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* A new TV ad by Illinois Freedom PAC, a group funded by labor unions, began running last night. Some Rauner campaign guys I know saw the ad last night and dismissed it as ineffective. You can rate it yourself…
* Script…
- It was called “Severe corporate greed.”
A “scheme” to cash in on the elderly.
And in the middle of it? Bruce Rauner’s company.
Rauner’s company was accused of draining money from nursing homes, leaving seniors to suffer from malnutrition and dehydration.
Court after court ruled victims died from abuse and neglect.
Trust Bruce Rauner to be Governor?
His companies’ nursing homes made over a billion dollars while seniors paid the ultimate price.
* The accompanying press release…
Illinois Freedom PAC launched its second television ad today, holding gubernatorial candidate Bruce Rauner accountable for actions by his company that have been called a “callous disregard for human life” and “severe corporate greed”.
A jury found that Trans Healthcare, a company co-founded by Rauner’s firm—called a “vulture investor” that bought up scores of nursing homes–cashed in on the elderly by cutting staff at the homes, letting quality of care decline, loading the homes with debt and shuffling money between corporations to escape liability from lawsuits over extreme neglect and death. The ad and the facts can be viewed at www.IllinoisFreedom.com.
“Bruce Rauner brags that his business experience qualifies him to be governor, but what he leaves out is that his companies, such as Trans Health, prioritize corporate profits over human life,” says Michael Murray, spokesman for Illinois Freedom. “As a venture capitalist, Bruce Rauner owned a company that deliberately neglected the elderly to make a quick buck, and now he wants middle class families to believe he will look out for their interests as governor? Stuart Levine showed us that Bruce Rauner has a history of putting profits ahead of his ethics, but now we know that his company’s profits are even more sacred than human life. Bruce Rauner isn’t who he says he is.”
Representing hundreds of thousands of working families in Illinois, Illinois Freedom is dedicated to educating Illinois voters about the important issues at stake in this election. This ad is supported by an initial weeklong buy worth more than $1 million in the Chicago, Champaign, Peoria, and Rockford media markets as well as online.
*** UPDATE *** The Rauner campaign response…
Pat Quinn’s allies launched a desperate and disgusting false attack ad against Bruce Rauner.
“It’s shameful that Pat Quinn and his special interest friends are blatantly ignoring the truth and invoking others’ personal tragedies in an attempt at political gain,” said Chip Englander, campaign manager for Bruce Rauner. “This is politics at its worst and Pat Quinn, the Democratic Governors Association and the government union bosses behind this ad should be ashamed.”
Below is a fact sheet outlining the multitude of ways in which this ad is misleading and false. The first set of facts detail the wrongful statements made in the TV ad, the second set of facts outlines the nature of GTCR’s investment in the nursing home company, Trans Healthcare Inc., referenced in the ad. Following those facts are a series of facts about the specific cases referenced in the ad.
The facts are drawn from publicly available court filings, media outlets and other third party entities. Taken together they prove that the ad purposefully ignores the truth.
The fact sheet can be read by clicking here.
posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Feb 19, 14 @ 8:54 am
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Basically accusing their candidate of killing elderly people is ineffective? It may not be effective enough to change the outcome of the primary, but it is certainly effective.
Comment by Chi Wednesday, Feb 19, 14 @ 8:59 am
Damning in my opinion. Rauner has sucked so much oxygen out of the primary that I wonder if any of his opponents can mount a rally?
Comment by Upon Further Review Wednesday, Feb 19, 14 @ 9:00 am
“Some Rauner campaign guys I know saw the ad last night and dismissed it as ineffective.”
Shocker.
Do we honestly expect them to tell the truth? “Gee you got us. No one with a brain is going to vote for Bruce once they learn his greed contributed to the deaths of our most vulnerable elderly citizens.”
Comment by too obvious Wednesday, Feb 19, 14 @ 9:01 am
Glad these are happening. Still don’t think anyone is going to be able to position themselves to beat him.
Comment by Rahm's Middle Finger Wednesday, Feb 19, 14 @ 9:05 am
Ah, a million dollar buy not by the Baron.
Now things are getting interesting.
Comment by Dee Lay Wednesday, Feb 19, 14 @ 9:05 am
These sensationalist ads are hard to follow and harder to believe. Rauner guys are right–they are ineffective. They cannot let him slip out of the minimum wage comments.
A) this man has more money than God and
B) wanted to lower the minimum wage.
