Today, Daniel Biss’ campaign released a new digital ad, “Auction.” Highlighting unprecedented spending in the Illinois gubernatorial election, the video features an auctioneer selling the governor’s office to the highest bidder.
“When billionaires try to turn our elections into auctions, it’s no surprise they’d try to protect the system that’s protected them,” says Daniel in the ad. “But when Democrats help them do it, that’s just flat out wrong. We can have a progressive Illinois with fair taxes and fully funded schools. But not until we take our Democracy back.”
“This election is a fight for the soul of the Democratic Party,” said Campaign Manager Abby Witt. “Will we cede power to another billionaire businessman, or will we unite around a progressive community organizer we can trust to fight for middle-class families like his own? From the White House to the Governor’s Office, we’ve seen the destruction of out-of-touch billionaires, and we’re ready to choose a new path.”
* Biss has used this “auction” line several times before…
“What do we want? A middle-class governor or a 1 percent governor who is just going to write a check and fix it for us,” Biss said. “Do we want an election or do we want an auction?”
Biss was also interviewed by Mary Ann Ahern the other day about JB Pritzker’s and Chris Kennedy’s taxes. Click here to watch it. There’s a transcript here.
…Adding… I missed this one…
Today Daniel Biss announced the endorsement of Alderman Scott Waguespack.
“While any Democratic candidate can espouse progressive policies on the campaign trail, Daniel is the only one with a proven track record of getting things done in Springfield,” said Scott Waguespack. “From fighting for progressive revenue options to supporting efforts for an elected, representative school board in Chicago, Daniel has been on the front lines every step of the way.
“I have long appreciated having him as a strong ally in Springfield to the Progressive Caucus, and I have full confidence that he will be a progressive champion as governor. Nothing is more important than beating Bruce Rauner in November, and as a community organizer and true progressive, Daniel represents our best opportunity to draw a strong contrast with the billionaire class seeking to monopolize our politics in Illinois.”
Ok Dan, do something to earn my vote instead of complaining about the other candidates.
B-
- Joe Bidenopolous - Wednesday, Nov 29, 17 @ 11:18 am:
Daniel is concerned with Daniel and how good Daniel can come out of this looking like a good Daniel. Daniel’s interest isn’t in beating BVR unless Daniel is the candidate to do so. Otherwise, it’s Daniel for Daniel and if BVR wins again, Daniel will still feel good about Daniel.
- Come on Man! - Wednesday, Nov 29, 17 @ 11:19 am:
Says the guy who ran a SuperPAC
- Commonsense in Illinois - Wednesday, Nov 29, 17 @ 11:21 am:
Okay, Mr. Biss, I’m listening. I know you can’t play the money game, so you’re going to have to impress me with substantive reasons to vote for you.
The fact that you aren’t a billionaire isn’t particularly effective, so what can you tell me that is going to sway me?
Let’s get going on that. You’re just north of 100 days to the primary and you can’t compete with money you don’t have.
While I understand- and to some extent, share- the agita over wealthy candidates, at some point Biss has to grapple with the fact that Pritzker has put out a perfectly mainstream liberal platform. As the guy around here keeps saying, “I’m JB Pritzker, and I approve of Daniel Biss’ message.” There’s a visceral power to Biss’ message as is, but unless and until he connects it up to actual stuff that Democrats want, but won’t get with Pritzker, it’s limited.
Good ad, but I just can’t see Biss winning in a debate with Rauner. Rauner will sneer, smirk, and snide his way over Biss’s progressive views and right onto a re-election. I like Biss, and I don’t like the big money aspect of this or any other race- local, state, or federal. It’s going to take money and more push back than a billionaire auction theme to trounce Rauner. Pritzker has all that. In 2011 they did a sit down interview together, and the differences between their approaches to business and people are very evident. Toilets and Taxes aside, Pritzker is just the stronger candidate.
Time would be better spent telling the voters exactly what amount of “fair taxes” will result in a “a progressive Illinois” with “fully funded schools”. Mr. Numbers should already have the figures lined up and ready to share on how much revenue is needed and what tax rates will yield those revenues. What’s preventing him, other than the fact that once he did, he’d officially lose a sizable chunk of voters?
