Yeah, that’ll work
Wednesday, Jun 11, 2014 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Personally, I think these campaign “countdown clocks” are goofy. And you gotta wonder how much staff time was used to create this silly little “website”…
Quinn for Illinois Launches www.RaunerBudget.com - A Laughing Matter for Bruce
In Honor of Day #464, New Countdown Clock Highlights Billionaire’s Budget Dodge
CHICAGO - A new clock is counting down the days and hours since Bruce Rauner promised to reveal his budget plan, as well as highlight what a laughing matter this silence has become for the billionaire tycoon.
Wednesday marks the 464th day since he entered the governor’s race that Billionaire Bruce has gone without disclosing a detailed budget plan of his own.
Go to RaunerBudget.com to see the clock - and hear just how important he thinks the issue is for the people of Illinois.
The audio file they use is Rauner laughing, repeated over and over again. But it’s poorly done and unless you know the back story (which, by the way, isn’t even linked on the site) you’d have no idea what the heck the clip was supposed to be about.
- Skeptic - Wednesday, Jun 11, 14 @ 9:55 am:
Start with the fact that it’s a “Countdown Clock” that’s counting up and work from there.
- Curious - Wednesday, Jun 11, 14 @ 10:00 am:
This seems like a case of campaign people getting caught in the bubble, thinking everything they put out there is breaking through, and assuming that everyone is as engaged as they are. Not comforting.
- Concerned Voter - Wednesday, Jun 11, 14 @ 10:00 am:
“Skeptic” well said!!!
Any middle schooler could have done a much better better job. That audio file is pathetic. Quinn should be embarrassed with this result.
- The Prince - Wednesday, Jun 11, 14 @ 10:01 am:
Horrible idea. Just like in ‘10 when I thought Quinn was going out of his way to lose the election.
- OneMan - Wednesday, Jun 11, 14 @ 10:01 am:
If their big plan is talking about Bruce’s lack of a plan, that isn’t much of a plan…
- Roland the Headless Thompson Gunner - Wednesday, Jun 11, 14 @ 10:02 am:
It’s a good idea by the campaign, but they need to go back and give it another try. It’s worth it. I agree with @Curious; they seem to think the outside world is following this as much as they are.
- Anon - Wednesday, Jun 11, 14 @ 10:05 am:
Bad audio. Could have picked a half dozen other perfect quotes/laughs instead. It sounds like someone coughing over and over.
- Anonymous - Wednesday, Jun 11, 14 @ 10:05 am:
It’s a dumb idea. People here and some media seem to think this is huge, but voters at this point don’t know and don’t care. The second he puts out his budget ideas, at a point when voters are actually paying attention, all this time they’re outrun into this becomes wasted money.
- Black Ivy - Wednesday, Jun 11, 14 @ 10:07 am:
This campaign distraction is petty and unproductive. Really, Governor Quinn, is that the best you’ve got? November 4, 2014 will be the day our Governor gets his own “clock” cleaned…God willing.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Jun 11, 14 @ 10:09 am:
Welp, thank goodness Brooke Anderson will be there now to straighten out all this message Dopiness.
Funny thing about Quinn’s campaign recent history; they wait until the last three weeks to get organized, relying on others to do the messaging and heavy lifting that Quinn seems to not be able to express himself or his campaigns lack the way to do it themselves too.
Not shocked or even disappointed for them at this Dopiness.
It’s how the roll, and it’s like a square tire rolling…
- Just Observing - Wednesday, Jun 11, 14 @ 10:15 am:
1. Excellent point @Skeptic.
2. The audio is horrendous.
3. The website provides zero backstory. Someone would first need to locate the press release to better understand the point of the website. But if a regular voter came upon this site organically, or through a targeted ad, they would likely not understand the point. I mean, at least a small paragraph explaining would be helpful.
4. This website is a waste of time and resources.
- Yellow Dog Democrat - Wednesday, Jun 11, 14 @ 10:19 am:
Great idea when it was the Tribune doing the clock on Stroger.
Of course, now that Quinn has a clock, the Tribune won’t.
All fine and good, except that when Rauner releases his plan around Labor Day, Squeezy’s plan is to…?
Because I expect that as soon as Rauner releases his plan, which no one will read, the voters will forget that there was a long delay.
And please, stop with the “Billionaire Bruce” stuff. This is not third grade, we are the Democratic Party not the Tea Party, and the public expects and deserves better than histrionic name calling.
Good rule of thumb: never use language in a news release that is so over-the-top that your candidate or your volunteers would never repeat it.
- lake county democrat - Wednesday, Jun 11, 14 @ 10:19 am:
Not sure if OW is being sarcastic - I’m hesitant to judge Anderson’s record with Quinn because, well, look at what she’s working with, but she was not good with Gery Chico (she didn’t realize that a Tea Party endorsement in Chicago is a bad thing) and I suspected her hire was something of a patronage thing from the Burke/Chico/Barios group.
- siriusly - Wednesday, Jun 11, 14 @ 10:21 am:
I like the countdown clock, but that audio file is stupid. They need the actual media clips of him dodging the question and more backstory like you said.