He reversed course… so what? Hit him on being an out of touch hypocrite then.
“Flippant” remark or flip flopper? You decide.
Comment by Jackson and Laflin Wednesday, Feb 19, 14 @ 9:07 am
A+ + + + + +
Comment by Johnnie F. Wednesday, Feb 19, 14 @ 9:08 am
Brutal. That ad gets your attention and makes an impression. That has to up his negatives. More of a perfect storm is needed, but I don’t see how anyone can say this will have no impact.
Comment by dunno Wednesday, Feb 19, 14 @ 9:08 am
===hard to follow and harder to believe===
I lean that way. The first ad was way too wordy. This one doesn’t seem to flesh out the issue well enough.
Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Feb 19, 14 @ 9:09 am
Well I believe in God, and the only thing that scares me is Bruce Rauner.
Comment by Jimbo Wednesday, Feb 19, 14 @ 9:11 am
Left off the first part. Should have read:\
Keaton always said, I don’t believe in God, but I’m afraid of him” Well, I believe in God, and the only thing that scares me is Bruce Rauner.
Comment by Jimbo Wednesday, Feb 19, 14 @ 9:13 am
If it portrays as greedy, smug and unlikable it works. The narrow minded ultra conservatives on the republican Committee in my town are the only ones dismissing the Anti-Rauner stuff as BS; Others are disturbed with the “other side” of candidate Rauner.
Comment by Samurai Wednesday, Feb 19, 14 @ 9:14 am
So far shock and awe is not going to do it for the anti Rauner folks. The visuals on this ad were awful and doesn’t directly tie Rauner’s vast wealth to killing old people. Quinn and the DGA better work on this.
Comment by DuPage Rep Wednesday, Feb 19, 14 @ 9:16 am
==Flippant or flip flopper?==
Missed opportunity by Quinn, one of his 3 R opponents, somebody, anybody? Anybody going to call him out on that? Sorry to say, about 5 weeks too late on that one.
This train is picking up steam and I’m afraid we’re going to need a polar vortex to stop it.
Comment by North Shore Joe Wednesday, Feb 19, 14 @ 9:18 am
Accusing someone of killing people is just a bit over the top. Yes it gets your attention.
It just shows how desperate the unions are about defeating Rauner.
Makes me want to vote for him.
Comment by Cassidy Wednesday, Feb 19, 14 @ 9:20 am
Upon Further Review - Wednesday, Feb 19, 14 @ 9:00 am:
==I wonder if any of his opponents can mount a rally?==
Doing all we can with sling shots man.
Comment by Samurai Wednesday, Feb 19, 14 @ 9:21 am
It’s a tough spot. If it gets a lot of air, it will require a direct response. You can’t leave that hanging out there.
Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Feb 19, 14 @ 9:28 am
Too wordy… Use a single example, tell a narrative and use 60 seconds…
Tell the story of one person in the home. That creates an emotional link, this doesn’t.
Comment by OneMan Wednesday, Feb 19, 14 @ 9:29 am
Somewhere between B- and B+. Starts off and closes OK but the center transition is a bit rough. Definitely gets your attention and should help drive a negative impression of Rauner, but it’s probably too late to change the primary. I can see a slightly reworked version being effective in the general.
Comment by RNUG Wednesday, Feb 19, 14 @ 9:29 am
The ad is not much better than the other busy one… The real story, is the quick response from the Farmers campaign with facts in the public domain… Waiting for the TV ad that counters with the “facts”…Anyone that doubts his campaign…Is not paying attention. The Unions certainly are. The new guy out worked the other 3… He has kept the clearly “poll tested” vanilla talking points all through this primary… It has been masterful. Let’s see how well they handle the general.. He will need to have some answers then…. Or is not PQ enough? I will be shocked at this point if he does not win the primary… As much as I may have hoped for more of a race… It’s on the other 3 for letting any of us that hoped for more…
Comment by Walter Mitty Wednesday, Feb 19, 14 @ 9:31 am
If you want to defeat a REPUBLICAN candidate in a REPUBLICAN primary, talk about his DEMOCRATIC contributions and his cozy relationship with DEMOCRATIC politicians. The unions need to remember their audience.
Comment by Whatever Wednesday, Feb 19, 14 @ 9:34 am
The Ad tells me:
Our Greatest Generation is dying in Nursing Homes because Corporate Vultures are greedy.
And Rauner is a top notch Vulture.
