporate cash.”
Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Oct 17, 12 @ 11:10 am
===Silly for you to support him in his indignation regarding public sector work. ===
Who said I supported him? Take a breath and stop putting words into my mouth.
Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Oct 17, 12 @ 11:13 am
Were all workers being ridiculed or just Rodney? I think the latter.
Comment by Former Downstater Wednesday, Oct 17, 12 @ 11:13 am
I was wondering when the McDonalds part would come up. That was uncalled for.
Comment by ah HA Wednesday, Oct 17, 12 @ 11:15 am
I’m sure Rodney stands with his Mickey D brethren on important issues like increasing the minimum wage and access to health care. That must be why the fast food industry has dumped thousands into his campaign. Because he’ll be there for the employees.
Comment by Former Downstater Wednesday, Oct 17, 12 @ 11:19 am
Rich, the title and tone of this post caught my attention, and to a prior comment of yours, this has nothing to do with any relationship I have as a Gill. This is just calling it what it is. Davis has absolutely no business insinuating that he’s a champion of public sector workers and I call you on giving him a platform from which to do it. Should David win and become a champion of public sector workers, I will take you and the Mrs. out for drinks at a fine Chicago establishment. If an elected Davis participates in downgrading and eliminating public sector jobs, you and the Mrs. can take me out. I’m going to guess I won’t have to save my money and for my own part, pick the bar at The Drake.
Comment by Ellen Beth Gill Wednesday, Oct 17, 12 @ 11:22 am
I mean “should Davis win”, not “should David win”. Sorry for the too fast typing typo.
Comment by Ellen Beth Gill Wednesday, Oct 17, 12 @ 11:23 am
These campaigns have entered the Twilight Zone. I think a foul needs to be called on Ellen Beth for her treatment of Rich. It is a good thing Rich has a thicker neck (figuratively and maybe literally) than both the candidates.
Comment by Endangered Moderate Species Wednesday, Oct 17, 12 @ 11:47 am
Ellen, I only bet on sports.
Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Oct 17, 12 @ 12:03 pm
===think a foul needs to be called on Ellen Beth for her treatment of Rich===
I can take care of myself, thanks.
Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Oct 17, 12 @ 12:06 pm
Wow basically called a Republican and a Democrat supporter on the same day on the blog…
Way to go Rich…
When it happens on the same thread, I am going to treat myself to some pie…
Comment by OneMan Wednesday, Oct 17, 12 @ 12:21 pm
I think Burger King should demand that the record be set straight: The “whopper” is not a McD product!
Also, Gill’s next ad should be “Paul Ryan worked at McDonald’s as a teenager and he hates seniors; Rodney Davis also worked at McDonalds as a teenager.”
Comment by BFro Wednesday, Oct 17, 12 @ 12:21 pm
BFro, they should’ve also somehow worked in Rahm’s job at Arby’s where he lost part of his finger.
Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Oct 17, 12 @ 12:24 pm
OneMan, I wish I had some pie right now.
Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Oct 17, 12 @ 12:24 pm
Ok, Rich, I understand it is a bad bet, and thanks for taking it as well as you can dish it out unlike one of your commenters. No one would be happier than me to see Republicans stand down on their pummeling of the public sector. I substitute taught a few times in the beginning of my setting up my firm and saw two things. First, how very hard it is to be a teacher in the first place, and second, how kids use these political talking points about lazy leeching teachers against their teachers making the classroom even more difficult. I witnessed a fifth grader tell his teacher that he knew his lack of performance would only reflect badly on her and she could lose her job so she had better treat him how he wanted to be treated. Yes, a threat. For the life of me, I cannot understand how disrespecting teachers became a battle cry of conservatives. When I was a kid in the 1960s and 1970s, it was considered most conservative to respect teachers and do your homework.
Comment by Ellen Beth Gill Wednesday, Oct 17, 12 @ 12:31 pm
“The only cutting fast food employees should do is of their own fingers… Not government programs..”
Comment by OneMan Wednesday, Oct 17, 12 @ 12:33 pm
That’s it … I’ll make a Cannoli run …
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Oct 17, 12 @ 12:43 pm
I haven’t seen either of David’s sisters on Capitol Fax.
