Scott Drury, Democratic candidate for Attorney General, has launched his first television ad. Titled “Imagine,” the ad asks Illinois residents to “Imagine an Illinois without corruption.” Drury has long battled public corruption in Illinois – first, as a federal prosecutor who locked up corrupt public officials, regardless of party; and then as a state representative where he has been an outspoken critic of Illinois’ corrupt culture. The ad addresses the problem of a political machine that is content with the status quo, and Springfield powerbrokers’ real fear of an Attorney General, like Drury, who has demonstrated that he truly works for the public – not politicians. “What are they scared of,” asks Drury, referring to Springfield insiders and machine politicians. “An Attorney General who is not scared of them.”
* I’m hearing he only bought 161 statewide points for the week, but let’s rate it anyway…
* Script…
Imagine – an Illinois without corruption.
Unfortunately, machine politicians like things the way they are.
I’m Scott Drury. I’m a Democrat, but I’m not like those guys.
As a federal prosecutor, I locked up corrupt public officials, regardless of party.
And I’m the only Democratic legislator in the last 30 years with the courage not to vote for Mike Madigan for House Speaker.
Springfield power brokers don’t want me to be your attorney general.
What are they scared of? An Attorney General who’s not scared of them.
Drury is running as a Democrat against the leader of the Democratic party in a Democratic primary. Granted, that leader has high negatives, and in Highland Park, an anti-Madigan message probably has some traction. But overall, I think there is a low ceiling for this message.
In addition, the field is too big and the buy is too small for this to make a difference even if there is a groundswell of Democrats to abandon Madigan (which I don’t see coming).
- Just Observing - Wednesday, Feb 21, 18 @ 10:24 am:
=== He’s so darned unlikable. He would have been better off not talking to camera. ===
I think your letting your personal, educated bias get in the way. To the average voter that knows nothing about Drury, this is a solid, effective ad.
Some nits to pick on production and script, but the overall concept and messaging is way solid, staking a claim as the corruption fighter in a very crowded primary field.
A.
(Nits: Why are you wandering around under the el? Also, I’d say: “What are the corrupt politicians scared of? They’re scared of me. They should be.”)
Ugh. Every morning, I get up and pray that this election is the last we ever have to hear about Scott Drury. He couldn’t be more transparently self-interested.
This with all he has said about Rauner not being that bad compared to what Madigan has done makes it an A for his Rauner donors. Too bad Rauner people would still choose Erika Harold over him
Good Riddance to Mr. “I vote Present” Drury. Does anybody truly care.
- Chicago Cynic - Wednesday, Feb 21, 18 @ 10:42 am:
“I think your letting your personal, educated bias get in the way. To the average voter that knows nothing about Drury, this is a solid, effective ad.”
I don’t deny a bias, but there is such a thing in politics as likability and Drury just isn’t likable. My point is the message is strong for 2018 but it would have been better without him as the messenger.
I must not have gotten the ’smug and unlikeable’ Drury talking points email this morning. Don’t know him from Adam, but thought this was a very good ‘introduction’ ad for a politician.
- lake county democrat - Wednesday, Feb 21, 18 @ 10:46 am:
Note how none of Drury’s critics claim he *wouldn’t* be an independent-minded Attorney General, or that he’s not competent. Yet they have nothing but contempt for him. Telling, that.
It amazes me how little Drury can take advantage of the anti-establishment mood.
- Chicago Cynic - Wednesday, Feb 21, 18 @ 10:52 am:
“Note how none of Drury’s critics claim he *wouldn’t* be an independent-minded Attorney General, or that he’s not competent. Yet they have nothing but contempt for him. Telling, that.”
I think he would be a terrible attorney general. Independent-minded is only part of the package. You have to work with people and he’s demonstrated repeatedly that he can’t do that. He’s universally disliked on both sides of the aisle. In fact, it may be one of the few things both sides agree on. So yea, the “independent” quality is good. But it’s not enough and there are better candidates in the race.
It’s a good ad. The average voter will like this type of message. So many Drury critics on here. When your captain’s boat is sinking makes sense to be afraid. Waiting until the rats leave the ship.