Biss’s underlying point - he’s been fighting for progressive causes in the legislature for years. Pritzker is politically inexperienced and unqualified. The only reason he’s in the race is because of his money.
The party is selling the office to the highest bidder, and it’s a disgrace. Biss is right to point that out.
Here’s my perspective on this path, and it’s a viable one for Biss, if he can generate large crowds with limited resources and no free national media following him around…
Biss has this video.
Pritzker is still running a whole media campaign to get people to sign up for ObamaCare.
Biss is correct, citizens have made a Faustian Bargain with self-funding businessmen. We voters shouldn’t be too surprised when we can’t locate our souls.
==The party is selling the office to the highest bidder, and it’s a disgrace.==
Pritzker, if you believe the polls, is winning a primary election.
- Last Bull Moose - Wednesday, Nov 29, 17 @ 12:12 pm:
In the past, many voters have not cared that the candidate was rich. TR, FDR, JFK, Bush 1 and 2, Al Gore, Nelson Rockefeller all had family money.
Sell your own ideas and make yourself better than your opponent. You can play the underdog and ask for help in getting your message out, but have a compelling message.
In every election Biss was able to outspend his opponents. Biss is a longtime Springfield politician. Now he is the grand reformer. O Brother please get me to April fast.
To Progressives supporting Biss from Labor,
“We sure showed Quinn”
Had disastrous results for us.
Don’t make the same mistake by saying
“We sure showed the wealthy”
Or
“We sure showed the Democrats”
Labor can attest our victory over Quinn
Has cost us so dearly.
Now
Labor is facing an extinction level event
Janus vs. AFSCME Council 31
Choosing the winner of this primary
Has never been more important.
Are your concerns about JB valid?
Absolutely
But AFL-CIO ran the calculations
JB Pritzker was the choice
I concur
Thus I am pushing/electioneering like never before
To ensure that Counsil endorses him in January
I am also working my channels to see that
IFT and SEIU do likewise.
Again, it’s life or death for Labor
As Saul Alinsky said, “Weust deal with the world as it is”
You’re narrative of
“We’ll show the wealthy”
with underlying tones of “Bernie shall be avenged”
Is going to get Labor Destroyed
It is terrible that the need for revenge and to revenge
Could destroy both progressives and Labor
This election
Note: post Janus- AFSCME may not have the money to give progressives. Starting probably in January our front line may come under a tremendous disinformation/gas lighting campaign to seduce our dues paying members away. Yes we are already prepared for this….but…we will most certainly take a financial hit. All money goes toward survival. You’re on your own progressives. So get used to volunteering and not having any paid media, oh except social media now that you have alienated wealthy donors. You sure showed them.
There is virtually no difference between the Democratic candidates on any of the issues. This is the best way for Biss to differentiate himself and connect with rank-and-file Dem primary voters — few of whom are naturally inclined to vote for a millionaire/billionaire businessman with no political experience in the Trump/Rauner era.
And after JB’s and Kennedy’s pathetic tax release effort, Biss is right to double-down on this message.
It’s a good ad. It’ll resonate, because it’s definitely something you hear out there.
Now, it’s vital what he follows it up with.
- Arthur Andersen - Wednesday, Nov 29, 17 @ 1:59 pm:
His pension theft history and clearly distorting how he keeps a roof over his head have caused me to totally tune this guy out. He has no real platform of his own except “my opponents have too much dough.” If you want to stop JB, drop out and encourage your voters to back Kennedy because you got zip.
- Boone's is Back - Wednesday, Nov 29, 17 @ 2:06 pm:
I think it’s a great message that resonates. Not so sure about the execution of it. Particularly if he’s going to have enough money to get it out there….
Everyone seems to agree the ad is meh for the primary. But here’s the larger issue. If Daniel is supposedly the better candidate to take on Rauner, will this be his message there as well? “I’m Daniel Biss and our governor and his rich friends will buy this election?” It doesn’t seem to be working particularly well against Kennedy/Pritzker, so what makes anyone think it will work against Rauner?
