Ahead of Governor Rauner’s speech at the State Fair for Governor’s Day, the Rauner campaign is launching a new paid digital ad.
The ad echoes the themes that Governor Rauner will touch on during his remarks: taking on corruption and fighting for the future of our state.
Governor Rauner has fought since day one to end decades of insider politics, grow the economy, and make Illinois the best state in America to build a business and raise a family.
They said it couldn’t be done. The Madigan Machine is just too strong, they say. It will never go away. Never fail to fail us. In spite of the odds, millions of us believe in the future our kids deserve and the possibilities of this great place we still call home. Now, we have a choice. We could leave our future to the same corrupt career politicians, or we can fight. I choose to fight.
If you already believe “Fire Madigan” deserves all 10 spots on the “Top 10 To Do List for IL” then this ad is an “A”
Otherwise, it’s just more irrelevant noise.
I like the idea I read in a comment yesterday. McCann (or maybe even JB) should splice together 30 or 60 seconds of Rauner saying “Madigan” over and over and over. Madigan is the only word spoken in the entire ad.
More of the same stuff. Tell you who the problem is, and offer no real information about how changes can be made. “D” The good old boy stuff and the Harley rides are getting really old.
I see the ad and all I can think of is “I’m not in charge.” Running this message as an incumbent with little if any legislative success is more than odd. He wants four more years to attempt something he’s already proven he’s incapable of accomplishing.
C-. It’s on message at least, but the fact that it leads with “they said it couldn’t be done” and then can’t name one thing Rauner has actually done is a good illustration of why he’s struggling to break 30%.
Rauner is riding, alone. Highlighting his Harley. Rauner gives a thumbs up to apparently… no one…
If Rauner was challenging Madigan for his state rep seat, this would be solid… but…
… Rauner is the incumbent governor, considered a failed governor, the worst Republican governor… so who is Rauner fighting… himself?
If Rauner can fool people, (apparently he can’t, polling at 29%, and terribly under water) that he’s the change person who hasn’t been governor for 4 years, then I guess this is Rauner trying to be likable.
The rub here is Rauner has been fightin’ Madigan for 4 years, and Rauner signed a budget with a 32% tax increase, with no reforms, and now taxpayer abortions and sanctuary state legislation as his social agenda.
My point?
Rauner has a record. Rauner is an incumbent. The video can be 2 minutes or :30 seconds, and yet Rauner continues to try to sound like “forget the past four years, I’m fightin’ for… “
Fightin’ for what?
It’s a “C-“
Rauner needs people to turn a corner and like him, abd to take that new found like and trust him after 4 years.
This ad does nothing to that, or set the table to that message later.
It’s not a “D” because it’s all he has and the millions wasted on this message gives his 29% something to hang on to, nothing more.
It’s a “C-“
- The Dude Abides - Wednesday, Aug 15, 18 @ 9:30 am:
Not one of Rauner’s better efforts. It’s more of the same Madigan/Corruption line, it just becomes noise to listeners after a while. That vest just makes him look like a caricature of himself.
He promises to bring lots of jobs to Illinois. How long have we heard that but he hasn’t delivered. Madigan is still here and Rauner claims that he’s not in charge. Why would we expect anything to be different in a second Rauner term?
I’ll give it a C-.
- dominionhinny - Wednesday, Aug 15, 18 @ 9:30 am:
Our brain-dead governor can’t even tout a single accomplishment.
The wardrobe change from his vest to his leathers is a good change. The music is fine and the graphics are very good. The fact that he is willing to fight is on message. However, he fails to mention his record of winning(?) the fight.
===They said it couldn’t be done. ====
Who are “They”? And this is exactly how Trump speaks.
- I Miss Bentohs - Wednesday, Aug 15, 18 @ 9:40 am:
He comes across as the bad characters in a bad 50’s movies where the dancers turn into tough guys once they put on a leather jacket and start singing a song that constantly repeats, fight, fight, fight.
Along the lines of what OW said, when you start with “They said it couldn’t be done.”, I expect a few examples of concrete things that prove “them” wrong. That would be compelling. But when you pivot to empty talking points, all I can think is “You got nuthin’” The ad is set up to show he has no big accomplishments. I am guessing that wasn’t their plan, but that is the take away.
