* From the Quinn campaign…
On the eve of her visit Tuesday afternoon to the UIC Pavilion, First Lady Michelle Obama is featured in a new TV ad praising Governor Pat Quinn’s “courage to do what’s right” in fighting to raise the minimum wage, create Illinois jobs and protect critical services for veterans instead of giving tax breaks to the wealthy.
“So for this election, Barack and I are casting our votes for our friend Pat Quinn,” the First Lady concludes in the 30-second ad that began airing today.
The First Lady has long supported Governor Quinn and worked closely with him on initiatives to help Illinois veterans find work.
* The ad…
* Script…
“This is Michelle Obama and I know Pat Quinn.
“I’ve seen that Pat has the courage to do what’s right.
“Now, Pat’s fighting to raise the minimum wage.
“He’s working to create jobs here at home - instead of shipping jobs overseas.
“And he’ll never cut funding for military families or veterans to give a tax break to the wealthy.
“So for this election, Barack and I are casting our votes for our friend Pat Quinn.”
It’s OK, but nothing spectacular.
* The Quinnsters have another new TV ad running and Ormsby is not impressed at all…
A new TV ad released today by Governor Pat Quinn’s campaign hits GOP challenger Bruce Rauner‘s “reckless plan to slash school funding.” […]
The ad is ho, hum. The punch against Rauner’s education plan is feeble.
And the footage is partially a rehash of the same footage also being used in the new TV ad by Michelle Obama endorsing Quinn.
The producers of both ads invested little imagination in either.
Quinn’s education ad gets a “C”.
* The ad…
* Script…
Two candidates. Two visions for Illinois. Billionaire Bruce Rauner’s plan would cut his own taxes by more than a million dollars a year while slashing funds for Illinois schools – and laying off 1 out of every 6 teachers.
“Pat Quinn. He’ll protect schools and teachers from devastating budget cuts. And he’ll never cut school funding to give a tax break to the wealthy. That’s the choice.
Pat Quinn. Governor.
* Meanwhile, the Rauner campaign has a new online ad…
This Wednesday and Thursday the Illinois Legislative Audit Commission will take live testimony from former top aides to Gov. Pat Quinn regarding their roles in an ongoing federal corruption investigation by two separate U.S. Attorneys. The hearings will serve a number of important roles. Most importantly, taxpayers may finally learn how millions of tax dollars found their way into the hands of the politically-connected while bypassing some of Chicago’s most violent neighborhoods. Additionally, citizens will be reminded that the public image Pat Quinn has cultivated over the last three decades does not mirror his actions while in office. In addition to using the NRI program as a $55 million political slush fund, we learned just this summer that after taking over for Rod Blagojevich, Quinn actually doubled the number of illegal political hires at IDOT.
Simply put, voters will be reminded that Pat Quinn isn’t the reformer he claims to be. In fact, he’s exactly the opposite - a career politician who will do anything to retain power:
* The online promo…
- Walter Mitty - Monday, Oct 6, 14 @ 10:05 am:
Why is the Quinn ad online only? Is it hedging that nothing big is coming this week? Or is it just the start?
- John A Logan - Monday, Oct 6, 14 @ 10:07 am:
The Quinn ad should be on TV. That thing has some punch to it.
- Walter Mitty - Monday, Oct 6, 14 @ 10:16 am:
John… That’s why I am confused… Maybe it is what we already know.. These campaigns are a mess!
- Team Sleep - Monday, Oct 6, 14 @ 10:21 am:
The First Lady looked and sounded as though she was reading straight from cue cards. Meh. Because she is such a powerhouse and therefore a good “get” for an ad, I give it a C.
- A guy... - Monday, Oct 6, 14 @ 10:27 am:
Having Michelle Obama do this ad would indicate that Pat Quinn is worried about his support among AA women. Moderate/Independent undecideds, many of whom are upside down on the Healthcare issue are not big fans of the first lady. This could turn them off a bit, so it’s a calculated risk having her stump for him in a universal area. The ad is a pass, but it really says, Pat is a friend of Barack and me. Not sure that will help in a wide circle.
The Rauner ad will make it to TV. There’s a lot of chat out there now that the ads (all of them) are too negative. This always happens, but might be a little early this time. Some people may loudly get turned off by them, but history proves they work. Stopping to run the ad off-Broadway first might be a new wrinkle in the process. That one’s a strong pass.
- Tim Snopes - Monday, Oct 6, 14 @ 10:32 am:
On Education, the Quinnsters need an ad with a young couple bemoaning Bruce Rauner’s education cuts and what it will do to the future if their young children. Kids playing on a school playground in the background. That would be powerful downstate. Just sayin’.