===I must not have gotten the ’smug and unlikeable’ Drury talking points email this morning.===
You think he comes off warm and thoughtful?
Shoulda used Rahm’s sweater.
===Don’t know him from Adam, but thought this was a very good ‘introduction’ ad for a politician.===
The script and message are fine.
When Drury looks into the camera, know him or not, a connection to voters instead of talking AT the voter takes place.
Drury being Drury.
His delivery is talking “at me”, not “to me”
That’s not the writer’s fault, it’s the delivery.
- Just the list please - Wednesday, Feb 21, 18 @ 10:54 am:
“As a federal prosecutor I locked up corrupt public officials, regardless of parties.”
I note that sentence is plural. Care to give examples, candidate Drury? Aside from your oft mentioned case against a Blago appointee, what are the others? The “google” is no help here. Isnt it unusual for a federal prosecutor to be given corruption cases after only 7 years experience? For you to be given so much responsibility so quickly, you certainly must be talented. So, where can I find that list? For me, I’d vote for you if you can back that up. It’s that simple. I simply can’t find anything online.
I’m voting in the dem primary and I have to say these are terrible choices for Attorney Gen.
Kwame: Establishment Dem, tobacoo money, etc.
Quinn: Same old politician. we don’t need more of him (I voted for him before)
Ruiz: He’s got ZERO credentials
Nancy: Makes herself seem more than she is. She’s been a terrible mayor. Pay to Play
Sharon: Eh she’s alright but not really qualified
Renato: He’s likable but he talks about Trump and Russia too much
AG: He’s a cool cat but he won’t win
Drury: He’s got the right attitude but he needs to learn how to work with others
Who are we left with? This primary is a circus show.
- lake county democrat - Wednesday, Feb 21, 18 @ 10:59 am:
Chicago Cynic - I completely disagree. AG is a job you *don’t* have to work with people. Watch the movie on Eliot Spitzer - he’s the antithesis of working with people and he’s one of the most successful attorney generals in history. It’s when he became governor that his go-it-alone ways doomed him (even before the prosecution scandal).
- TominChicago - Wednesday, Feb 21, 18 @ 11:02 am:
Just the list. –He was lead prosecutor on the cases involving the Melrose Park police, including convicting the Chief for shaking down Kiddieland among other things.
Few folks outside of the inside crowd know him that well, but everyone’s buying the “Madigan is Bad” message.
It’s a very strong ad. Not nearly enough people are going to see it, but people who don’t know him at all (and know he’s smug…like everyone here) will see a no nonsense very smart looking guy with a good resume and a good message.
It’s a very, very good ad.
- TominChicago - Wednesday, Feb 21, 18 @ 11:41 am:
The problem with this message is that it is pretty much a lie. Under Illinois law, the AG has very limited criminal prosecutorial powers.
It’s a great ad, if you believe that AG has anything to do with prosecuting public corruption. That belief is false, but probably shared by most voters.
Similar to the popular belief that voting “present” is somehow a courageous blow for freedom.
Drury sounds like he’s just going through the motions, no energy. “I’ll work for you” — how many times has *that* song been played? When he says “I’m not like those guys,” it comes across flat, sounds just like someone reading from a script, badly. It’s all words, but as flat as the body language. He has to persuade but mostly just tells. So a “C — revise and resubmit.”
If you are someone who likes Mike Madigan you are probably not liking this add and will find matters unrelated to the add to criticize; everyone else probably finds it pretty good. If you are Mike Madigan, you probably realize that this guy winning means your retirement.
Great ad. If he can get this in front of suburban primary voters then this could be a game changer. Being the only Dem AG candidate whose theme is anti Madigan in a crowded field can be big. Time will tell…
- Cheryl44 - Wednesday, Feb 21, 18 @ 10:19 am:
Is Rauner going to endorse him because Madigan?
- Just Visiting - Wednesday, Feb 21, 18 @ 10:22 am:
Solid ad. One of the best I’ve seen so far in this cycle.
- Streator Curmudgeon - Wednesday, Feb 21, 18 @ 10:22 am:
B+.
