* His opponent is already on the air. Announcement…
U.S. Rep. Rodney Davis’ (R-Ill.) campaign today released its first television ad for the 2014 general election.
The ad, titled “Coach”, once again features Davis’ football team, the same players, including his twin boys, he’s been coaching for nearly 10 years. In the ad, Davis talks about his success in coaching a winning football team at home, and the need to change Washington to get things done for the families of central and southwestern Illinois.
In Washington, Rep. Davis is a part of the No Labels Problem Solvers and has been named to the “Governing Caucus”, a coalition of 30 House Republicans willing to join a majority of House Democrats to pass major legislation, by the National Journal. Additionally, in the National Journal’s 2013 Vote Ratings, Davis was ranked the 220th most liberal and the 212th most conservative House member.
The ad begins today.
* Ad…
* Script…
I’m Rodney Davis.
As your Congressman, I’ve had the honor of being part of a team that’s working hard, and getting results.
I’m of course talking about the football team I coach when I’m home every weekend. Go Tornadoes!
As far as DC goes, the only thing they’re good at is creating problems.
I’m working to change that…
…to get things done for hardworking taxpayers…and the next generation.
- Timmeh - Thursday, Aug 28, 14 @ 9:41 am:
Is he the head coach? Seems like he wouldn’t be able to make most of their practices.
- OneMan - Thursday, Aug 28, 14 @ 9:53 am:
Kind of like it, nice twist with the beginning and the team that works thing, also a nice way of pointing out he is back home a lot.
A
- Downstater - Thursday, Aug 28, 14 @ 9:59 am:
As a constituent of his, his ratings with National Journal seem fairly reflection of the district as a whole; generally conservative politically but willing to make compromises with others when those compromises seem necessary and beneficial to make.
- phocion - Thursday, Aug 28, 14 @ 10:01 am:
When I just read the script, I thought “this is bad.” But I’ve got to say the ad is quite good. Rodney is an excellent communicator. The background music was spot on. The visuals were just right. Gotta give it an “A.”
- BL - Thursday, Aug 28, 14 @ 10:04 am:
I think the ad is diet vanilla, but i will give credit where credit is due for his solid throwing mechanics.
- Big Debbie - Thursday, Aug 28, 14 @ 10:14 am:
I’m just not sure he comes off as motherly enough in this ad. He seems so cold and bitter. And he is obviously dumb and clueless because he doesn’t talk about a single issue. Kinda comes off as a mimbo. But he sure is pretty. If he wins it will only be because of his looks.
- wordslinger - Thursday, Aug 28, 14 @ 10:21 am:
Phone it in. Another incumbent running against Washington.
“C” for cookie-cutter.
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Aug 28, 14 @ 10:22 am:
Like the twist, like the delivery.
- Big Debbie -,
You really want to make this about Callis and this straw man narrative that isn’t happening here?
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Aug 28, 14 @ 10:25 am:
I give it a “B-”
I like the twist, I like the delivery, just forgot to overall rate it.
It’s also not going to change too much, but puts Rodney’s name in play.
- Just Observing - Thursday, Aug 28, 14 @ 10:34 am:
Good ad. A-
- Annony - Thursday, Aug 28, 14 @ 10:37 am:
Meh. The football coach angle seems a little forced. I like the closing, but Go Tornados? Really?
- Esteban - Thursday, Aug 28, 14 @ 10:37 am:
He comes off as aggressively “middle-of-the road”.
I think he has the strategy for success figured
out
- Apocalypse Now - Thursday, Aug 28, 14 @ 10:40 am:
Rate the ad a B
=As a constituent of his, his ratings with National Journal seem fairly reflection of the district as a whole; generally conservative politically but willing to make compromises with others when those compromises seem necessary and beneficial to make=
That is who Rodney is and why he will be hard to beat, since trying to paint him as radical right winger will not play.
- Mugwump - Thursday, Aug 28, 14 @ 10:41 am:
” . . . willing to make compromises with others when those compromises seem necessary and beneficial to make.” Really? Examples?
- Rich Miller - Thursday, Aug 28, 14 @ 10:51 am:
Motherly enough? Mimbo?
Big Debbie, you are one more insane comment away from being banned.
- wayward - Thursday, Aug 28, 14 @ 11:18 am:
When he said, “As far as DC, they only thing they’re good at is creating problems,” I thought, “But you’ve been part of that for two years! How would it be different if you went back for another two?”
- Big Debbie - Thursday, Aug 28, 14 @ 11:24 am:
It was snark. Sorry.
- A guy... - Thursday, Aug 28, 14 @ 11:32 am:
It’s a pretty strong pass. It makes you like the guy. People like “liking” the guy. He’s demonstrating some sincerity and it’s not forced. It won’t win an Emmy. It doesn’t need to.
- 10th ward - Thursday, Aug 28, 14 @ 11:37 am:
atta boy Rich! Mimbo? plain wrong. I liked it and gave it an A-. The “every weekend” comment was significant. Should play well in his CD
- Toure's Latte - Thursday, Aug 28, 14 @ 12:59 pm:
Home every weekend was good. The rest? Forgettable. C.
- Edwardsburg - Thursday, Aug 28, 14 @ 1:50 pm:
There are some similarities to Callis’s first ad. Neither reveals a whole lot new about either candidate, but Davis’s ad has a *spark* that the Callis ad desperately needed.
- Modest proposal - Thursday, Aug 28, 14 @ 1:54 pm:
Intro ads are hard to do. Not everyone can have an ad like Bruce’s with his wife - which i gave an a.
This ad is a bit cheesy, but not awkwardly cheesy. It subtly shows how kids can work together to accomplish something, but “adults” in congress can’t.
He is playing the moderate card in a swing district. I think it’s a good strategy. I’ll give it a B, because I have seen better this cycle, but it better than average.
Btw, What’s a mimbo?