In response to Republican Mark Kirk’s latest in a series of misleading attack ads, the Duckworth campaign today released a new 30-second campaign spot, entitled “Repeatedly.” The ad highlights Duckworth’s service to her country over the course of 23 years in the military, as well as her accomplishments on behalf of her fellow Veterans. By contrast, Kirk has been caught repeatedly lying about his own military record — including claims to have served in combat when he never did. Last week, the Kirk campaign acknowledged to the Associated Press that they are actively attempting to undercut Duckworth’s service record and commitment to Veterans — a line of attack that had even Republicans ’saying they don’t think voters will buy it,’ according to the AP. The ad can be viewed HERE.
“Republican Mark Kirk’s new ad isn’t just dishonest, it’s shameful — but what else would you expect from someone who has lied about his military record at least 10 times, including falsely claiming to have been in combat. Tammy Duckworth is a 23-year Veteran of the National Guard who nearly lost her life in Iraq in 2004, and who has been a fierce and accomplished advocate for her fellow Veterans since recuperating at Walter Reed. Unlike Kirk, Tammy can point to real results at the state and federal level helping our Veterans get jobs, reducing Veterans’ homelessness, increasing awareness and screening for PTSD, and addressing the scourge of Veterans’ suicide — among other things. Kirk is obviously willing to say or do anything to hold on to his Senate seat — including taking a page out of Karl Rove’s old ‘swift boat’ playbook. He should be ashamed of himself.” -Matt McGrath, campaign spokesman
You can tell pros did this because it’s 30 seconds. Usually these response ads are like 1:37 or something, a time you know is only a web ad and will never go on the air so they get no coverage. This could actually end up on TV so it will get free media attention. It’s a bit cookie cutter but it gets the job done as far as ads go.
The goal of this ad is to take Kirk’s campaign off message. “Mark Kirk lied about serving in combat” is a simple declarative statement that Kirk’s camp cannot afford to ignore.
It’s a pass. I wouldn’t give it as high of marks as some of the others here. If you’re going to go after him, do it. Spend all :30 doing it. She has a powerful story. It diminishes it when it pivots to banging on him. Run two spots. Doing both of these things in one spot is a heavy and counter-intuitive lift.
A+ -bullseye. Kirk has a credibility problem. It’s not only his war record he lied about. Remember his lie about a near death experience in a boat? The difference between Kirk and Trump is that they tell different lies. Kirk’s north shore veneer will not save him
I can’t help but wonder what Duckworth knew about the problems at the VA and what she did or didn’t do about it. Why aren’t Democrats asking that? I am a Democrat but having lost my dad to VA wait times in Chicago, I don’t think she is trustworthy and won’t get my vote regardless of how much of a turd Kirk is.
I’m glad she’s going so strong and early on this disabled vet/war hero story. The misinformation Rove did to Kerry with Swift boats was nice dirty piece of political jui-jitsu. 2002 Senate race in Georgia where Vietnam vet, triple amputee Max Cleland had a his commitment to homeland security questioned is another case study for Duckworth.
Sen. Kirk also has, repeatedly, accused the president of the United States of conspiring in the malicious prosecution of Sen. Menendez, D-New Jersey, for political purposes.
I trust Sen. Kirk is working with some of his House colleagues in drawing up articles of impeachment for these alleged high crimes.
Kirk is a serious statesman, right? Given his explosive accusations, he certainly intends to follow through and do his duty, correct?
I mean, you just don’t say those things, over and over, and not do something about it.
This kind of ad just repels thinking people away from all politics, and makes me turn off the radio and TV until after the election. As Don Rose famously said, Duckworth “isn’t the brightest candle in the Menorah”!
Hmmm. I am NOT an unbiased grader; I find Mark Kirk to be an offensive, lying [expletive deleted], so there is not much of a threshhold for an anti-Kirk ad to be effective.
I think that, as an opening shot (forget across the bows, this is aimed at the bridge), it’s pretty effective. It may not play well in certain quarters - having the Marines appearing as props , not so cool) - but she has far more right to play some of those cards than Kirk does. She earned them in combat. I suspect that we will see a LOT of mone come in to this campaign over the next several month, depending on how the RNC and the Kochs see his re-election chances.