- Cassiopeia - Wednesday, Jun 11, 14 @ 10:24 am:
This is very representative of the way the Governor’s office operates. The childish staff sits around congratulating themselves about how cute and clever they are.
It’s the way they run state government.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Jun 11, 14 @ 10:27 am:
- lake county democrat -, I am mocking the idea that Brooke, and her Tweets, and this narrative of Billionaire Bruce with no plan is just a non-starter compared to the Hypocrisy of both Rauners, and the lead of MJM with making it about what people don’t know about Bruce is more damaging than what we already know about Bruce.
That is the message sweet spot against Bruce, not a Dopey clock… and Brooke now on the campaign full tilt and this rolls out…
Geez.
- Walker - Wednesday, Jun 11, 14 @ 10:30 am:
Now is not the time for Quinn to focus on a budget plan debate. His own budget plan is, so far, in shambles, due to legislative floundering.
— though he did make a valiant effort with two specific proposals which met the Illinois Arithmetic Challenge.
- wordslinger - Wednesday, Jun 11, 14 @ 10:33 am:
It’s June. The Quinn campaign needs to up its professionalism and sharpen its message and delivery.
It’s not some student council run where you half-ass every “great idea” that comes to mind over beer and pizza.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Jun 11, 14 @ 10:37 am:
Also, - lake county democrat -,
It’s about Anderson’s role, today, and specific to this Dopey idea. Your take on the rest is yours, not mine.
- 47th Ward - Wednesday, Jun 11, 14 @ 10:39 am:
It’s INSIDER Bruce Rauner, Brooke, Insider. I thought we covered this already.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Jun 11, 14 @ 10:44 am:
===It’s INSIDER Bruce Rauner, Brooke, Insider.===
That is the sweet spot that is so obvious, that it’s “as plain as the nose on your face.”
…and not the face of a countdown clock.
- Anonymous - Wednesday, Jun 11, 14 @ 10:47 am:
Cassi, if anyone is an expert on being childish, it’s you.
That said, as lame as this may be, I doubt it required too many resources.
- Team Sleep - Wednesday, Jun 11, 14 @ 11:04 am:
Hm…I seem to remember a certain Lt. Gov. Pat Quinn criticizing a certain then-Treasurer Judy Baar Topinka for releasing a detailed budget and revenue plan during the 2006 election cycle.
- Rich Miller - Wednesday, Jun 11, 14 @ 11:05 am:
TS, the difference is that Rauner has pledged for a year and a half that he’s just weeks away from releasing his own detailed plan. In April, he said he was two or three weeks from releasing his plan. This week, he said it would be released in 60 days.
The guy did make promises, and he hasn’t kept them. Yet, Quinn is the one followed around by Quinnocchio.
- Yellow Dog Democrat - Wednesday, Jun 11, 14 @ 11:12 am:
Let’s not be too hard on Brooke.
External communications, as I have said many times, is inherently risky, and campaigns that are hemmed in by fear of failure or ridicule never do much of anything.
They MUST believe that voters just do not trust a billionaire to be governor. Maybe it is polling, maybe it is gut.
Rauner thought the jacket and the watch were important, so there is probably something to it.
The hard thing to tell at this point is whether voters will still believe that Rauner does not share their values $100 million from now.
That is the difference between poll-testing your message and a focus group.
I think that Quinn’s message probably plays out well in a poll…but in a focus group? Not so sure.
What happens when Rauner rolls out the ad that goes something like this:
“You’ve seen a lot of ads lately from Pat Quinn attacking me for my success.
Pat Quinn is right: my family and I are living proof of the American Dream. The idea that if you study hard, work hard and save, you should be able to provide a good life for your family.
And that is why I am running to be your next governor. While Pat Quinn attacks the American Dream, I have spent the last twenty years working to improve education…
- Anonymous - Wednesday, Jun 11, 14 @ 11:18 am:
==What happens when Rauner rolls out the ad that goes something like this:==
The the Quinn camp switches to the plan b: Save more puppies!
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Jun 11, 14 @ 11:21 am:
- YDD -,
You understand. Nicely stated.
“Hypocrisy ain’t Success.” seems to be a solid(?)
That is the rub, the sweet spot, the two Rauners, and that is what Rauner fears, the unmasking.
You make strong points, not surprised, add the Hypocrisy at play, not the wealth, then you got something cookin’ with Gas.
- John A Logan - Wednesday, Jun 11, 14 @ 11:44 am:
That’s terrible.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Jun 11, 14 @ 11:44 am:
===The guy did make promises, and he hasn’t kept them. Yet, Quinn is the one followed around by Quinnocchio.===
That sums up this race, so far, better than most “thumbnail” breakdowns, and really shines a harsh light on the failings of both campaigns. Great line.
- Yellow Dog Democrat - Wednesday, Jun 11, 14 @ 11:58 am:
Willy -
I have often said that the voters have a particular disdain for hypocrisy.
That said, I am not sure that Quinn is gonna win this one by centering the election around who is the bigger insider.
