* Part of this may wind up in a TV ad, but the online spot is way too long for television right now…
It was only a matter of time. Democrat Susana Mendoza’s campaign is out with its first confrontational spot against Comptroller Leslie Munger following Munger’s on-camera math mess at the Illinois State Fair.
It’s digital-only now but is likely to be slotted as a TV spot closer to the November election.
Ill give it a B+ for being pretty entertaining and lighthearted. I heard about Munger’s faulty times tables on this blog but that’s the first time I’ve seen the tape.
So utterly simple minded, the ad’s a fail. The strategy has always been to appeal to the lowest common denominator, but this goes beyond that. It’s petty. The musical bed adds to the silliness of it. This is “bloop reel” stuff, not serious campaign ad material. To make it the main focus is beyond dopey. It’s a loser.
Online it works fine no better or worse than most of the other political online stuff. Only if your a wonk will you sit through the whole minute anyway.
The I didn’t run for this job line is really a good hit, that will come back to haunt her.
Sadly Munger is not Topinka and makes fumbles frequently.
Anytime you can use your opponent to make themselves look ridiculous, it’s pretty good on the scale of attack ads.
Unless this gets on Television, it’s a “D-”. Ads never seen aren’t ads, their time wasters for the creators and the campaign.
The Comptroller race is the Rauner Referendum.
Neither candidate, thus far, has done anything to make it about themselves, and neither campaign is going to get off the Proxy connection to the other.
That’s why this race is a close second to uselessness to the US Senate race.
The ad is a “B+” if it gets air play, otherwise it’s a “D-”
The “Wingman” ad must be out there waiting I guess?
- Just Observing - Tuesday, Aug 30, 16 @ 10:07 am:
Too many messages crunched into one ad. Is it about not knowing her times table. Not paying social service agencies? Not standing up to Rauner? Just stick to one theme per ad and roll with it.
Honestly Mumger has done a decent job. She needs to stand up more for unions JBT style, but this ad does not move me to dislike her. it seems a bit childish truth be told. especially since her office is running well all things considered
It’s a solid B. Munger put herself out there and stumbled and now she’s getting tagged for it and this does the job avoiding some possible pitfalls. In the larger sense, Munger seems to be getting away with being pro social services while they are being shortchanged to death. That seems to be the decisive issue since almost everyone knows someone affected by that. Also does another about team Rauner/Munger say “winner” to you. Unless you are one of the hateful I wish I could leave Illinois people, what is appealing about them through the prism of this race? Mendoza is certainly the new direction, change candidate despite her background. She’ll have to highlight that in future commercials too.
== This battle is rapidly approaching our US Senate race for meaninglessness. ==
I disagree, it has surpassed it. Granted, the Comptroller is a statewide office and the candidates are entitled to their views (and gaffs)but who really cares. The function of the office is to cut checks and pay the bills. It has no meaningful input on how the state is governed; that is left to our esteemed legislators. /s
Wait. Why are people acting surprised that we will have to cut social services completely given current revenues? Munger may be reporting an uncomfortable truth, but it’s still the truth.
We’ll also have to cut public higher education completely. And everything else. January is coming, and this short term “budget” bill these folks passed over the summer will have run its course. Where do people think any additional money is going to come from to pay for social services and higher education for the remainder of this fiscal year, or any future year?
Raise taxes or eliminate social services and higher ed. Reality sucks, but denying it doesn’t make it any less real.
The first time I watched it I gave it an F because the sound track seemed to be off–but that must be my “F” internet service. It was better the second time and I give it a B. However, it was not clear to me that that was Mendoza in the t-shirt (at least I think it is Mendoza) in the first part of the ad.
Incumbents set a campaign’s tone. Challengers challenge, but incumbents choose. If an incumbent focuses the electorate upon accomplishments, they usually win.
So if this race becomes meaningless it is a problem caused by an incumbent not telling the electorate why they deserve to be returned to office.
Munger needs to give us a believable viable reason. Or she is out.
If recent decades the average man on the street couldn’t begin to give you the name of the comptroller. So, when has the comptroller election ever been anything but meaningless?