Don’t Trust Him
Comment by x ace Wednesday, Feb 19, 14 @ 9:37 am
The Ad tells me:
Our Greatest Generation is dying in Nursing Homes because Corporate Vultures are greedy.
And Rauner is a top notch Vulture.
Don’t Trust Him
Comment by x ace Wednesday, Feb 19, 14 @ 9:37 am
I saw the ad this morning and also think it’s too sparse. I was hoping that the ad would mention the actual people who died in the nursing homes, and the many injuries and illnesses they suffered. There is more time to flesh this out.
It’s good to see that unions are starting their attacks against a candidate who guzzled government money, in the millions if not billions, and who wants to strip the pensions of individuals making five figures.
Comment by Grandson of Man Wednesday, Feb 19, 14 @ 9:37 am
Way too over the top. Voters, especially Republican primary voters, are sick of these uber-negative attacks that have nothing to do with real issues - taxes, pensions, budgets, schools, etc. Republicans remember what the Democrats did to Romney this may even increase Rauner’s vote share in the primary.
Comment by Southwest Cook Wednesday, Feb 19, 14 @ 9:38 am
Agreed - wrong audience.
Comment by Confused Wednesday, Feb 19, 14 @ 9:38 am
As far as the fact sheet goes, (1) coming from the guy who plays fast and loose with ‘facts’ in his ads, what relationship does truth have to any political ad and (2) a court loss is a court loss, even if you lose by defaulting.
And having just been through the whole long term doctor / hospital / nursing home thing, I can tell you the proximate cause and the root cause of death can be separated by many months or years. This ad is going to resonate big time with senior citizens.
Comment by RNUG Wednesday, Feb 19, 14 @ 9:40 am
Disciplined response from Rauner. Other campaigns (*cough* Rutherford) ought take note.
Comment by Will Caskey Wednesday, Feb 19, 14 @ 9:40 am
–Agreed - wrong audience.–
Huh? It’s a universal message. Everyone has someone in a nursing home. Senior citizens are the most loyal component of the GOP base.
Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Feb 19, 14 @ 9:42 am
Look at the documentation. The courts awarded a billion dollars in one case alone. The courts said Rauner’s company deliberately drove nursing homes into insolvency leading directly to patient neglect and even deaths. As for the opinions of Rauner operatives and Rich Miller, all I can say is that these issues polled off the charts with Republican Primary voters. You know what they say about opinions.
Comment by Labordude Wednesday, Feb 19, 14 @ 9:44 am
You’d think somebody in the media would ask the unions if they’d like to rescind their investments in GTCR and disgorge their profits.
And ask Cinda Klickna why SHE was the first, as a TRS trustee, to move to invest in GTCR, seconded by another IEA trustee.
Comment by WirePoints Wednesday, Feb 19, 14 @ 9:44 am
=== Voters, especially Republican primary voters, are sick of these uber-negative attacks that have nothing to do with real issues - taxes, pensions, budgets, schools, etc. ===
People died from neglect in Rauner’s nursing homes. That’s somehow not a real issue?
Comment by olddog Wednesday, Feb 19, 14 @ 9:45 am
Wordslinger is absolutely right.
Keeping the elderly and infirm safe and comfortable is a universal issue.
A “real issue ” for sure.
Comment by x ace Wednesday, Feb 19, 14 @ 9:49 am
It’s Romney all over again.
The audience isn’t republican primary voters.
Comment by Dizzy Cow Wednesday, Feb 19, 14 @ 9:50 am
Agree with SW Cook.
If you’re attentive enough to be voting in a Republican primary, there’s a 90% chance you’ll dismiss these ads as garbage.
Comment by Jackson and Laflin Wednesday, Feb 19, 14 @ 9:50 am
Rauner says: “The Plaintiffs’ Claims Were Never Proven In Court Because Trans Healthcare No Longer Existed.”
Yeah no kidding! After GTCR and others ran the thing into bankruptcy and after the jury verdicts started coming in, Rauner’s firm tried to flee from liability by transferring what remained of Trans Healthcare to a shell corp with no employees.
Rauner’s camp is obviously hoping the IL media will remain too lazy to probe the enormous lies the campaign keeps generating.
Comment by too obvious Wednesday, Feb 19, 14 @ 9:52 am
Curious, examiner.com identifies Illinois Freedom PAC as a “non-partisan” group. Not that I visit that site but when I googled the PAC one of the first hits was to examiner.com.
Just what is the PAC trying to accomplish with this ad? Are they trying to injure Rauner in the primary making him more vulnerable (not likely)? Are they trying to set him up for trouble in the general (too early/short memory of voters)?
