55 Comments - Downstate GOP Faithless - Tuesday, Nov 1, 16 @ 9:03 am: Best of the Biss ads so far…watch it without sound and the message still comes through clearly. - slow down - Tuesday, Nov 1, 16 @ 9:07 am: It’s a simple message and a preview I imagine of what we’ll see in 2 years when Rauner runs for reelection. Will the blame Madigan response be effective when Rauner’s own name is on the ballot? - Lucky Pierre - Tuesday, Nov 1, 16 @ 9:10 am: I am sure some people will believe Rauner spent a fortune running for office so he could cut his own taxes (even though the legislature voted for to lower the rate in 2011) instead of moving to a state with no income tax. At a 1.25% savings last year it will take a while to get his money back. Never let the facts get in the way of a campaign ad. - Anon221 - Tuesday, Nov 1, 16 @ 9:12 am: Good concept, but too difficult to follow. It’s like one of those disclaimers at the end of a phone or car sales- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zaapWsqE–0 - Team Sleep - Tuesday, Nov 1, 16 @ 9:14 am: Now that is a much better ad than what we have seen from LIFT. However - since we are a more educated group of commenters - if Rauner is such a bad dude for dropping cash then what does that make the LIFT donors? Because this new ad is not about “educating” people - which was never the real intent anyway - and is blatantly political and aimed at impacting state-level races. - AlfondoGonz - Tuesday, Nov 1, 16 @ 9:14 am: Pretty good, but that sad-faced girl at the end was a little heavy handed. I don’t understand why he doesn’t just tie Rauner to Trump (and Trump’s words) in a more emphatic way and be done with it. - Thunder Fred - Tuesday, Nov 1, 16 @ 9:18 am: Strike three. Good thing these aren’t intended to move numbers this cycle. At least they have 2 years to work on competent messaging. I do appreciate the irony though. - Rhino Slider - Tuesday, Nov 1, 16 @ 9:19 am: I always thought it was a weak argument to say a muli-millionaire is spending millions to lower his own taxes. Obviously Rauner is spending far more than he would ever save. Again, Biss just flushed his reputation down the toilet. He is now just a hack like everyone else. I’m so disappointed. - Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Nov 1, 16 @ 9:21 am: The best of the Biss Ads, and puts on notice that “Governors Own” and the undeniable damage Bruce Rauner has inflicted on Illinois is Rauner lining up to his 2012 quote, and how very little Bruce Rauner holds Illinois. “A-” “Why?” While visually appealing and easy to follow without sound, the sole reason it doesn’t get the “A” is that in 2018 this WILL be an “A”, but in the proxy reality of today, a proxy ad even as well done as this hits a ceiling of “A-” and it’s easily at that ceiling. What would I have added? I woulda added the Crain quote. Biss has really impressed me and he has done his Crew a solid with this campaign. - Bernard - Tuesday, Nov 1, 16 @ 9:21 am: I find these impossible to grade because I still have no idea what their intended goal is. - wordslinger - Tuesday, Nov 1, 16 @ 9:21 am: More facts in a 30-second spot than you’d find in two years of reporting on the “budget impasse” and “personality” driven reporting and editorializing on Madigan and Rauner. - Amalia - Tuesday, Nov 1, 16 @ 9:22 am: B, although I feel like I am in school with a lecture. - Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Nov 1, 16 @ 9:22 am: ===Rauner is such a bad dude for dropping cash then what does that make the LIFT donors?=== They are not the Exective not trying to Usurp the power of the Legislative? lol - DuPage - Tuesday, Nov 1, 16 @ 9:25 am: Rauner: 3 million? Ha! I’ll see that 3 million and raise by 5 million more! - Rich Miller - Tuesday, Nov 1, 16 @ 9:25 am: ===so he could cut his own taxes=== Pretty sure the millionaire surcharge or a graduated tax was on his list. - Precinct Captain - Tuesday, Nov 1, 16 @ 9:27 am: Went to LIFT’s website, I’m surprised they aren’t collecting email addresses for grassroots donations. - Lucky Pierre - Tuesday, Nov 1, 16 @ 9:29 am: I guess they forgot to mention the “fact” that Rauner supports raising taxes in combination with some reforms. Strictly speaking “cutting taxes” would be supporting a rate lower than 3.75% - Louis G. Atsaves - Tuesday, Nov 1, 16 @ 9:31 am: Trying to cram too many “schemes” in one 30 second spot. If they had eliminated one or two so you could concentrate on them it would be better. Other than raging against big donors by using their own big donors, what is their plan to fix the injustices they are trying to highlight? I keep waiting for that shoe to drop. Looks like I will be waiting for a very long time. - Roman - Tuesday, Nov 1, 16 @ 9:32 am: @Bernard - The goal is to tie Republican legislative candidates to an unpopular governor and to start softening Rauner up for 2018. This ad accomplishes both. I grade it B. - Deft Wing - Tuesday, Nov 1, 16 @ 9:32 am: Another swing and a miss by Biss. Or, another Biss miss. Biss was forced out of the Comptroller race by Madigan despite Mendoza’s lightweight status so for his conciliation prize, Biss gets the privilege of being used to gin up the 2018 fight for Governor. Rauner should be so lucky to have (miss) Biss as his competitor. - Austin Blvd - Tuesday, Nov 1, 16 @ 9:32 am: This ad effectively does what no one has been able to effectively do — point out how Rauner is buying elections at the cost of those who depend on state government. - Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Nov 1, 16 @ 9:35 am: Lots of slings and arrows at Biss, lots of deflection to “oh yeah, but… ” Not one criticism of what the message says about Bruce Rauner. That’s… that’s why it’s an “A-” Governors own. This ad has that foundation to build on with the undeniable damage Bruce Rauner has levied on Illinois. - Mal - Tuesday, Nov 1, 16 @ 9:39 am: Biss was forced out of the Comptroller race by Madigan despite Mendoza’s lightweight status so for his conciliation prize, Biss gets the privilege of being used to gin up the 2018 fight for Governor. Rauner should be so lucky to have (miss) Biss as his competitor. ==== Or how about Biss dropped out so he could run for governor in 2018? - Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Nov 1, 16 @ 9:41 am: ===Or how about Biss dropped out so he could run for governor in 2018?=== Slow down, Speed Racer. Biss is pivoting off recent history. - Mal - Tuesday, Nov 1, 16 @ 9:47 am: OW. Yeah, but that still leaves possibility for a run for governor. - Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Nov 1, 16 @ 9:48 am: ===Rauner supports raising taxes in combination with… === Revenue is required, the Rauner wants are just that, wants. Revenue… more revenue required is not up for discussion or debate. Denying that, or holding that hostage is why this Ad is so ridiculously effective. - Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Nov 1, 16 @ 9:49 am: ===Yeah, but… === - Mal -, you’re not helping. Honest. - Team Sleep - Tuesday, Nov 1, 16 @ 9:52 am: Roman - we may know that but will the general (voting) public grasp the concept? Every single anti-Rauner or anti-Madigan ad (at least ones I have seen) mention the candidate of preference. This just paints with a super-broad brush and throws in “REPUBLICANS!” near the end. You have to listen just carefully enough to catch that. Otherwise it just gets lost in the shuffle. - Responsa - Tuesday, Nov 1, 16 @ 9:54 am: Some rich boys and girls use their extra billions to play with mega boats and Teslas and multiple homes. Some buy sports teams. Some on BOTH sides of the aisle like to dabble in politics. How ’bout y’all stop with the class warfare and get back to me and other normal Illinoisans with responsible ads where unseemly Democratic billionaires aren’t so obviously and blatantly competing with their unseemly brother Republican billionaires for influence, air time and political power. K? - Lucky Pierre - Tuesday, Nov 1, 16 @ 9:57 am: “Denying that, or holding that hostage is why this Ad is so ridiculously effective. ” The ad is effective? by lying about the Governor’s plan “to finance their scheme to cut their own taxes” I realize the integrity bar is pretty low on political ads but this is a 4 pinocchio whopper. Please fill us in on Rauner’s plan to cut his own taxes. - Rich Miller - Tuesday, Nov 1, 16 @ 9:58 am: ===stop with the class warfare=== Warfare? How so? Pretty extreme word choice there. - wordslinger - Tuesday, Nov 1, 16 @ 9:58 am: Louis, pick a lane. In one sentence, you complain about being overwhelmed by facts in a 30-second spot, in the next you complain that the same 30-second spot doesn’t immediately provide the “solutions.” You’re not so good at the spin. - Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Nov 1, 16 @ 10:00 am: Now that Biss has “hit back”, all the “both need to stop”, “look at what Biss is doing!” sounds more like hurt fee-fees that Rauner, a Democrat in Diana Rauner, and “two billionaires” had the whole field to themselves. Biss has even disclosed his donors… If the ILGOP wants to break free from being held hostage by Bruce Rauner, Diana Rauner, Griffin and Uihlein, then we need someone to force out the occupying forces, since we can’t do it ourselves. - Ducky LaMoore - Tuesday, Nov 1, 16 @ 10:01 am: @Responsa Obviously you don’t grasp the difference in concepts of A) Donating to a cause, and B) Buying an