If he wanted folks to come away with the thought he is the fighter they need in the future, he really shouldn’t have made it sound like he already accomplished the mission.
C-. Bruce, it would be better to say that “They” were correct - Madigan was too entrenched, too powerful, too organized. he beat back your agenda at every turn and left you with very little in accomplishments. What makes you think it would be different in a second term, unless you could somehow persuade voters to not only re-elect you, but to give you a majority in the legislature?
It is possible that in another five or ten years IL voters will be accepting of your brand of change, after their financial pain threshold is finally reached via ever-higher taxes. Or maybe not, time will tell. But you could not, and maybe will never, be able to overcome the voting bloc in Cook County, and that will be the demise of your re-election campaign. Maybe you should consider parts of this for your concession speech. BTW, shouldn’t you be boycotting Harley at this point?
I don’t necessarily disagree, but it is 30 seconds, so they could be message-testing for a TV spot.
Also, while I don’t like this ad (I’m not the intended audience, of course) I think we have a tendency to overrate negative spots and underrate positive ones.
The other thing is, on one hand Rauner is pitching a doom and gloom forecast for Illinois. On the the other hand, the so-called “Trump” economy is going gangbusters. If Madigan is so corrupt and evil, why is unemployment so low?
Rauner can’t message his way through this disconnect. To the extent that the Illinois economy is doing well, it is no thanks to Bruce Rauner, whose pro-jobs agenda crashed and burned.
Somebody needs to tell him he lost the fight. 12 Republicans voted for reality-based budgeting and Rauner got knocked out.
Another Rauner the great savior vs. the evil empire ad. They said it couldn’t be done”, but four years and he got nothing done outside of destroying social services, higher ed, ballooned unpaid bills, etc. No good accomplishments to run on, just blame Madigan is all he’s got. The shtick is getting real old. Rated a D
B for quality, but overall a C- because of the underlying message. A new ad that uses a script almost identical to every other Rauner ad, indicating that Rauner still hasn’t firmed up republican support yet. Roughly 75 days out, Rauner team still haven’t branched out with the messaging at all. Instead they’re still targeting those folks who should be supporting him already. I wouldn’t be a bit surprised if the ads tying McCann to Madigan start running down here in earnest soon, because he’s gotta do something and fast. Rauner is still at 29% after 3 years of the exact same messaging, you figure someone as smart as Ankey would realize that if it hasn’t worked by now another 2 1/2 months of same isn’t going to help.
It is a gentleman’s C. The best that crew can do given what they have to work with.
An editorial suggestion for the crew that created the spot…over dub the video with “Macho Man” by the village people and you will have the message he was looking to send.
- Henry Francis - Wednesday, Aug 15, 18 @ 10:22 am:
He really is all by himself.
And waving to absolutely no one.
Can’t they at least give him a side car for Diana (or Dunkin)
As Word said, it’s a retread. Combined with Rauner’s comments about spending enough on his ads, even if it’s not as much as Pritzker, does make one wonder if he’s completely committed to doing what it takes to win or even if he thinks he can win even if he matches JB dollar for dollar. The polling is bad. Sam and Kash don’t help.
As far as style, does Rauner and his ad team really think what Illinois voters, writ large, are looking for in 2018 is a big bad leather daddy?
It was still ridiculous, though a bit different in 2014. Now it’s become comedy.
If Rauner was challenging Madigan for his state rep seat, this would be solid… but…
Right, Mike Madigan is just a State Rep and not the chairman of the Democratic party in Illinois and the Speaker of the House who controls all legislation in Springfield.
===Right, Mike Madigan is just a State Rep and not the chairman of the Democratic party in Illinois and the Speaker of the House who controls all legislation in Springfield.
Just a State Rep===
Then Rauner should run for state rep against him. Move in the 13th Ward…
D — The biker Harley thing is so 1980’s just like Rauner’s other ideas like coal, manual labor factory jobs and taking on the union.
Illinois does not need 1980’s ideas in the 2020’s. Rauner’s recycled ideas have not helped Illinois in the last four years and will just hurt Illinois going forward.