- Boone's is Back - Tuesday, Aug 30, 16 @ 12:50 pm:
Pretty solid hit by Mendoza. Other than the video quality I would rate it pretty highly- B+ in my book.
== It has no meaningful input on how the state is governed==
SECTION 17. COMPTROLLER - DUTIES
The Comptroller, in accordance with law, shall maintain the State’s central fiscal accounts, and order payments into and out of the funds held by the Treasurer.
(Source: Illinois Constitution.) My point again is the office pays the bills. Talk about improving the office, not about areas which do not come under the office’s purview.
RM ===It has no meaningful input on how the state is governed=== Oh yeah? Ask an unpaid vendor about that.
If there’s no money she can’t pay the vendors. The office disburses funds, it doesn’t generate them. From Comptroller website: Fiscal Year 16 came to a close on June 30 without a budget, and the stalemate has had an effect on Illinois’ backlog of unpaid bills in a major way. Who’s fault is that?
OW ==Comptroller Munger has made quite clear she, and her Staff are arbitrarily choosing who needs more… first. A choice. ==
Yes, a “choice”. You always prioritize payments when you have limited resources; she has a business background and this is nothing new.
Defying the constitution took some guts, but what did it solve?
The only reason this race is getting any attention is because of the Ruaner/Munger and Madigan/Mendoza connections.
Dude, it’s a video: a program, movie, or other visual media product featuring moving images, with or without audio, that is recorded and saved digitally or on videocassette
Videos are by definition visual. If the visuals aren’t up to par, you ain’t rating it right.
==This battle is rapidly approaching our US Senate race for meaninglessness.==
And this race is meaningless. Comptroller is a administrative role not a policy advocate. Its antiquated and should be folded in another office like the lt gov.
Coincidentally, the Germans have a word for recklessly questioning the mathematics skills of another and then botching a simple arithmetic quiz: Mungerbungling.
If they edit this right into a 30, it has great potential. You’re not going to foget the lady that can’t do multiplication. In a race that most don’t pay attention to or care about that goofy misstep could make a difference.
- Stones - Tuesday, Aug 30, 16 @ 9:36 am:
Ill give it a B+ for being pretty entertaining and lighthearted. I heard about Munger’s faulty times tables on this blog but that’s the first time I’ve seen the tape.
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Aug 30, 16 @ 9:36 am:
“I didn’t even run for Comptroller”
Yikes.
- Teddy K - Tuesday, Aug 30, 16 @ 9:39 am:
I’d give it a C+. I’m holding them to a high standard because Munger gave them so much to work with.
Needs some editing.
- A guy - Tuesday, Aug 30, 16 @ 9:43 am:
So utterly simple minded, the ad’s a fail. The strategy has always been to appeal to the lowest common denominator, but this goes beyond that. It’s petty. The musical bed adds to the silliness of it. This is “bloop reel” stuff, not serious campaign ad material. To make it the main focus is beyond dopey. It’s a loser.
- Touré's Latte - Tuesday, Aug 30, 16 @ 9:45 am:
I guess that is one way to gain national recognition.
- Don Draper - Tuesday, Aug 30, 16 @ 9:49 am:
Catchy background music.
- JS Mill - Tuesday, Aug 30, 16 @ 9:51 am:
Ooof! The race to oblivion continues.
Are Munger, Mendoza, Duckworth, and Kirk the Four Horseman of the Apocalypse?
I think THAT argument can be made.
- Delimma - Tuesday, Aug 30, 16 @ 9:55 am:
The sad thing is that social services will be cut before anything else. That’s the priority. Sad.
- JoanP - Tuesday, Aug 30, 16 @ 9:56 am:
@A guy -
“lowest common demominator”?
Points fot the math pun!
- DuPage Bard - Tuesday, Aug 30, 16 @ 9:58 am:
Online it works fine no better or worse than most of the other political online stuff. Only if your a wonk will you sit through the whole minute anyway.
The I didn’t run for this job line is really a good hit, that will come back to haunt her.
Sadly Munger is not Topinka and makes fumbles frequently.
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Aug 30, 16 @ 9:59 am:
I give it a “B”
“Why?”