entire political party wholesale. Some billionaires want influence, others want total power. - Responsa - Tuesday, Nov 1, 16 @ 10:02 am: No matter the race, the state or the party, “pick a name and his billionaire friends” is imputed class warfare every time. - Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Nov 1, 16 @ 10:03 am: - Mal - Biss got out-flanked, and this is a response to put him in a position to be able, himself, to choose his next despot. Your ignorance to the obvious is telling, and big helping. Let Sen. Biss with this successful political maneuver make his well-deserved choices, don’t make up ridiculous spin. You’re not helping. Honest. - Austin Blvd - Tuesday, Nov 1, 16 @ 10:05 am: The ad points out Rauner and his billionaire friends buying elections at the expense of others. Will Illinois Policy Institute and its efforts to buy Illinois media be in the crosshairs? - Ducky LaMoore - Tuesday, Nov 1, 16 @ 10:06 am: @Responsa I agree, it is time to overturn Citizen’s United and make elections strictly public-funded. - Team Sleep - Tuesday, Nov 1, 16 @ 10:13 am: Willy - since Biss has decided to take the bull by the horns then he (and we) should NOT be surprised if people come back at him. Your point is valid but if Biss is going to throw grenades then he needs to prepare to have grenades throw back into his foxholes. This is all figurative, of course, as I do not want to give anyone any ideas for new political warfare. Mal - you and I are in agreement on this. I thought back when it happened that Biss went away too quietly - especially for someone who clearly has higher aspirations - and has his eyes on a bigger “prize”. - Grandson of Man - Tuesday, Nov 1, 16 @ 10:14 am: I love it. Rauner and two billionaires. Rauner and his billionaires and his Republicans. It’s right. Rauner and his miserable rich, who’ve done beyond great in Illinois and elsewhere but yet trash the state, made so many people victims by using them as wedges to try to harm many others. I rate the ad an A. - Responsa - Tuesday, Nov 1, 16 @ 10:20 am: == it is time to overturn Citizen’s United == Ducky, you’re kind of barking up the wrong tree and attempting to move the goal posts away from the subject at hand here, which is reviewing and discussing the likely purpose and effectiveness of a particular ad currently being aired. I hope you’ll forgive me for not following along. - Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Nov 1, 16 @ 10:20 am: - Mal - Biss admitted his attempt for Comptroller faced flanking issues when attempting to meld support. Can’t rewrite history. If anything, I can say for me personally, Biss is in a far better position, and and by is seen as someone who can get a Crew, craft and roll out a message, and make a formidable statewide candidate in the near future. And… it’s not about me, it’s about your willful ignorance to history. - Team Sleep - It’s all good. It’s eye-opening the spinning away from what Biss is saying, and all that is being thrown at Biss in the place of a substantive argument, because that argument is then seem as the Rauner hypocrisy(?) No worries. It’s part of this process. - Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Nov 1, 16 @ 10:32 am: - Mal - I fed you. There are quotes and reasons. You lack historic perspective and that truth of are willfully ignorant to those facts. Let it go, for Sen. Biss’ sake. Back to the Post, The valid criticism of no real call to action, I see this more as the glaring continued ad program that Biss put together. You had “fun”, you had the raw tying of Rauner to Donald Trump, you have Rauner and Trump in a “clown car” helping a stranded motorist… now you have the closing argument. If anything, the entire program is/was an “A” allowing a building and twists and making Rauner an uncomfortable character for Illinois, be it because of Trump, be it because of the damage Rauner personally has inflicted. If Rauner was so great, why was Rauner not in a positive ad for a member of the Raunerite caucuses? Why was Rauner so afraid to be campaigning? Rauner knew and knows, he too is upside down with voters. This ad makes clear, there’s a reason Rauner is upside down with voters, and if more voters know why… - Roman - Tuesday, Nov 1, 16 @ 10:48 am: Team Sleep — that’s a legit question. I think a lot of this is getting lost in the shuffle. But still, I think it’s useful for the Dems to start connecting Rauner to Trump with paid media now while Trump is front-and-center. You can bet we’ll see Rauner/Trump attack ads in 2018…might as well start setting the narrative now when you have donors willing to fund it. - Austin Blvd - Tuesday, Nov 1, 16 @ 12:02 pm: GOP financier Ron Gidwitz seems so