Is this a sign that some unions think their knight in shining armor (Quinn) is vulnerable? The devil you know, etc?
Do they really believe this is Rauner’s “swift boat” Achilles heel? Or just a trial balloon?
Stay tuned to the next episode of “As the Baron Twists and Turns”.
Comment by dupage dan Wednesday, Feb 19, 14 @ 9:53 am
–Voters, especially Republican primary voters, are sick of these uber-negative attacks that have nothing to do with real issues - –
Somebody always says it — “voters are sick of negative spots.”
And they’re always wrong. Negative spots move the needle. Proven time and again.
Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Feb 19, 14 @ 9:53 am
Here’s a suggestion for the next ad, start with, “Rauner cares more about money than lives. He oversaw neglect and abuse leading to X deaths, all while making profits of Y. When Rauner’s in charge, people die.”
Boom! Headshot.
Comment by Jimbo Wednesday, Feb 19, 14 @ 9:54 am
Rich, are you or your parents close to nursing home age? Ask yourself how you might respond differently to the as if the answer to that question was yes. Then look at the demographics of Republican primary voters.
Comment by Just Me Wednesday, Feb 19, 14 @ 9:54 am
And if you’re a really attentive conservative, if anything, it will have the opposite effect and drive you towards Rauner.
The unions know the primary is over. All they are using this for is a testing ground for the General.
What works, what doesn’t, what sticks, what doesn’t.
Comment by Jackson and Laflin Wednesday, Feb 19, 14 @ 9:54 am
===Rich, are you or your parents close to nursing home age?===
Not that it’s any of your business, but my grandmother is in a nursing home. Plus, I don’t necessarily need a loved one to be in danger to feel empathy.
Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Feb 19, 14 @ 9:55 am
===If you’re attentive enough ===
You wouldn’t be a republican. /snark
Comment by Jimbo Wednesday, Feb 19, 14 @ 9:57 am
Too over the top. Appears to be more directed toward the general election and represents the ’sky is falling’ screams of desperation from the unions.
Looks like we are on our way to a record negative, hate filled campaign full of innuendo and twisted information; a race to the bottom of disgust if you will.
Comment by Sunshine Wednesday, Feb 19, 14 @ 9:58 am
In the past I would have said this ad would be effective against someone like Rauner but the way the majority of Republicans have been co-opted by the tea partiers it probably won’t . The fact that the Baron’s response included his ever-present “government union bosses” line shows that his campaigners have their message aimed at the core (angry) audience, and any ads run against the true Bruce Rauner are to be shrugged off . IMHO, this ad is aimed at the rest of the voting public. Too late to “help” any if the little three, but plenty of time to start educating anyone with an open mind about who the Baron really is before November.
Comment by Roadiepig Wednesday, Feb 19, 14 @ 9:59 am
Being a person who, in my capacity at work, has opportunities to visit NHs throughout parts of Illinois, I have seen first hand some of the conditions that exist in these facilities. Assessing ownership in these facilities is sometimes difficult when you come up against the nature of some blind trusts that exist. Makes you wonder why someone would go to such lengths to hide such information. Knowing what I know - there are some powerful folks out there, people you wouldn’t automatically consider, who own NHs. I think it would stun some folks who post here to find out who is involved. It certainly has stunned me.
Comment by dupage dan Wednesday, Feb 19, 14 @ 9:59 am
==are sick of these uber-negative attacks that have nothing to do with real issues==
Does that mean Rauner should stop his uber-negative attacks against unions and their members?
Comment by Wensicia Wednesday, Feb 19, 14 @ 9:59 am
The Baron’s wordy response is pretty gosh darn weak, and draws more attention to facts already brought up in the ad.
The ad seems over the top because GTCR traded profits for the lives of its residents - it’s an over the top scenario. It’s a big deal, hard to make it seem less so.
Comment by Chi Wednesday, Feb 19, 14 @ 10:00 am
Say Goodnight Bruce!! It only gets worse from here.
Comment by veritas Wednesday, Feb 19, 14 @ 10:00 am
The Baron company defaulted? Quitter.
Comment by Samurai Wednesday, Feb 19, 14 @ 10:01 am
I think part of the problem is you don’t have an image of Rauner in the ad. You need it to beging with him smiling or doing something stupid and for it to end the same way. Think- Judy Barr Polka ad.
Just my two cents.
