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* I was contacted by an agency the other day about advertising here on the blog. The agency rep. wouldn’t say who his client was, but I got the feeling when talking to him that my site might not be right for him. We’re just a little ol’ highly targeted website.
I don’t sell ads based on the quantity of eyeballs, but the quality. If you want your ad to reach legislators, staff, the executive branch and Statehouse media, there’s no better place to advertise than this website. Period. End of story.
But the general public? Well, I probably do have higher traffic numbers than many media outlets. This site has sorta become a monster. But no advertiser has ever tried reaching a wider audience before. And while a few political campaigns have asked about rates, nobody has ever followed through.
Until now.
* If you’ve seen the center column, you know that we have a new advertiser starting today: Bruce Rauner’s campaign.
I’m not sure what they’re trying to accomplish with the ad, but, heck, pretty much anybody can buy an ad here as long as they can pay for it. And Rauner can certainly afford it. His opponents and all other campaigns are more than welcome to follow suit.
Advertisers know they’re not buying favorable coverage here. Far from it. Sometimes, it’s the only way they can get their messages out without my haranguing them. Maybe Rauner is doing that. I dunno. As we discussed yesterday, Rauner is pushing a big social media thing with his new TV ad campaign, so this is a good way to reach quite a big bunch of folks who spend a lot of time online and are media savvy.
* The Question: Your thoughts about this unusual development?
posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Dec 10, 13 @ 1:12 pm
Sorry, comments are closed at this time.
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Bruce Rauner just went legit. If the rest of his republican opposition does not start throwing money at him, highlighting his Rahm, Daley, Democratic ties, Rauner might pull this thing off.
Comment by John A Logan Tuesday, Dec 10, 13 @ 1:16 pm
By the way, their link and ad image are the most sophisticated that any advertiser has ever used here.
Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Dec 10, 13 @ 1:17 pm
First thought?
That’s not how I’d hold a sledgehammer. Then again, I’ve held and used sledges before.
Second thought?
Rauner’s looking down on us little-people middle classers.
Last thought?
Specifically about his being the first candidate campaign to advertise here… Surprised it took so long for someone to do it.
Comment by A. Nonymous Tuesday, Dec 10, 13 @ 1:17 pm
It may be worth noting–I hope this doesn’t upset anyone in particular!–that some of us use Ad Block Plus & ergo don’t see any ads at all, including this one. I *highly* recommend ABP!
Comment by The Historian Tuesday, Dec 10, 13 @ 1:18 pm
As I said previously, he’s pretty much advertising all of the websites I regularly visit and he can certainly afford to do so here. I don’t think there are too many “persuadable” voters on this site, but there might be one or two newbies who visit without a thoroughly developed opinion on the Governor’s race. When you have Rauner’s money, you don’t leave a stone unturned I guess.
It also helps his “volunteers” who have recently been visiting here in large numbers and leaving comments under all of these new handles. Now they can just click on the ad to find the message de jour so they’ll know what to say.
Comment by 47th Ward Tuesday, Dec 10, 13 @ 1:19 pm
Why not? He doesn’t have to make choices. He can do it all. Run ads here, run them on google, run them in every local paper in the state. It is saturation that again makes it Bruce Rauner vs. the Non-Bruce Rauners.
Comment by Montrose Tuesday, Dec 10, 13 @ 1:19 pm
DoubleClick ad/jump tags - Bruce is in the big time! (It’s a pretty standard tag for an ad - really this means CapFax is in the big time now.) /ad ops guy
Comment by Peter Tuesday, Dec 10, 13 @ 1:20 pm
===don’t see any ads at all===
You will when the text ads start.
And, by the way, blocking ads on this site is way uncool. You think I wanna do this for free? How would you feel if I blocked you from coming here?
Just sayin…
Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Dec 10, 13 @ 1:21 pm
uh, I don’t get it. Your a political site, you take ads from lobbyists , what is the big deal?
