Capitol Fax.com - Your Illinois News Radar » Rate Rauner’s new digital ad
SUBSCRIBE to Capitol Fax      Advertise Here      About     Exclusive Subscriber Content     Updated Posts    Contact Rich Miller
CapitolFax.com
To subscribe to Capitol Fax, click here.
Rate Rauner’s new digital ad

Tuesday, Jun 12, 2018 - Posted by Rich Miller

* Press release…

Today, the Rauner campaign is launching a new digital ad titled “Who Knew?”

When pressed about why he was caught on FBI wiretaps with disgraced ex-Governor Rod Blagojevich just six days before Blagojevich was arrested, JB Pritzker responded “nobody knew the FBI was investigating the man … who knew, you know, that he was actually doing things that were against the interests of the people.”

Everyone knew. The campaign’s new digital ad highlights years of headlines that make it clear the FBI had Blagojevich in their sights.

* The spot

They make some valid points.

       

55 Comments
  1. - Real - Tuesday, Jun 12, 18 @ 10:05 am:

    Rate = F

    I rate this an F because the Rauner campaign is centering there issues about 10 year old video tapes instead of real life issues that matter to Illinois citizens everyday. These tapes don’t impact my life in any way, but the bad decisions and priorities of Rauner do.. So to Rauner focus on the issues of here and now or do you not care about those that are struggling to make ends meet? Therefore you get an F.


  2. - Grandson of Man - Tuesday, Jun 12, 18 @ 10:08 am:

    It would mean something if Pritzker was under investigation or indicted, but nothing came of it.

    As an ad it’s real good, the way it’s produced, but for its content, it’s chasing a dead end and is meant to distract from arguably the worst gubernatorial performance in state history. If you can’t run on your record, just smear your opponent.

    C-


  3. - Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Jun 12, 18 @ 10:09 am:

    When you are unliked, you run ads like these.

    It’s a “B”, borderline “B+”

    Pritzker can’t play the “babe in the woods routine” when “we heard you on the phone”… I’ve heard that somewhere before.

    Pritzker now needs Blago released, Rauner to respond, and POTUS to go after Rauner. That’s just about where this falls now.


  4. - Real - Tuesday, Jun 12, 18 @ 10:11 am:

    When a billionaire has nothing good to campaign on this is the type of ad’s they run. If Rauner was so proud of what he wants to do for Illinois we would be seeing that in his ad’s right now instead we see distractions from his failed record like this. I urge all to vote Rauner out. That’s all I get from this ad.


  5. - Pickleback - Tuesday, Jun 12, 18 @ 10:12 am:

    @Real How does corruption in state government not impact your life? How is it not a real issue?


  6. - Arsenal - Tuesday, Jun 12, 18 @ 10:14 am:

    ==Pritzker now needs Blago released, Rauner to respond, and POTUS to go after Rauner.==

    Disagree. Blago’s release will make JB’s victory less likely. Maybe not by much, and the scenario you lay out could certainly help mitigate the damage. But mitigated damage is still damage.


  7. - Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Jun 12, 18 @ 10:18 am:

    ===But mitigated damage is still damage.===

    mitigate - verb -make less severe, serious, or painful.

    So to make things less damaging isn’t good? Huh?

    ===Blago’s release will make JB’s victory less likely.===

    Doubt that.

    Trump will be the one who controls Blago’s fate. Rauner would have to condone Trump. We don’t know how that will be received.


  8. - Board Watcher - Tuesday, Jun 12, 18 @ 10:18 am:

    I agree with OW its at least a Strong B. The question - REAl -, isnt what you think of Rauner, its rather you think the Ad is affective, and it is..


  9. - OneMan - Tuesday, Jun 12, 18 @ 10:20 am:

    The ‘who knew he was under investigation’ was a stupid response and hammering him on it is a smart play by Rauner.

    Also even if Rauner had a ton of ‘positive’ stuff to say he would be running these types of ads, because when you are running against a guy who has said he will spend whatever it takes to win you have to increase his negatives.


