39 Comments - Downstate GOP Faithless - Monday, Sep 12, 16 @ 2:39 pm: It is an “A” no matter what. It doesn’t matter if it is a good or a bad ad, it’s a candidate getting what they deserve. I thought both candidate recruitment and training were supposed to be miles out front of where they had been in the past! This is evidence that once again ILGOP, HRO and the balance do not understand the dynamics behind the electorate. - Spliff - Monday, Sep 12, 16 @ 2:39 pm: It is moderately well done and if the glove fits? The HGOP has always tried to use this with Madigan …. X has voted 93% of the time with Mike Madigan. Trump must be as toxic as Madigan LOL - Big Muddy - Monday, Sep 12, 16 @ 2:40 pm: Meh. Gave it a D. Bertino-Tarrant agrees with Mike Madigan 100% of the time so I guess this is just some contrast. - Dance Band on the Titanic - Monday, Sep 12, 16 @ 2:43 pm: Why in the world would a candidate trying to unseat a Dem in a slightly Dem leaning district post something like that on Facebook? Ad gets a B. Smith gets an F for the self inflicted wound. - Anonymous - Monday, Sep 12, 16 @ 2:46 pm: it’s visually bothersome. also, generally interesting to know what districts do not like Trump in the opinion of Madigan land. would like to know the numbers. - Someone you should know - Monday, Sep 12, 16 @ 2:48 pm: Hey Muddy, Bertino-Tarrant is in the SENATE, not the hosue. Let’s read for comprehension. - 47th Ward - Monday, Sep 12, 16 @ 2:51 pm: Meh. If she posted the results of a fb quiz that showed she didn’t know anything about the Partridge Family or the Brady Bunch, then this might leave a mark. - Downstate GOP Faithless - Monday, Sep 12, 16 @ 2:51 pm: Did a bad job of proofing…SRO - Oswego Willy - Monday, Sep 12, 16 @ 2:55 pm: Bruce Rauner supports Donald Trump. All this does is reinforce that Raunerites(?)… support Donald Trump too? The ILGOP (snicker-snicker) should love this ad! To the Post, I gave it a “B”, but it’s a “B-”. “Why?” While Rauner’s own toxic ways are damaging, Trump in many areas IS toxic, period. If there’s heat there, it may be enough to connect the two. The Facebook styling and “percentage” is a visual people might feel more at ease accepting the message. It isn’t an A, it’s barely above a C… “B-” - Louis G. Atsaves - Monday, Sep 12, 16 @ 2:58 pm: Found the ad to be a “basketful of deplorable.” But then again, it IS a political ad . . . - The Muse - Monday, Sep 12, 16 @ 3:03 pm: I gave it “B” because it’s not a knockout blow but still easily drives the message home in format that many voters will be able to relate to. Tying Smith’s character to Trumps questionable character should resonate with some Reagan Dems who just can’t stomach a guy like Trump. - A guy - Monday, Sep 12, 16 @ 3:03 pm: I grade these pass/fail rather than letter grades. This one, I’m not sure. Depends on that neighborhood and how they view Trump. Admitting you’re running an ad based on a FB quiz is easily as weird as posting the quiz results. I’m not sure it does anything either way. - 47th Ward - Monday, Sep 12, 16 @ 3:04 pm: What do you call your fellow Trump supporters who apparently believe Lincoln made the wrong call on slavery, Louis? What is the best name for the basket they belong in? http://time.com/4236640/donald-trump-racist-supporters/ - Norseman - Monday, Sep 12, 16 @ 3:05 pm: I’d give it a C. Production qualities not too great. Not too sure it will move a lot of people. - Norseman - Monday, Sep 12, 16 @ 3:06 pm: Louis, are you feeling deplorable? - Who Else - Monday, Sep 12, 16 @ 3:13 pm: – Not too sure it will move a lot of people. — I’m not sure it’s supposed to move anyone. The consequence of an ad like this is that people don’t move. They just stay home. If they don’t like the guy at the top of their ticket, and down ballot candidates are reflections of the top, they’ll sit it out. - Big Muddy - Monday, Sep 12, 16 @ 3:21 pm: “- Someone you should know - Monday, Sep 12, 16 @ 2:48 pm: Hey Muddy, Bertino-Tarrant is in the SENATE, not the hosue. Let’s read for comprehension.” I know that and you know that. Willing to bet most voters in JBT’s district don’t! - Century Club - Monday, Sep 12, 16 @ 3:29 pm: Agree with Downstate GOP, it’s an A for comeuppance! I gave it a B overall. - Ron Burgundy - Monday, Sep 12, 16 @ 3:33 pm: Ad B-. Candidate decision making F. - AlfondoGonz - Monday, Sep 12, 16 @ 3:49 pm: They both get A’s. Smith for her honestly about her beliefs, and Tarrant for bringing it to the attention of the voters. - Madigan's Lapdog - Monday, Sep 12, 16 @ 4:09 pm: Gave it D. Very doubtful a FB clikbait poll makes for a compelling reason for a voter to cross Smith off. Hearing she’s been door knocking like mad. - siriusly - Monday, Sep 12, 16 @ 4:13 pm: I gave it an A. The FB look and feel is nice - plus Trump is THE issue that most voters will be voting on this fall. Great issue, a winning message for Tarantino. - Louis G. Atsaves - Monday, Sep 12, 16 @ 4:24 pm: ” . . . What do you call your fellow Trump supporters who apparently believe Lincoln made the wrong call on slavery, Louis? . . .” ANSWER: “Stupid.” ” . . . Louis, are you feeling deplorable? . . . ” ANSWER: Nope. Feel just fine with all my principles and self-esteem intact. I would have to support Trump in