- Responsa - Monday, Oct 6, 14 @ 10:36 am:
The “You Know Me” ad is good. It is simple and effective. When his campaign filmed and used them in the last election those words worked for Quinn on the basis of voters’ impressions of him from his former careers. Now voters really do know Quinn in his current job as governor. Oops.
A quality ad from the Rauner people. A.
- Walter Mitty - Monday, Oct 6, 14 @ 10:36 am:
Tim… Look at the twitter feed… Illinois ranked last in Midwest to raise a family…
- Responsa - Monday, Oct 6, 14 @ 10:41 am:
The first lady came across professionally (rather than warmly) but did about as well as she could have considering the material (Quinn’s six years) she had to work with. Not a game changer in any respect, though.B+
- Hit or Miss - Monday, Oct 6, 14 @ 10:43 am:
The First Lady sounded far to laid back. The ad had no spark. The education ad is little better. All in all the Quinn ads are not very good.
Rauners ad is the best of the three. It hammers the same point over and over again and allows others to make the charges for him. With that said, the Rauner ad is still not great.
- Steve - Monday, Oct 6, 14 @ 10:46 am:
Michelle Obama says Pat Quinn is for raising the minimum wage. What’s stopping Pat? Aren’t there enough Democrats in the Illinois state legislature to raise the minimum wage??? Can’t Pat Quinn sit down with Mike Madigan and Cullerton? What’s preventing Pat Quinn from raising taxes and increasing spending???
- Chicago Cynic - Monday, Oct 6, 14 @ 11:06 am:
I’m with Ormsby (as I usually am). The Anti-Rauner education ad is totally MEH. I give it a c-.
The “you know me” Rauner ad is also MEH. But more importantly, at this point I don’t think there’s enough time to penetrate with that message. The time to do that was this summer when they could have dominated. They didn’t do that. Instead, they blew it. At this point it’s too little too late.
- Gooner - Monday, Oct 6, 14 @ 11:26 am:
Agree with others who say the Michelle ad was nothing special.
Still, this is Illinois and people like her. It doesn’t have to be good. It just serves as a reminder of “Excuse me. We are Democrats here. Time to support the Democrat.” I suspect we will see more of it closer to the election to get the base out.
Unlike Ormsby, I really liked the Quinn/Rauner education ad. The contrast of “tax breaks for the rich guy while teachers are fired” carries a great deal of weight.
I give that one an A.
- walker - Monday, Oct 6, 14 @ 11:29 am:
The ads are so so.
But the text of the Rauner campaign statement outlining Quinn’s problems was professional, matter-of-fact, and without all the usual hyperbole and nonsense.
The fact that they’re playing it straight, implies that they feel very confident Quinn will be hurt.
- Gooner - Monday, Oct 6, 14 @ 11:31 am:
The “Do you know Pat Quinn” is the inverse of the Michelle ad.
I don’t see it having much impact on moderates, but it will get Rs to turn out.
Ultimately, we’ve had so many scandals in IL that we may be immune to that as an issue. That’s unfortunate, but unless there is an indictment, I just don’t see the issue as moving many voters.
I give that one a B.
- Formerly Known As... - Monday, Oct 6, 14 @ 12:03 pm:
According to at least one out of town newspaper, this is actually the first ad the First Lady has made for anyone this cycle.
- wordslinger - Monday, Oct 6, 14 @ 12:29 pm:
That’s raising a lot of expectations for the Legislative Audit Commission. Based on what, I don’t know.
- chad - Monday, Oct 6, 14 @ 12:31 pm:
M. Obama is about as low-key or downright disinterested as a person can appear. Not a very convincing endorsement if Quinn is trying to solidify the woman vote. The echo effect on the Rauner online ad is a bit corny.
- wordslinger - Monday, Oct 6, 14 @ 12:33 pm:
–Having Michelle Obama do this ad would indicate that Pat Quinn is worried about his support among AA women. –
Right. Because you don’t have people who are popular among one of your key voting segments do ads unless you’re worried.
What’s the word on the street, A Guy? The talk, the skinny, what you’re hearing, what people are telling you? Just how big a vote among African-American women is Rauner going to get?
- Belle - Monday, Oct 6, 14 @ 12:42 pm:
Mrs Obama’s commercial is pretty wishy-washy –we all know she had the capacity to come across very well as she has shown on various TV shows and this is not her stellar appearance.
Rauner has done more than most GOP Gov candidates in IL in terms of actively working the African American community. He has spent time in the community talking with African American voters and donated money which could make a difference to many people.
But, it’s a big get to have a First Lady do an ad. It’s a great idea and will sell to some people who plan on voting, are on the fence, and this could push them back over to Quinn’s side.