  10. - walker - Tuesday, Jun 12, 18 @ 10:21 am:

    Given what Rauner’s got to work with, I rate it a B+. It makes the point that he wants to make.

    What Arsenal said.


  11. - Real - Tuesday, Jun 12, 18 @ 10:23 am:

    ===Blago’s release will make JB’s victory less likely.===

    If that was the case Rauner and the GOP congressional caucus would not be asking Trump to keep him locked up. If you are going to make the claim that a Blago release will hurt JB then show evidence that high ranking republicans in Illinois agree with you?


  12. - Real - Tuesday, Jun 12, 18 @ 10:25 am:

    REAl -, isnt what you think of Rauner, its rather you think the Ad is affective, and it is.

    -Sorry but I already pointed out that 10 year old video tapes does not impact my life aka the ad is not effective. Which is why I rated it an F. If 10 year old video tapes impact your life then that would be your opinion. My opinion differs.


  13. - Perrid - Tuesday, Jun 12, 18 @ 10:27 am:

    B or B+. Just having JB’s name in the same sentence with Blago is bad news. Though I’m not certain what Rauner thinks JB should have down. There’s no clear quid pro quo stuff that anyone, including the FBI, has ever actually alleged, so JB was probably just trying to keep Blago happy without breaking the law. Again, JB refused Blago’s ask for $50k. Not ideal, but when the guy with all the power is corrupt, you either walk the tightrope or get out of the business.


  14. - A guy - Tuesday, Jun 12, 18 @ 10:30 am:

    It’s solid work. It’s paced to tell a very specific story and make a very specific point. It’s there to refresh memories of people who were aware at the time, but haven’t thought about it for a while.

    Fast forward to today; there’s a founded view that the party in power has had corruptness as part of their SOP for decades. Some issues are now being dealt with, but this represents a guy who will take a big step backwards.

    This work makes you think about it. Hard. It’s very good and gets better the more you see it. This crew is very good at what they do.


  15. - BucknIrish - Tuesday, Jun 12, 18 @ 10:35 am:

    B+ Its not a devastating charge against JB and goes with the information from tapes already played, but it does get straight to the point without spin. Might have been an A if they said who knew the FBI was investigating the man a few more times to make JB look more like an idiot and get the point to stick a little harder.


  16. - Anonymous - Tuesday, Jun 12, 18 @ 10:35 am:

    It was a stupid thing to say but not sure it amounts to much beyond that. The ad is fine. B-


  17. - Dog on Sheffield - Tuesday, Jun 12, 18 @ 10:36 am:

    B. Good use of timeline, text of the dates is hard to read, colors are distracting.


  18. - INI - Tuesday, Jun 12, 18 @ 10:42 am:

    @Real
    ===Rate = F===
    You’re not delusional or bias. (sarcasm) Corruption and undermining the democratic process clearly affects people’s daily lives and the functioning of this state.

    Ad is a solid B+. The more Pritzker is associated with Blago, the better for Rauner.


  19. - Louis G. Atsaves - Tuesday, Jun 12, 18 @ 10:53 am:

    Rate this ad a solid B. Multiple rebuttals of JB’s extremely dubious claims not to know what everyone who followed politics in Illinois knew.


  20. - southwestsider - Tuesday, Jun 12, 18 @ 10:57 am:

    C-

    The Blago connection is not going to derail JB’s candidacy enough. Every youtube video I watch these days starts out with the Rauner ad, featuring JB and Blago.


  21. - Arsenal - Tuesday, Jun 12, 18 @ 11:00 am:

    ==So to make things less damaging isn’t good?==

    It’s better than making them more damaging, but not “good”. “Good” is something that actively helps you.

    Best for JB is Blago stays in prison. If that doesn’t happen, then sure, he’d prefer something to happen to get the Republicans crossways with each other, but he can’t count on that.