Grade A. This is an excellent and powerful ad message that will resonate with many voters who are not wealthy, and who are not in some way government system “insiders”, or not beneficiaries of political connections. It is Biss’ niche right now. He owns it and he is right to deploy it. But, he says at the end “I believe votes should be earned not bought” and he needs to start spending more air time “earning” them on policy and solid solutions to the state’s problems if he is to continue in the race.
I just feel like…everything in this ad is true. Will we be looking for a billionaire to save us every single election? Why does anyone think they should be Governor without legislative experience? That gets me everytime…running a state is NOT like a running a business
- Trapped in the ‘burbs - Wednesday, Nov 29, 17 @ 5:24 pm:
As Blago might say, Daniel needs to show some testicular virility and stop coming off as a whiny weakling with a victim complex. You want to run a State with significant problems and challenges, tell why we should elect you. Tell us what you will do. You didn’t have to pull yourself up by the bootstraps. Life was pretty easy for you. Quit whining. Actually, based on your tax returns and your incredibly impressive education, the question might be how you support your family.? Do you have money that was gifted or you inherited? Stop it already. They are both very lucky to be born into extraordinary wealth while you were born into mere affluence. Move on.
trapped, great comment and observation. while I did not experience great wealth as a child or adult–it does not bother me what others may have in abundance. this continual whine fest is boring. put a plan out there and stop the envy argument. biss certainly had no problems leading a speaker pac last year. interestingly, he did not make the sale with the insiders either back then. his campaign is rudderless.
- Saluki - Wednesday, Nov 29, 17 @ 11:09 am:
O Danny Boy, the pipes, the pipes are calling….from glen to glen….
Good ad. Still a terrible candidate.
- Honeybadger - Wednesday, Nov 29, 17 @ 11:10 am:
Senator Biss, please for the love of God, come up with something other than the billionaire schtick? Give the voters a good reason to support you.
- Anonish - Wednesday, Nov 29, 17 @ 11:14 am:
Ok Dan, do something to earn my vote instead of complaining about the other candidates.
B-
- Joe Bidenopolous - Wednesday, Nov 29, 17 @ 11:18 am:
Daniel is concerned with Daniel and how good Daniel can come out of this looking like a good Daniel. Daniel’s interest isn’t in beating BVR unless Daniel is the candidate to do so. Otherwise, it’s Daniel for Daniel and if BVR wins again, Daniel will still feel good about Daniel.
- Come on Man! - Wednesday, Nov 29, 17 @ 11:19 am:
Says the guy who ran a SuperPAC
- Commonsense in Illinois - Wednesday, Nov 29, 17 @ 11:21 am:
Okay, Mr. Biss, I’m listening. I know you can’t play the money game, so you’re going to have to impress me with substantive reasons to vote for you.
The fact that you aren’t a billionaire isn’t particularly effective, so what can you tell me that is going to sway me?
Let’s get going on that. You’re just north of 100 days to the primary and you can’t compete with money you don’t have.
- Arsenal - Wednesday, Nov 29, 17 @ 11:21 am:
While I understand- and to some extent, share- the agita over wealthy candidates, at some point Biss has to grapple with the fact that Pritzker has put out a perfectly mainstream liberal platform. As the guy around here keeps saying, “I’m JB Pritzker, and I approve of Daniel Biss’ message.” There’s a visceral power to Biss’ message as is, but unless and until he connects it up to actual stuff that Democrats want, but won’t get with Pritzker, it’s limited.