Anytime you can use your opponent to make themselves look ridiculous, it’s pretty good on the scale of attack ads.
Unless this gets on Television, it’s a “D-”. Ads never seen aren’t ads, their time wasters for the creators and the campaign.
The Comptroller race is the Rauner Referendum.
Neither candidate, thus far, has done anything to make it about themselves, and neither campaign is going to get off the Proxy connection to the other.
That’s why this race is a close second to uselessness to the US Senate race.
The ad is a “B+” if it gets air play, otherwise it’s a “D-”
The “Wingman” ad must be out there waiting I guess?
- Just Observing - Tuesday, Aug 30, 16 @ 10:07 am:
Too many messages crunched into one ad. Is it about not knowing her times table. Not paying social service agencies? Not standing up to Rauner? Just stick to one theme per ad and roll with it.
- Ghost - Tuesday, Aug 30, 16 @ 10:11 am:
Honestly Mumger has done a decent job. She needs to stand up more for unions JBT style, but this ad does not move me to dislike her. it seems a bit childish truth be told. especially since her office is running well all things considered
- Union Dues - Tuesday, Aug 30, 16 @ 10:15 am:
In my opinion a very good ad. Solid B.
- Keyrock - Tuesday, Aug 30, 16 @ 10:35 am:
Where’s Dan Biss when we need him? He’d run a better ad. And juggle, too.
- P - Tuesday, Aug 30, 16 @ 10:35 am:
It’s a solid B. Munger put herself out there and stumbled and now she’s getting tagged for it and this does the job avoiding some possible pitfalls. In the larger sense, Munger seems to be getting away with being pro social services while they are being shortchanged to death. That seems to be the decisive issue since almost everyone knows someone affected by that. Also does another about team Rauner/Munger say “winner” to you. Unless you are one of the hateful I wish I could leave Illinois people, what is appealing about them through the prism of this race? Mendoza is certainly the new direction, change candidate despite her background. She’ll have to highlight that in future commercials too.
- Don Draper - Tuesday, Aug 30, 16 @ 10:36 am:
J S Mill…the four horsemen, Terror, Bewilderment, Hopelessness and Despair…kinda fits…thanks.
- bernz-o-matic - Tuesday, Aug 30, 16 @ 10:54 am:
== This battle is rapidly approaching our US Senate race for meaninglessness. ==
I disagree, it has surpassed it. Granted, the Comptroller is a statewide office and the candidates are entitled to their views (and gaffs)but who really cares. The function of the office is to cut checks and pay the bills. It has no meaningful input on how the state is governed; that is left to our esteemed legislators. /s
- Rich Miller - Tuesday, Aug 30, 16 @ 10:55 am:
===It has no meaningful input on how the state is governed===
Oh yeah?
Ask an unpaid vendor about that.
- Arthur Andersen - Tuesday, Aug 30, 16 @ 10:59 am:
-Ask an unpaid vendor about that-
Or a member of the General Assembly.
- Who Else - Tuesday, Aug 30, 16 @ 10:59 am:
Wait. Why are people acting surprised that we will have to cut social services completely given current revenues? Munger may be reporting an uncomfortable truth, but it’s still the truth.
We’ll also have to cut public higher education completely. And everything else. January is coming, and this short term “budget” bill these folks passed over the summer will have run its course. Where do people think any additional money is going to come from to pay for social services and higher education for the remainder of this fiscal year, or any future year?
Raise taxes or eliminate social services and higher ed. Reality sucks, but denying it doesn’t make it any less real.
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Aug 30, 16 @ 10:59 am:
===It has no meaningful input on how the state is governed===
Comptroller Munger has made quite clear she, and her Staff are arbitrarily choosing who needs more… first.
A choice.
Just as choosing to ignore the oath of office to defend the Constitution of Illinois by following Pat Quinn’s lead by not paying legislators.
That’s pretty meaningful input.
- G'Kar - Tuesday, Aug 30, 16 @ 11:05 am:
The first time I watched it I gave it an F because the sound track seemed to be off–but that must be my “F” internet service. It was better the second time and I give it a B. However, it was not clear to me that that was Mendoza in the t-shirt (at least I think it is Mendoza) in the first part of the ad.