Comment by Boone's is Back Wednesday, Feb 19, 14 @ 10:02 am
–Looks like we are on our way to a record negative, hate filled campaign full of innuendo and twisted information; a race to the bottom of disgust if you will.–
You can’t be serious.
Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Feb 19, 14 @ 10:02 am
The PAC should save their money for the real election not the Republican primary which Rauner will likely win. When it comes down to Quinn vs Rauner labor has no choice but to support Quinn.
Comment by Rod Wednesday, Feb 19, 14 @ 10:03 am
There seems to be a fundamental disagreement in the thread, and Rich, I’d like to get your opinion on it.
Who is the target of these ads?
Republican primary voters, or the voting public at large? Are they there to begin to stem the tide, or with hopes to sway the primary specifically?
Comment by Jackson and Laflin Wednesday, Feb 19, 14 @ 10:03 am
I thought initially it was a pretty hard hit, but looking at it from an “outsider’s” perspective (not already knowing the background,etc.) I would agree that it fell a bit short.
Good solid B though.
Oh, and to the Raunerbot posting at 9:44: There were no “profits to disgorge” from the GTCR Fund that bought Trans Healthcare because it LOST MONEY.
Comment by Arthur Andersen Wednesday, Feb 19, 14 @ 10:04 am
===If you’re attentive enough to be voting in a Republican primary, there’s a 90% chance you’ll dismiss these ads as garbage.===
Or that you’ll consider as fact.
Comment by Samurai Wednesday, Feb 19, 14 @ 10:05 am
You don’t think so? Accusing someone of killing people is pretty serious. But then that is my opinion. Yeah, a race to the bottom is on its way.
Comment by Sunshine Wednesday, Feb 19, 14 @ 10:05 am
Must have gotten somebody’s notice. Rauner just wrote himself another half million dollar check according to the ISBofE
Comment by train111 Wednesday, Feb 19, 14 @ 10:06 am
If your response to everything negative someone else says about you is essentially, “Your a democrat,” I don’t understand how you are possibly going to win a general election in the state of Illinois.
Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Feb 19, 14 @ 10:08 am
Assume that a candidate is a convicted armed robber. Is it dirty politics and hate filled and a race to the bottom of disgust for an opposing candidate to tell the voters about it? Or would those accusations just be the only argument available to the armed robber?
Comment by Chi Wednesday, Feb 19, 14 @ 10:09 am
Good ad. Could be better I suppose.
Not enough, by a long shot. Primary voters still don’t have a harbor to moor their ship if they don’t like Rauner.
The campaign efforts by the three non Rauner candidates is just remarkably weak.
Comment by Mr. Negativity Wednesday, Feb 19, 14 @ 10:09 am
Oach, that’s a tough ad. If it gets a lot of air time it can’t not be effective
Comment by Bobo Wednesday, Feb 19, 14 @ 10:12 am
These ads might cause some voters to vote for someone other than Rauner. If those voters do not coalesce behind one candidate, the best the unions can hope for is that Rauner wins with a smaller margin. Not much return on their investment.
Comment by Snucka Wednesday, Feb 19, 14 @ 10:13 am
Chi Armed robber and directly accusing someone of killing people is a tiny bit different, don’t you think? If there is absolute proof of a direct, or indirect tie, might be different. But the information I read did not support that. Perhaps I read it wrong.
Comment by Sunshine Wednesday, Feb 19, 14 @ 10:13 am
So - we got a candidate that tries to get bald middle age men to twerk it in darken bedrooms, a candidate who made a billion dollars killing old people, a candidate that couldn’t beat scandal-scarred Democrats during the middle of a GOP landslide, a bafflingly incompetent incumbent - and an old white guy who worked for Edgar.
Oh -
And then there is the last two former governors who has/are in prison.
God owes Sodom and Gomorrah an apology.
Comment by VanillaMan Wednesday, Feb 19, 14 @ 10:17 am
Rauner’s bringing attention to ad will have more people looking for it. Kinda reinforces the ad in my opinion. Keep him on defense, spending money fighting negatives won’t increase his popularity.
Comment by Wensicia Wednesday, Feb 19, 14 @ 10:18 am
Effective, people will relate, and a “worksheet” by Rauner is “swell”, but negative Ads work, and with Rauner only at 10% (not a typo) negative in that Trib poll, this will begin educating voters and the negatives go up.
“More of these negatives, please.”
