November 6th 2008
The FBI wiretap of JB Pritzker & Rod Blagojevich.
UNEDITED
Blagojevich: Ok, so, but, what if, and I’m telling ya this could happen, because I know how Madigan is, he says ‘I’ll give ya health care, I’ll give ya a capital bill, OK. We’ll work with you to balance the budget the way you want to do it and I’ll raise taxes on people…and you make Lisa the senator, OK?’
Pritzker: Hmm, hmm.
Blagojevich: That puts me in a moral dilemma…because of all of the prospective candidates, what, dealing with her, suing us to f****** support Bush kicking 35,000 poor people off of health care…
Pritzker: Yeah, I know.
Blagojevich: You know, all that bulls***.
Pritzker: You know what? You should do it. You should do it. I’d take that in a heartbeat.
Blagojevich: Morally repugnant. I probably have to do it.
Pritzker: Yeah, I’d do it. I’d do it.
Blagojevich: OK, and then there’s an AG I can appoint, J.B.
Pritzker: You’re doing the right thing for the people.
Blagojevich: Are you a lawyer?
Pritzker: Yeah.
Blagojevich: There’s an AG that I appoint.
Pritzker: Oooh, that’s interesting…
Blagojevich: You see what I’m saying?
Pritzker: Oh, there ya go.
Blagojevich: I mean, don’t rule that one out.
Pritzker: OK.
Blagojevich: I mean, I’m not promising. I’m just saying these are all scenarios.
JB Pritzker
A corrupt deal for Illinois
Listen to the full FBI tape at pritzkerblago.com
*** UPDATE *** Press release…
Today, the JB Pritzker for Governor campaign released two new ads in response to Bruce Rauner’s desperate attempt to distract from his failed record as governor.
With Rauner facing statewide backlash for his fatal mismanagement of the Legionnaires crisis at the Quincy Veterans’ Homes that took the lives of 13 Veterans and spouses, Rauner has decided to play politics in the Democratic primary instead of defending his record. JB is ready to take Illinois down a different path with real plans to clean up Rauner’s damage and get Illinois back on track.
“When a governor doesn’t take charge, people die, and 13 veterans and spouses have now lost their lives because Bruce Rauner failed to lead,” said JB Pritzker. “It is no surprise this governor would rather attack me than run on his failed record. I’m running on real plans to get Illinois back on track by creating jobs, investing in quality education, and expanding healthcare across our state. It’s time to stop the political games, focus on beating Bruce Rauner, and get our heroes and families across the state the leadership we need.”
Agree with the Captain, there’s a lot here and you’re really asking / assuming a lot of people to follow it all and get the message Rauner’s people want.
To me, it just sounds like Pritzker is merely saying “yeah” and “uh-huh,” going along and only listening to what Blagojevich has to say. Blagojevich was the schemer, not Pritzker. Anyway, desperate Rauner must know by now that he’s only likely to win election as Governor of the State of Delusion, but not Illinois.
I think that this helps JB. African Americans dont know a lot about JB, but they know Kennedy’s name because of his uncles and father. African Americans strongly supported Rod until the very end, and still look favorably on him. Well, here is JB on the phone with Rod. Most people already agree that Rod was doing nothing more than political horse trading, and he’s not in jail because of what was said on this call. So what we have is JB agreeing with Rod that a political trade off with Madigan, in exchange for keeping 35,000 people on the health care roles? What JB is agreeing to is that offering Lisa the Senate seat in exchange for health care for people is a worthwhile tradeoff. I think this backfires on Rauner, and hurts Kennedy.
The Pritzker Crew has yet to lay a marker down on these tapes.
Now the tapes will be the punch, and the Pritzker Crew will be chasing.
They shoulda, when this all came out, made clear their position and that nothing said on these tapes led to any scrutiny, investigation, deposition, testimony or anything that a US Attorney thought warrented any further thought or discussion.
Now?
Now they are chasing.
No marker, no reference to the release, really trying when the voters may be paying attention this narrative off the tape, abc a response after.
It’s not very important what it is. If this were a tape about Rauner, the above reasonably skeptical people would be cheering it on as evidence of Rauner’s corruption (and vice versa for Pritzker detractors). I oppose the ad largely because that money could have been used to fly to Mars or something cool like that, but that’s why I’ll oppose all political ads this year.
This would be effective, were it not coming from someone who turned out to be - amazingly - a worse governor than blagojevich was. This election seems like it will be this tape, the toilets thing, and “because Madigan” vs. the list of Rauner goof-ups and terrible governance that is way too long to post here.
Rauner is trying to make the general election easier on himself. This ad will certainly sting and is a solid B+.
However, I just don’t think it’ll sink JB. Solid campaign team, plenty of money, he’s a Dem in a heavily Blue state, and Donald Trump is still President of the US of A. I haven’t seen people this jazzed up about voting since Obama in ‘08.
