* “Bulldoze the dirt out of Springfield” is the theme of one of Bruce Rauner’s Internet ads…

* The ad links to this page…

State government is broken, and businesses are leaving and taking Illinois jobs with them.

That has to change.

Bruce Rauner will bulldoze the dirt out of Springfield.

Wreck the big spending status quo.

And level the job-killing tax code.

Join Bruce today to get Illinois back to work.

Discuss.

       

76 Comments - Midstate Indy - Tuesday, Oct 29, 13 @ 11:32 am: What’s the machine behind Bruce in this ad? Looks like a wheel loader or backhoe, but definitely not a bulldozer. Step 1 would be to make your messaging match to the target audience, which can prove difficult when the audience is more knowledgeable than the message designers. As for content, could be worse. I would sure try to incorporate how he intends to rebuild the broken system after he gets done destroying it. - Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Oct 29, 13 @ 11:32 am: Nice coat .. Bulldoze? Bulldoze … Don’t you … bulldoze … over things to get what you want too … Like Bulldozing through all the other kids so denied New Trier Living Daughter can take the spot of a worthy child …. Like Bulldozing through all the other donors to Rahm Emanuel or Rich Daley to get Charter schools and charter school money… Like Bulldozing through to Ed Rendell to get the pension business, making sure the dontationg lead to profits, bulldozing through with Clout…. Like Bulldozing through red tape, calling Arne Duncan, and bulldozing through residency, making sure Rauner stayed in that Condo… long enough for the denied daughter to graduate, but Bulldoze back to Winnetka so all the addresses… add up and all. Yeah …I get it … Bulldozing. - Suburban Dad - Tuesday, Oct 29, 13 @ 11:34 am: Got to be a focus group out there that tells them their biggest liability is making a multi-millionaire appeal to working class voters. Cure — use a bunch of work/construction related references and dress the candidate in a (brand new) work jacket. - MrJM - Tuesday, Oct 29, 13 @ 11:37 am: “I served with bulldozer operators. I knew bulldozer operators. Bulldozer operators are friends of mine. Bruce Rauner, you’re no bulldozer operator.” – MrJM - walkinfool - Tuesday, Oct 29, 13 @ 11:38 am: Three promises. All based on false assumptions. Bruce cannot be this uninformed. Is he even reading his own copy? Is he OK with any statement that might play well with his target audience? So much for being a new voice. - wordslinger - Tuesday, Oct 29, 13 @ 11:39 am: “And those bureaucrats in the state capital can stick that in their pipes and smoke it!” “Excellent. I’ll have every Joe Sixpack and Susie Housecoat eating from the palm of my hand.” ―Charles Montgomery Burns - Skeptic - Tuesday, Oct 29, 13 @ 11:40 am: Ooo Ooo Ooo! A Carhart jacket *AND* a plaid flannel shirt. That makes him a Regular Guy! Move over Joe the Plumber, there’s a new spokesman for the Midwestern middle-class work-with-his-hands-yet-earning-just-enough-to-live-day-to-day working man, and it’s Bruce Rauner! Er…wait a second…. - Michelle Flaherty - Tuesday, Oct 29, 13 @ 11:40 am: With all this talk of heavy machinery I take it he supports another capital bill? - Anonymous - Tuesday, Oct 29, 13 @ 11:40 am: Got him coverage on this blog, so he must be getting somebody’s attention. - David Ormsby - Tuesday, Oct 29, 13 @ 11:42 am: Does “bulldoze” now replace “shake up” Springfield? - Anthony - Tuesday, Oct 29, 13 @ 11:46 am: Right, Good trade. Any idea on what Mr. Rauner considers “Illinois”? I’m fairly certain (in my opinion only)he is not including average working people. He doesn’t look down often enough to see us. - Precinct Captain - Tuesday, Oct 29, 13 @ 11:49 am: Is Bruce permitted and licensed to operate heavy machinery? Or is he just going to bulldoze those processes also? - Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Oct 29, 13 @ 11:51 am: We have “shake up” and “bulldoze”, but what is not known are the rejected words Payton Prep Clouter had to choose from … pave Springield fumigate Springield buy-off Springield sell-off Springield cold call Springield charge or bill … Springield profit off of Springield auction off Springfield move Springield to Indiana, Wisconsin, or Iowa change Springield’s name to Raunerville, ala Mr. Potter lease only the profitable agencies of …Springield and finally … Deny Springield I still