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Feb 19, 14 @ 10:22 am
Arthur Anderson -GTCR VIII hasn’t lost money; it’s been a big winner. That’s the one I referenced — the one IEA members were the first to vote for and smear the process of. See http://www.pehub.com/2013/07/gtcr-out-fundraising-fund-xi-seeks-3-25-bln/
Comment by WirePoints Wednesday, Feb 19, 14 @ 10:23 am
Willy must be at a stealth campaign event. He’d have some good observations. In his absence Word is doing his usual best.
Comment by Norseman Wednesday, Feb 19, 14 @ 10:32 am
@Sunshine 10:13,=”If there is absolute proof of a direct or indirect tie=
Big money always protects itself, it hires someone to do the dirty work for them. Rauner knew, or should have known. Either way, it looks like a bad way to run businesses that the vulnerable elderly depend on. I am looking at this as “not what he says, but what he does”. This is an example of “I will run the state like I run my business” not being a good thing.
Comment by DuPage Wednesday, Feb 19, 14 @ 10:39 am
Effective ad. The average voter will not distinguish court room hyperbole from fact or understand that an investment company does not necessarily involve itself in ground level decision making.
Senior care is a powerfully emotional issue. Seniors chased Congressman Rostenkowsky down the street in ‘89 because of a position he took on Medicare. And there are a lot more voters today concerned with elder care issues due to demographics.
If Rauner makes it the general, he better have a fancy multimedia rebuttal to this charge. The average voter will be too emotionally charged to ignore the allegation based on a dry powerpoint presentation, regardless of its accuracy.
Comment by Cook County Commoner Wednesday, Feb 19, 14 @ 10:43 am
The Levine ad was pretty ineffective, but the nursing home ad could have legs. Both, I think assume the audience knows what GTCR stands for but don’t make it clear.
Comment by Great Caesar's Ghost Wednesday, Feb 19, 14 @ 10:47 am
Effective enough I might pull an R just to vote against the guy.
Oh right, I would have to vote for one of the other three: nevermind.
Comment by Toure's Latte Wednesday, Feb 19, 14 @ 10:53 am
There is a commonly known term of art called “Bad Guy”, as in “He is a Bad Guy”. Once general election voters figure out that Rauner is a Bad Guy they will vote for Quinn, who may be a lot of things, but I have never heard him called a Bad Guy. This add helps.
Comment by demgov Wednesday, Feb 19, 14 @ 10:57 am
I like it. With an aging population in Illinois, too many people are facing the realities of either living the rest of their lives in a nursing home themselves or dealing with adult parents who need nursing home care.
Comment by Nick Wednesday, Feb 19, 14 @ 10:58 am
I see the ad getting the attention of the older voter. This is an issue that us older folks begin to think about as we near retirement and enter it.
The vulnerability and helplessness of those who end up having to depend on strangers for their well being is very real. Any chance that Rauner might have preyed upon those in that situation would be enough to turn many in that voting bloc against him. And that is no small group.
Comment by Irish Wednesday, Feb 19, 14 @ 11:06 am
The Rauner response was pretty weak. It’s going to be hard to get that fact sheet down to a 30 second ad or a debate response. What is the old saying about when you’re explaining, you’re what?
Right. You’re losing.
This should inch up Rauner’s negatives. Probably not enough to stop him in the primary but enough to lower the ceiling on his favorables.
Comment by 47th Ward Wednesday, Feb 19, 14 @ 11:13 am
I predict this one backfires. All of the subliminal stuff in it is set up for “gotcha” for some business scandal rather than creating any empathy among the target audience. It just reeks of dishonesty in the production values. All you have to do is trot out someone in a state institution suffering from some level of neglect to battle this one. Smarter would be to let this ad create it’s own lack of credibility. Early on I heard clearly the word “accused”. If they run this alot, everyone will hear it. If you can’t draw a straight line to it, it just isn’t as effective. Disclaimer: I am supporting Rauner at this point. That certainly does not mean I don’t know the difference between good and bad ads. The first one wasn’t good, even below average. This one’s worse. Whatever impact it has will be with a small target.
Comment by A guy... Wednesday, Feb 19, 14 @ 11:14 am
Coming for a person who does not want Rauner to get elected given his suspect character: After spending over $60K in polling / research, I sure hope this group properly tested the substance, theme, tone and actual ad. On the surface, it looks hard hitting, and there is legitimate critiques here, but the ad is hard to follow and a little over the top, making it much less believable, as members of my household (all Dems) said it is not believable. Ads that looks and sound hard hitting to the insiders are not necessarily effective once real voters see it.