- VanillaMan - Tuesday, Aug 30, 16 @ 11:09 am:
Incumbents set a campaign’s tone. Challengers challenge, but incumbents choose. If an incumbent focuses the electorate upon accomplishments, they usually win.
So if this race becomes meaningless it is a problem caused by an incumbent not telling the electorate why they deserve to be returned to office.
Munger needs to give us a believable viable reason. Or she is out.
- illini - Tuesday, Aug 30, 16 @ 11:35 am:
Delimma @ 9:55 - exactly correct. And higher education will be the next.
Isn’t this a great state we live in when these are the choices our Governor has to make!!!!
- Keyser Soze - Tuesday, Aug 30, 16 @ 12:30 pm:
If recent decades the average man on the street couldn’t begin to give you the name of the comptroller. So, when has the comptroller election ever been anything but meaningless?
- Boone's is Back - Tuesday, Aug 30, 16 @ 12:50 pm:
Pretty solid hit by Mendoza. Other than the video quality I would rate it pretty highly- B+ in my book.
- bernz-o-matic - Tuesday, Aug 30, 16 @ 12:58 pm:
== It has no meaningful input on how the state is governed==
SECTION 17. COMPTROLLER - DUTIES
The Comptroller, in accordance with law, shall maintain the State’s central fiscal accounts, and order payments into and out of the funds held by the Treasurer.
(Source: Illinois Constitution.) My point again is the office pays the bills. Talk about improving the office, not about areas which do not come under the office’s purview.
RM ===It has no meaningful input on how the state is governed=== Oh yeah? Ask an unpaid vendor about that.
If there’s no money she can’t pay the vendors. The office disburses funds, it doesn’t generate them. From Comptroller website: Fiscal Year 16 came to a close on June 30 without a budget, and the stalemate has had an effect on Illinois’ backlog of unpaid bills in a major way. Who’s fault is that?
OW ==Comptroller Munger has made quite clear she, and her Staff are arbitrarily choosing who needs more… first. A choice. ==
Yes, a “choice”. You always prioritize payments when you have limited resources; she has a business background and this is nothing new.
Defying the constitution took some guts, but what did it solve?
The only reason this race is getting any attention is because of the Ruaner/Munger and Madigan/Mendoza connections.
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Aug 30, 16 @ 1:06 pm:
===Yes, a “choice”. You always prioritize payments when you have limited resources; she has a business background and this is nothing new.===
I guess what you’re saying is Comptroller Munger is picking “winners and losers”?
So, if Conptroller Munger, or her Staff choose to pay someone, they can pick which social service organizations survive?
Hmm. Dunno if arbitrarily chosing who survives and who doesn’t when Illinois signed, in “good faith” to pay for service.
===Defying the constitution took some guts, but what did it solve?=
“Oath, Smoath”?
Hmm.
- Rich Miller - Tuesday, Aug 30, 16 @ 1:14 pm:
===Other than the video quality===
Dude, it’s a video: a program, movie, or other visual media product featuring moving images, with or without audio, that is recorded and saved digitally or on videocassette
Videos are by definition visual. If the visuals aren’t up to par, you ain’t rating it right.
- atsuishin - Tuesday, Aug 30, 16 @ 2:14 pm:
==This battle is rapidly approaching our US Senate race for meaninglessness.==
And this race is meaningless. Comptroller is a administrative role not a policy advocate. Its antiquated and should be folded in another office like the lt gov.
- @MisterJayEm - Tuesday, Aug 30, 16 @ 2:32 pm:
Coincidentally, the Germans have a word for recklessly questioning the mathematics skills of another and then botching a simple arithmetic quiz: Mungerbungling.
– MrJM
- edit - Tuesday, Aug 30, 16 @ 3:41 pm:
If they edit this right into a 30, it has great potential. You’re not going to foget the lady that can’t do multiplication. In a race that most don’t pay attention to or care about that goofy misstep could make a difference.
- Tinsel Town - Wednesday, Aug 31, 16 @ 12:59 am:
It’s funny, light hearted, points towards the competence of a Rauner appointment.
Munger sounds a lot like Rauner when he makes his verbal missteps.