Comment by Liberty First Tuesday, Dec 10, 13 @ 1:22 pm
==And, by the way, blocking ads on this site is way uncool. You think I wanna do this for free? How would you feel if I blocked you from coming here?==
You would be surprised at how much effect adblockers can have on websites. The link I am providing is an account of just how harshly adblockers can kill small sites. This isn’t really a small site, but if you appreciate the free news, you should really add an exception to whatever adblockers you have. It’s not like the ads here are annoying anyway.
http://www.gaijin.com/2011/04/why-i-dont-use-adblockers/
Comment by Timmeh Tuesday, Dec 10, 13 @ 1:29 pm
Good move, I am sure if all the Ad does is keep a positive image out on the page as a Post might take Rauner to task, and buying the opportunity to have an “answer” visable, as opposed to some new posters who may be rehashing “Talking points”… eliminate the “middle man” (Posters”, and just throw an Ad up here.
- wordslinger - called it first, I concur. For me, looking at this now, I am surprised they didn’t eliminate the middle man earlier and ran Ads here.
The only “front” left is the GOTV/Field Operation front left for the other “3″, Rauiner is going to go 100%, because he can and this move just solidifies the Mortal and Bricks on a very high wall, that those “3″ need to hurdle to define Rauner.
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Dec 10, 13 @ 1:29 pm
#HammerAndShake?
Ohhhh… You mean #HammerAndShake.
– MrJM
Comment by MrJM Tuesday, Dec 10, 13 @ 1:31 pm
Money talks and the other stuff walks.
Comment by Bill Tuesday, Dec 10, 13 @ 1:34 pm
“But no advertiser has ever tried reaching a wider audience before.”
If advertisers seeking a wider audience do not have a problem with your rates, your rates are probably to low.
Comment by Bigtwich Tuesday, Dec 10, 13 @ 1:34 pm
Perhaps Frerichs was right when he spelled it “Capital” Fax.
All joking aside it is clear that Rauner is going all out with his media campaign, and he obviously has the resources to sustain it through the primary.
Comment by Worth It Tuesday, Dec 10, 13 @ 1:37 pm
Rutherford and Brady are in a chess game with pawns while Rauner has multiple queens.
Dillard is still looking for the checkers.
Comment by Endangered Moderate Species Tuesday, Dec 10, 13 @ 1:39 pm
Who said I will only pay for a win not a landslide? They are going all out. Unusual development Unusual person.
Comment by down south Tuesday, Dec 10, 13 @ 1:42 pm
Rich, I just unblocked my ads too. I didn’t even realize it was on for your site, and I apologize.
Comment by Stuff happens Tuesday, Dec 10, 13 @ 1:42 pm
Dude looks like Paul Bunyan. Good idea adverising here. Crappy ad dude. Get your moneys worth at least. What’s with his constant mixing of euphimisms and metaphors? So far he wants to hammer and shake, bring people to their knees, fight Pat Quinn in the Springfield ring, peddle some nonsense about an 18 dollar watch…. When no one knows who you are, none of this stuff really lands. That complication is magnified by the all over the place message. Then again, maybe he has the cash to drive all those points, his 401k retirement plan, and term limits for corrupt pols home. If it works I will gladly eat crow. For now I remain unconvinced.
Comment by Skeptically Speaking Tuesday, Dec 10, 13 @ 1:42 pm
=That’s not how I’d hold a sledgehammer.=
lol Now I understand the references. I don’t care how big his sledgehammer is, I’m not voting for him. Also, hammerandshake reminds me of hammer and sickle, to which I have an aversion and therefore will now be unable to vote for him.
Those “woopsies” can’t be accidental; they’re doing it intentionally–the exact opposite of which way some believe campaign advertising should be going–and for that specifically, I will not vote for him.