When will Rauner come up with new ideas to take Illinois into the future? Is he saying that if we get a new Speaker that property taxes will magically go down? Businesses will magically flock to Illinois? The pension debt will magically go away?
Rauner has nothing but his Harley made in Wisconsin by union labor. Perhaps with all his millions he could have at least bought a Mitsubishi made in Bloomington, a Ford made in Chicago, or a Jeep made in Belvidere.
- PublicServant - Wednesday, Aug 15, 18 @ 12:28 pm:
=== I choose to fight. ===
Yeah, and Illinois suffered terribly because you aren’t a leader. Fight somewhere else. We need a governor who’ll actually govern.
Wonder if they received permission from all the parents of the football team for their minor children to be in a campaign ad? The spot shows lots of nice areas of Illinois but the message…meh.
D because the phony tough guy act (usually male Republican) politicians put on is exhausting.
- Cook County Commoner - Wednesday, Aug 15, 18 @ 2:37 pm:
F. No zing. No pep. No substance. Just another geezer on a stock Harley tractor. If the Governor wants to ride a cycle and say nothing, the bike needs to be stripped of the hog wear, have a nicely raked front fork and show some nice paint. And what are all those buttons on his vest? Boy Scout merit badges? Really?
I don’t know what grade to give it… Maybe an I for incomplete. Yes it’s a retread, but if it’s ran on TV in selected markets Downstate it could be effective. It makes me hate him a little less.
- Hamlet's Ghost - Wednesday, Aug 15, 18 @ 9:19 am:
If you already believe “Fire Madigan” deserves all 10 spots on the “Top 10 To Do List for IL” then this ad is an “A”
Otherwise, it’s just more irrelevant noise.
I like the idea I read in a comment yesterday. McCann (or maybe even JB) should splice together 30 or 60 seconds of Rauner saying “Madigan” over and over and over. Madigan is the only word spoken in the entire ad.
Goofy facial expressions and clothing would help.
- Retired Educator - Wednesday, Aug 15, 18 @ 9:21 am:
More of the same stuff. Tell you who the problem is, and offer no real information about how changes can be made. “D” The good old boy stuff and the Harley rides are getting really old.
- Stones - Wednesday, Aug 15, 18 @ 9:21 am:
It’s a decent ad to run if you have few tangible accomplishments to list during your first term in office.
- Real - Wednesday, Aug 15, 18 @ 9:21 am:
Just go away Rauner. Fighting corruption starts with you resigning.
- Pundent - Wednesday, Aug 15, 18 @ 9:22 am:
I see the ad and all I can think of is “I’m not in charge.” Running this message as an incumbent with little if any legislative success is more than odd. He wants four more years to attempt something he’s already proven he’s incapable of accomplishing.
- wordslinger - Wednesday, Aug 15, 18 @ 9:23 am:
Meh, it’s an edit of a previous digital spot from last year. Nothing new.
https://capitolfax.com/2017/10/23/rate-the-rauner-campaign-kickoff-video
- Nacho - Wednesday, Aug 15, 18 @ 9:23 am:
C-. It’s on message at least, but the fact that it leads with “they said it couldn’t be done” and then can’t name one thing Rauner has actually done is a good illustration of why he’s struggling to break 30%.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Aug 15, 18 @ 9:29 am:
A retread of his opening salvo.
Rate it?
Let’s break it down…
Rauner is riding, alone. Highlighting his Harley. Rauner gives a thumbs up to apparently… no one…
If Rauner was challenging Madigan for his state rep seat, this would be solid… but…
… Rauner is the incumbent governor, considered a failed governor, the worst Republican governor… so who is Rauner fighting… himself?
If Rauner can fool people, (apparently he can’t, polling at 29%, and terribly under water) that he’s the change person who hasn’t been governor for 4 years, then I guess this is Rauner trying to be likable.
The rub here is Rauner has been fightin’ Madigan for 4 years, and Rauner signed a budget with a 32% tax increase, with no reforms, and now taxpayer abortions and sanctuary state legislation as his social agenda.
My point?
