* I tried getting through to Democratic Congresswoman Melissa Bean’s campaign spokesperson twice today so I could get a copy of her new hard-hitting TV ad. I wasn’t successful. So, I had a buddy make a copy using his mobile phone. That means the video/audio quality is lousy, but this is one tough hit on Republican Joe Walsh and you should watch it.
*** UPDATE 1 *** The Bean campaign sent a better quality version. Rate it…
* Script…
Announcer: Listen to Joe Walsh.
Walsh: “We’re at the beginning of a war.”
Walsh: “This is a revolution.”
Walsh:”We have to make the case for concealed carry by saying it works.”
Walsh: “This protects me from my government.”
Announcer: He’d eliminate protection for our air and water.
Walsh: “It’s a crusade.”
Announcer: He’d ban the right to choose, even to save a woman’s life.
Walsh: “I’m pro-life without exception.”
Announcer: Hidden guns? No environmental protections? End a woman’s right to choose?
Walsh: “Some people may say that’s reckless, but so what?”
Announcer: Reckless? Joe, that’s dangerous.
Bean is obviously concerned about a tightening race.
*** UPDATE 2 *** From a Joe Walsh campaign e-mail..
Dear Friends:
Be strong. It’s going to continue to get ugly out there. We have two weeks to go and our opponent and her enablers in the media will do and say whatever they can to help her and hurt me. Ignore all this misinformation, let’s keep our heads down and work hard. Let’s make Melissa Bean defend her votes and debate her opponents.
“I tried getting through to Democratic Congresswoman Melissa Bean’s campaign spokesperson twice today so I could get a copy of her new hard-hitting TV ad. I wasn’t successful.”
That is totally unacceptable. Bean’s campaign has been garbage. I saw the saddest walk card of all time at this event a couple months back, a Bean walk card. It was all jacked up and printed on tissue paper. I can’t believe the Rs cannot get it together to take a serious run at her in that R district. At least it would make her step up and show some leadership on SOMETHING.
The only poll (We Ask America) published by Quincy Herald-Whig of all places showed the race tied at 41-41 with Green Party candidate Bill Scheurer getting 5%. Overweighted to women, I think. 56% female respondents.
After seeing Giannoulias take Kirk out of context (by several years) on his House floor comment on unemployment, I have to wonder about when Joe Walsh actually said “Some people may say that’s reckless, but so what?” and about what topic?
Besides, I tell you what is dangerous. What we are doing to this country from a fiscal standpoint under Obama. THAT’s more “dangerous” than Joe Walsh could ever be.
I have no clue what is happening in this district but if the GOP had a decent candidate Melissa should be packing. With Walsh however, she should be OK. On the other hand, we really don’t know because her district is that purple.
I’d rather not see Walsh win, but a lot of voters in this district are disgusted enough to do it.
I have to wonder about the wisdom of reassuring 8th District voters that Walsh is such an ardent anti-establishment candidate. Yes, the quotes shown are pretty far out there, but that sentiment (Walsh’s) has rung true time and again this year. People are angry, and here is a guy who personifies that. And, the 8th District is not exactly a hub of liberalism. I am surprised Bean did not go more personally negative, like Foster has done to Hultgren.
As a Republican, I’m very happy with the Ad. It raises Joe Walsh’s name ID - says he’s anti- anti-gun, pro-life, and wants to reduce regulation.
Extreme? Angry? Revolutionary?
If the opposite is Melissa Bean and she’s pro-government, happy, and status-quo; then those are exactly the dimensions that I want this race to be decided on.
I hope Bean puts some serious points behind this ad.
Bean’s ad has been up for at least a week. It’s in pretty regular rotation on the Chicago newscasts, although not in the saturation levels that the Quinn, Brady, Alexi, Kirk ads are.
Walsh’s campaign is dead in the water. Large numbers of Republican precinct committeemen won’t even carry his literature. All this vote will show is that Bean is vulnerable to a good candidate.
Although I have very little to base this on, my first instinct is to reject the notion that Rep. Bean is putting up this ad as a result of narrowing polls. Couple it with State Rep. Magdigan’s campaign push and I start to lean towards an effort to to get Democrats to the polls in order to influence the Senate and Gubernatorial races.
Of course, this presupposes coordination by Democratic candidates over disparate races. Something I don’t believe I’ve witnessed before. So I’m still in the dark.
As an aside, in both clips, Mr. Walsh comes across as very bitter and angry man.
