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Question of the day

Thursday, Sep 21, 2006 - Posted by Rich Miller

Come up with a TV ad for both Topinka and Blagojevich.

       

38 Comments
  1. - larry mullholland - Thursday, Sep 21, 06 @ 9:36 am:

    Blago as a bobble head Make light of him his failed programs & fade in and out of blago the bobblehead. I think people are sick of negative ads and the campaign in gereral lighten it up and make hiim look like the fool he has become to the daily observers. This concept would resonate with those who don’t pay attention


  2. - VanillaMan - Thursday, Sep 21, 06 @ 9:47 am:

    Topinka - Show some shots of the governor’s mansion over the years and it’s occupants, then fade to today’s mansion; empty, neglected, overgrown as a voice intones the problems we face, and the governor who is AWOL.

    Blagojevich - Candidly admit the things you’ve learned your first term; your success and your failures. Give the camera that big innocent boyish look and promise us you’ll do better, move to the Capital and do your job.


  3. - Yellow Dog Democrat - Thursday, Sep 21, 06 @ 10:04 am:

    Topinka should just take the headline intro that Judy Myers used and follow it with half-a-dozen “man on the street” interviews of people saying the nastiest things about Blagojevich she can get them to say on camera. You can’t rebut the man-on-the-sreet.


  4. - Bill - Thursday, Sep 21, 06 @ 10:05 am:

    Rod surrounded college students”…thanks Governor for MAP+. It helps us pay for college…”
    Rod surrounded by mothers with young children “…Thanks Governor for helping us afford health insurance for our kids…”
    Rod surrounded by middle school students and teachers “…Thanks Governor for these computers. They will help us compete globally…”
    and so on with seniors, veterans, etc..
    Switch to a casino with roulette wheel spinning. In the background is Judy surrounded by KJ, Cellini,all the Ryans,Jim Thompson,Edgar all dressed in pinstripe Armanis with power ties smoking fat cigars.George is wearing handcuffs. Judy is dressed in an Elvis costume complete with wig.
    Voice over..
    Don’t gamble your future on a cheap imitation. Vote for the real thing…Rod Blagojevich.


  5. - Pat Hickey - Thursday, Sep 21, 06 @ 10:22 am:

    Use Itchy and Scratchy from the Simpsons - the script will write itself


  6. - anon - Thursday, Sep 21, 06 @ 10:30 am:

    Show choice clips of Blagojevich from the Late Show, his testicular virility comments, and his ball juggling act from a few years ago with voice-over “Governor Blagojevich, what’s he thinking?


  7. - Ravenswood Right Winger - Thursday, Sep 21, 06 @ 10:45 am:

    JBT-an ad with that kid from downstate who got turned away from a hospital because Illinois can’t pay its Medicare bills on time. (Rich had a post on this a while back)

    Rod-”I made a promise 4 years ago not to raise your taxes. I kept my promise. Would Judy?”


  8. - Wumpus - Thursday, Sep 21, 06 @ 10:47 am:

    Bill, you are too mcuh. How has Rod helped veterans? kept them from having to work by putting in his cronies over veterans preference.

    JBT should show a child’s birthday party with kids opening gifts. One gets a doll, one gets a pair of socks, but baby Elvis gets a wad full of cash.


  9. - IrishPirate - Thursday, Sep 21, 06 @ 11:13 am:

    Topinka anti Blago ad

    Big oversized $1500 check with Elvis singing “You ain’t nothing but a hounddog” in the background


  10. - Carl Nyberg - Thursday, Sep 21, 06 @ 11:20 am:

    “Hi, I’m Rod Blagojevich. I might have done some things wrong, but I put into place people who did a bunch of things right.

    [List some feel good measures.]

    “There are investigations happening. Some of the people I appointed are being investigated. I take responsibility for the mistakes made by my appointees.

    “I pledge to you, I haven’t done anything to abuse the trust of the people of Illinois. I am so confident that my conduct will withstand scrutiny that I pledge to resign if indicted.

    “If my critics fears are true–and I assure you they aren’t–Pat Quinn will be governor of Illinois.”