Rauner has a record. Rauner is an incumbent. The video can be 2 minutes or :30 seconds, and yet Rauner continues to try to sound like “forget the past four years, I’m fightin’ for… “
Fightin’ for what?
It’s a “C-“
Rauner needs people to turn a corner and like him, abd to take that new found like and trust him after 4 years.
This ad does nothing to that, or set the table to that message later.
It’s not a “D” because it’s all he has and the millions wasted on this message gives his 29% something to hang on to, nothing more.
It’s a “C-“
- The Dude Abides - Wednesday, Aug 15, 18 @ 9:30 am:
Not one of Rauner’s better efforts. It’s more of the same Madigan/Corruption line, it just becomes noise to listeners after a while. That vest just makes him look like a caricature of himself.
He promises to bring lots of jobs to Illinois. How long have we heard that but he hasn’t delivered. Madigan is still here and Rauner claims that he’s not in charge. Why would we expect anything to be different in a second Rauner term?
I’ll give it a C-.
- dominionhinny - Wednesday, Aug 15, 18 @ 9:30 am:
Our brain-dead governor can’t even tout a single accomplishment.
- Anonymous - Wednesday, Aug 15, 18 @ 9:34 am:
The wardrobe change from his vest to his leathers is a good change. The music is fine and the graphics are very good. The fact that he is willing to fight is on message. However, he fails to mention his record of winning(?) the fight.
- Been There - Wednesday, Aug 15, 18 @ 9:37 am:
===They said it couldn’t be done. ====
Who are “They”? And this is exactly how Trump speaks.
- I Miss Bentohs - Wednesday, Aug 15, 18 @ 9:40 am:
He comes across as the bad characters in a bad 50’s movies where the dancers turn into tough guys once they put on a leather jacket and start singing a song that constantly repeats, fight, fight, fight.
- Reality Check - Wednesday, Aug 15, 18 @ 9:41 am:
Rehash of his kickoff spot. Watch it with the sound off, like most digital ads are viewed, and it has no relevant content. For its medium, it’s an F.
- Montrose - Wednesday, Aug 15, 18 @ 9:41 am:
Along the lines of what OW said, when you start with “They said it couldn’t be done.”, I expect a few examples of concrete things that prove “them” wrong. That would be compelling. But when you pivot to empty talking points, all I can think is “You got nuthin’” The ad is set up to show he has no big accomplishments. I am guessing that wasn’t their plan, but that is the take away.
If he wanted folks to come away with the thought he is the fighter they need in the future, he really shouldn’t have made it sound like he already accomplished the mission.
D
- Arsenal - Wednesday, Aug 15, 18 @ 9:41 am:
==They said it couldn’t be done.==
That line is usually a prelude to: “…but we did it”. But he doesn’t claim that (’cause he didn’t). Weird and disjointed.
- Stuntman Bob's Brother - Wednesday, Aug 15, 18 @ 9:45 am:
C-. Bruce, it would be better to say that “They” were correct - Madigan was too entrenched, too powerful, too organized. he beat back your agenda at every turn and left you with very little in accomplishments. What makes you think it would be different in a second term, unless you could somehow persuade voters to not only re-elect you, but to give you a majority in the legislature?
It is possible that in another five or ten years IL voters will be accepting of your brand of change, after their financial pain threshold is finally reached via ever-higher taxes. Or maybe not, time will tell. But you could not, and maybe will never, be able to overcome the voting bloc in Cook County, and that will be the demise of your re-election campaign. Maybe you should consider parts of this for your concession speech. BTW, shouldn’t you be boycotting Harley at this point?
- Arsenal - Wednesday, Aug 15, 18 @ 9:47 am:
==For its medium, it’s an F.==
I don’t necessarily disagree, but it is 30 seconds, so they could be message-testing for a TV spot.
Also, while I don’t like this ad (I’m not the intended audience, of course) I think we have a tendency to overrate negative spots and underrate positive ones.
- 47th Ward - Wednesday, Aug 15, 18 @ 9:48 am:
They’re into re-runs apparently.
The other thing is, on one hand Rauner is pitching a doom and gloom forecast for Illinois. On the the other hand, the so-called “Trump” economy is going gangbusters. If Madigan is so corrupt and evil, why is unemployment so low?