  22. - Arsenal - Tuesday, Jun 12, 18 @ 11:03 am:

    ==If that was the case Rauner and the GOP congressional caucus would not be asking Trump to keep him locked up.==

    That’s a fair point, but Rauner has already been running anti-Blago ads for months now, he can’t turn around and say “the feds were too hard on him”. As for the Congresscritters, their fates aren’t necessarily tied to Rauner’s, and they’d probably prefer to keep them as separate as possible.

    None of which is to say that Blago’s release = Rauner’s reelection. Making something less likely doesn’t make it impossible, or even unlikely. But Blago’s release would introduce a major element of uncertainty to the landscape, and when you’re the one up 15-20 points, you really don’t want much to change.


  23. - Arsenal - Tuesday, Jun 12, 18 @ 11:05 am:

    ==This work makes you think about it. Hard.==

    Ah, yes, because political ads that make the audience ruminate have such a distinguished track record.


  24. - Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Jun 12, 18 @ 11:08 am:

    ===If that doesn’t happen, then sure, he’d prefer something to happen to get the Republicans crossways with each other, but he can’t count on that.===

    An alleged Republican president will be the one releasing Rod.

    Can’t get much more crossways than that.


  25. - A guy - Tuesday, Jun 12, 18 @ 11:14 am:

    ==Ah, yes, because political ads that make the audience ruminate have such a distinguished track record.==

    Yeah. You might be outside the target for such an ad. Scant few are meant for rumination. I think this one may be. We’ll see.


  26. - Last Bull Moose - Tuesday, Jun 12, 18 @ 11:14 am:

    Good ad. The timeline is hard to follow.

    Pritzker can be beaten, but not by Rauner.


  27. - Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Jun 12, 18 @ 11:16 am:

    ===This work makes you think about it. Hard.==

    (Sigh)

    Then Rauner’s failure after failure will make people think like they did about how Quinn failed.

    Rauner is unlikable, and a failed governor, according to Candidate Rauner.

    If the argument for this ad is how hard people will think, I dunno if Rauner wants people thinking too hard, Rauner just wants people not voting.


  28. - A guy - Tuesday, Jun 12, 18 @ 11:30 am:

    Oh Willy,

    Here I thought we were asked to rate an ad…


  29. - Skeptic - Tuesday, Jun 12, 18 @ 11:33 am:

    “Corruption and undermining the democratic process clearly affects people’s daily lives” which is why I’m glad the guy that did it is locked up for a good long time.

    To the post: B. I’ll give it some props for avoiding most of the clichés, there’s no grainy B&W of Pritzer in an unflattering pose, no flag waving, no sappy piano music. Otherwise, it’s fairly meh.


  30. - The Dude Abides - Tuesday, Jun 12, 18 @ 11:34 am:

    I’d give it a B. I like the timelines and it connects Pritzger to the disgraced former Governor. The Ad is over a minute long and a lot of folks won’t pay attention to the whole thing. Similar Ads were run in the Spring, it just becomes noise after while but this Ad by itself is pretty decent. The Ad ends saying Illinois deserves better. That brings the question, given Rauner’s performance as Governor is he better?


  31. - Responsa - Tuesday, Jun 12, 18 @ 11:35 am:

    This is a professional well crafted ad with a well thought out title. Yes. Everybody knew because media was reporting on it regularly for years. Some people thought it was business as usual for Illinois, and others thought much of it was beyond the pale even for Illinois. But everybody knew what was going on with Blago and that investigators were hovering. Pritzker looks smarmy and dishonest here pretending that *he* didn’t know– and that’s what the ad is meant to show. It succeeds.
    Grade B+


  32. - 47th Ward - Tuesday, Jun 12, 18 @ 11:36 am:

    ===This crew is very good at what they do.===

    Lol.

    It’s a good hit piece, and depending upon your browser, search history and the tags this is targeted to, you might have to watch this ad before your You Tube video of cats doing funny stuff plays.

    “You can skip this ad in 8 seconds…SKIP.”