We’ve become so used to corruption in Illinois politics that it’s too hard to imagine this state free of it.
Well written, but he could sound more confident.
- Chicago Cynic - Wednesday, Feb 21, 18 @ 10:22 am:
He’s so darned unlikable. He would have been better off not talking to camera.
- 47th Ward - Wednesday, Feb 21, 18 @ 10:23 am:
Drury is running as a Democrat against the leader of the Democratic party in a Democratic primary. Granted, that leader has high negatives, and in Highland Park, an anti-Madigan message probably has some traction. But overall, I think there is a low ceiling for this message.
In addition, the field is too big and the buy is too small for this to make a difference even if there is a groundswell of Democrats to abandon Madigan (which I don’t see coming).
- Just Observing - Wednesday, Feb 21, 18 @ 10:24 am:
=== He’s so darned unlikable. He would have been better off not talking to camera. ===
I think your letting your personal, educated bias get in the way. To the average voter that knows nothing about Drury, this is a solid, effective ad.
- Retired Educator - Wednesday, Feb 21, 18 @ 10:26 am:
Good ad, it gets his message across. A- He doesn’t come off angry like he usually does.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Feb 21, 18 @ 10:27 am:
It’s a “C-“, below a “Gentleman’s C”
“Why?”
Drury is smug and unkikeable in this ad, and while the words when you read them to yourself make a solid script, the “Drury Delivery” comes through.
It comes off like the unlikeabke person running for mayor of a small town because someone slighted him in his want for a fence.
Drury being Drury.
“C-“
- Jocko - Wednesday, Feb 21, 18 @ 10:27 am:
==with the courage not to vote==
I didn’t know voting “Present” was an act of courage.
- wordslinger - Wednesday, Feb 21, 18 @ 10:28 am:
Pretty, pretty, pretty good.
Some nits to pick on production and script, but the overall concept and messaging is way solid, staking a claim as the corruption fighter in a very crowded primary field.
A.
(Nits: Why are you wandering around under the el? Also, I’d say: “What are the corrupt politicians scared of? They’re scared of me. They should be.”)
- Anon - Wednesday, Feb 21, 18 @ 10:30 am:
Ugh. Every morning, I get up and pray that this election is the last we ever have to hear about Scott Drury. He couldn’t be more transparently self-interested.
- 47th Ward - Wednesday, Feb 21, 18 @ 10:36 am:
===Why are you wandering around under the el?===
Lol. That’s in Highland Park.
- education first - Wednesday, Feb 21, 18 @ 10:38 am:
Drury is smug and unkikeable in this ad, and while the words when you read them to yourself make a solid script, the “Drury Delivery” comes through.
It comes off like the unlikeabke person running for mayor of a small town because someone slighted him in his want for a fence.
Drury being Drury.
What a great description of Drury’s less than stellar representation as a State Rep. He runs against, instead of standing “for” something.
- "Democrat" - Wednesday, Feb 21, 18 @ 10:38 am:
This with all he has said about Rauner not being that bad compared to what Madigan has done makes it an A for his Rauner donors. Too bad Rauner people would still choose Erika Harold over him
- mjw - Wednesday, Feb 21, 18 @ 10:41 am:
Only took 10 seconds to slip the federal prosecutor reference in.
- DeseDemDose - Wednesday, Feb 21, 18 @ 10:42 am:
Good Riddance to Mr. “I vote Present” Drury. Does anybody truly care.
- Chicago Cynic - Wednesday, Feb 21, 18 @ 10:42 am:
“I think your letting your personal, educated bias get in the way. To the average voter that knows nothing about Drury, this is a solid, effective ad.”
I don’t deny a bias, but there is such a thing in politics as likability and Drury just isn’t likable. My point is the message is strong for 2018 but it would have been better without him as the messenger.
- PJ - Wednesday, Feb 21, 18 @ 10:43 am:
Imagine all the people
Pandering for today
Oh oh oh, ohhh oh
- wordslinger - Wednesday, Feb 21, 18 @ 10:43 am:
– To the average voter that knows nothing about Drury, this is a solid, effective ad.–
Exactly.