To say this is anything other than a problem for JB is ridiculous. How big of a problem remains to be seen. The Pritzker crew obviously thought that it was better to stay silent on this issue. Not sure what they can really say about it. The JB fanclub won’t be swayed by it. The undecided voter may just give it a listen. It sounds bad to me but I haven’t been enamored of JB.
Being associated with Blago can’t help.
Of course Rauner shoots himself in the foot every other day so maybe it doesn’t matter.
===”More than three decades of experience have led us to identify some big bets that have the potential to transform early learning. We are so grateful to the J.B. and M.K. Pritzker Family Foundation for sharing our belief in these innovations,” said Diana Rauner, president of the Ounce of Prevention Fund. “By developing strong leaders and programs, empowering parents and strengthening early learning systems, together we can change lives for children and families.”===
- Last Bull Moose - Wednesday, Jan 10, 18 @ 4:46 pm:
This is the ad that Kennedy or Biss would run if they had the money. I think Rauner is trying to shape the battlefield by helping another Democrat knock Pritzker out in the primary.
Otherwise, why run the ad now?
- Piece of Work - Wednesday, Jan 10, 18 @ 4:47 pm:
The first of a gazillion Blago/JB ads–radio, internet, TV.
Followed up with RE tax reduction on a Gold Coast property ad, over & over & over…..
Rauner is totally desperate. He’s wasting his best ammo early. He’s got to try to bring JB down while he’s a thousand yards out.
But here’s the thing as OW alluded too
No investigation against JB
No charges against JB
Nothing
People are tired of perfidy
Who listens to Rauner?
He lied to a Bishop
He throws everyone under the bus
Not even his own purchased party trusts him
Bruce
How about you spend future ad money
On public school funding
Homeless shelters
Anything
That could help illinois.
Spending money on perfidy
Is offensive
I watched this multiple times and still felt like I didn’t know what was going on. How would someone passively watching television commercials pick up on this attack?
Eh, they ran those nursing home ads against Rauner in 2014 and they didn’t hurt him. Rauner is so bad at governing that U think if Rod was released tomorrow and was able to run for Governor, he’d beat Rauner.
- Boone's is Back - Wednesday, Jan 10, 18 @ 4:58 pm:
I think the ad is set up to look a lot worse than it is really is. That being said… it is a good punch.
Rauner better have a lot more in the can because it seems like he’s using his best hits for the primary….
@Anon at 4:52
Its JB and Blago on an FBI tape together with design nods to the movie Seven.
It is designed to remind democratic voters that there is a connection. It doesn’t matter that JB got nothing from Blago, in terms of appointments, that the conversation happened at all is the hit.
=Well, it’s not like Team Pritzker wasn’t expecting this. Let’s see how they respond.=
We’ve all been expecting this for some time. The problem for Pritzker is that he didn’t get out in front of this and will now have to spend his time responding.
Pritzker could have easily said weeks ago, of course Blago called me, he called everyone trying to see what he could horse trade and nothing came of it, no deal, no investigation, nothing.
===…the last time I looked, Rauner and his video team weren’t masquerading as Bill Brady.===
Last time I looked, Rauner said he wasn’t in charge, is an incumbent regarded as the worst Republican governor in America, and as a white male, Rauner had a summer where even Fox News felt embarrassed for Rauner.
This isn’t just JB sounding bored and trying to get Blago off the phone. It is JB agreeing with Blago, and advising him to appoint Lisa. What is he supposed to say now, I was just joking around.
Sure seems like this will come down to JB or Rauner. Not hard to figure out how Illinois ended up as the worst fiscal state in the Union when you have choices like this for governor.
For all the newbies out there. This is how government deals are done. Like it or not. We just want to continue to bury our heads in the sand and niavely believe otherwise.
J.B. sounds way too chummy with Blagojevich. Indirectly, even Madigan tskes a hit when the discussion turns to Lisa being considered for the US Senate vacancy. The Blagojevich connection (telephone recordings and campaign dollars) are going to be an obstacle for Pritzker and so far he has not provided an adequate explanation.
You can’t say “everyone talked to Rod”… they didn’t
You can’t deny the words, you can’t deny the conversation.
The lone case is that after all the indictments, convictions… the testimony, evidence… Pritzker never faced any scrutiny from any law inforcement or the US Attorney.
Had they come out and put that to bed, making quite clear this released tape was but a conversation that was deed of no consequence, today could’ve been.
“We stand by our earlier release on the subject of the tape.”
… then take it to Rauner, no surrender.
They’re chasing. But… these two rebuttal ads have some flavor, and they’re a real-time response.
Pressure on the pressure.
Rauner masterfully did it. Will Pritzker borrow from that in taking down Rauner?
Just my two cents, but I believe the average Joe watching heir nightly dose of tv will turn the channel when Rauner’s ad plays. Rod is so yesterday. He’s been gone to prison now for years. JB didn’t get arrested. He’s not in prison.