like the coat, the flannel shirt as a really nice touch, but where is the stuffed dog? - drew - Tuesday, Oct 29, 13 @ 11:53 am: “he came in like a wrecking ball…” - Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Oct 29, 13 @ 11:55 am: I guess I left the “f” off in “Springield” for the “Phony” - Stuff happens - Tuesday, Oct 29, 13 @ 11:56 am: “I may not have worked construction, but I’m sure we invested in it once. I probably know a guy.” - Wallendar - Tuesday, Oct 29, 13 @ 11:58 am: “Carnie” Cruz had one of the coats on the other day. Its how the phonies think they are relating to the common herd. I bet he’s going to have some travel the state gimmick soon. Walking? Been done. Drive a truck? Massachusetts dude did that….what’s left? Pogo stick? Roller blades? Jogging??? - Chavez-respecting Obamist - Tuesday, Oct 29, 13 @ 11:59 am: How come he always looks like some other guy in every photo I see? Seriously, if he wasn’t wearing the jacket I wouldn’t have know how this guy was. - Ghost - Tuesday, Oct 29, 13 @ 12:00 pm: Does anyone by chance have this list of buisnesses that left the State due to taxes? it seems we should be looking at who left and why before applying a fix. For example, if ADM leaves the State its not over taxes…they dont pay any. So fixing the tax code for buisness is not going to make more business. How about this fix to lure buisness…. a investment broker can legally charge no more then 1% total for their services. We could get a lot of coproations to setup shop with the savings to their employees, management and 401k’s…. - hisgirlfriday - Tuesday, Oct 29, 13 @ 12:03 pm: Isn’t this just a rehash of one of his summer TV spots? I swear it came out right around the same time the CAT CEO endorsed him and I remember wondering if we’d wind up seeing any sort of in-kind for that use of yellow machinery and possible proving ground footage in this commercial. - AFSCME Steward - Tuesday, Oct 29, 13 @ 12:08 pm: What I really mean: even more tax loopholes for millionaires & billionaires. “And level the job-killing tax code.” - A guy... - Tuesday, Oct 29, 13 @ 12:08 pm: Whether you like the guy or not, the messaging is clear and coherent. It’s a decent 30 second spot. - AFSCME Steward - Tuesday, Oct 29, 13 @ 12:11 pm: Does that mean that all there will be left of Springfield is a gigantic hole ? What is he going to do with all the dirt he bulldozes ? “Bruce Rauner will bulldoze the dirt out of Springfield.” - zatoichi - Tuesday, Oct 29, 13 @ 12:12 pm: Where is the curved lid baseball cap or brand new hard hat? Putting a pencil in the pocket would have been a nice touch but the lead may have dirtied the coat. OK ad that has been used a 1,000 times. Change the name/picture and the message fits anyone in any party trying to hit the locals. Boring. - Sunshine - Tuesday, Oct 29, 13 @ 12:13 pm: As much as I want to believe him, I must fall back on the fact that what I see is a pretend middle class worker and not a person with genuine middle class worker understanding or values. I can’t help but think Dan Rutherford is our best bet. Bruce Rauner just keeps validating it! - A guy... - Tuesday, Oct 29, 13 @ 12:13 pm: These aren’t that expensive to do. Why aren’t they all doing them? - AFSCME Steward - Tuesday, Oct 29, 13 @ 12:16 pm: Whoever decided to roughen his edges failed miserably. He still looks like the developer, not the bulldozer. “Got to be a focus group out there that tells them their biggest liability is making a multi-millionaire appeal to working class voters. Cure — use a bunch of work/construction related references and dress the candidate in a (brand new) work jacket.” - PublicServant - Tuesday, Oct 29, 13 @ 12:17 pm: Bull-doze…well I agree with the first syllable. I’d replace the second with another word. Here’s a hint…Bruce is full of it, and it ain’t dirt. - AFSCME Steward - Tuesday, Oct 29, 13 @ 12:17 pm: Typo,should be He still looks like the developer, not the bulldozerer. - CircularFiringSquad - Tuesday, Oct 29, 13 @ 12:19 pm: Looks like Mr. Big CAT loaned CousinBrucey a skid loader for the ad. THat’s what Big CAT calls bob cats We can just Stu Levine cranking the levers in one his purple ensembles to get the dozin’ goin’ BTW Dozin’ is the new name for the ballpark in Peoria - Quizzical - Tuesday, Oct 29, 13 @ 12:22 pm: Bruce the Builder may or may not be a good choice for governor, but my young son might enjoy him. If his