Comment by Ellen Beth Gill Wednesday, Oct 17, 12 @ 1:04 pm
@OneMan
Working at McDonald’s as a teenager, one owned by your parents no less, is not humanizing. Working at McDonald’s after you’ve been laid off your manufacturing job of ten years or your teaching job or police or firefighter’s or medical job is humanizing.
Comment by Precinct Captain Wednesday, Oct 17, 12 @ 3:20 pm
Point blank - Dr. Gill was able to make his claim/vow because he was never a serious candidate until now. Now that he has a shot to win a seat in Congress, he’s not going to shoot down a chance to run ads paid for in part by corporate PAC dollars.
Normally, I think Dr. Gill is quite principled. I am dyed in the wool conservative Republican, but I do tell people that I appreciate Dr. Gill’s genuineness and his ability to stick to his guns. Perhaps I spoke too soon.
Comment by Team Sleep Wednesday, Oct 17, 12 @ 3:57 pm
While I fully support Gill, Obama, and even the DCCC for that matter, I have to say that the radio commercial is a little much. While I’m a bit better off now, I worked my way through high school and am still doing so through college, and I started at McDonald’s. My brother is a manager at a different McDonald’s because it was the only place he could get hired out of high school and couldn’t afford college. It’s an incredibly humanizing experience to work in fast food. You find out what it’s like to be at the absolute bottom of the food chain and you never forget.
And let’s not forget who Gill’s target audience is… Most people who work in fast food are probably democrats. I think it was a poor move on Gill/Gill’s campaign but nothing that will ever reflect in the polls.
Comment by Actually... Wednesday, Oct 17, 12 @ 4:28 pm
PC,
Working at McDonald’s at least was (and still may be) the most common job in the US. It is a common experience shared by many people and if you worked there (you very well may have) you know that there were not any ’slacker’ jobs at a store.
By the way Ellen, I think you may be incorrect, I think David has a sister named Wilma in Oswego, think she goes by Willy tho…
Comment by OneMan Wednesday, Oct 17, 12 @ 4:30 pm
===By the way Ellen, I think you may be incorrect, I think David has a sister named Wilma in Oswego, think she goes by Willy tho…
===
Ha …Ha…
Bite me
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Oct 17, 12 @ 4:51 pm
OneMan,
If you paid attention, I have Cannoli against Gill with Yellow Dog Democrat …
Just because you think “Two Putt” Tom Cross is doing a good job, doesn’t mean you are right… remember “Jack!” ??
Thank goodness that being a Republican doesn’t mean I have to be a lemming to all the Dopes who are wrong, and don’t mind being wrong as long they keep power … in the Minority.
So again, OneMan …
Bite me.
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Oct 17, 12 @ 4:58 pm
Willy, double LOL.
But, the pie and cannoli talk around mealtime when old AA is in a house full of calorie counters-Meh.
Comment by Arthur Andersen Wednesday, Oct 17, 12 @ 6:18 pm
- AA -
That is why, when the Cannoli comes a’callin’ …
Road trip, get an espresso, or cappuccino … sit .. enjoy your Cannoli.
Now, if you go with someone, they get their Cannoli to go, make you sit in the pasenger seat, and then tey sit behind you in the back on the ride home … all bets are off.
As a side note, got some FRESH apples, and going to make Pie tomorrow, with lard crust and so on.
Its a toss-up. Pie is a staple … but oohhh Fresh Cannoli …both good stuff, - AA -.
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Oct 17, 12 @ 6:25 pm
I’m a Democrat and I am support Democratic candidates. But making fun of someone for working at McDonald’s? Like Wordslinger, I’m not sure why a Democrat would go there. Gosh, I guess I’d better never run for public office. They might learn of my misspent youth working at Kentucky Fried Chicken. I can imagine the ads now: “Soccermom used to promise to offer original solutions to policy questions. But now, all of her ideas are Extra Crispy…”
Sheesh.
Comment by soccermom Wednesday, Oct 17, 12 @ 6:30 pm