Quinn has been around Illinois politics almost as long as Madigan.
It might suppress Rauner’s base a bit. Probably not as much as killing grannies
@Rich -
I did suggest a Giant Chicken…but is Rauner even making public appearances?
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Jun 11, 14 @ 12:14 pm:
- YDD -,
You know I respect your opinion, and you are probably more right than me, but when Rauner is at 10% negatives weeks out of a Primary, there is loads of more work to be done to define and shape who Rauner is, and a clock of what is missing, versus framing what is known, is a waste of time and resources, today.
This is what this place is all about. I learn more every day from people like you and so many others.
Thanks.
- Yellow Dog Democrat - Wednesday, Jun 11, 14 @ 12:19 pm:
I chalk the clock up to “psych ops.”
Quinn campaign seems to be goading Team Rauner.
Rich says never take political advice from an editorial board, I say never ever take campaign advice from your opponent.
Still, this is kinda like putting up campaign signs in your opponent’s neighbor’s yards. If you can knock your opponent off their game, get the questioning their campaign plan or those who devised or implemented it….that is what it is all about.
- justsayin' - Wednesday, Jun 11, 14 @ 12:20 pm:
It’s not the worst idea - just bad audio. Someone shoot them an email and tell the to fix it.
- lake county democrat - Wednesday, Jun 11, 14 @ 12:22 pm:
OW - thanks - as you may have noticed, subtlty is often lost on me!
- Postman - Wednesday, Jun 11, 14 @ 12:31 pm:
So lame!! Looks a 12 year old put this together. But typical of the way PQ handles things in Springfield.
- CirularFiringSquad - Wednesday, Jun 11, 14 @ 12:40 pm:
THe Mitt Rauner Plan is silly. No one wants to read another plan — all usually gibberish, no wants another no tax hike pledge —Edgar, Thompson et al promised or an overhaul of government — just mean Mitt’s insiders (mostly Thompson cronies and their children/grandchilden get on the gravy train)
What we need is a better view of Mitt’s 400 biz deals
- Befuddled - Wednesday, Jun 11, 14 @ 2:11 pm:
Waste of time and resources.
- Yellow Dog Democrat - Wednesday, Jun 11, 14 @ 2:36 pm:
@Befuddled -
Some folks say waste of time and resources, others say not enough time and resources invested to make it professional.
Some days, you just cannot win.
- Roadiepig - Wednesday, Jun 11, 14 @ 2:52 pm:
With ads like this it’s a wonder Quinn has lasted in politics this long…
- Allen Skillicorn - Wednesday, Jun 11, 14 @ 3:45 pm:
How many days has it been since Quinn signed the phony 2015 budget with unrealistic revenue and spending figures?
He’s throwing stones in a glass mansion.
- Rich Miller - Wednesday, Jun 11, 14 @ 3:50 pm:
===How many days has it been since Quinn signed the phony 2015 budget===
He hasn’t yet.
- ChrisB - Wednesday, Jun 11, 14 @ 3:52 pm:
Guys, you’re missing the whole point. If you play the audio backwards, it clearly says, “Rauner is Satan.”
Subliminal messaging, man. I mean, it has to be. Right? There’s no other explanation as to why they repeated that laugh 11 times.
/adjusts tinfoil hat
- Yellow Dog Democrat - Wednesday, Jun 11, 14 @ 4:40 pm:
@Allen: Quinn deserves credit for releasing a five year budget plan. Unfortunately, no one has really read it, and there has been scant news coverage of it…part of why so much of the finger wagging by the media is hilarious.
There was truthfully very little substantial coverage of Quinn’s budget. As always, most coverage was and will be on the politics of budget battles, not their actual impact.
- ChrisB - Wednesday, Jun 11, 14 @ 4:55 pm:
@Allen–He’s throwing stones in a glass mansion.–
So that’s why it’s so leaky.
- Just The Way It Is One - Wednesday, Jun 11, 14 @ 7:56 pm:
Goofy maybe…but apparently accurate and actually quite funny, too (although they could probably have only aired Rauner’s annoyingly condescending, dismissive laugh for 6 or 7 seconds and that would be plenty to get the point across about his Mocking, Joking Attitude toward the whole thing)…!
Also, the sad part, too, is–if a serious Illinois voter actually WANTS to look up BR’s (NON)Plan on Google, for instance, you can find this site rather quickly so that it’ll probably get quite a few hits, leading one to the obvious conclusion that after all this time he STILL amazingly doesn’t even HAVE one…!
- Yellow Dog Democrat - Wednesday, Jun 11, 14 @ 8:22 pm:
Just the Way:
Research shows that the vast majority of campaign website visitors are already supporters.
Followed by supporters of your opponent.
Then a tiny, tiny fraction of truly undecided voters.
This is why they are undecided voters…they go online to shop craigslist and look at cat videos, not research candidates.
- Yellow Dog Democrat - Thursday, Jun 12, 14 @ 8:15 am:
Quinn calls Rauner “Saboteur” on Pensions.
Much, much better, as evidenced by Rauner’s lack of response.