- Anon221 - Wednesday, Nov 29, 17 @ 11:25 am:
Good ad, but I just can’t see Biss winning in a debate with Rauner. Rauner will sneer, smirk, and snide his way over Biss’s progressive views and right onto a re-election. I like Biss, and I don’t like the big money aspect of this or any other race- local, state, or federal. It’s going to take money and more push back than a billionaire auction theme to trounce Rauner. Pritzker has all that. In 2011 they did a sit down interview together, and the differences between their approaches to business and people are very evident. Toilets and Taxes aside, Pritzker is just the stronger candidate.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-MCytLRuGG0
- City Zen - Wednesday, Nov 29, 17 @ 11:26 am:
Time would be better spent telling the voters exactly what amount of “fair taxes” will result in a “a progressive Illinois” with “fully funded schools”. Mr. Numbers should already have the figures lined up and ready to share on how much revenue is needed and what tax rates will yield those revenues. What’s preventing him, other than the fact that once he did, he’d officially lose a sizable chunk of voters?
- Frankly - Wednesday, Nov 29, 17 @ 11:27 am:
Biss’s underlying point - he’s been fighting for progressive causes in the legislature for years. Pritzker is politically inexperienced and unqualified. The only reason he’s in the race is because of his money.
The party is selling the office to the highest bidder, and it’s a disgrace. Biss is right to point that out.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Nov 29, 17 @ 11:35 am:
It’s a “B-, C+”
Here’s my perspective on this path, and it’s a viable one for Biss, if he can generate large crowds with limited resources and no free national media following him around…
Biss has this video.
Pritzker is still running a whole media campaign to get people to sign up for ObamaCare.
That’s a different take.
- Dome Gnome - Wednesday, Nov 29, 17 @ 11:39 am:
Biss is correct, citizens have made a Faustian Bargain with self-funding businessmen. We voters shouldn’t be too surprised when we can’t locate our souls.
- Arsenal - Wednesday, Nov 29, 17 @ 11:54 am:
==The party is selling the office to the highest bidder, and it’s a disgrace.==
Pritzker, if you believe the polls, is winning a primary election.
- Last Bull Moose - Wednesday, Nov 29, 17 @ 12:12 pm:
In the past, many voters have not cared that the candidate was rich. TR, FDR, JFK, Bush 1 and 2, Al Gore, Nelson Rockefeller all had family money.
Sell your own ideas and make yourself better than your opponent. You can play the underdog and ask for help in getting your message out, but have a compelling message.
- Michelle Flaherty - Wednesday, Nov 29, 17 @ 12:16 pm:
I heard THE Rich Miller was behind the decision.
- cicom - Wednesday, Nov 29, 17 @ 12:23 pm:
he proposes nothing, again. complaining and whining again. last year he was a pawn for the speaker pac. now, he is a reformer? I do not think so.
- Panderman - Wednesday, Nov 29, 17 @ 12:37 pm:
In every election Biss was able to outspend his opponents. Biss is a longtime Springfield politician. Now he is the grand reformer. O Brother please get me to April fast.
- Anonymous - Wednesday, Nov 29, 17 @ 12:43 pm:
Why does the media persist in calling such things “ads?”
Unless media has been purchased — and if so, shouldn’t you report the dollar amount? — this is just a press release, albeit with graphics.
- Honeybear - Wednesday, Nov 29, 17 @ 12:49 pm:
To Progressives supporting Biss from Labor,
“We sure showed Quinn”
Had disastrous results for us.
Don’t make the same mistake by saying
“We sure showed the wealthy”
Or
“We sure showed the Democrats”
Labor can attest our victory over Quinn
Has cost us so dearly.
Now
Labor is facing an extinction level event
Janus vs. AFSCME Council 31
Choosing the winner of this primary
Has never been more important.
Are your concerns about JB valid?
Absolutely
But AFL-CIO ran the calculations
JB Pritzker was the choice
I concur
Thus I am pushing/electioneering like never before
To ensure that Counsil endorses him in January
I am also working my channels to see that
IFT and SEIU do likewise.
Again, it’s life or death for Labor
As Saul Alinsky said, “Weust deal with the world as it is”
You’re narrative of
“We’ll show the wealthy”
with underlying tones of “Bernie shall be avenged”
Is going to get Labor Destroyed
It is terrible that the need for revenge and to revenge
Could destroy both progressives and Labor
This election
Note: post Janus- AFSCME may not have the money to give progressives. Starting probably in January our front line may come under a tremendous disinformation/gas lighting campaign to seduce our dues paying members away. Yes we are already prepared for this….but…we will most certainly take a financial hit. All money goes toward survival. You’re on your own progressives. So get used to volunteering and not having any paid media, oh except social media now that you have alienated wealthy donors. You sure showed them.