order to be labeled “deplorable” or pitied according to Ms. Clinton. Since I don’t it in either “half” I guess Ms. Clinton and her snooty supporters will have to find some other way of “defining” me. I was once notorious for helping to knock Libertarians off ballots so that rules out their candidate, and the Green Candidate was raised in the People’s Republic of Highland Park, Illinois, which is in my backyard, and automatically disqualifies her in my eyes. I was planning to write in General Petraeus’ name but he blew the deadline to file his write in candidacy, and I have a hard time spelling his name, so now I’m holding my nose and voting for Oswego Willy. This entire election is pretty deplorable and the first votes haven’t even been counted. - Local 6-4-3 - Monday, Sep 12, 16 @ 4:39 pm: Ad is OK. I don’t think Trump is anywhere near as toxic as Madigan. Hard to see it moving people. C- - Oswego Willy - Monday, Sep 12, 16 @ 4:43 pm: - Louis G Atsaves - Your ringing endorsement… can I put it in an ad? I appreciate your support. Thanks. - Louis G. Atsaves - Monday, Sep 12, 16 @ 5:01 pm: @Oswego Willy, of course! - Responsa - Monday, Sep 12, 16 @ 5:01 pm: I gave it the lowest possible score because of all political ads I despise purported “guilt by association” type ads the very most. This is true whether the ad seeks to tarnish the opposing candidate by linking them with (for example) Trump, Clinton, Rauner or Madigan. Candidates for all offices should try to remember that they may lose as many votes as they gain if they have misjudged or misinterpreted what they believe voters are thinking and looking for. Campaigns, please spend your money on ads that tell us why we should vote FOR you, and what YOU will do for constituents. Pretty please. - Arthur Andersen - Monday, Sep 12, 16 @ 5:18 pm: Norseman, looks like it’s time to get the campaign rolling again! - Anonymous - Monday, Sep 12, 16 @ 5:18 pm: –I was planning to write in General Petraeus’ name but he blew the deadline to file his write in candidacy, and I have a hard time spelling his name, so now I’m holding my nose and voting for Oswego Willy.– Louis, like so many other Republicans (Rauner, Kirk, Dold), if you can’t publicly make a choice between the only two people who can possibly be the next president of the United States, what are you good for? Leadership? Courage? Decisiveness? What is your interest in government and politics if you can’t step up on the ridiculously fundamental question of Clinton or Trump? Is it financial (at the trough?); is it social (if I show up, they have to let me play?). Seriously, about 140 million Americans are going to make the choice in November between Clinton and Trump. But “leaders” like our governor, our senator, and a congressman, are going to sit it out? That’s insane. From my experience, life’s filled with tough choices, one g-d one after another; then, you die. But our Illinois GOP leadership boys can’t summon the courage to make up their minds on Trump or Clinton? But they should be in charge of our government? That’s nuts. - Downstate hack - Monday, Sep 12, 16 @ 5:26 pm: I gave it a D. Voters even in Illinois will see guilt by association is meaningless. - Arthur Andersen - Monday, Sep 12, 16 @ 5:27 pm: Whoops! To the Post, I voted “B.” I think discerning voters, and those who have taken any Facebook polls, will recognize their limitations and not give this content much weight. That unfortunately does leave a good chunk of people who may actually believe that if they were born 100 years ago they woulda been Clark Gable, so this poll must be just as spot-on. - peon - Monday, Sep 12, 16 @ 5:35 pm: I gave the ad a “C” - because over-hyped in tone. But fair comment as the candidate posted the association test on Facebook. - Norseman - Monday, Sep 12, 16 @ 5:54 pm: AA, we’ll have to gear up quickly. I’d look forward to the challenge. The major issue is an integrity problem. OW has it and Trump and his shills don’t. I think we should ask Louis to be fundraiser. He may be able to get big money from Rauner to get Willy out of IL. - Oswego Willy - Monday, Sep 12, 16 @ 6:00 pm: - Norseman - ===get big money from Rauner to get Willy out of IL.=== That’s the pitch. I’ll leave it up to you and - AA -, and try not to let you down… - Gooner - Monday, Sep 12, 16 @ 7:31 pm: I gave it a D. It easily could have been an A, but I got distracted by the text moving from bottom up. It was just strange and distracting and sort of weird. - zatoichi - Monday, Sep 12, 16 @ 9:34 pm: Cut and paste job with too many scenes that play in high volume everyday. That Trump ‘disabled reporter’ bit is an immediate turn off regardless who uses it. Just gets buried in the pile. - HRC2016 - Monday, Sep 12, 16 @ 9:46 pm: Hey Big Muddy…. I live in JBT district and I know she is my State Senator and Natalie Manley is my State Rep. No way no how would I ever vote for a Republican and least of all Trump! - Anonymous - Tuesday, Sep 13, 16 @ 10:33 am: Big Muddy, JBT introduced term limits so it’s highly doubtful she likes Madigan too much. - Anon. - Tuesday, Sep 13, 16 @ 12:41 pm: JBT didn’t vote in support of Madigan’s $40 billion budget in May. There’s little connection there. Sorry, comments for this post are now closed.