JB’s two new ads speak to *me*, Rauner’s ad just gives me a chance to dash in and check on how dinner is doing.
Update shows the difference between 2014 and 2018. Unlike Pat Quinn, Pritzker can afford to run his response commercials both before and after Rauner’s.
There’s also the argument that Rod Blagojevich didn’t do as much damage to IL as Rauner. So being associated with Blago (not good) can’t be as bad as being Rauner (horrible).
Wordslinger - my guess is a little bit of both. Try to soften his approach a bit as it rapidly consolidates and prepare for the inevitable challenge. Obviously Pritzker is a bigger threat than Ives. If she had any credibility he’d be forced to deal with the Quincy issue while it’s fresh.
People focus on Blago with the Senate seat - but also remember Blago gave people “All Kids”, and senior bus rides for free and all sorts of good PR programs for the average person. Blago is a time when very few even remember him, he’s reformed and many think he was given an unjust sentence for not actually doing anything.
The ad is hard to follow - can’t hear the voices that we’ll - and doesn’t really make Pritzker look bad. When I saw it all I heard was Blago mad that 35,000 people lost Healthcare
Pritzker had this hit in their sights and unleashed a one-two Defense.
Lastly, the early ad by Pritzker were effective; going up now will blend this add with the Biss ad, the AG ads and all the others so it won’t stick out.
Except this isn’t 2010 (a terrible year for Dems and a time when bank abuses were front of mind) and Rauner is not Kirk (who barely won the election even with all of his opponents negatives. In other words, you are wrong. This isn’t JB’s anything. The electorate dye is cast for Rauner. He is toast.
- Almost the Weekend - Wednesday, Jan 10, 18 @ 9:08 pm:
JB team already has an ad out in response to Quincy. Just think what else they have in their back holster. To this day I still think PQ was too soft on Rauner. There are no free passes this cycle. Rauner will be matched dollar for dollar and Rauner has to run on his record this time. You use your best stuff from spring to summer because by Labor Day people will already be ignoring the ads they are so brutal. In math negative integers can be converted into a positive, in politics there are no integers.
- NeverPoliticallyCorrect - Wednesday, Jan 10, 18 @ 9:18 pm:
This state is so in trouble. Both leading candidates are flawed beyond belief. So again we will have no meaningful choice in Nov.
This FBI Blago-JB tape epitomizes everything that people despise about politics: the sweetheart deals, the back-room behind-the-scenes-sausage making. The fact that this recorded conversation is out on the airwaves and not behind the scenes will be a regular and constant reminder of this all the way to the election. After hearing it the first time months ago I never could figure out how the JB campaign might possibly be able to effectively counter this mess and neither did they, apparently. This is a fair character hit and make no mistake –it hurts him. The whistling past the graveyard about this that some commenters are affecting is amazing.
So, as I understand this tape, Rod is suggesting he appoint Lisa Madigan to be a US Senator and JB is saying, yea, you should do it. Ooooohhhh, that’s so devastating to suggest that JB thought Lisa Madigan should be a US Senator. And your average Democrat’s problem with that idea is what? Pretty sure Lisa still has approval ratings in the low 60s and probably 70s or 80s among Democrats.
If that’s the best response Pritzker has to the Blago tapes, then Dems better hope he’s not the nominee cause that is some weak sauce.
- Louis G Atsaves - Thursday, Jan 11, 18 @ 7:56 am:
Just saw the FBI tape ad on WGN Morning News. When seen on a TV screen . . . oof! Didn’t get that feeling when I watched it on a computer screen here yesterday.
It is amazing how those who are against Rauner can spin anything to justify their feelings that he, and only he, is the reason for the issues within the State.
If you have different numbers with a cite, please use them.
Are you a victim to periodicals and polling?
- former southerner - Thursday, Jan 11, 18 @ 8:45 am:
Many years ago some buyers of the ill fated “Yugo” car refused to accept that they had purchased a lemon design and lived in a state of denial and it seems that a lot of Rauner buyers are suffering from the same syndrome. It is true that he certainly isn’t to blame for all of the ills facing Illinois but that doesn’t absolve him of responsibility for all of the new problems that he has created and the existing problems that he has greatly worsened.
I think some folks would vote not guilty for the defendant in a murder trial not because they weren’t confident that he had committed the crime but because he wasn’t responsible for every other murder that had occurred in his state.
==Many years ago some buyers of the ill fated “Yugo” car refused to accept that they had purchased a lemon design …==
Those same buyers indirectly bailed out the Serbian plant that built the Yugo when Fiat bought Chrysler. The Fiat 500L is current built there and imported to our shores.
OW…I didn’t say anything about Rauner’s approval rating. My comment was intended to remind that Rauner is not THE reason that this State is failing economically. This tape reflects some serious concerns with Pritzker’s political ties with Blagovich.
2 questions: Doesn’t that tape implicate Madigan? Why wasn’t he charged?