- MoWatcher - Monday, Oct 6, 14 @ 12:42 pm:
OK: I saw the “education cuts” ad earlier his weekend. Is Quinn actually criticizing Rauner for wanting to repealing the so-called “temporary” tax increase? Or am I missing something?
- A guy... - Monday, Oct 6, 14 @ 1:32 pm:
=== wordslinger - Monday, Oct 6, 14 @ 12:33 pm:
–Having Michelle Obama do this ad would indicate that Pat Quinn is worried about his support among AA women. –
What’s the word on the street, A Guy? The talk, the skinny, what you’re hearing, what people are telling you? Just how big a vote among African-American women is Rauner going to get?===
You asked, so it must be a serious question, right? You’re a serious dude. I don’t know how Rauner will do with AA women. I just haven’t spoken to too many of them. I do know telling people to vote for Pat Quinn because he’s friends with Barack and I isn’t going to be helpful outside of Chicago; specifically the south and west sides and a few south suburbs.
So my question is why would he run this ad? My conclusion is that he needs to tighten up his base for whom Michelle appeals to the most. It’s an educated guess. But I’ll seek out more AA women opinions. I’ll report back to you since you’re asking so nicely.
- Demoralized - Monday, Oct 6, 14 @ 1:38 pm:
@A guy:
I would argue that any commercial featuring Mrs. Obama isn’t just about female African Americans. I would argue it’s geared towards the entire African American community, as well as Obama supporters in general. I think it’s meant to make sure that those people will come out to vote. He has to get his core supporters to the polls. All of them.
- CircularFiringSquad - Monday, Oct 6, 14 @ 1:55 pm:
Mitt’s new ad is on the internet because it features some the beautiful people who anchor downstate newscasts….Could this mean NRI draws about zero recognition in the ‘burbs and can’t be used in Chi ’cause it will be view it as much as attack on the African American community as a hit at PQ?
Hmmm. Thanks for the clues Mitt
- Arthur Andersen - Monday, Oct 6, 14 @ 2:29 pm:
That’s a reach even for you CFS.
- A guy... - Monday, Oct 6, 14 @ 3:42 pm:
Demo, I can tell you that Michelle is more popular with AA women than AA men. But your point being that it will help in the entire AA community is not lost. Both Rauner and Oberweis have made some inroads with a number of influential AA Ministers and Faith Communities. In those very large congregations, the women attendees outnumber the men pretty dramatically. I really do think Pat needed to shore up this important group to him.
- wordslinger - Monday, Oct 6, 14 @ 3:50 pm:
–A number of media profiles going back more than 5 years and linked to here cover his approach to recruiting talent. He and GTCR identify exceptional people they want to work with and then basically pursue them until they find a way to work together. Then they essentially find the right business project or deal to place that talented person in charge of. Sometimes the process takes months, sometimes a decade. But the end result is always identifying and recruiting very talented individuals.==
That’s how Rauner spins it, but when things go south, he just didn’t know what those superstars were up to.
A problem Rauner has had playing the “successful businessman” card is that in his line of work, private equity, the long-term success of the businesses he buys is not necessarily the goal.
Loading them up with debt, charging them consulting fees, taking dividends, squeezing every last dime out of them, can be great for the investors but the end of the businesses.
The fact is that after more than a year on television Rauner has yet to run a spot on some business he built into a great success.
This even after he’s been getting pounded by Quinn over hinky deals.
He’s been doing this all his adult life. If he’s got one, he better get it out there in a hurry. Because I guarantee you there are more GTCR nightmare stories to come. That’s just how people in that line of business make money.
- Soccermom - Monday, Oct 6, 14 @ 5:13 pm:
In playing all of these ads back to back, I am struck by the diversity of the Quinn ads — and the complete lack of it in the Rauner ads. It may be that he chose these news clips because these are familiar faces downstate, but it’s glaring nonetheless.
- Yellow Dog Democrat - Monday, Oct 6, 14 @ 7:16 pm:
Michelle Obama’s popularity extends far beyond the black community. Women pretty much everywhere like here.
But this really is the GOTV phase of advertising. Seems
Early.
- Just the Way It Is One - Monday, Oct 6, 14 @ 8:07 pm:
The Michelle Obama is well-done and will have a huge impact among MANY Women Voters in Illinois who look up to, even revere her, as well as throughout the African-American Community. You knew this was coming at some point, at its’ positive impact for the Governor’s Cause WILL be felt–i.e. in the most important Category among these Groups who MIGHT still have been, heretofore, mildly insecure or unsure about how their REAL Illinois Hero and Guide from the Land of Lincoln, the President of the United States, and his lovely and highly influential First Lady stand on this Close Election–now, there is ABsolutely NO doubt…!
- Just the Way It Is One - Monday, Oct 6, 14 @ 8:08 pm:
That was meant to read, above, “…Michelle Obama AD….”