Given this season, no candidate can take any opponent for granted. Ergo, I doubt that running an ad against an opponent, no matter how wacko, demonstrates anything but necessity. No opponent can be considered “fringe”.
Not a big fan of Walsh, based upon his prior campaigns on the Northshore, but Bean is a lousy candidate as well. She hides from her constituents and cannot make an appearance on public affairs programs without handlers to prompt her and a three ring spiral notebook filled with talking points. The 8th District deserves better than these two carpetbagging wing nuts.
That “so what” comment of Walsh’s was from an interview from Ch 32 Fox Chgo when questioned about his foreclosure. Who is Joe Walsh? Check the public records that have been out there about 14 liens against him; driving w/o car insurance (arrested 3 times); driving on a suspended license - 3 times arrested; evicted 6 times, and doesn’t pay his bills. Neither one of them is a good choice, but I suppose Walsh is better than been. TEENY TINY BIT. Actually her ad may encourage people to vote for him who are fed up with HER Pelosi votes. Pretty stupid on her part.
Melissa, why are you not running on the pride of your voting record? Cap and Tax / Health Care Reform / TARP….embarassed? We are ofyou..Attacking your opponent….very weak.
You say you brought 3 million to the Barrington Area…we’re broke where did you get the money…print it?. We don’t want the money, we want it all to stop. Our kids can’t afford your generosity.
- wordslinger - Monday, Oct 18, 10 @ 6:26 pm:
The “war” and “revolution” talk is nauseating for anyone aspiring to office in the USA. Armchair warrior.
There are a couple of wars going on right now, tough guy. As a congressman, what would your position be on those?
- Pioneer P. - Monday, Oct 18, 10 @ 7:02 pm:
“I tried getting through to Democratic Congresswoman Melissa Bean’s campaign spokesperson twice today so I could get a copy of her new hard-hitting TV ad. I wasn’t successful.”
That is totally unacceptable. Bean’s campaign has been garbage. I saw the saddest walk card of all time at this event a couple months back, a Bean walk card. It was all jacked up and printed on tissue paper. I can’t believe the Rs cannot get it together to take a serious run at her in that R district. At least it would make her step up and show some leadership on SOMETHING.
- Cal Skinner - Monday, Oct 18, 10 @ 7:18 pm:
The only poll (We Ask America) published by Quincy Herald-Whig of all places showed the race tied at 41-41 with Green Party candidate Bill Scheurer getting 5%. Overweighted to women, I think. 56% female respondents.
http://mchenrycountyblog.com/2010/10/16/daily-herald-tries-to-cover-rear-end-on-joe-walsh/
- Bubs - Monday, Oct 18, 10 @ 7:55 pm:
After seeing Giannoulias take Kirk out of context (by several years) on his House floor comment on unemployment, I have to wonder about when Joe Walsh actually said “Some people may say that’s reckless, but so what?” and about what topic?
- Bubs - Monday, Oct 18, 10 @ 7:56 pm:
Besides, I tell you what is dangerous. What we are doing to this country from a fiscal standpoint under Obama. THAT’s more “dangerous” than Joe Walsh could ever be.
- VoterUSA - Monday, Oct 18, 10 @ 8:04 pm:
Cal, give it a rest…your right wing blog is lost in teabaggerville. You may win the house back, but Beans seat will NOT be one of them.
- objective dem - Monday, Oct 18, 10 @ 8:47 pm:
I think her ad is effective. I didn’t know anything about Walsh before but his talk of “revolution” etc tells me he is a right wing nut.
- VanillaMan - Monday, Oct 18, 10 @ 9:09 pm:
I have no clue what is happening in this district but if the GOP had a decent candidate Melissa should be packing. With Walsh however, she should be OK. On the other hand, we really don’t know because her district is that purple.
I’d rather not see Walsh win, but a lot of voters in this district are disgusted enough to do it.
- plutocrat03 - Monday, Oct 18, 10 @ 9:29 pm:
From a congress critter who avoids all public forums, it is quite rich to criticize her opponent for being more passionate than her.
In my opinion the danger is greater from her support of the lefty agenda this congress has approved.
- wordslinger - Monday, Oct 18, 10 @ 10:09 pm:
Pluto, are you serious? Do words mean anything? “War,” “Revolution.” Are you arming to protect yourself from the government?
What sort of danger are you in, brother, from this “leftist” agenda, as personified by scary Melissa Bean?