  11. - WTF! - Thursday, Sep 21, 06 @ 11:33 am:

    Start off with “What is she thinking” line. Have Judy look right into the camera and say “I’m glad you asked Governor.”

    “I’m thinking I can work with the General Assembly and keep my word. I won’t need memoranda of understanding.” (Show piles and piles of paper). “I’m thinking if your own party can’t trust you - who can?”

    NEXT COMMERCIAL

    Start off with “What is she thinking” line. Have Judy look right into the camera and say “I’m glad you asked Governor.”

    “I’m thinking there has been no real change from the Ryan administration to this administration.” “I’ve never accepted a $1,500 check for my child’s college fund and then gave the contributor’s wife a job.” “I’m thinking - that’s wrong.”


  12. - maggiemae - Thursday, Sep 21, 06 @ 11:53 am:

    WTF - Well said


  13. - anon - Thursday, Sep 21, 06 @ 12:11 pm:

    I know this is not the place for it but I think we should all congratulate Rich on being voted Best of Springfield Blog by the Illinois Times. Congrats Rich!!


  14. - Southern Illinoisian - Thursday, Sep 21, 06 @ 12:28 pm:

    Video shot in front of Indiana statehouse of an older gentleman:
    “Illinois? Hahahahaha!”

    Cut to video in front of Missouri statehouse of a businesswoman:
    “Illinois? Hahahahahaha!”

    Cut to video in front of US Capitol of a small group of young professionals:
    “Illinois? Hahahahahaha!”

    Cut to a typical (bad) photo of Blags, while a deep-voiced announcer intones:
    “Do you want to be laughed at for another four years?”


  15. - Salty Dog - Thursday, Sep 21, 06 @ 12:57 pm:

    Rod commercial:

    “If you like it, I did it. If you hate it, George Ryan did it. Now, vote for me and every child will get a pony. Inner city children will get a Golden Retriever. Because it’s the right thing to do.”

    Topinka spot:
    Topinka standing in front of front door of a typical home. “4 years ago we left an earnest-looking young guy in charge who promised reform and renewal and ethics.
    What we got was…”

    (opens door to reveal the remains of an all-night college kegger party, the entire room is trashed, “blago rules!” is spray graffitti’ed all over the walls, a fire smoulders in one corner)

    “… very disappointing, to say the least. Put a grown-up back in charge of Illinois. Vote for me. I’ll cut up the credit cards, get our finances back on track, and I’ll make good on the promises HE made you.”


  16. - Gregor - Thursday, Sep 21, 06 @ 1:05 pm:

    “I’m Judy Barr Topinka, with 1500 reasons you should vote for me. This is YOUR government, and it’s not for sale, or for rent to anybody who wants to get around the rules. Illinois is broken. We’re going to fix it, together. Let’s start, this November.


  17. - Dorian Breuer - Thursday, Sep 21, 06 @ 1:09 pm:

    No Campaign Ad for Whitney?


  18. - Blago View - Thursday, Sep 21, 06 @ 1:13 pm:

    Rod surrounded by kids who would have gone to college “…thanks Governor, if you only hadn’t squandered our future to pay for your debt ridden programs we could have gone to college.
    Rod surrounded by mothers and their children “…thanks Governor, if you had only cared enough to actually fund the programs that you created for the benefit of your re-election campaign we might have been able to actually obtain medical care.
    Rod surrounded by middle school students and teachers outside their crumbling school “…thanks Governor, if only you hadn’t played politics with the school construction list our dilapidated school would have been repaired but we know you getting re-elected is more important than little Tommy getting hit in the head by the school’s falling bricks.
    Switch to multiple shots of hotels, restaurants, bars, convenience stores, etc. with Keno boards lit up and the latest numbers being called “…thanks Governor, we can now gamble at every turn in our daily lives since you have saw fit to expand gambling everywhere. Plus it’s our only revenue source now that you sold off the Lottery.
    Fade away showing Blagojevich rubbing elbows with the billionaire friend who put on his last Chicago fundraiser as they sip champagne and eat caviar while Chicago’s homeless and starving are gathered outside. Voiceover “Can we afford more of Blagojevich?”


  19. - Pat Hickey - Thursday, Sep 21, 06 @ 1:19 pm:

    No Campaign Ad for Whitney?