    It might all be moot though if Trump commutes Rod’s sentence. Then we’ll hear how Rod didn’t do anything wrong, how he was railroaded by corrupt prosecutors, how all Rod did was practice politics, like he is with JB on these tapes. And then it’ll be Rauner’s word versus Trump’s. Lol.

    This ad will win a Pollie award when Trump wins a Nobel Peace Prize.


  33. - Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Jun 12, 18 @ 11:37 am:

    ===This work makes you think about it. Hard.==

    If the rating includes looking hard at things…

    ===If the argument for this ad is how hard people will think, I dunno if Rauner wants people thinking too hard, Rauner just wants people not voting.===

    Your argument on the rating is how hard one might look.

    Ok, then that measure seems odd, since Rauner wants a tamped down turnout.

    If you’re argument is it depressing turnout will be successful, then that’s the argument.


  34. - Steve Rogers - Tuesday, Jun 12, 18 @ 11:39 am:

    B. It’s a borderline-effective negative ad that will probably resonate with a lot of people who consider Blago the poster child of government corruption. Will it make Rauner’s vote total go up? Maybe a little, but not enough to turn the election in his favor.


  35. - A guy - Tuesday, Jun 12, 18 @ 11:42 am:

    Too complicated to view beyond “Rate this Ad”.

    That’s what I did. When I refer to “this crew”, I mean exclusively the video crew; writers, production, and concepters. Not the whole of the Governor’s team; just these folks who are consistently excellent. Wish he was good as how they portray him.

    An ad that brings back images, words, and in this case “actual voices”, is by it’s very nature, designed to make you think. Think back. Remember. In my opinion, this ad does this successfully and effectively. Thus, a strong rating.
    No more, no less. 1 ad. 1 Rating.


  36. - Anonymous - Tuesday, Jun 12, 18 @ 11:57 am:

    @Real You work for Pritzker campaign right?


  37. - Bobby Hicks - Tuesday, Jun 12, 18 @ 11:57 am:

    Just my inexperienced political opinion - I don’t think Rauner can make JB look bad enough to make himself look good enough to be reelected. A lot of the folks that I talk to are very leery about voting JB, but they are rock-solid on their dislike for Rauner.


  38. - Arsenal - Tuesday, Jun 12, 18 @ 12:06 pm:

    ==Can’t get much more crossways than that.==

    Probably. But it’s hard to predict. Blago’s been in the poke or under indictment for a decade now. Freeing him would be a pretty monumental change to the IL political landscape. And when you’re the guy polling ahead by 15-20 points, you want as few things as possible to change.


  39. - Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Jun 12, 18 @ 12:09 pm:

    ===And when you’re the guy polling ahead by 15-20 points, you want as few things as possible to change.===

    The party of your opponent, their president “lets out” a felon ex-governor… you want that chaos.

    Trump and Rauner at odds for Rauner’s base helps Pritzker and makes ads like this seem “less” as Trump will say Rod was railroaded or something to justify a commutation


  40. - Albany Park Patriot - Tuesday, Jun 12, 18 @ 12:13 pm:

    The well is dry.


  41. - Arsenal - Tuesday, Jun 12, 18 @ 12:13 pm:

    ==You might be outside the target for such an ad.==

    And you might be an easy mark for it.


  42. - zatoichi - Tuesday, Jun 12, 18 @ 12:16 pm:

    It’s a B ad. Production is fine, but nothing memorable. Text is the same old ‘he is a bad guy’ story. The crew really needs to come up with something that emphasizes Rauner’s successes. Should I vote for Rauner because Prizker talked to Blago on the phone 10 years ago or because Rauner has made my life better. I ain’t hearing what Rauner has done for me.


  43. - A guy - Tuesday, Jun 12, 18 @ 12:47 pm:

    ==And you might be an easy mark for it.==

    Clever. Maybe just a bit too much so. “Who knew” is even more ‘campaignable’ as a series as “What was she thinking”.

    Memory serves me that that series did ok back in the day.


  44. - 47th Ward - Tuesday, Jun 12, 18 @ 12:51 pm:

    ===Memory serves me that that series did ok back in the day.===

    Yep, mostly because Judy didn’t have any money to respond or change the narrative. I think that’s where your comparison runs into trouble.