- Jack Aubrey - Wednesday, Feb 21, 18 @ 10:46 am:
I must not have gotten the ’smug and unlikeable’ Drury talking points email this morning. Don’t know him from Adam, but thought this was a very good ‘introduction’ ad for a politician.
- lake county democrat - Wednesday, Feb 21, 18 @ 10:46 am:
Note how none of Drury’s critics claim he *wouldn’t* be an independent-minded Attorney General, or that he’s not competent. Yet they have nothing but contempt for him. Telling, that.
- Arsenal - Wednesday, Feb 21, 18 @ 10:49 am:
It amazes me how little Drury can take advantage of the anti-establishment mood.
- Chicago Cynic - Wednesday, Feb 21, 18 @ 10:52 am:
“Note how none of Drury’s critics claim he *wouldn’t* be an independent-minded Attorney General, or that he’s not competent. Yet they have nothing but contempt for him. Telling, that.”
I think he would be a terrible attorney general. Independent-minded is only part of the package. You have to work with people and he’s demonstrated repeatedly that he can’t do that. He’s universally disliked on both sides of the aisle. In fact, it may be one of the few things both sides agree on. So yea, the “independent” quality is good. But it’s not enough and there are better candidates in the race.
- I Love JB - Wednesday, Feb 21, 18 @ 10:53 am:
It’s a good ad. The average voter will like this type of message. So many Drury critics on here. When your captain’s boat is sinking makes sense to be afraid. Waiting until the rats leave the ship.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Feb 21, 18 @ 10:54 am:
===I must not have gotten the ’smug and unlikeable’ Drury talking points email this morning.===
You think he comes off warm and thoughtful?
Shoulda used Rahm’s sweater.
===Don’t know him from Adam, but thought this was a very good ‘introduction’ ad for a politician.===
The script and message are fine.
When Drury looks into the camera, know him or not, a connection to voters instead of talking AT the voter takes place.
Drury being Drury.
His delivery is talking “at me”, not “to me”
That’s not the writer’s fault, it’s the delivery.
- Just the list please - Wednesday, Feb 21, 18 @ 10:54 am:
“As a federal prosecutor I locked up corrupt public officials, regardless of parties.”
I note that sentence is plural. Care to give examples, candidate Drury? Aside from your oft mentioned case against a Blago appointee, what are the others? The “google” is no help here. Isnt it unusual for a federal prosecutor to be given corruption cases after only 7 years experience? For you to be given so much responsibility so quickly, you certainly must be talented. So, where can I find that list? For me, I’d vote for you if you can back that up. It’s that simple. I simply can’t find anything online.
- BBJ - Wednesday, Feb 21, 18 @ 10:57 am:
Chicago Cynic:
I’m voting in the dem primary and I have to say these are terrible choices for Attorney Gen.
Kwame: Establishment Dem, tobacoo money, etc.
Quinn: Same old politician. we don’t need more of him (I voted for him before)
Ruiz: He’s got ZERO credentials
Nancy: Makes herself seem more than she is. She’s been a terrible mayor. Pay to Play
Sharon: Eh she’s alright but not really qualified
Renato: He’s likable but he talks about Trump and Russia too much
AG: He’s a cool cat but he won’t win
Drury: He’s got the right attitude but he needs to learn how to work with others
Who are we left with? This primary is a circus show.
- lake county democrat - Wednesday, Feb 21, 18 @ 10:59 am:
Chicago Cynic - I completely disagree. AG is a job you *don’t* have to work with people. Watch the movie on Eliot Spitzer - he’s the antithesis of working with people and he’s one of the most successful attorney generals in history. It’s when he became governor that his go-it-alone ways doomed him (even before the prosecution scandal).
- TominChicago - Wednesday, Feb 21, 18 @ 11:02 am:
Just the list. –He was lead prosecutor on the cases involving the Melrose Park police, including convicting the Chief for shaking down Kiddieland among other things.
- wordslinger - Wednesday, Feb 21, 18 @ 11:04 am:
–Watch the movie on Eliot Spitzer–
Does he keep his socks on?