irrelevant suddenly…though he did raise some money for Trump. Seems Ron’s been muscled aside by the big boys. - Trapped in the 'burbs - Tuesday, Nov 1, 16 @ 12:11 pm: Biss didn’t go away quietly, he obviously cut a deal. Good for him. I hope it works out. He doesn’t stay in a spot long before he begins to make his next move. We’ll know his true intentions as soon as the dust settles from this election. - Deft Wing - Tuesday, Nov 1, 16 @ 1:29 pm: Biss wasn’t outflanked, he was told to stand down by Madigan … despite Biss having far more money & organization than the very light on her policy Mendoza. Ah, but the demographics Susanna brings! Thus, Madigan told Biss “not now, maybe later.” And Biss did not Miss his instruction. He bowed out of the Comptroller’s race, dutifully. His reward is the nonsense he’s allegedly in charge of now; to try and damage Rauner for the 2018 governor’s race. Did Biss Miss the fact that the only potentially state-wide credible candidate –Dick Durbin — took a pass on challenging Rauner? The fact is, Biss is being set up, again, to get stomped by Rauner and his money. Bad. I won’t Miss Biss … or his ego. - Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Nov 1, 16 @ 1:38 pm: ===The fact is, Biss is being set up, again, to get stomped by Rauner and his money.=== Let’s get through 2016 before we do the “post mortem” on 2018, lol You should be pleased with your prognostication, maybe more gleeful. Maybe the Ad makes you sad? 1 in 13 in Illinois, that’s one million people in Illinois are made sad… by Rauner daily. This ad just reinforces who Rauner is, and if Rauner will stomp whoever, than this is really nothing. Right? Exactly right. - Bill F. - Tuesday, Nov 1, 16 @ 1:51 pm: I will definitely not vote for Rauner next Tuesday! - Liberty - Tuesday, Nov 1, 16 @ 1:55 pm: Yet another pollster driven spot… poor tone, wording and pacing- - Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Nov 1, 16 @ 3:15 pm: - Deft Wing - Use the google, Biss admits he was out maneuvered, and was not beholden to Madigan’s whims… From Capitolfax… http://bit.ly/2fsoB1v ===(Rich Miller in the Post) Madigan had foiled Biss at just about every turn. The county party chairmen’s endorsement of Mendoza was a major blow=== Doesn’t sound like much bowing there, lol - Grandson of Man - Tuesday, Nov 1, 16 @ 3:25 pm: “y’all stop with the class warfare” Rauner and his miserable rich have been the ones waging class warfare against unions, and AFSCME in particular. He said union leaders–ordinary workers who perform vital state functions–are greedy and corrupt. He tried to move the entire state to attack union rights and wages. Why did the IPI mail AFSCME members forms showing them how to revoke their union memberships? That’s unprecedented and nasty, and it’s open warfare. I think the ad is great, message-wise. I’d like it to go further, to see have an ad in which the miserable rich are shown to sacrifice and harm the elderly, abuse victims, students, the sick and others in their quest to attack middle class union members–using the most vulnerable as pawns and tools. I call these mulitimillionaires and billionaires miserable rich because they have means beyond many lifetimes, yet they nurse hatred and resentment of middle class workers and even workers who have lower wages. It’s perverse, having enough money and net worth to be able to retire many thousands of times over, yet seeing people who are pulling ones and fives out of their pockets as privileged elites. - Deft Wing - Tuesday, Nov 1, 16 @ 4:30 pm: Biss’ consolation prize — after being ordered by his boss Madigan to stand down from his Comptroller race — is running ads against Rauner in anticipation of a 2018 governor’s run. For as cerebral as Biss is, he ain’t seeing that he’s a sacrificial lamb. Talk about a big Miss by Biss. - Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Nov 1, 16 @ 4:33 pm: ===Biss’ consolation prize — after being ordered by his boss Madigan to stand down from his Comptroller race=== That’s not true, and I cited it for you too. Get over it. ===… running ads against Rauner in anticipation of a 2018 governor’s run=== Really? What do you base that on? You lack any truth, and for that I feel more sorry for you than anything. - peon - Tuesday, Nov 1, 16 @ 7:02 pm: Message is fair and effective - people don’t like rich individuals treating them as voting cattle, easily stampeded with enough big bucks advertising and spin. The argument about lowering taxes is weaker, but his legislative wish list preferentially helps the rich who are also immune to the cuts, so its not a million miles off target (and positively virtuous by 2016 election norms). Sorry, comments for this post are now closed.