next commercial is of a fireman blasting the flames off of our burning state or of a lion tamer whipping the beasts of Springfield into shape, I’m going to call the campaign to ask for a play date. - Ron Burgundy - Tuesday, Oct 29, 13 @ 12:23 pm: Well in fairness, it does sound more down to Earth than: Bruce Rauner will have his manservant sweep the dirt out of Springfield. Release the hounds on the big spending status quo. And have his chauffeur drive over the job-killing tax code. - J. Nolan - Tuesday, Oct 29, 13 @ 12:24 pm: A guy…, They are. It just depends whose website you visit. Once you go their then their web banner ads follow you! Strike that - I’ve been to all multiple times but only Rauner and Rutherford ads follow me around. - Veritas - Tuesday, Oct 29, 13 @ 12:27 pm: He just doesn’t get it. The next Governor needs to be “the adult in the room” capable of breaking the gridlock - not someone who promises more turmoil, let alone bulldozing!! He continues to get horrible advice from out-of-staters. He is running a “formulaic” campaign: pretend to be an outsider; promise change - if not hope and change & select a Hispanic women as your running mate. At the end of the day - who is this guy?? We know what his campaign is trying to do - and failing miserably in my humble opinion, but the more we see of him - the less we really know. - bk - Tuesday, Oct 29, 13 @ 12:35 pm: Its time to back anybody who is not another Democrat. Lets try a new direction like Wisconsin. They have a surplus. - CollegeStudent - Tuesday, Oct 29, 13 @ 12:37 pm: Maybe he wants to bulldoze the tax rate flat. What’s that? Illinois already has a flat tax? Somebody really should let him know. - Yossarian Lives - Tuesday, Oct 29, 13 @ 12:40 pm: “Get Illinois back to work”? Shouldn’t it read, “put Illinois back to work”? Awkward copy. - hisgirlfriday - Tuesday, Oct 29, 13 @ 12:44 pm: Darn you CapFax posters giving me the giggles. Nice one-two punch Quizzical and RonBurgundy. - AFSCME Steward - Tuesday, Oct 29, 13 @ 12:45 pm: Bruce Rauner, he’s so boring he can even make a bull doze. - Anyone Remember? - Tuesday, Oct 29, 13 @ 12:46 pm: So the bulldozer is how he’ll break the AFSCME contracts? - Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Oct 29, 13 @ 12:49 pm: - bk -, Illinois is not “Wisconsin”… Is “Wisconsin” the 5th largest state? Is “Wisconsin” a hub for transportation with arguably the busiest airport in the world? Does “Wisconsin” have the 3rd largest city in America? Is “Wisconsin” an agricultural giant, while claiming that 3rd largest city in America? Please, compare what is comparable, not what you “wish” was comparable. - Ggal - Tuesday, Oct 29, 13 @ 12:53 pm: I am skeptical of politicians in Carhartt’s. In their quest to appear like ‘everyman’ they look so out of place….stiff jacket, no dirt stains and no hood. - CLJ - Tuesday, Oct 29, 13 @ 12:59 pm: Springfield has enough parking lots. How about build something! - Newsclown - Tuesday, Oct 29, 13 @ 1:04 pm: Bruce then went on a book tour giving dramatic readings from “Mike Mulligan And His Steam Shovel”. “We can fix the pensions in just ONE day!” he declared. - Newsclown - Tuesday, Oct 29, 13 @ 1:05 pm: Bruce Rauner then went on a book tour, giving dramatic readings from “Mike Mulligan And His Steam Shovel”. “We can fix the pensions in just ONE day!” he declared. - Belle - Tuesday, Oct 29, 13 @ 1:14 pm: I don’t think that Carhartt Jackets represent that they used to now that there is a Carhartt Store in Wicker Park. They seem more? Hipster? - Siriusly - Tuesday, Oct 29, 13 @ 1:37 pm: I know that Republican primary voters respond to messages about taxes. But what part of the tax code is he going to kill ? The income tax? So he will repeal the income tax and pay for his school reforms with what revenue ? He should be challenged on this throw away lines, because they probably mean something. What does he really plan to do - wrigleymayor - Tuesday, Oct 29, 13 @ 1:57 pm: I may not have worked construction but I did stay at a Holiday Inn last night. - wordslinger - Tuesday, Oct 29, 13 @ 2:00 pm: –Its time to back anybody who is not another Democrat. Lets try a new direction like Wisconsin– Higher personal and corporate income tax rates? It’s a crazy idea, but it just might work. - Downstater - Tuesday, Oct 29, 13 @ 2:00 pm: The general public/voters couldn’t give two hoots and a holler about Peyton Prep. Especially