Comment by Dave Fako Wednesday, Feb 19, 14 @ 11:21 am
This is why every Democrat I know is praying Rauner is GOP nominee. Unbelievable Republicans are poised to put Gordon Gekko on steroids at the top of their ticket. Such is the level of desperation in the IL GOP.
BTW maybe if those nursing home employees were unionized, maybe fewer people would have suffered and died from inadequate care. That’s a whole other angle to this story.
Comment by too obvious Wednesday, Feb 19, 14 @ 11:34 am
Saw the ad for the first time this am on the Weather Channel.
That is a pretty big buy.
Is it an effective ad?
Watch it not once, but seven times, and the answer is yes.
The question is, if you disqualify Rauner, who do Republicans turn to?
BTW, this ain’t about the unions wanting to help Quinn. This is about the unions needing a more palatable alternative to Quinn for the fall.
Comment by Juvenal Wednesday, Feb 19, 14 @ 11:35 am
I found the fact sheet convincing, particularly the timelines mentioned. Until I see those facts refuted I think this is a cheap political attack. The problem is almost nobody is going to read that and it is impossible to get into a response ad.
Comment by Worth It Wednesday, Feb 19, 14 @ 11:39 am
This ad will disturb anyone who has watched a loved one die in a nursing home, AND those primary-voting seniors who are all too close to entering one themselves.
Comment by IbendahlLuvsJBT Wednesday, Feb 19, 14 @ 11:40 am
Three things stand out for me. 1) Court after court ruled abuse and neglect, 2) the company made a billion dollars by allowing the neglect, and 3) the Tribune said this could follow him. Since he just used the Trib as the gold standard for his last response, it is more damaging that they flagged this issue.
Comment by George Washington Wednesday, Feb 19, 14 @ 11:44 am
- IbendahlLuvsJBT -,
That is why I really have steered very clear on this as much as I can, and respond/comment limitedly.
This is fresh for me, and my family. Thanksgivjng to after the New Year, nursing home care and final days weighed heavy. That is why this could resonate insofar as raising the negatives of Rauner with families struggling like mine.
The “worksheet” is like - 47th Ward - states; you’re explaining, you’re losing the arguement.
I am not alone with family, and loved ones, or just decency for Seniors. This will be like a peanut allergy; the reaction is what will dictate the impact, not eating the peanut.
Sorry to go personal. Apologies all.
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Feb 19, 14 @ 11:51 am
What Dave Fako said!
There is a legitimate critique of Rauner’s company here, based not on opinion, but on legal findings.
His actual performance running GCTR is much, much worse than anything Romney ever did with Bain Capital, in harming people. Making profits, except in the wild-eyes of the most extreme ideologues, is not the only metric by which we can judge actions of leaders and companies.
But the ad is too disjointed and over the top to be easily believed. It’s just too nasty in times of negative ads — even though it happens to be fair and accurate.
Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Feb 19, 14 @ 11:56 am
anon. 11:56 was me.
Comment by Walker Wednesday, Feb 19, 14 @ 12:00 pm
IMO, this ad is the beginning of the General Election fight. These negatives will not hurt him enough in the GOP Primary. It does put him on the defense and helps to begin an alternate definition of the real Bruce Rauner.
Comment by Endangered Moderate Species Wednesday, Feb 19, 14 @ 12:07 pm
I sincerely think this will ultimately help Rauner. If he wins without overcoming the negatives that will be throw at him, he starts the general in a weaker position; by having the negatives fly now, and by overcoming them through a primary victory, he is stronger at the start of the general season. Battle tested. Rauner’s response was clear and detailed, and I thought persuasive. I’m still not sure how I feel about him, but I do see a focused and disciplined campaign, and can see him being quite formidable this fall.
Comment by anon Wednesday, Feb 19, 14 @ 12:11 pm
I keep hearing this message in Rauner’s ads. Is Quinn running in the GOP primary ? Are Brady, Dillard & Rutherford all plants by Quinn in a vast conspiracy against Rauner ? Whatever this guy is smoking, I want some.
“Pat Quinn’s allies launched a desperate and disgusting false attack ad against Bruce Rauner.”
Comment by AFSCME Steward Wednesday, Feb 19, 14 @ 12:11 pm
This is WHY Rauner cannot win the General, and why Repulicans should not let him escape the primary. He will be crushed by the populist message of CORPORATE GREED. Quinn wins!