    Campaign? That’s near Paxton and Onarga ain’it?


  20. - Anon - Thursday, Sep 21, 06 @ 1:30 pm:

    I read the question as an ad that would work for both of them.

    Wouldn’t that just be either of them saying over and over and over, “Trust me I’m not George Ryan; really I’m not! Things are going to change this time, really they will!”

    I suppose in the background you could have a bunch of people sitting at their computers reading a certain blog, and laughing hysterically.


  21. - Squideshi - Thursday, Sep 21, 06 @ 2:15 pm:

    I’m with Dorian. Why only Rod and Judy? What about an ad for Rich Whitney too?


  22. - Rich Miller - Thursday, Sep 21, 06 @ 2:41 pm:

    If I thought that Whitney could afford even a cable ad in Pope County I’d have put him in the question.


  23. - ThePiper - Thursday, Sep 21, 06 @ 2:49 pm:

    Hi I’m Rich Whitney.
    Who?
    Rich Whitney with the Green Party?
    What?
    I’m running for Governor.
    Huh? Oh, you’re the guy who will steal votes from the Democrats?

    I’m Rich Whitney and I could only dream of actually paying for an ad.


  24. - SmartAlek - Thursday, Sep 21, 06 @ 3:03 pm:

    Hi, I’m Rich Whitney. I’m not Rod Blagojevich. I’m not Judy Baar Topinka. I am on the ballot for governor this fall. Why not give me a try?


  25. - SmartAlek - Thursday, Sep 21, 06 @ 3:06 pm:

    Hi, I’m Rich Whitney. Amy Blagojevich has more money in the bank than I do.


  26. - moderate - Thursday, Sep 21, 06 @ 3:31 pm:

    want Pat Quinn to be the next govenor of Illinois? Vote for Rod!


  27. - Reddbyrd - Thursday, Sep 21, 06 @ 3:43 pm:

    JudyBore: (standing outside the Kankakee Country Club)
    “Wow did we have some great parties here. Those were the days.”
    AccordionGal: (riding in Swanson’s RV to Cardinals Games) “And those session nights when we raced to St. Louis with the lobbyists to sit in those swell box seats.”
    JudyBore: (staring at a picture of Brickhead Joe)
    “What WAS I thinking?


  28. - Squideshi - Thursday, Sep 21, 06 @ 4:31 pm:

    Piper, perhaps you haven’t see the most recent SurveyUSA poll. According to the crosstabs, most of Rich Whitney’s support comes from independents:

    Republican 7%
    Democrat 3%
    Independent 15%

    Notice anything else interesting?


  29. - ThePiper - Thursday, Sep 21, 06 @ 4:53 pm:

    What’s would a green independent voter do if Whitney wasn’t in the race?


  30. - Dark Knight - Thursday, Sep 21, 06 @ 5:40 pm:

    I’ve thought of a series of commercials I call “the boy governor” campaign:

    Here’s the first:

    A 12 year old or so Blago look-alike wearing an adult suit that is too big for him, is orbiting around JBT who is pushing a shopping cart in a grocery store:

    Rod: “I want this!” [puts box in cart labeled “Illegal Canadian Drug Scheme”]

    JBT: “No, we can’t afford it” [Puts box back on shelf]

    Rod: “I want this!” [Puts box in cart labeled “Free money for whatever I’m at today”]

    JBT: “No, we can’t afford it” [Puts box back on shelf]

    [Repeat as many times as you have time]

    Final shot: JBT at check out while boy-gov continues to misbehave around the store]

    “It’s not easy or fun being the adult. But Illinois deserves a mature response to our fiscal crisis, not empty childish promises. I’m JBT, and I’ll make the hard decisions we need to bring Illinois back to solvency. That’s what I’m thinking.”


  31. - Arthur Andersen - Thursday, Sep 21, 06 @ 5:43 pm:

    JBT ad: voice over of Federal Investigations as screen shows Rod in front of “reform & Renewal” banner. As narrator moves to “Had Enough” closer, bring up music/video of Bill, Hicks, and ReddByrd singing “Didn’t We Almost Have It All?”