The references to Kerry and Cleland and timely, though. Her campaign needs to prepare for this kind of stuff, while reinforcing her own message.
I understand the setting up the punch line, but an Ad like this could have been 2 different Ads, with the last :15 be more about reminding that Duckworth served.
Use a different lede, on the same premise, go :30 seconds on the quotes of Kirk, and making clear his “misspeaks” (ugh).
The reason it’s not an “A ” is the setup gets muddied by deciding to end with the “lies”
Two Ads would’ve been better, but a “B” is really solid, as this Ad is solid too
I think the old “Kirk lied” theme has been beat to death. By now people either care–or don’t. They either think his statements are a career killer or think it’s all a nothingburger. Just politics as usual.
Please Tammy, a lot of people would like to find a reason to vote for you. But the constant emphasis on the Blackhawk tragedy is not going to get you there by itself. Everybody already knows you lost your legs and we feel bad for you. We appreciate your sacrifice. But for this campaign please, please get some new material that acknowledges and addresses citizen’s issues and the concerns in their lives. This is not just about you. What can you do for constituents?
Ad is irrelevant. There is an innate inability to like duckworth, same as what Clinton has. Say what you want about Kirk, he gets stuff done. Look at the amount of legislation he sponsors and/or passes. It’s incredibly impressive in a swamp of bureaucrats that do nothing but play angry birds during sessions.
- Mouthy - Monday, May 16, 16 @ 9:39 am:
A- only because it didn’t state the lies Kirk told which would, IMO, have been more effective…
- Peets - Monday, May 16, 16 @ 9:42 am:
D. false? duckworth camp better begin wrapping their heads around the fact she’s going to trial. Why isn’t her record as Blago’s director fair game.
- The Captain - Monday, May 16, 16 @ 9:47 am:
You can tell pros did this because it’s 30 seconds. Usually these response ads are like 1:37 or something, a time you know is only a web ad and will never go on the air so they get no coverage. This could actually end up on TV so it will get free media attention. It’s a bit cookie cutter but it gets the job done as far as ads go.
- @MisterJayEm - Monday, May 16, 16 @ 9:55 am:
The goal of this ad is to take Kirk’s campaign off message. “Mark Kirk lied about serving in combat” is a simple declarative statement that Kirk’s camp cannot afford to ignore.
B+
– MrJM
- A guy - Monday, May 16, 16 @ 9:59 am:
It’s a pass. I wouldn’t give it as high of marks as some of the others here. If you’re going to go after him, do it. Spend all :30 doing it. She has a powerful story. It diminishes it when it pivots to banging on him. Run two spots. Doing both of these things in one spot is a heavy and counter-intuitive lift.
- Truthteller - Monday, May 16, 16 @ 10:00 am:
A+ -bullseye. Kirk has a credibility problem. It’s not only his war record he lied about. Remember his lie about a near death experience in a boat? The difference between Kirk and Trump is that they tell different lies. Kirk’s north shore veneer will not save him
- The Muse - Monday, May 16, 16 @ 10:11 am:
A. Embellishing a bit but that’s what ads are meant to do. She’s gonna have Kirk on the defense for the whole year.
- Ghost - Monday, May 16, 16 @ 10:12 am:
simple statements; simple compare and contrast. A-
- crestfallen - Monday, May 16, 16 @ 10:17 am:
I can’t help but wonder what Duckworth knew about the problems at the VA and what she did or didn’t do about it. Why aren’t Democrats asking that? I am a Democrat but having lost my dad to VA wait times in Chicago, I don’t think she is trustworthy and won’t get my vote regardless of how much of a turd Kirk is.
- wordslinger - Monday, May 16, 16 @ 10:26 am:
Ouch.
Alexi never served, so he couldn’t sting Kirk on his imaginary heroics.
Duckworth is a different story.
- 47th Ward - Monday, May 16, 16 @ 10:30 am:
Mark Kirk lies. Repeatedly.
That’s a winning message. Simple, easy to understand, and I think, brutally effective.