Rauner can’t message his way through this disconnect. To the extent that the Illinois economy is doing well, it is no thanks to Bruce Rauner, whose pro-jobs agenda crashed and burned.
Somebody needs to tell him he lost the fight. 12 Republicans voted for reality-based budgeting and Rauner got knocked out.
- Keyrock - Wednesday, Aug 15, 18 @ 9:59 am:
Hamlet’s Ghost — that reminded me of the scene in Being John Mallovich when Malkovich goes through the portal. That is a great idea for a Youtube video.
Compare http://www.criticalcommons.org/Members/ccManager/clips/malkovichFeedbackLoop.mp4/view
- XDNR - Wednesday, Aug 15, 18 @ 10:01 am:
Another Rauner the great savior vs. the evil empire ad. They said it couldn’t be done”, but four years and he got nothing done outside of destroying social services, higher ed, ballooned unpaid bills, etc. No good accomplishments to run on, just blame Madigan is all he’s got. The shtick is getting real old. Rated a D
- Lester Holt’s Mustache - Wednesday, Aug 15, 18 @ 10:03 am:
B for quality, but overall a C- because of the underlying message. A new ad that uses a script almost identical to every other Rauner ad, indicating that Rauner still hasn’t firmed up republican support yet. Roughly 75 days out, Rauner team still haven’t branched out with the messaging at all. Instead they’re still targeting those folks who should be supporting him already. I wouldn’t be a bit surprised if the ads tying McCann to Madigan start running down here in earnest soon, because he’s gotta do something and fast. Rauner is still at 29% after 3 years of the exact same messaging, you figure someone as smart as Ankey would realize that if it hasn’t worked by now another 2 1/2 months of same isn’t going to help.
- Vole - Wednesday, Aug 15, 18 @ 10:03 am:
Rauner chose the wrong fights. And asks for more the same.
Just lame.
- JS Mill - Wednesday, Aug 15, 18 @ 10:16 am:
Ho hum.
It is a gentleman’s C. The best that crew can do given what they have to work with.
An editorial suggestion for the crew that created the spot…over dub the video with “Macho Man” by the village people and you will have the message he was looking to send.
- Henry Francis - Wednesday, Aug 15, 18 @ 10:22 am:
He really is all by himself.
And waving to absolutely no one.
Can’t they at least give him a side car for Diana (or Dunkin)
- Moe Berg - Wednesday, Aug 15, 18 @ 10:22 am:
As Word said, it’s a retread. Combined with Rauner’s comments about spending enough on his ads, even if it’s not as much as Pritzker, does make one wonder if he’s completely committed to doing what it takes to win or even if he thinks he can win even if he matches JB dollar for dollar. The polling is bad. Sam and Kash don’t help.
As far as style, does Rauner and his ad team really think what Illinois voters, writ large, are looking for in 2018 is a big bad leather daddy?
It was still ridiculous, though a bit different in 2014. Now it’s become comedy.
- Anonymous - Wednesday, Aug 15, 18 @ 10:55 am:
If Rauner was challenging Madigan for his state rep seat, this would be solid… but…
Right, Mike Madigan is just a State Rep and not the chairman of the Democratic party in Illinois and the Speaker of the House who controls all legislation in Springfield.
Just a State Rep LOL
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Aug 15, 18 @ 10:57 am:
===Right, Mike Madigan is just a State Rep and not the chairman of the Democratic party in Illinois and the Speaker of the House who controls all legislation in Springfield.
Just a State Rep===
Then Rauner should run for state rep against him. Move in the 13th Ward…
- zatoichi - Wednesday, Aug 15, 18 @ 11:04 am:
“They said it couldn’t be done”. And he did not do it.
- Langhorne - Wednesday, Aug 15, 18 @ 11:05 am:
F. His delivery is awful. It doesnt sound like he believes his own words. No passion.
They said it couldnt be done? well, it hasnt been done.
- A Jack - Wednesday, Aug 15, 18 @ 11:06 am:
D — The biker Harley thing is so 1980’s just like Rauner’s other ideas like coal, manual labor factory jobs and taking on the union.