JB is saying he wants to do things in Illinois that cost money, where is that going to come from? Illinois is beyond broke, from many, many years of mismanagment and corruption, not Bruce Rauner. The mass exodus out of Illinois will continue since Madigan is still running the state under the ground.
- The Captain - Wednesday, Jan 10, 18 @ 4:20 pm:
I get why they went with unedited but it’s not the easiest ad to follow, probably would have benefited from a little editing.
- SmartiePants - Wednesday, Jan 10, 18 @ 4:22 pm:
Dear Lorde
That’s an A+ and I cannot wait for the Rapid Response banal statement from the well-funded Pritzker crew.
- Reality Check - Wednesday, Jan 10, 18 @ 4:24 pm:
Agree with the Captain, there’s a lot here and you’re really asking / assuming a lot of people to follow it all and get the message Rauner’s people want.
- Christopher - Wednesday, Jan 10, 18 @ 4:25 pm:
To me, it just sounds like Pritzker is merely saying “yeah” and “uh-huh,” going along and only listening to what Blagojevich has to say. Blagojevich was the schemer, not Pritzker. Anyway, desperate Rauner must know by now that he’s only likely to win election as Governor of the State of Delusion, but not Illinois.
- Hmmm - Wednesday, Jan 10, 18 @ 4:25 pm:
Right reality but it is very very early. JB’s Blago wiretaps will be the death of his campaign. Dems are being blinded by his money.
- PJ - Wednesday, Jan 10, 18 @ 4:26 pm:
That tape isn’t damning enough to speak for itself. It wasn’t criminal. You can doll it up to look bad, but going unedited is dumb
- Anon - Wednesday, Jan 10, 18 @ 4:27 pm:
I think that this helps JB. African Americans dont know a lot about JB, but they know Kennedy’s name because of his uncles and father. African Americans strongly supported Rod until the very end, and still look favorably on him. Well, here is JB on the phone with Rod. Most people already agree that Rod was doing nothing more than political horse trading, and he’s not in jail because of what was said on this call. So what we have is JB agreeing with Rod that a political trade off with Madigan, in exchange for keeping 35,000 people on the health care roles? What JB is agreeing to is that offering Lisa the Senate seat in exchange for health care for people is a worthwhile tradeoff. I think this backfires on Rauner, and hurts Kennedy.
- tgk - Wednesday, Jan 10, 18 @ 4:28 pm:
JB mostly sounds like he wants to get off the phone ASAP without sounding rude.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Jan 10, 18 @ 4:28 pm:
The Pritzker Crew has yet to lay a marker down on these tapes.
Now the tapes will be the punch, and the Pritzker Crew will be chasing.
They shoulda, when this all came out, made clear their position and that nothing said on these tapes led to any scrutiny, investigation, deposition, testimony or anything that a US Attorney thought warrented any further thought or discussion.
Now?
Now they are chasing.
No marker, no reference to the release, really trying when the voters may be paying attention this narrative off the tape, abc a response after.
Welp…
- Chris Widger - Wednesday, Jan 10, 18 @ 4:29 pm:
It’s not very important what it is. If this were a tape about Rauner, the above reasonably skeptical people would be cheering it on as evidence of Rauner’s corruption (and vice versa for Pritzker detractors). I oppose the ad largely because that money could have been used to fly to Mars or something cool like that, but that’s why I’ll oppose all political ads this year.
- Rich Miller - Wednesday, Jan 10, 18 @ 4:29 pm:
===JB mostly sounds like he wants to get off the phone===
To you, maybe.
- Lester Holt’s Mustache - Wednesday, Jan 10, 18 @ 4:30 pm:
This would be effective, were it not coming from someone who turned out to be - amazingly - a worse governor than blagojevich was. This election seems like it will be this tape, the toilets thing, and “because Madigan” vs. the list of Rauner goof-ups and terrible governance that is way too long to post here.
- WSJ Paywall - Wednesday, Jan 10, 18 @ 4:30 pm:
Unedited, it’s far too long and difficult to follow.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Jan 10, 18 @ 4:31 pm:
===I think that this helps JB===
This sounds like something Commander Galloway would say to Lt. Kaffee…
- Hamlet's Ghost - Wednesday, Jan 10, 18 @ 4:32 pm:
== JB’s Blago wiretaps will be the death of his campaign. Dems are being blinded by his money. ==
If this ad is such a killer, why is Rauner running it now rather than starting a week after the primary?
- City Zen - Wednesday, Jan 10, 18 @ 4:32 pm:
Agree with Captain. Better editing and visuals will help. My favorite part:
Blago: “Are you a lawyer?”
JB: (pause) Yeah
- Red fish blue fish - Wednesday, Jan 10, 18 @ 4:33 pm:
Solid A
Good use of text and highlighting to clear up any ambiguity as to the situation.
Shouldn’t Rauner wait until after the primary to release this?