in the primary. - Veritas - Tuesday, Oct 29, 13 @ 2:03 pm: Rauner on a bulldozer = Dukakis in a tank - Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Oct 29, 13 @ 2:05 pm: - Downstater -, You keep saying Payton Prep Clouting doesn’t matter, but you being in Rich Daley’s appointee…. … gave Payton Prep Clouter Bruce Rauner’s daughter a seat in the best Public School in Illinois,… …without living in Chicago until the Clouting, which was completed by now Barak Obama cabinet secretary Arne Duncan… People care … otherwise you would just ignore the term Payton Prep Clouter. - Wensicia - Tuesday, Oct 29, 13 @ 2:11 pm: Rauner: I’m gonna take back Springfield the same way Mayor Daley took back Meigs Field!” - Demoralized - Tuesday, Oct 29, 13 @ 2:18 pm: ==The general public/voters couldn’t give two hoots and a holler about Peyton Prep.== Lighten up, Francis. You are awfully touchy about this subject. - Wensicia - Tuesday, Oct 29, 13 @ 2:21 pm: ==The general public/voters couldn’t give two hoots and a holler about Peyton Prep.== Probably because none of their children can get into Walter Payton College Prep. - AFSCME Steward - Tuesday, Oct 29, 13 @ 2:32 pm: Bruce Rauner, in a reversal to current medical trends towards wellness, announces his position on healthcare. “Let’s Get IL” - Kwark - Tuesday, Oct 29, 13 @ 2:59 pm: Hey bk– Wisonsin has higher income tax rates than Illinois, and graduated tax rates to boot. You want a 7.65% rate here in Illinois like they have in WI for couples making >$315k/yr? You want 6.27% for couples making >$28k/yr? If we adopted those WI rates, somehow I think you’d be the first one to complain about “job-killing taxes.” - bk - Tuesday, Oct 29, 13 @ 3:48 pm: Wisconsin taxes are higher but not for long. Its about fiscal discipline. Illinois is a drug addict looking for the next money fix for that last program to fund, honest just one more program and I can Quiet spending. Can you loan me the money for this next one, Its a real good program. On and on it goes. - x ace - Tuesday, Oct 29, 13 @ 4:03 pm: Breaking News: Bulldozing Gubernatorial Candidate Bruce Rauner has not been seen for 3 days since he walked into an Operating Engineers Union Hall in downstate Little Egypt seeking an endorsement. - D.P.Gumby - Tuesday, Oct 29, 13 @ 4:09 pm: He’s full of Bull and I’m dozin” - wordslinger - Tuesday, Oct 29, 13 @ 4:17 pm: –Wisconsin taxes are higher but not for long. – They just had a tax cut and the rates are still higher than in Illinois for most earners and businesses. walker’s had nearly three years with a GOP senate and assembly. Why the high rates and lousy tax climate? Part of the costs of the $650 million in lost revenue over two years will be financed by changes to the Earned Income Tax Credit so low-wage earners will pay more. http://www.politifact.com/wisconsin/promises/walk-o-meter/promise/550/lower-the-income-tax/ - reformer - Tuesday, Oct 29, 13 @ 5:22 pm: == It’s time to bulldoze the dirt out of Springfield. == To whom does “dirt” refer? Is that how Republican primary voters look at Democrats? - Arnold Ziffle - Tuesday, Oct 29, 13 @ 5:41 pm: “Smithers!? Who is that young rapscallion? I like the cut of his jib!” - Just The Way It Is One - Tuesday, Oct 29, 13 @ 7:12 pm: That’s it Bruce–send the message “I want to DESTROY things!” Quite a bit over the top. Besides, I happen to like Springfield, ‘n really don’t want to see it turned into a crater after somebody like you’d get behind the wheel of that bulldozer…! - Holdingontomywallet - Tuesday, Oct 29, 13 @ 7:59 pm: “He just doesn’t get it. The next Governor needs to be “the adult in the room” capable of breaking the gridlock - not someone who promises more turmoil, let alone bulldozing!! ” Ummm, don’t the democrats have the Governor’s Office and majorities in the House and Senate? What more do you want? Most of the “gridlock” is within one party. - Joe Chavez Ptak - Tuesday, Oct 29, 13 @ 9:16 pm: Bruce Rauner will be the next Governor of Illinois, just like I predicted that Joe Walsh would beat Melissa Bean in 2010. - Anon - Tuesday, Oct 29, 13 @ 9:26 pm: Blago part 2 - Samurai - Tuesday, Oct 29, 13 @ 9:47 pm: ==“Smithers!? Who is that young rapscallion? I like the cut of his jib!” == LOL. Thanks Ziffle. Got me by for another hour of work. - Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Oct 30, 13 @ 7:31 am: - Joe Chavez Ptak -, So what are the lottery numbers for