Illinois does not need 1980’s ideas in the 2020’s. Rauner’s recycled ideas have not helped Illinois in the last four years and will just hurt Illinois going forward.
- A Jack - Wednesday, Aug 15, 18 @ 11:20 am:
When will Rauner come up with new ideas to take Illinois into the future? Is he saying that if we get a new Speaker that property taxes will magically go down? Businesses will magically flock to Illinois? The pension debt will magically go away?
Rauner has nothing but his Harley made in Wisconsin by union labor. Perhaps with all his millions he could have at least bought a Mitsubishi made in Bloomington, a Ford made in Chicago, or a Jeep made in Belvidere.
- PublicServant - Wednesday, Aug 15, 18 @ 12:28 pm:
=== I choose to fight. ===
Yeah, and Illinois suffered terribly because you aren’t a leader. Fight somewhere else. We need a governor who’ll actually govern.
- Anonymous - Wednesday, Aug 15, 18 @ 12:32 pm:
My son liked to dress up like a cowboy when he was a little boy. I guess “biker man” is cute too.
- Cheryl44 - Wednesday, Aug 15, 18 @ 12:47 pm:
Can’t the BTiA come up with a better costume? How about Rauner is Godzilla and we’re Tokyo?
- Lucky Pierre - Wednesday, Aug 15, 18 @ 1:22 pm:
Illinois does not need 1980’s ideas in the 2020’s.
Well said
Why do Democrats let “I am not a change person ” Speaker Madigan ’s failed 1980 policies continue to this day?
- Anonymous - Wednesday, Aug 15, 18 @ 1:23 pm:
Wonder if they received permission from all the parents of the football team for their minor children to be in a campaign ad? The spot shows lots of nice areas of Illinois but the message…meh.
- Bill F. - Wednesday, Aug 15, 18 @ 1:38 pm:
D because the phony tough guy act (usually male Republican) politicians put on is exhausting.
- Cook County Commoner - Wednesday, Aug 15, 18 @ 2:37 pm:
F. No zing. No pep. No substance. Just another geezer on a stock Harley tractor. If the Governor wants to ride a cycle and say nothing, the bike needs to be stripped of the hog wear, have a nicely raked front fork and show some nice paint. And what are all those buttons on his vest? Boy Scout merit badges? Really?
- anonymous - Wednesday, Aug 15, 18 @ 3:01 pm:
https://youtu.be/JXmCouSVSC4
- justpeachy - Wednesday, Aug 15, 18 @ 3:24 pm:
Phony from the word go…Rauner the biker, yea right.
- Cornfield Cowboy - Wednesday, Aug 15, 18 @ 3:32 pm:
I don’t know what grade to give it… Maybe an I for incomplete. Yes it’s a retread, but if it’s ran on TV in selected markets Downstate it could be effective. It makes me hate him a little less.
- Responsa - Wednesday, Aug 15, 18 @ 3:42 pm:
It’s hard to view this ad without inadvertently imagining JB Pritzker on a motorcycle.
- Chicago 20 - Wednesday, Aug 15, 18 @ 3:50 pm:
I love it.
Harley Davidson / Trump’s Tariffs / GOP = Rauner
Great subliminal advertising - for the Democrats.
- Flynn's Mom - Wednesday, Aug 15, 18 @ 4:26 pm:
D- Would you please loose the costumes? You look so silly.
- Anon - Wednesday, Aug 15, 18 @ 5:43 pm:
I really hope he puts that on air in Chicago.
- wordslinger - Wednesday, Aug 15, 18 @ 8:23 pm:
–Author: Responsa
Comment:
It’s hard to view this ad without inadvertently imagining JB Pritzker on a motorcycle.–
No kidding? Are you concerned about those thoughts? Have you been to a shrink?
Thoughts and prayers, brother.
Unless that’s your bag, baby. Not like there’s anything wrong with it.
No shortage of fat dudes on Harleys, last I checked.
To each his own.
Mazeltov.
- Lakeside - Wednesday, Aug 15, 18 @ 9:48 pm:
It’s like he is running in 2014. Or like we have all been braindead for the last 3.5 years.