- 47th Ward - Wednesday, Jan 10, 18 @ 4:33 pm:
Well, it’s not like Team Pritzker wasn’t expecting this. Let’s see how they respond.
- Hmmm - Wednesday, Jan 10, 18 @ 4:34 pm:
Hamlet- you think this will be the last Blago-Pritzker tape on an ad? This is just the beginning.
- The Muse - Wednesday, Jan 10, 18 @ 4:34 pm:
Rauner is trying to make the general election easier on himself. This ad will certainly sting and is a solid B+.
However, I just don’t think it’ll sink JB. Solid campaign team, plenty of money, he’s a Dem in a heavily Blue state, and Donald Trump is still President of the US of A. I haven’t seen people this jazzed up about voting since Obama in ‘08.
- City Zen - Wednesday, Jan 10, 18 @ 4:35 pm:
==I oppose the ad largely because that money could have been used to fly to Mars…==
Quinn lives right across the street from Mars.
- Hamlet's Ghost - Wednesday, Jan 10, 18 @ 4:35 pm:
Q: Shouldn’t Rauner wait until after the primary to release this?
A: Not if Rauner most fears JB as his opponent.
- don the legend - Wednesday, Jan 10, 18 @ 4:39 pm:
It’s a good thing there won’t be any ads against Rauner. (serious snark)
- SSL - Wednesday, Jan 10, 18 @ 4:40 pm:
To say this is anything other than a problem for JB is ridiculous. How big of a problem remains to be seen. The Pritzker crew obviously thought that it was better to stay silent on this issue. Not sure what they can really say about it. The JB fanclub won’t be swayed by it. The undecided voter may just give it a listen. It sounds bad to me but I haven’t been enamored of JB.
Being associated with Blago can’t help.
Of course Rauner shoots himself in the foot every other day so maybe it doesn’t matter.
- Roman - Wednesday, Jan 10, 18 @ 4:44 pm:
So, that confirms the governor doesn’t want to face JB. Team Rauner understands the power of money in politics.
- 47th Ward - Wednesday, Jan 10, 18 @ 4:44 pm:
And right on cue, Pritzker responds with a one-two punch.
It’s going to feel like years before November finally gets here.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Jan 10, 18 @ 4:44 pm:
Wonder how Diana Rauner feels about JB Pritzker?
===”More than three decades of experience have led us to identify some big bets that have the potential to transform early learning. We are so grateful to the J.B. and M.K. Pritzker Family Foundation for sharing our belief in these innovations,” said Diana Rauner, president of the Ounce of Prevention Fund. “By developing strong leaders and programs, empowering parents and strengthening early learning systems, together we can change lives for children and families.”===
Link: http://prn.to/2FsbyWU
Is Pritzker a good guy of not?
- SmartiePants - Wednesday, Jan 10, 18 @ 4:45 pm:
For the update:
Didn’t respond, which makes people think it’s true.
Politics101 right there and JB’s Crew failed. I’ll wait for a 300 odd word note on Crisis Creatin Rauner and all that while somehow ignoring the ad.
- Revolver - Wednesday, Jan 10, 18 @ 4:46 pm:
~~~Pritzker Defense Force activated~~~
- Last Bull Moose - Wednesday, Jan 10, 18 @ 4:46 pm:
This is the ad that Kennedy or Biss would run if they had the money. I think Rauner is trying to shape the battlefield by helping another Democrat knock Pritzker out in the primary.
Otherwise, why run the ad now?
- Piece of Work - Wednesday, Jan 10, 18 @ 4:47 pm:
The first of a gazillion Blago/JB ads–radio, internet, TV.
Followed up with RE tax reduction on a Gold Coast property ad, over & over & over…..
Ruh Roh
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Jan 10, 18 @ 4:48 pm:
“Bruce Rauner fails”
All day, every day, twice on Sunday, maybe even after a Mass officiated by Blase Cardinal Cupich.
Keep the pressure on…
- Honeybear - Wednesday, Jan 10, 18 @ 4:48 pm:
Rauner is totally desperate. He’s wasting his best ammo early. He’s got to try to bring JB down while he’s a thousand yards out.
But here’s the thing as OW alluded too
No investigation against JB
No charges against JB
Nothing
People are tired of perfidy
Who listens to Rauner?
He lied to a Bishop
He throws everyone under the bus
Not even his own purchased party trusts him
Bruce
How about you spend future ad money
On public school funding
Homeless shelters
Anything
That could help illinois.
Spending money on perfidy
Is offensive
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Jan 10, 18 @ 4:51 pm:
===Didn’t respond, which makes people think it’s true.===
(Sigh)
It’s a tape. It’s real. It’s there.
What did you expect, “it’s not J.B.”?
They are going to make this about the worst Republican governor in America.
I’ve seen that playbook. It wins.
Rauner can’t run from his record.