    Blago Ad: Rod & Patti at the kitchen table with their monthly bills and checkbook. “Like so many of the good working families of Illinois, Patti and I have bills to pay just like you do. And we sit down together and go over our finances every month and are astounded by the high cost of living. Why, just this month alone, our ..tell them Patti.” “Well, Rod, we paid $38,000 for lawyers this month.” “See what I’m saying. I’m asking for your vote so we can continue to keep affordable healthcare and gas prices for all Illinois families.”


  32. - Dark Knight - Thursday, Sep 21, 06 @ 5:48 pm:

    Here’s another one:

    *Fade in to a soldier coming home to his family, putting away his uniform, doning civilian clothes

    Voice over: Our veterans have fought for our freedom and security and are coming home having sacrificed for us. Now they are looking for jobs, having served us so well and so faithfully

    *Ex-soldier kissing wife and family as he walks down street toward a store front with an open door, the window says “State of Illinois” and there’s a “Now hiring” sign hanging in the window.

    Voice over: “Illinois, recognizes the hard work and sacrifices and by law has a preference for hiring our soldiers coming back from war.”

    *Just as the ex-soldier gets to the door the boy-gov appears and slams the door in his face.

    Voice over: “But Rod Blagojevich ignores that law and instead of hiring veterans, instead hands out “consultant” jobs to his connected fat-cat friends.”

    *Scene has cut to the back door where boy-gov hands big money bags with the dollar bill sign to characature politicians as they come in the back door, laughing, glad-handing.

    *Cut to front, ex-soldier stands in front of closed door, his head down, a single tear rolls down his cheak.

    “JBT will enforce the law giving hiring preferences to veterans. That’s what she’s thinking” Blah blah blah Paid for by …..


  33. - Rex - Thursday, Sep 21, 06 @ 6:15 pm:

    A rolling script listing all the no-bid contracts, the dollar amount, with a total price tag at the end.


  34. - anonymous - Thursday, Sep 21, 06 @ 8:22 pm:

    JBT dressed up as Maria from The Sound of Music-hat, cape, guitar singing “Illinois” to the tune of “Edelweiss”

    and it goes

    Illinois, Illinois I was buddies with Ryan,
    Illinois, Illinois after seeing Rod’s ad I was cryin’
    GOP please still vote for me
    I’ll make you more wealthy
    Slots for schools, Slots for schools
    Who cares if the kids are unhealthy?


  35. - Martha Mitchell - Thursday, Sep 21, 06 @ 10:11 pm:

    For all the people making wise cracks about Rich Whitney: It’s not all about money or having ads on television. It’ about integrity and vision and the will to do it right. We need fresh thinking in Illinois politics. Donkeys and elephants just can’t seem to get into this century. Smoke filled rooms are out, sunshine is in.


  36. - Casey Jones - Thursday, Sep 21, 06 @ 10:59 pm:

    How about a Topinka commercial that’s based on the Motel 6/Tom Bodett ad campaign? With a George Ryan look-alike in an orange jumpsuit peering through the bars of the front gate at Stateville Penitentiary and saying “Rod, we’ll leave the light on for you.”

    On the other side, let’s see a Blagojevich commercial featuring magician David Copperfield who will perform the amazing feat of making all ethical behavior vanish from the Governor’s Office. Oh, wait a minute, Rod already did that…


  37. - Angie - Friday, Sep 22, 06 @ 12:40 am:

    Run a commercial like that SNL sketch where the three guys in tacky suits go to dance in a nightclub and keep bumping into people, only instead, both candidates are dancing with Ryan. Then, when asked who is enjoying the dance more, they start pointing at each other not quite sure who is being questioned. Him? Me? Her? Me? And just have them both pointing back and forth while both continuing to bop into Ryan on the dance floor.


  38. - Squideshi - Friday, Sep 22, 06 @ 9:12 am:

    Piper, what would a Democrat do if Blagojevich weren’t in the race? I suspect that more progressives would prefer to vote for Rich Whitney; so if you’re going to make that argument, you had better acknowledge that Blagojevich stands to take more votes from Whitney and is, therefore, the bigger spoiler.


Sorry, comments for this post are now closed.


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