  45. - Honeybear - Tuesday, Jun 12, 18 @ 12:54 pm:

    F- it’s perfidious.


  46. - A guy - Tuesday, Jun 12, 18 @ 1:12 pm:

    ==Yep, mostly because Judy didn’t have any money to respond or change the narrative. I think that’s where your comparison runs into trouble.===

    47, a good ad campaign is a good ad campaign, regardless. Judy did not have money. This guy does…And yet, here we are.


  47. - 47th Ward - Tuesday, Jun 12, 18 @ 1:20 pm:

    ===And yet, here we are.===

    If past is prologue, the only ad better than this one will be Rauner’s next one. I’m sure you’ll see it as a game-changer, a tour de force, a magnum opus, a blockbuster, the Daisy ad times a million, etc. And then Rauner will release another ad, which will be even better.

    Here we are indeed.


  48. - A guy - Tuesday, Jun 12, 18 @ 2:21 pm:

    Actually, they had a clinker in there by their standards a time or two ago. They’re not all award winning, but they all ring a bell.

    Don’t confuse my appreciation of the Digital Team work with admiration for their client. They just happen to be very good. What you’re suggesting though is how a good ad campaign operates…keeps building and adding new interesting and disruptive twists.

    Appreciate that they have been able to do this with someone who doesn’t necessary inspire this kind of excellent work. Heck, imagine if he did?


  49. - Arsenal - Tuesday, Jun 12, 18 @ 2:28 pm:

    ==They just happen to be very good.==

    Well, they just happen to tickle your fancy. Which is fine, my wife likes those Housewives shows, too. And there’s no real evidence that these ads move Rauner’s numbers anymore than the Housewives shows do.


  50. - A guy - Tuesday, Jun 12, 18 @ 2:40 pm:

    Ars, #1, there may be some evidence that they’ve moved numbers. Just a hunch.

    #2, your wife liking those Housewives shows is something you should pay some attention too. lol.


  51. - A guy - Tuesday, Jun 12, 18 @ 2:42 pm:

    #3, my fancy requires a lot more to be tickled.

    They don’t get me quite there. They’re methodical. I’m GOP. I am partisan. But, when it comes to these, I do my best to be as objective as possible.


  52. - wordslinger - Tuesday, Jun 12, 18 @ 2:57 pm:

    It’s good for the subject matter. I just question if Blago has the juice anymore.

    He’s been out of office for nine years; he’s been in prison for six. Is he top-of-mind to persuadable voters? More than property taxes?

    Where’s the toilet spot? I’d have started running that the day after the primary.
    “Billionaire dodges property taxes by ripping toilets out of one of his mansions.”

    How is that not the top spot? Is there research that shows Blago is hotter than property taxes? I find that hard to believe.


  53. - Publius - Tuesday, Jun 12, 18 @ 3:13 pm:

    F

    People do not have attention spans to read a commercial. It assumes everyone is as tuned into the political game as they are, they aren’t.


  54. - cc - Wednesday, Jun 13, 18 @ 12:17 am:

    Blago is old news and can be disregarded in current governor’s race.
    Rauner is proven to be unable to govern this state.
    He has decimated the poor, the caregivers to many Il. citizens and the least able to help themselves while still continuing to fail the war veterans
    from multiple wars. I cannot name one example of him being capable to the govern this state and so many have died, faced poverty, and were failed by his inability to face facts while still after four years cannot accept that he is the one to begin the budget process.


  55. - James Knell - Monday, Jun 25, 18 @ 11:30 am:

    I would pay google to stop showing me Rauer’s propaganda on youtube. It ruins my mood while I’m trying to watch “Critical Role”. But that’s just me.


Sorry, comments for this post are now closed.