- Anon - Wednesday, Jan 10, 18 @ 4:52 pm:
I watched this multiple times and still felt like I didn’t know what was going on. How would someone passively watching television commercials pick up on this attack?
- Chris Widger - Wednesday, Jan 10, 18 @ 4:52 pm:
==Rauner has decided to play politics==
==fatal mismanagement of the Legionnaires crisis at the Quincy Veterans’ Homes==
???
- SSL - Wednesday, Jan 10, 18 @ 4:56 pm:
I imagine it’s a lot more fun for Bruce to spend his money painting JB as a slimy backroom con artist, so expect to see a lot more of it.
Next up, toilets being taken out of a residence that looks like JB’s.
Followed quickly by a commercial of Rauner trying to walk while having both feet stuck in his mouth. Courtesy of JB.
At least the l8cal networks are going to be happy,
- Lamont - Wednesday, Jan 10, 18 @ 4:57 pm:
Eh, they ran those nursing home ads against Rauner in 2014 and they didn’t hurt him. Rauner is so bad at governing that U think if Rod was released tomorrow and was able to run for Governor, he’d beat Rauner.
- Boone's is Back - Wednesday, Jan 10, 18 @ 4:58 pm:
I think the ad is set up to look a lot worse than it is really is. That being said… it is a good punch.
Rauner better have a lot more in the can because it seems like he’s using his best hits for the primary….
- Anonish - Wednesday, Jan 10, 18 @ 5:05 pm:
@Anon at 4:52
Its JB and Blago on an FBI tape together with design nods to the movie Seven.
It is designed to remind democratic voters that there is a connection. It doesn’t matter that JB got nothing from Blago, in terms of appointments, that the conversation happened at all is the hit.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Jan 10, 18 @ 5:05 pm:
===Hear that? It’s the echo chamber forming once again.===
Pat Quinn… was Rod’s LG… after replacing Rod, he won re-election…
Rauner is the worst Republican Governor in America, polling 30-55.
Rauner has his own record to worry about.
- Swift - Wednesday, Jan 10, 18 @ 5:06 pm:
Any opinions on the passage of 9 years since Blago left plays on the effectiveness of this ad?
My take is the ad may have benefited from a reminder of who Blago was, 9 years is a long time for voters, many of which have no clue who he is.
- SmartiePants - Wednesday, Jan 10, 18 @ 5:10 pm:
“Rauner has his own record to worry about.”
Who beat Quinn in 2014? Because the last time I looked, Rauner and his video team weren’t masquerading as Bill Brady.
- Pundent - Wednesday, Jan 10, 18 @ 5:11 pm:
=Well, it’s not like Team Pritzker wasn’t expecting this. Let’s see how they respond.=
We’ve all been expecting this for some time. The problem for Pritzker is that he didn’t get out in front of this and will now have to spend his time responding.
Pritzker could have easily said weeks ago, of course Blago called me, he called everyone trying to see what he could horse trade and nothing came of it, no deal, no investigation, nothing.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Jan 10, 18 @ 5:14 pm:
===Who beat Quinn in 2014?===
Pat Quinn.
“Pat Quinn failed”, lol
Keep up.
===…the last time I looked, Rauner and his video team weren’t masquerading as Bill Brady.===
Last time I looked, Rauner said he wasn’t in charge, is an incumbent regarded as the worst Republican governor in America, and as a white male, Rauner had a summer where even Fox News felt embarrassed for Rauner.
- City Zen - Wednesday, Jan 10, 18 @ 5:27 pm:
==of course Blago called me, he called everyone==
Appearing in Blago’s Rolodex is not a bragging point.
- SSL - Wednesday, Jan 10, 18 @ 5:29 pm:
This isn’t just JB sounding bored and trying to get Blago off the phone. It is JB agreeing with Blago, and advising him to appoint Lisa. What is he supposed to say now, I was just joking around.
Sure seems like this will come down to JB or Rauner. Not hard to figure out how Illinois ended up as the worst fiscal state in the Union when you have choices like this for governor.
- Generic Drone - Wednesday, Jan 10, 18 @ 5:36 pm:
For all the newbies out there. This is how government deals are done. Like it or not. We just want to continue to bury our heads in the sand and niavely believe otherwise.
- That - Wednesday, Jan 10, 18 @ 5:43 pm:
J.B. sounds way too chummy with Blagojevich. Indirectly, even Madigan tskes a hit when the discussion turns to Lisa being considered for the US Senate vacancy. The Blagojevich connection (telephone recordings and campaign dollars) are going to be an obstacle for Pritzker and so far he has not provided an adequate explanation.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Jan 10, 18 @ 5:45 pm:
You can’t say “everyone talked to Rod”… they didn’t
You can’t deny the words, you can’t deny the conversation.
The lone case is that after all the indictments, convictions… the testimony, evidence… Pritzker never faced any scrutiny from any law inforcement or the US Attorney.