Comment by Reformed Public Servant Wednesday, Feb 19, 14 @ 12:58 pm
Decent ad for the general.
If you’re going to do this, you need to hammer home the fact that Rauner wants to run Illinois like a business. There’s enough of those soundbites floating around that you can throw it in his face.
Comment by CollegeStudent Wednesday, Feb 19, 14 @ 1:02 pm
AFSCME, I actually think that is a pretty good campaign tactic. As I’ve said before he’s running the best campaign money can buy. Since his GOP opponents are so weak, he can focus on criticizing his general election opponent. You may have noticed some of Rich’s poll number stories as evidence of his success. He’s also using surrogates to attack the fund-strapped 3.
Comment by Norseman Wednesday, Feb 19, 14 @ 1:07 pm
Rauner’s “fact sheet” is like bad swiss cheese. Doesn’t even begin to provide the real facts or tell the full story.
Rauner can’t spin his way out of this. The paper trail will be the downfall of his campaign. The Rs may not know how to tell the true story, but the Dems will. It’s only beginning.
Follow the money.
Comment by too obvious Wednesday, Feb 19, 14 @ 1:30 pm
Meanwhile, back at the ranch, Rauner wrote himself a check today for $500K. Yesterday, he reported another $160K in contributions. The day before, $100K and change.
Again, he’s not just a self-funder. He has peeps all over the country writing powerful checks.
The 1% is all in on Farmer Bruce and his “immoral” public employee union message. Believe it.
And cut the Medicaid, too. That will solve all of our problems.
Curiously, Farmer Bruce made a fortune off of Medicaid with those fleabag nursing homes he was running.
Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Feb 19, 14 @ 4:23 pm
I imagine Rauner’s $500K contribution to himself today has something to do with this spot. The response spot is coming in a hurry.
For crying out loud — the allegation is that Rauner fed at the public trough running slumlord nursing homes. The reason the lawsuits weren’t answered is because the business plan was to starve the homes into bankruptcy, the seniors be damned.
C’mon man. That’s heavy stuff.
Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Feb 19, 14 @ 4:42 pm
- wordslinger -,
It is lost on those requiring blame of others fur being outworked, out hustled, out maneuvered, and refused for months and months the idea a man who can write and can get tens of millions of dollars would do just that, and in going so, redefine his own existence uninhibited, and I stopped, all the while destroying every Democrat, “…and some Republicans too…”, through the fallacy of being an outsider with the biggest insider credentials used for such personal gain and reward.
Not surprised at all at the update, - wordslinger -, but then again, who should be who has been paying attention?
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Feb 19, 14 @ 4:43 pm
-The business plan was to starve the nursing homes into bankruptcy, the seniors be damned-
Exactly. And what the heck if $60 million of OPM goes down the crapper in the process. Another day, another deal.
Is this the “business” you seek to emulate, Bruce?
Comment by Arthur Andersen Wednesday, Feb 19, 14 @ 5:13 pm
Just read the “fact sheet” from the Rauner campaign. Means nothing. People, don’t be swayed by the shinny object. Keep your focus. The health and well being of our state. Bruce failed at the health and well being of seniors….all in the name of a dollar. Makes me sick to think of his pleasure of making millions at the cost of others lives.
Comment by Think About It Wednesday, Feb 19, 14 @ 9:49 pm
Bruce Rauner wants to run the state of Illinois like a business. His business.
And that means valuing profits over people’s lives, and converting other people’s money into his own.
Bruce Rauner. We’ve seen what he did to vulnerable seniors in his nursing homes. Don’t let him get his hands on Illinois.
Comment by Soccermom Thursday, Feb 20, 14 @ 8:08 am
Soccermom should produce the next spot. She pretty much summed it up.
Comment by JImbo Thursday, Feb 20, 14 @ 8:32 am
Really. So no 90 year old has died in a nursing home staffed by the SEIU? Illinois should not be run like a business, so what should it be run like? The fact is the state is beyond broke and if you want things to change for the greatest generation or at least the two generations behind them, what would you change? Better yet, what can you point to in the decades of Democratic control of this state can you cite as improving the lives of the public other than those who are government employees? Unemployment, no. Poverty level, guess again. Crime rate, ask another question. Financial situation, worst in the country. Maybe a little adult supervision wouldn’t hurt.
Comment by Jimmy Friday, Feb 21, 14 @ 4:04 pm
Rauner. The new Gidwitz.
Comment by history Tuesday, Feb 25, 14 @ 7:53 am