With regard to their buying an ad here, I think it’s a show of force, which is part of their MO. I hope you asked for and got a truckload of money for it, Rich, as it’s certainly burning a hole in his pocket.
Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Dec 10, 13 @ 1:45 pm
Rauner is probably going to do everything anybody ever actually did or ever just thought about doing. The one thing that could trip up his strategy would be if a sizable group of people, who normally don’t vote in Republican primaries, pull a Republican ballot to vote against him. I’m thinking public employees for Rutherford or Dillard with Rutherford being the most likely.
Comment by Cassiopeia Tuesday, Dec 10, 13 @ 1:45 pm
===Rich, I just unblocked my ads too.===
Thanks much.
Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Dec 10, 13 @ 1:45 pm
I hope the woman in your life isn’t reading this blog, Rich. Otherwise, she’ll be expecting a pretty nice Christmas gift this year.
Comment by phocion Tuesday, Dec 10, 13 @ 1:46 pm
Didn’t Lyndon Johnson say something about how you had to be able to eat their food and drink their scotch, and still look them in the eye the next morning and vote against them? Or, perhaps, write the truth about them?
Comment by Anon. Tuesday, Dec 10, 13 @ 1:47 pm
=== By the way, their link and ad image are the most sophisticated that any advertiser has ever used here. ===
So sophisticated that my old desktop can’t handle the technology and I don’t see anything but blue background. Somehow that doesn’t bother me.
Comment by Norseman Tuesday, Dec 10, 13 @ 1:48 pm
No brainer.
For the beating Rauner takes here from a few malcontent-envious-benighted-wiseguy-socialist-commie-pinko-RINO-progressives (not naming names), he should at least have an answer readily available.
I think for the GOP establishment, too, there’s a message. Don’t waste your money on the other guys. Get on the Rauner gravy train. We’ll remember who was on board come March.
Comment by wordslinger Tuesday, Dec 10, 13 @ 1:48 pm
The best thing Rauner could do re; this site is read it every day and pay attention. The knowledge and experience that a lot of the commenters on this site have is amazing. And they are sharing it with whomever will read it.
So while placing an ad on here was okay, I don’t believe he will change many minds, he should also make the site one of his daily reads.
Comment by Irish Tuesday, Dec 10, 13 @ 1:50 pm
==Also, hammerandshake reminds me of hammer and sickle, to which I have an aversion and therefore will now be unable to vote for him.==
Whenever I hear Rauner’s stance on pension reform, I think ~communist~. *snark*
As for his advertisements themselves, the catch phrase isn’t that bad, but the picture reeks of falseness. Some advice: have Mr. Rauner actually use a sledgehammer to break down a wall (after someone tells him how to do that properly) and take pictures. Find the most impressive picture and run with it.
Comment by Timmeh Tuesday, Dec 10, 13 @ 1:50 pm
===a few malcontent-envious-benighted-wiseguy-socialist-commie-pinko-RINO-progressives===
Hey, I resemble that remark!
Comment by 47th Ward Tuesday, Dec 10, 13 @ 1:51 pm
=== Otherwise, she’ll be expecting a pretty nice Christmas gift this year.===
I think the gift I have planned will more than suffice.
Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Dec 10, 13 @ 1:52 pm
In Firefox: Tools –> AdBlock Plus –> Disable on Capitolfax.com
– MrJM
Comment by MrJM Tuesday, Dec 10, 13 @ 1:52 pm
He is still coming off as a pompous rich guy who really wants to s____ people. Humility is a quality he should try and purchase.
Comment by Obamas Puppy Tuesday, Dec 10, 13 @ 1:55 pm
Seems like a smart ideda to have a presence on a site with political pundits and discourse….
== think the gift I have planned will more than suffice.
=== A new puppy so she wont hog yours?
Comment by Ghost Tuesday, Dec 10, 13 @ 2:00 pm
===A new puppy so she wont hog yours?===
No.
Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Dec 10, 13 @ 2:03 pm
He’s not trying to convert readers (although that would be a nice bonus). I think goal is SEO — he gets a highly rated and trusted site linking back to his own. This ends up raising the ‘value’ of his site in search engine results.
This means that down the road, if he decides to make Illinois education a talking point, people who search Google for ‘Illinois Education’ might find his site instead of something by Quinn/Vallas.
He’s starting early enough that it could make a difference.
Comment by Stuff happens Tuesday, Dec 10, 13 @ 2:04 pm
=== I think goal is SEO ===
Good point. In fact, it’s so good I may put it in my standard ad pitch. lol
Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Dec 10, 13 @ 2:05 pm
==By the way, their link and ad image are the most sophisticated that any advertiser has ever used here.==
Trackable link designed to determiner whether there’s any ad, on any topic, that can get frequent commenters to click away from cap fax so they’ll stop dissecting Rauner here?
Comment by Robert the Bruce Tuesday, Dec 10, 13 @ 2:08 pm
–#HammerAndShake?
Ohhhh… You mean #HammerAndShake.–
If he’s going to stay with that hashtag, he needs to drop one of the “hammer” visuals.
Like the one where he’s holding his big hammer out from his, um, body, and looking at it lovingly.
Taken all together, I don’t think that’s the intended message.
Comment by wordslinger Tuesday, Dec 10, 13 @ 2:09 pm
=He’s starting early enough that it could make a difference. =
I’ll be extremely disappointed in him if he doesn’t already have some “transient” workers constantly hitting his site with various search criteria to evaluate its “quality”–just to be sure, of course, that it’s worthy of someone like him.
Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Dec 10, 13 @ 2:11 pm
=Like the one where he’s holding his big hammer out from his, um, body, and looking at it lovingly. =
Right? If I were his wife, I’d make him go sleep in one of the other houses for the grief I’d be expecting the next time I went socially.
Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Dec 10, 13 @ 2:14 pm
Sorry. That should have been “for the grief I’d be expecting the next time I went OUT socially.”
Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Dec 10, 13 @ 2:16 pm
Rich:
You gave full disclosure here. There’s nothing wrong with Bruce Raunner buying ad time : especially since you haven’t hid his past.
Comment by Steve Tuesday, Dec 10, 13 @ 2:17 pm
If you want them to go away, tell them stories about ponies.
Comment by elginkevin Tuesday, Dec 10, 13 @ 2:25 pm
The other candidates can advertise here. It’s a business so let them. Gotta keep the dog food coming into the house.
Comment by Nearly Normal Tuesday, Dec 10, 13 @ 2:27 pm
I watched a very nice football game last night and saw two Rauner commercials. He wants to stand up to insider politicians and government “union bosses.” Too bad Rauner already paid for those commercials, because it’s a little late now. One of the state’s most important budget deals were forged by “insiders,” and the members of “union bosses” took a hit and will have to pay more.
I wish he would stop with the hatespeak, like “union bosses.” We all are the same when we go before our elected representatives to get the best deals we possibly can. If candidates mentions unions in this manner, they should also be derogatory toward corporations who deprive the state of revenue through their political power and the breaks they get.
Comment by Grandson of Man Tuesday, Dec 10, 13 @ 2:28 pm
Sure why not. Everyone else is shearing the billionaire sheep while the gettin’s good. Hitch a ride on the ego trip while you can. Won’t last long.
Comment by too obvious Tuesday, Dec 10, 13 @ 2:38 pm
Actually I find ads to be quite informative. They rarely, if ever, persuade me unless it’s something I wanted in the first place. But they do let me see trends, even if short lived.
As to swaying anyone else on this site one way or another….likely not.
I say go for it. We certainly thank him for his support of a good cause….that being CapitolFax!!
Comment by Sunshine Tuesday, Dec 10, 13 @ 2:39 pm
That image is right out of Chef Robert Irvine’s show. “Government Impossible”?