Had they come out and put that to bed, making quite clear this released tape was but a conversation that was deed of no consequence, today could’ve been.
“We stand by our earlier release on the subject of the tape.”
… then take it to Rauner, no surrender.
They’re chasing. But… these two rebuttal ads have some flavor, and they’re a real-time response.
Pressure on the pressure.
Rauner masterfully did it. Will Pritzker borrow from that in taking down Rauner?
- wordslinger - Wednesday, Jan 10, 18 @ 5:48 pm:
Is Rauner going after Pritzker now to try to get him beat in the primary or because he thinks Pritzker is a sure primary winner?
- Anonymous - Wednesday, Jan 10, 18 @ 5:50 pm:
Just my two cents, but I believe the average Joe watching heir nightly dose of tv will turn the channel when Rauner’s ad plays. Rod is so yesterday. He’s been gone to prison now for years. JB didn’t get arrested. He’s not in prison.
JB’s two new ads speak to *me*, Rauner’s ad just gives me a chance to dash in and check on how dinner is doing.
- wordslinger - Wednesday, Jan 10, 18 @ 6:07 pm:
If I recall, the FBI tapes were not publicly released.
The troncs got ahold of some of them. Did they give them to Rauner? Blago’s lawyers, maybe?
- Regular democrat - Wednesday, Jan 10, 18 @ 6:14 pm:
This is pritzkers broadway bank
- Safe - Wednesday, Jan 10, 18 @ 6:17 pm:
Anyone else think the background music was too loud? It’s makes it hard to hear the voices.
- Anon324 - Wednesday, Jan 10, 18 @ 6:21 pm:
All it needs is a visual of JB doing the pay-to-play polka with Rod.
- Lester Holt’s Mustache - Wednesday, Jan 10, 18 @ 6:35 pm:
Update shows the difference between 2014 and 2018. Unlike Pat Quinn, Pritzker can afford to run his response commercials both before and after Rauner’s.
- Anonymous - Wednesday, Jan 10, 18 @ 6:41 pm:
There’s also the argument that Rod Blagojevich didn’t do as much damage to IL as Rauner. So being associated with Blago (not good) can’t be as bad as being Rauner (horrible).
- Pundent - Wednesday, Jan 10, 18 @ 6:42 pm:
Wordslinger - my guess is a little bit of both. Try to soften his approach a bit as it rapidly consolidates and prepare for the inevitable challenge. Obviously Pritzker is a bigger threat than Ives. If she had any credibility he’d be forced to deal with the Quincy issue while it’s fresh.
- Scott - Wednesday, Jan 10, 18 @ 7:44 pm:
People focus on Blago with the Senate seat - but also remember Blago gave people “All Kids”, and senior bus rides for free and all sorts of good PR programs for the average person. Blago is a time when very few even remember him, he’s reformed and many think he was given an unjust sentence for not actually doing anything.
The ad is hard to follow - can’t hear the voices that we’ll - and doesn’t really make Pritzker look bad. When I saw it all I heard was Blago mad that 35,000 people lost Healthcare
Pritzker had this hit in their sights and unleashed a one-two Defense.
Lastly, the early ad by Pritzker were effective; going up now will blend this add with the Biss ad, the AG ads and all the others so it won’t stick out.
- peon - Wednesday, Jan 10, 18 @ 8:14 pm:
The sad truth is that the past few years have made the Blago administration seem almost respectable, kind of weakening the effect of this tape.
- TominChicago - Wednesday, Jan 10, 18 @ 8:51 pm:
- Regular democrat - Wednesday, Jan 10, 18 @ 6:14 pm:
This is pritzkers broadway bank
Except this isn’t 2010 (a terrible year for Dems and a time when bank abuses were front of mind) and Rauner is not Kirk (who barely won the election even with all of his opponents negatives. In other words, you are wrong. This isn’t JB’s anything. The electorate dye is cast for Rauner. He is toast.
- Almost the Weekend - Wednesday, Jan 10, 18 @ 9:08 pm:
JB team already has an ad out in response to Quincy. Just think what else they have in their back holster. To this day I still think PQ was too soft on Rauner. There are no free passes this cycle. Rauner will be matched dollar for dollar and Rauner has to run on his record this time. You use your best stuff from spring to summer because by Labor Day people will already be ignoring the ads they are so brutal. In math negative integers can be converted into a positive, in politics there are no integers.
- NeverPoliticallyCorrect - Wednesday, Jan 10, 18 @ 9:18 pm:
This state is so in trouble. Both leading candidates are flawed beyond belief. So again we will have no meaningful choice in Nov.