* Reader comments closed for the weekend
* Isabel’s afternoon roundup
* The Waukegan City Clerk was railroaded
* Whatever happened, the city has a $40 million budget hole it didn't disclose until now
* Manar gives state agencies budget guidance: Cut, cut, cut
* Roundup: Ex-Chicago Ald. Danny Solis testifies in Madigan corruption trial
* Open thread
* Isabel’s morning briefing
* SUBSCRIBERS ONLY - Today's edition of Capitol Fax (use all CAPS in password)
* Live coverage
* Selected press releases (Live updates)
* Yesterday's stories

Support CapitolFax.com
Visit our advertisers...

...............

...............

...............

...............

...............

...............


Loading


Main Menu
Home
Illinois
YouTube
Pundit rankings
Obama
Subscriber Content
Durbin
Burris
Blagojevich Trial
Advertising
Updated Posts
Polls

Archives
November 2024
October 2024
September 2024
August 2024
July 2024
June 2024
May 2024
April 2024
March 2024
February 2024
January 2024
December 2023
November 2023
October 2023
September 2023
August 2023
July 2023
June 2023
May 2023
April 2023
March 2023
February 2023
January 2023
December 2022
November 2022
October 2022
September 2022
August 2022
July 2022
June 2022
May 2022
April 2022
March 2022
February 2022
January 2022
December 2021
November 2021
October 2021
September 2021
August 2021
July 2021
June 2021
May 2021
April 2021
March 2021
February 2021
January 2021
December 2020
November 2020
October 2020
September 2020
August 2020
July 2020
June 2020
May 2020
April 2020
March 2020
February 2020
January 2020
December 2019
November 2019
October 2019
September 2019
August 2019
July 2019
June 2019
May 2019
April 2019
March 2019
February 2019
January 2019
December 2018
November 2018
October 2018
September 2018
August 2018
July 2018
June 2018
May 2018
April 2018
March 2018
February 2018
January 2018
December 2017
November 2017
October 2017
September 2017
August 2017
July 2017
June 2017
May 2017
April 2017
March 2017
February 2017
January 2017
December 2016
November 2016
October 2016
September 2016
August 2016
July 2016
June 2016
May 2016
April 2016
March 2016
February 2016
January 2016
December 2015
November 2015
October 2015
September 2015
August 2015
July 2015
June 2015
May 2015
April 2015
March 2015
February 2015
January 2015
December 2014
November 2014
October 2014
September 2014
August 2014
July 2014
June 2014
May 2014
April 2014
March 2014
February 2014
January 2014
December 2013
November 2013
October 2013
September 2013
August 2013
July 2013
June 2013
May 2013
April 2013
March 2013
February 2013
January 2013
December 2012
November 2012
October 2012
September 2012
August 2012
July 2012
June 2012
May 2012
April 2012
March 2012
February 2012
January 2012
December 2011
November 2011
October 2011
September 2011
August 2011
July 2011
June 2011
May 2011
April 2011
March 2011
February 2011
January 2011
December 2010
November 2010
October 2010
September 2010
August 2010
July 2010
June 2010
May 2010
April 2010
March 2010
February 2010
January 2010
December 2009
November 2009
October 2009
September 2009
August 2009
July 2009
June 2009
May 2009
April 2009
March 2009
February 2009
January 2009
December 2008
November 2008
October 2008
September 2008
August 2008
July 2008
June 2008
May 2008
April 2008
March 2008
February 2008
January 2008
December 2007
November 2007
October 2007
September 2007
August 2007
July 2007
June 2007
May 2007
April 2007
March 2007
February 2007
January 2007
December 2006
November 2006
October 2006
September 2006
August 2006
July 2006
June 2006
May 2006
April 2006
March 2006
February 2006
January 2006
December 2005
April 2005
March 2005
February 2005
January 2005
December 2004
November 2004
October 2004

Blog*Spot Archives
November 2005
October 2005
September 2005
August 2005
July 2005
June 2005
May 2005

Syndication

RSS Feed 2.0
Comments RSS 2.0




Hosted by MCS SUBSCRIBE to Capitol Fax Advertise Here Mobile Version Contact Rich Miller