Comment by a drop in Tuesday, Dec 10, 13 @ 2:42 pm
I think he’s hoping to make Rich think twice about all the negative comments. How can it not? No matter how much you think something won’t influence you, it is human nature to feel some sense of need for reciprocity when someone gives you something.
Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Dec 10, 13 @ 2:43 pm
Oh, regarding ads from other sources (which I don’t think many have touched on) — I’d say do it on a case-by-case basis.
If I start seeing ads for cut flowers or collapsible colanders I’m probably going to start ignoring them without even realizing it.
Basically, crappy non-related ads could dilute the value of ‘good’ ads.
Comment by Stuff happens Tuesday, Dec 10, 13 @ 2:45 pm
===non-related ads could dilute the value of ‘good’ ads.===
The ads are expensive enough that I seriously doubt that’ll ever happen. And if it does, I’ll raise the prices. lol
Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Dec 10, 13 @ 2:47 pm
@ Anon 1:47 === Didn’t Lyndon Johnson say something about how you had to be able to eat their food and drink their scotch, and still look them in the eye the next morning and vote against them? ===
I think that was Jesse Unruh, house speaker in California in the 60s. LBJ may have said it, too.
To the question: It strikes me as an effective bit of brand management.
The ad works on several levels (for a 15-second spot), it shows a rich guy doing something with his hands, it’s got just the right tone of anger and it takes the edge off the negativity with just enough — but not too much — humor. And by buying a blog that’s read by the people he’s hammering, he’s hinting, hey, this is just an ad, and he’s just one of the guys. Take another look at the expression on his face when he puts down the snow globe.
Of course when you do, remember he’s counting clicks.
Very sophisticated, the best money can buy. I just hope somebody else has enough money to get on the air and start tarnishing his brand.
Comment by olddog Tuesday, Dec 10, 13 @ 2:54 pm
If I start getting Bruce Rauner ads on Facebook now, I’ll know why.
Comment by Commenter Tuesday, Dec 10, 13 @ 2:58 pm
Norseman, what browser are you using?
Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Dec 10, 13 @ 2:59 pm
You ain’t doing this for your health Rich, you’re running a business. As for who advertises here, it makes zero difference to me, won’t change my opinion, especially of Brucey
Comment by Former Merit Comp Slave Tuesday, Dec 10, 13 @ 3:03 pm
=it shows a rich guy doing something with his hands,=
The Dems have to see this one as a gift. It makes a joke out of his key buzz phrases. And I don’t think it’ll be viewed as humor, nor will airing constantly desensitize.
It’s a little creepy to believe that he actually authorized its release.
Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Dec 10, 13 @ 3:10 pm
IE 11. All the other ads show up fine.
Comment by Norseman Tuesday, Dec 10, 13 @ 3:11 pm
Good, now we can start identifying FarmerBrucey’s failure to support pension reform as a failure for him and the other fiscal phonies (aka Dlard, DandyDan etc.)
Glad to see you got into the Farmer’s pocket.
Smashing stuff reminds us of Gallagher — a very little goes a very long way.
Comment by CircularFiringSquad Tuesday, Dec 10, 13 @ 3:17 pm
Thanks, Norseman.
Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Dec 10, 13 @ 3:23 pm
–I think that was Jesse Unruh, house speaker in California in the 60s. LBJ may have said it, too.==
Big Daddy said it much more succinctly. He used the present tense of a verb that starts with “f”.
Comment by wordslinger Tuesday, Dec 10, 13 @ 3:24 pm
I only see blue background also and all other ads show fine. I am on explorer also but at work, so maybe my word blocks it?