- OneMan - Monday, Oct 18, 10 @ 10:20 pm:
Wow, must be some interesting polling numbers out there.
- grant39 - Monday, Oct 18, 10 @ 11:11 pm:
I have to wonder about the wisdom of reassuring 8th District voters that Walsh is such an ardent anti-establishment candidate. Yes, the quotes shown are pretty far out there, but that sentiment (Walsh’s) has rung true time and again this year. People are angry, and here is a guy who personifies that. And, the 8th District is not exactly a hub of liberalism. I am surprised Bean did not go more personally negative, like Foster has done to Hultgren.
- Right the Ship - Tuesday, Oct 19, 10 @ 4:13 am:
As a Republican, I’m very happy with the Ad. It raises Joe Walsh’s name ID - says he’s anti- anti-gun, pro-life, and wants to reduce regulation.
Extreme? Angry? Revolutionary?
If the opposite is Melissa Bean and she’s pro-government, happy, and status-quo; then those are exactly the dimensions that I want this race to be decided on.
I hope Bean puts some serious points behind this ad.
- DMAC57 - Tuesday, Oct 19, 10 @ 6:03 am:
Walsh cannot even come back with a rationale response on his You Tube Rebuttal.
- get real - Tuesday, Oct 19, 10 @ 6:55 am:
who is joe walsh?
- Soccermom - Tuesday, Oct 19, 10 @ 7:59 am:
Boom. Nice work, Melissa
- Boone Logan Square - Tuesday, Oct 19, 10 @ 8:35 am:
Bean’s ad has been up for at least a week. It’s in pretty regular rotation on the Chicago newscasts, although not in the saturation levels that the Quinn, Brady, Alexi, Kirk ads are.
- A.B. - Tuesday, Oct 19, 10 @ 8:51 am:
Walsh’s campaign is dead in the water. Large numbers of Republican precinct committeemen won’t even carry his literature. All this vote will show is that Bean is vulnerable to a good candidate.
- MikeMacD - Tuesday, Oct 19, 10 @ 9:10 am:
Although I have very little to base this on, my first instinct is to reject the notion that Rep. Bean is putting up this ad as a result of narrowing polls. Couple it with State Rep. Magdigan’s campaign push and I start to lean towards an effort to to get Democrats to the polls in order to influence the Senate and Gubernatorial races.
Of course, this presupposes coordination by Democratic candidates over disparate races. Something I don’t believe I’ve witnessed before. So I’m still in the dark.
As an aside, in both clips, Mr. Walsh comes across as very bitter and angry man.
- MikeMacD - Tuesday, Oct 19, 10 @ 9:13 am:
That would be State Rep. Madigan. My apologies.
- D.P. Gumby - Tuesday, Oct 19, 10 @ 9:42 am:
Given this season, no candidate can take any opponent for granted. Ergo, I doubt that running an ad against an opponent, no matter how wacko, demonstrates anything but necessity. No opponent can be considered “fringe”.
- Honest Abe - Tuesday, Oct 19, 10 @ 10:20 am:
Not a big fan of Walsh, based upon his prior campaigns on the Northshore, but Bean is a lousy candidate as well. She hides from her constituents and cannot make an appearance on public affairs programs without handlers to prompt her and a three ring spiral notebook filled with talking points. The 8th District deserves better than these two carpetbagging wing nuts.
- SharpOne - Tuesday, Oct 19, 10 @ 6:45 pm:
That “so what” comment of Walsh’s was from an interview from Ch 32 Fox Chgo when questioned about his foreclosure. Who is Joe Walsh? Check the public records that have been out there about 14 liens against him; driving w/o car insurance (arrested 3 times); driving on a suspended license - 3 times arrested; evicted 6 times, and doesn’t pay his bills. Neither one of them is a good choice, but I suppose Walsh is better than been. TEENY TINY BIT. Actually her ad may encourage people to vote for him who are fed up with HER Pelosi votes. Pretty stupid on her part.
- Gee dubs - Tuesday, Oct 19, 10 @ 9:33 pm:
Melissa, why are you not running on the pride of your voting record? Cap and Tax / Health Care Reform / TARP….embarassed? We are ofyou..Attacking your opponent….very weak.
You say you brought 3 million to the Barrington Area…we’re broke where did you get the money…print it?. We don’t want the money, we want it all to stop. Our kids can’t afford your generosity.