- Politix - Wednesday, Jan 10, 18 @ 9:20 pm:
Trump as president is more of a motivating factor to vote, than Blago’s call to JB
- Responsa - Wednesday, Jan 10, 18 @ 9:22 pm:
This FBI Blago-JB tape epitomizes everything that people despise about politics: the sweetheart deals, the back-room behind-the-scenes-sausage making. The fact that this recorded conversation is out on the airwaves and not behind the scenes will be a regular and constant reminder of this all the way to the election. After hearing it the first time months ago I never could figure out how the JB campaign might possibly be able to effectively counter this mess and neither did they, apparently. This is a fair character hit and make no mistake –it hurts him. The whistling past the graveyard about this that some commenters are affecting is amazing.
- Anonymous - Wednesday, Jan 10, 18 @ 9:29 pm:
So, as I understand this tape, Rod is suggesting he appoint Lisa Madigan to be a US Senator and JB is saying, yea, you should do it. Ooooohhhh, that’s so devastating to suggest that JB thought Lisa Madigan should be a US Senator. And your average Democrat’s problem with that idea is what? Pretty sure Lisa still has approval ratings in the low 60s and probably 70s or 80s among Democrats.
- Rabid - Wednesday, Jan 10, 18 @ 10:29 pm:
3 second clips of Rauner saying ” I’m not in charge” over and over on local news will mess with his primary
- SweetLou86 - Thursday, Jan 11, 18 @ 2:57 am:
If that’s the best response Pritzker has to the Blago tapes, then Dems better hope he’s not the nominee cause that is some weak sauce.
- Louis G Atsaves - Thursday, Jan 11, 18 @ 7:56 am:
Just saw the FBI tape ad on WGN Morning News. When seen on a TV screen . . . oof! Didn’t get that feeling when I watched it on a computer screen here yesterday.
- SmartiePants - Thursday, Jan 11, 18 @ 8:05 am:
“The electorate dye is cast for Rauner. He is toast.”
Echo Echo Echoooo
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Jan 11, 18 @ 8:21 am:
===Echo Echo Echoooo===
lol
30-55 approval/disapproval.
No dye is cast, tougher to find a path to win this time.
Bruce Rauner is a failed Governor, the worst Republican governor in America… with a record to match.
That echo you think you hear? That’s a 25 point, upside down governor hearing what polling shows.
Good try thou.
- Amazed - Thursday, Jan 11, 18 @ 8:25 am:
It is amazing how those who are against Rauner can spin anything to justify their feelings that he, and only he, is the reason for the issues within the State.
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Jan 11, 18 @ 8:28 am:
===…who are against Rauner can spin anything…===
Worst Republican governor in America?
That’s the National Review.
30/55 approval/disapproval?
If you have different numbers with a cite, please use them.
Are you a victim to periodicals and polling?
- former southerner - Thursday, Jan 11, 18 @ 8:45 am:
Many years ago some buyers of the ill fated “Yugo” car refused to accept that they had purchased a lemon design and lived in a state of denial and it seems that a lot of Rauner buyers are suffering from the same syndrome. It is true that he certainly isn’t to blame for all of the ills facing Illinois but that doesn’t absolve him of responsibility for all of the new problems that he has created and the existing problems that he has greatly worsened.
I think some folks would vote not guilty for the defendant in a murder trial not because they weren’t confident that he had committed the crime but because he wasn’t responsible for every other murder that had occurred in his state.
- City Zen - Thursday, Jan 11, 18 @ 9:28 am:
==Many years ago some buyers of the ill fated “Yugo” car refused to accept that they had purchased a lemon design …==
Those same buyers indirectly bailed out the Serbian plant that built the Yugo when Fiat bought Chrysler. The Fiat 500L is current built there and imported to our shores.
- Amazed - Friday, Jan 12, 18 @ 8:01 am:
OW…I didn’t say anything about Rauner’s approval rating. My comment was intended to remind that Rauner is not THE reason that this State is failing economically. This tape reflects some serious concerns with Pritzker’s political ties with Blagovich.
- Oswego Willy - Friday, Jan 12, 18 @ 8:17 am:
===My comment was intended to remind that Rauner is not THE reason that this State is failing economically===
Rauner vetoed three fiscal year budgets, purposely, to put pressure on the GA to destroy labor.
In Rauner’s meeting with the Trib, Rauner stated his second term would be about Janus, RTW Zones, and crushing AF-Scammy… or more pain for Illinois.
Rauner owns his 3 years.
Rauner, solely, owns his vetoes and the destruction of Illinois on his tenure as governor.
Keep up.
===This tape reflects some serious concerns with Pritzker’s political ties with Blagovich.===
This tape is a tape.
Quinn was Blago’s LG… Quinn won.
Pritzker never became AG, Treasurer, nothing, the US Attorney had no serious questions for Pritzker either.
- Anonymous - Tuesday, Jan 23, 18 @ 8:10 pm:
2 questions: Doesn’t that tape implicate Madigan? Why wasn’t he charged?
JB is saying he wants to do things in Illinois that cost money, where is that going to come from? Illinois is beyond broke, from many, many years of mismanagment and corruption, not Bruce Rauner. The mass exodus out of Illinois will continue since Madigan is still running the state under the ground.