Comment by 32nd Ward Roscoe Village Tuesday, Dec 10, 13 @ 3:25 pm
Quite frankly it would stun me if you didn’t accept the ads. It meets the higher standard of your commenting policy. If you act like an adult, you get to be here. I’m willing to bet the floodgates will open and statewide and Cook Countywide candidates will jump in to this opportunity. Editorials and radio stations blast the heck out of candidates all the time. It’s rare that any ever even consider not accepting the revenue in a free marketplace. The ones that do are wrong when decency is not being challenged. Buy a bunch of cannolis with the extra dough (pun intended) or whatever pastry you celebrate with.
Comment by A guy... Tuesday, Dec 10, 13 @ 3:26 pm
Ad guy: “These are all your potential buys. Which ones would you like?”
Bruce: “I’ll take them all. We can afford it.”
Not to say CapFax is not a key communications channel for the “insiders” Bruce attacks.
Good move for both parties.
I cannot wait until some wacko points out that Rich has now been “bought” by Rauner.
Comment by walkinfool Tuesday, Dec 10, 13 @ 3:27 pm
BTW, when you referred to the ads as clever, I’m willing to bet some clever staffer suggested advertising here. An honest assessment might have knocked in some more revenue. No matter where you are in this race, these guys are running a clinic on running a campaign where money is no object.
Comment by A guy... Tuesday, Dec 10, 13 @ 3:29 pm
Walkinfool. Selling ad space-which is what keeps this forum available for comments, even dopey ones like your last one- is the fuel this machine runs on. It’s not selling out in the least. This is a for profit enterprise, with a value people can judge for themselves, and come or go. Ad space is ad space. It’s for sale. Have you watched a TV program, looked in a magazine or newspaper or picked up any mass media piece in a while? Sell the sellout poop somewhere else.
Comment by A guy... Tuesday, Dec 10, 13 @ 3:34 pm
He ought to pay someone to either show him how to hold a sledgehammer, or maybe just hold it for him.
I hope he’s getting a special rate.
Comment by Chavez-respecting Obamist Tuesday, Dec 10, 13 @ 3:44 pm
Read your comment again WF. Might have missed the context the first time. If so, apologies.
Comment by A guy... Tuesday, Dec 10, 13 @ 3:45 pm
Rich,
Of the sites I visit, this is the least interusive ad-wise. The absolute worst is the SJ-R with all it’s pop-up, pop-under, pop-out ads … even when you are logged in as a subscriber.
Take the money from (almost) anybody who wants an ad.
-The Historian- … thanks for the tip on ABP
Comment by RNUG Tuesday, Dec 10, 13 @ 3:52 pm
My only concerned would be the perception of impartiality. I’m sure it won’t happen to Rich, but the wayside is littered with people whose cred have been ruined by appearing to have “Sold Out.”
I wondered what happened to that Technology sidebar thingie…I had ABP turned on. See? You can learn something new every day.
Comment by Skeptic Tuesday, Dec 10, 13 @ 3:52 pm
Given the picture in the Ad what should we expect next….um….Rauner swinging on a wrecking ball?
Comment by Irish Tuesday, Dec 10, 13 @ 3:56 pm
=I cannot wait until some wacko points out that Rich has now been “bought” by Rauner.=
So your argument is that because many believe Rich can’t be “bought,” no one can? Here? In Illinois? Within the context of politics?
Mmmhmm.
Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Dec 10, 13 @ 4:10 pm
Make your money. The folks on this site appear to understand the concept. Besides, it’s a good place for pols to vet their ads. A post above had it right. I’ve had to use a sledge in my career. And Mr. Rauner and the folks who produced this ad are clueless regarding the tools of the blue collar.
Comment by Cook County Commoner Tuesday, Dec 10, 13 @ 4:12 pm
I just refreshed the page and now the hammer is over his shoulder. I wonder if I had a better browser, the hammer might be in motion?
So, he’s a one-man wreaking crew ready to destroy this state in order to fix it? What’s scary is that’s probably what he plans if elected.
Might as well take him for every advertising dollar that you can.
Comment by Wensicia Tuesday, Dec 10, 13 @ 4:22 pm
It’s not my fault. My employer blocks ads. Sorry.