tonight? Who is going to be in, and win, the Super Bowl? Yikes, I also thought Joe Walsh would beay Melissa Bean, but that doesn’t make me Nostradamus on the 2014 November Election. I got one right, that doesn’t mean I will get every other one right forever. - Samurai - Wednesday, Oct 30, 13 @ 9:09 am: == Bruce Rauner will be the next Governor of Illinois, just like I predicted that Joe Walsh would beat Melissa Bean in 2010== Joe, could you answer this. I take your post as more an endorsement of Bruce Rauner than a prediction. But, how is it that the Wauconda Township Republican Party–Social Conservatives that they are- were so against Dillard in 2010 and now seem to embrace and worship Rauner who by comparison has many, many more negative candidate attributes –(Rahm contacts, Obama contacts via Arne Duncan, etc.)? Really, serious if you could share the thought process. Thanks. - Joe Chavez Ptak - Wednesday, Oct 30, 13 @ 10:18 am: Samuri…whoever you are. The many “negative” attributes about Bruce Rauner are you state are non-existent. Strictly guilt by association. Our State needs a REAL LEADER…not career politicians that helped create the mess our State is in and now expect us to believe they will solve our problems. LOL. Ronald Reagan was a DEMOCRAT until the age of 52…how did he turn out for our country? Kirk Dillard has always talked out of both sides of his mouth. He supported Obama in a commercial he made for him when he was running against Hilary Clinton. Dillard was in the Senate when Obama voted TWICE for late term abortions…and he is pro-life. Dillard has taken hundreds of thousands from DEMOCRAT State Employee Unions (his biggest contributors)…WHO ARE YOU KIDDING? Dillard voted for illegals to get drivers licenses in Illinois. He has voted for higher taxes and fees often. Bruce Rauner is behind the initiative for TERM LIMITS in Illinois…and has brought in termlimits.org who have already been successful in 15 States. Referendum Petition Ballots are already in circulation. TEA Party members, Fiscal Conservatives and Independents want real changes from a REAL LEADER. Wauconda Township Republicans (which I am one) do not have any more patience for CAREER POLITICIANS. - Joe Chavez Ptak - Wednesday, Oct 30, 13 @ 10:20 am: I hope I gave you my common held thought process shared by many. - Joe Chavez Ptak - Wednesday, Oct 30, 13 @ 10:27 am: BTW…majority of establishment Republicans did not lift a finger to help Joe Walsh get elected in 2010. Furthermore “true conservatives” wanted Joe Walsh thrown off the ballot in 2010 because he was a “loser” of a candidate. They wanted the PARTY to pick someone else…instead of WE THE PEOPLE. Now Joe Walsh is their hero. You need to figure out what a REAL LEADER looks and sounds like, before you make unsubstantiated false charges against BRUCE RAUNER…our next Governor. - Samurai - Wednesday, Oct 30, 13 @ 11:25 am: Joe, by the standard to which Dillard is held regarding all the social issues you mention, Rauner fails miserably. Further, Any notion t.hat Rauner is an “outsider” is a fiction. But yes you did answer my question. Thank you. - Joe Chavez Ptak - Wednesday, Oct 30, 13 @ 1:51 pm: Your welcome Samurai…whoever you are? BTW…I was leaning hard towards Dillard until I got a chance to meet and talk to Bruce Rauner a couple of times. Now I am a key volunteer and campaigner for him. If Dillard wins…he will get my full support! ANYBODY but QUINN! Have a great day/week. - CuriousYoungin - Monday, Nov 4, 13 @ 3:43 pm: Joe, I really have to wonder about your preference for Rauner. Is it because he chose a hispanic LG, all of whom is in her first term on a City Council? What has she ever led on? What has Bruce Rauner actually ever led on? Bruce has barely answered any policy questions and just wants his money to talk. He thinks his wealth entitles him to the Gov’s mansion. He is a joke of a candidate, with absolutely no experience. I assume you are a Tea Party aficionado, and good for you. But the Tea Party does not work in Illinois. I wish it did…but it doesn’t. There are little to no tea-parties elected currently federally in the state, let alone within the state. Get real. The ONLY choice is Dillard for Gov. He is running a smooth campaign, especially with the budget he has. Intelligent, veterans helping run his campaign…and that is what you need (ahem, Mr. Rutherford). Sorry, comments for this post are now closed.