Pointless reference, anyway. The Illinois AG office has nowhere near the power or resources of the New York AG in criminal matters.
- Chicago Cynic - Wednesday, Feb 21, 18 @ 11:08 am:
BBJ,
I disagree on about 1/2 the field. Personally I like Ruiz the best by far, but I’d be fine with Rotering or Fairley or even Renato.
- dbk - Wednesday, Feb 21, 18 @ 11:09 am:
I took others’ advice and watched it with the sound off.
I’m re-watching Season 3 of The Wire, and the first image that came to mind was of Tommy Carcetti, the Baltimore councilman who runs for mayor. Yikes.
Conclusion: Too much Drury. Also: is there a subset of the ILDems called the “Democratic Party of Illinois against Madigan”?
The sound helped some. Script better than visuals.
- Stand Tall - Wednesday, Feb 21, 18 @ 11:16 am:
I didn’t know voting “Present” was an act of courage. Obama did it 150 times as a State Senator so he is in good company.
- A guy - Wednesday, Feb 21, 18 @ 11:16 am:
Few folks outside of the inside crowd know him that well, but everyone’s buying the “Madigan is Bad” message.
It’s a very strong ad. Not nearly enough people are going to see it, but people who don’t know him at all (and know he’s smug…like everyone here) will see a no nonsense very smart looking guy with a good resume and a good message.
It’s a very, very good ad.
- TominChicago - Wednesday, Feb 21, 18 @ 11:41 am:
The problem with this message is that it is pretty much a lie. Under Illinois law, the AG has very limited criminal prosecutorial powers.
- walker - Wednesday, Feb 21, 18 @ 12:03 pm:
It’s a great ad, if you believe that AG has anything to do with prosecuting public corruption. That belief is false, but probably shared by most voters.
Similar to the popular belief that voting “present” is somehow a courageous blow for freedom.
- wordslinger - Wednesday, Feb 21, 18 @ 12:15 pm:
–It’s a great ad, if you believe that AG has anything to do with prosecuting public corruption.-
The AG and Treasurer offices always take on magical powers during campaigns.
- Flapdoodle - Wednesday, Feb 21, 18 @ 12:29 pm:
Drury sounds like he’s just going through the motions, no energy. “I’ll work for you” — how many times has *that* song been played? When he says “I’m not like those guys,” it comes across flat, sounds just like someone reading from a script, badly. It’s all words, but as flat as the body language. He has to persuade but mostly just tells. So a “C — revise and resubmit.”
- 47th Ward - Wednesday, Feb 21, 18 @ 12:44 pm:
===and Treasurer offices===
You mean the State’s Chief Investment Officer, whose prudent decisions shape the economy of Illinois, touching millions of lives? Lol.
- wordslinger - Wednesday, Feb 21, 18 @ 1:04 pm:
–You mean the State’s Chief Investment Officer, whose prudent decisions shape the economy of Illinois, touching millions of lives? –
Big macher in the Middle East, too, what with those $10 million in Israel bonds.
- @misterjayem - Wednesday, Feb 21, 18 @ 3:29 pm:
“Note how none of Drury’s critics claim he *wouldn’t* be an independent-minded Attorney General, or that he’s not competent.”
The candidate who’s filing shortcuts threatened to keep him off the ballot?
That guy’s not competent.
– MrJM
- Anonymous - Wednesday, Feb 21, 18 @ 6:03 pm:
If you are someone who likes Mike Madigan you are probably not liking this add and will find matters unrelated to the add to criticize; everyone else probably finds it pretty good. If you are Mike Madigan, you probably realize that this guy winning means your retirement.
- wordslinger - Wednesday, Feb 21, 18 @ 6:06 pm:
–If you are Mike Madigan, you probably realize that this guy winning means your retirement.–
Stiff competition for talent in that crowded AG primary.
- LC Illini - Thursday, Feb 22, 18 @ 7:13 pm:
Great ad. If he can get this in front of suburban primary voters then this could be a game changer. Being the only Dem AG candidate whose theme is anti Madigan in a crowded field can be big. Time will tell…