Comment by Soccermom Tuesday, Dec 10, 13 @ 4:32 pm
Yep, the ad doesn’t show up on ME 11, just a blank space where it should be.
Comment by Wensicia Tuesday, Dec 10, 13 @ 4:34 pm
–It’s not my fault. My employer blocks ads. Sorry.–
Thanks, Obama!
Comment by wordslinger Tuesday, Dec 10, 13 @ 5:03 pm
The current ad showing now is very, very red. I can read the words fine, but if I had not seen the snowglobe on yesterday’s Capitol Fax, I would not be able to figure out the point of this ad.
Comment by G'Kar Tuesday, Dec 10, 13 @ 5:05 pm
Rich -
Just as an FYI I’m using IE10 and the ad doesn’t show up either. I switched to my Google Chrome browser and it shows up fine.
Comment by Demoralized Tuesday, Dec 10, 13 @ 5:12 pm
IE 10 and the ad is just the blue background too. All other ads display.
Comment by The KQ Tuesday, Dec 10, 13 @ 5:18 pm
Rich, it works fine in firefox.
Comment by The KQ Tuesday, Dec 10, 13 @ 5:20 pm
over on Drudge, Rauner is wearing a red and black long sleeve, presumably flannel shirt. Vest Man is everywhere!
Comment by Amalia Tuesday, Dec 10, 13 @ 5:31 pm
Rauner’s ad agency should have invested in someone who could show him how to actually hold a sledge hammer. Obviously the same group that had him posing in front of the snow covered mountains of Southern Illinois took this picture. What’s really odd about the picture is Rauner looking at the sledgehammer as if it’s from outer space.
Comment by 13th one Tuesday, Dec 10, 13 @ 5:35 pm
I cant see the ad unless i disable my anti-virus software
Comment by foster brooks Tuesday, Dec 10, 13 @ 5:45 pm
Interesting. As Rich points out, Capitol Fax represents “If you want your ad to reach legislators, staff, the executive branch and Statehouse media, there’s no better place to advertise than this website. Period. End of story.”
Let’s call it as is - Bruce Rauner isn’t likely to change anybody’s voting thought process by advertising here. But it’s more subtle (technological) than that.
He’s showing that he’s willing to put himself in the game. He’s sending a message - He’s going to compete - and if you want to play, you better bring your “A” game.
The two lines that really struck home (at least to me) are:
“And while a few political campaigns have asked about rates, nobody has ever followed through.”
and
“By the way, their link and ad image are the most sophisticated that any advertiser has ever used here.” (RM: 01:17 PM)
IMO, looks like Rauner learned lessons from the 2012 POTUS election - and is building on them.
Comment by Judgment Day (Road Trip) Tuesday, Dec 10, 13 @ 5:48 pm
Just switched to IE10 and cannot read the Rauner ad. Shows fine on Google Chrome. Could see if fine on Firefox my default browser.
Interesting.
Comment by Nearly Normal Tuesday, Dec 10, 13 @ 5:58 pm
I always was able to read your ads, until today. Is there some technical change that I should be aware of?
Comment by Louis G. Atsaves Tuesday, Dec 10, 13 @ 6:19 pm
I rarely view the ads off to the side, but this is a bit surprising. That being said I only recognize that Rich Miller owns this site and it’s his call to post a political ad on his site. Since this site is consider a specialty site (not sure how Miller would term this site) who knows what audience Rauner seeks to reach.
Comment by Levois Tuesday, Dec 10, 13 @ 6:31 pm
Whoops. I noted on the wrong thread that the ad switched to a red image of the “hammer” that looked uh, politically incorrect” on my iPhone. By the time I went to look at it on IE, the image had changed to a different one in grey.