- Jacketpotato - Monday, May 16, 16 @ 10:33 am:
I’m glad she’s going so strong and early on this disabled vet/war hero story. The misinformation Rove did to Kerry with Swift boats was nice dirty piece of political jui-jitsu. 2002 Senate race in Georgia where Vietnam vet, triple amputee Max Cleland had a his commitment to homeland security questioned is another case study for Duckworth.
- wordslinger - Monday, May 16, 16 @ 10:41 am:
Sen. Kirk also has, repeatedly, accused the president of the United States of conspiring in the malicious prosecution of Sen. Menendez, D-New Jersey, for political purposes.
I trust Sen. Kirk is working with some of his House colleagues in drawing up articles of impeachment for these alleged high crimes.
Kirk is a serious statesman, right? Given his explosive accusations, he certainly intends to follow through and do his duty, correct?
I mean, you just don’t say those things, over and over, and not do something about it.
- Thunder Fred - Monday, May 16, 16 @ 11:14 am:
Using Marines as props in a campaign photo is a bit distasteful. She is playing this card pretty early. Still a whole summer of deflection to go.
- Formerpol - Monday, May 16, 16 @ 11:27 am:
This kind of ad just repels thinking people away from all politics, and makes me turn off the radio and TV until after the election. As Don Rose famously said, Duckworth “isn’t the brightest candle in the Menorah”!
- Mr. Smith - Monday, May 16, 16 @ 11:48 am:
Hmmm. I am NOT an unbiased grader; I find Mark Kirk to be an offensive, lying [expletive deleted], so there is not much of a threshhold for an anti-Kirk ad to be effective.
I think that, as an opening shot (forget across the bows, this is aimed at the bridge), it’s pretty effective. It may not play well in certain quarters - having the Marines appearing as props , not so cool) - but she has far more right to play some of those cards than Kirk does. She earned them in combat. I suspect that we will see a LOT of mone come in to this campaign over the next several month, depending on how the RNC and the Kochs see his re-election chances.
The references to Kerry and Cleland and timely, though. Her campaign needs to prepare for this kind of stuff, while reinforcing her own message.
- Oswego Willy - Monday, May 16, 16 @ 1:36 pm:
It’s a solid “B”
“Why”
I understand the setting up the punch line, but an Ad like this could have been 2 different Ads, with the last :15 be more about reminding that Duckworth served.
Use a different lede, on the same premise, go :30 seconds on the quotes of Kirk, and making clear his “misspeaks” (ugh).
The reason it’s not an “A ” is the setup gets muddied by deciding to end with the “lies”
Two Ads would’ve been better, but a “B” is really solid, as this Ad is solid too
- Responsa - Monday, May 16, 16 @ 1:59 pm:
I think the old “Kirk lied” theme has been beat to death. By now people either care–or don’t. They either think his statements are a career killer or think it’s all a nothingburger. Just politics as usual.
Please Tammy, a lot of people would like to find a reason to vote for you. But the constant emphasis on the Blackhawk tragedy is not going to get you there by itself. Everybody already knows you lost your legs and we feel bad for you. We appreciate your sacrifice. But for this campaign please, please get some new material that acknowledges and addresses citizen’s issues and the concerns in their lives. This is not just about you. What can you do for constituents?
C
- Anonymous - Monday, May 16, 16 @ 3:37 pm:
Totally truthful. Insight to his character. A
- Mors - Monday, May 16, 16 @ 3:43 pm:
Ad is irrelevant. There is an innate inability to like duckworth, same as what Clinton has. Say what you want about Kirk, he gets stuff done. Look at the amount of legislation he sponsors and/or passes. It’s incredibly impressive in a swamp of bureaucrats that do nothing but play angry birds during sessions.
- wordslinger - Monday, May 16, 16 @ 3:51 pm:
– Say what you want about Kirk, he gets stuff done. –
Huh? In Congress?
You see a lot of stuff getting done, by anyone, in Congress?
If sponsoring bills was an indication of “getting things done,” then everyone in Congress is a superstar.
https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/browse?sponsor=400222