- Anonymous - Wednesday, Nov 29, 17 @ 12:58 pm:
Biss should stop wasting his breath.
- Roman - Wednesday, Nov 29, 17 @ 1:02 pm:
“B” for execution, an “A” for message.
There is virtually no difference between the Democratic candidates on any of the issues. This is the best way for Biss to differentiate himself and connect with rank-and-file Dem primary voters — few of whom are naturally inclined to vote for a millionaire/billionaire businessman with no political experience in the Trump/Rauner era.
And after JB’s and Kennedy’s pathetic tax release effort, Biss is right to double-down on this message.
- SaulGoodman - Wednesday, Nov 29, 17 @ 1:04 pm:
**Unless media has been purchased — and if so, shouldn’t you report the dollar amount? — this is just a press release, albeit with graphics.**
Huh? It’s a digital ad.
And yes, you need to report your spending, but not until your quarterly reports are due, which would be 1/15/17.
- A guy - Wednesday, Nov 29, 17 @ 1:35 pm:
It’s a good ad. It’ll resonate, because it’s definitely something you hear out there.
Now, it’s vital what he follows it up with.
- Arthur Andersen - Wednesday, Nov 29, 17 @ 1:59 pm:
His pension theft history and clearly distorting how he keeps a roof over his head have caused me to totally tune this guy out. He has no real platform of his own except “my opponents have too much dough.” If you want to stop JB, drop out and encourage your voters to back Kennedy because you got zip.
- Boone's is Back - Wednesday, Nov 29, 17 @ 2:06 pm:
I think it’s a great message that resonates. Not so sure about the execution of it. Particularly if he’s going to have enough money to get it out there….
- Anon0091 - Wednesday, Nov 29, 17 @ 2:15 pm:
Everyone seems to agree the ad is meh for the primary. But here’s the larger issue. If Daniel is supposedly the better candidate to take on Rauner, will this be his message there as well? “I’m Daniel Biss and our governor and his rich friends will buy this election?” It doesn’t seem to be working particularly well against Kennedy/Pritzker, so what makes anyone think it will work against Rauner?
- Responsa - Wednesday, Nov 29, 17 @ 2:16 pm:
Grade A. This is an excellent and powerful ad message that will resonate with many voters who are not wealthy, and who are not in some way government system “insiders”, or not beneficiaries of political connections. It is Biss’ niche right now. He owns it and he is right to deploy it. But, he says at the end “I believe votes should be earned not bought” and he needs to start spending more air time “earning” them on policy and solid solutions to the state’s problems if he is to continue in the race.
- ILDemVoter - Wednesday, Nov 29, 17 @ 3:30 pm:
I just feel like…everything in this ad is true. Will we be looking for a billionaire to save us every single election? Why does anyone think they should be Governor without legislative experience? That gets me everytime…running a state is NOT like a running a business
- Trapped in the ‘burbs - Wednesday, Nov 29, 17 @ 5:24 pm:
As Blago might say, Daniel needs to show some testicular virility and stop coming off as a whiny weakling with a victim complex. You want to run a State with significant problems and challenges, tell why we should elect you. Tell us what you will do. You didn’t have to pull yourself up by the bootstraps. Life was pretty easy for you. Quit whining. Actually, based on your tax returns and your incredibly impressive education, the question might be how you support your family.? Do you have money that was gifted or you inherited? Stop it already. They are both very lucky to be born into extraordinary wealth while you were born into mere affluence. Move on.
- cicom - Wednesday, Nov 29, 17 @ 5:58 pm:
trapped, great comment and observation. while I did not experience great wealth as a child or adult–it does not bother me what others may have in abundance. this continual whine fest is boring. put a plan out there and stop the envy argument. biss certainly had no problems leading a speaker pac last year. interestingly, he did not make the sale with the insiders either back then. his campaign is rudderless.