#LuckyOrGoodButNotCheap
Comment by Arthur Andersen Tuesday, Dec 10, 13 @ 6:41 pm
Bill Brady couldn’t pull it off in 2010. What makes Bruce think he can sway independents in 2014? Ignoring social issues altogether wouldn’t be my advice. His Lt. Gov pick is another major misstep.
Comment by Moderate Tuesday, Dec 10, 13 @ 6:58 pm
Happy Birthdayday Gov Rod Big 57
Comment by Quincy Tuesday, Dec 10, 13 @ 7:01 pm
What color is his money?
Comment by Big R. Ph Tuesday, Dec 10, 13 @ 7:09 pm
Just speculation, but it’s probably the result of a combination of factors, including that he HAS gotten harangued (or hammered, pun intended, may be the more ACCurate term) (and obviously not just by the Blog Meister) around these parts quite a bit (!)–(so their thought being to at least attempt to temper those honest and at-times not altogether too flattering viewpoints expressed toward Rauner by many)–by offering their altogether PRO-BR Ad right nearby), along with the reality that a lot of Illinoisans/potential voters(among others, of course) do check in to CapFax from time to time to catch much of the latest on all things political/governmental, some of whom are undoubtedly Internet and/or Media-savvy types (or are more people with some $$ who are considering any alternative to Brady and Quinn in 2014)…but, all in all, it’s just yet another stratagem at shooting his money in every which direction where it could garner him even a FEW more votes in what could be a very tight GOP Primary again to begin with…!
Comment by Just The Way It Is One Tuesday, Dec 10, 13 @ 8:09 pm
Kind of strange, but if I right-click the ad and click “View Image”, it loads a different Bruce Rauner ad (or, possibly, it loads a random Bruce Rauner advertisement that may be the same, but likely is not).
Comment by Timmeh Tuesday, Dec 10, 13 @ 8:17 pm
I see Rauner is going for the “sex sells” approach.
Comment by Person 8 Tuesday, Dec 10, 13 @ 9:21 pm
the seo and buy them all ideas make the most sense. he clearly doesn’t intend to try and influence the insiders that this site serves or seek their money the way a legislative candidiate might need from them. and the purveyors of this site will despise him (or maybe not) no matter what his ads say on here. but the legitimacy of being on here bumps him up on other less informed searchers.
Comment by in tthe know Tuesday, Dec 10, 13 @ 9:44 pm
So, if the tagline is “Hammer and Shake,” and he wants to “Hammer Down Springfield Politics,” does he also want to shake down Springfield politics?
Comment by TooManyJens Tuesday, Dec 10, 13 @ 9:50 pm
Hey guy the Hammer is already in Springfield…does anybody remember the early days when they called Mike Madigan “The Velvet Hammer”?
Comment by Publius Tuesday, Dec 10, 13 @ 11:19 pm
With all of the comments about the hammer, I have to wonder how many Dr. Horrible’s Singalong Blog fans we have here…
Comment by Stuff happens Wednesday, Dec 11, 13 @ 8:09 am
I’m surprised that since he is such a great businessman his hammer ads are not being sponsored by Truper Sledge Hammers.
Comment by Person 8 Wednesday, Dec 11, 13 @ 8:20 am
Oh dear, Stuff Happens, I did not need that mental image.
Comment by TooManyJens Wednesday, Dec 11, 13 @ 9:00 am
Rich, take his money. And the cannoli.
Comment by Aldyth Wednesday, Dec 11, 13 @ 9:55 am
Is that the same hammer he used to clout his daughter into Walter Payton College Prep?
Comment by northshore cynic Wednesday, Dec 11, 13 @ 10:01 am
For those using IE, I adjusted the code a bit. Can you see it now?
Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Dec 11, 13 @ 10:40 am
Yes, I’m using IE on this computer and can see it.
Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Dec 11, 13 @ 11:40 am
Rich, the Ad is now working on my IE as well.
Comment by Norseman Thursday, Dec 12, 13 @ 3:48 pm