Today, the Rauner campaign is launching a new statewide TV ad titled “The Main Thing.”
The ad centers around the main thing JB Pritzker would do if elected: raise taxes. Featuring quotes from newspapers across the state, it’s clear that Pritzker is deadset on raising taxes on hardworking Illinois families.
Illinois can not afford the Pritzker-Madigan agenda of higher taxes and more corruption.
The main thing JB Pritzker wants to do is raise taxes. An immediate increase in the current tax rate. A short and long term plan to increase income taxes. A threat, a promise, a plan that will punish Illinoisans. Madigan and Pritzker want more money. As soon as Pritzker takes office, a significant increase that will affect all taxpayers. JB Pritzker and Mike Madigan. Higher taxes. More Corruption.
Fundamental error in never putting around Rauner’s neck his signed budget that validated and certified Rauner’s link to the 32% income tax increase.
“Bruce Rauner has been governor for 4 years. The first two years, Bruce Rauner refused to sign budgets, holding hostage our state, hurting higher education, and refusing to pay social services the money owed to them. Rauner’s third year? The bipartisan Illinois legislature saved Illinois from the reckless Rauner, a governor willing to hold off signing budgets until reforms happened. In year four, after never signing a budget in his first 3 years, reckless Rauner signed his first budget, raising taxes 32% with his own signature, with no reforms and no property tax relief for Illinois homeowners. Doesn’t Illinois need a governor who’s in charge and deliver on promises? Illinois deserves better than Bruce Rauner.”
Rauner owns the tax issue, right now.
Pritzker needs to decide;
Are ya gonna tell voters Rauner signed that 32% tax increase into his lone signed budget?
Are ya gonna be able to produce where your next knees show “taxes raised on those like Bruce Rauner and me”?
Until those two things happen, the Rauner ads like those above will ramp down where Pritzker could make hay.
Rauner isn’t likable. This is one of Rauner’s angles. It was left open by Pritzker.
What is this, the ultimate in MadLibs from BTIA??? What are the actual full context of these select picked phrases??? Maybe some people enjoy the mushroom farm that has become BTIA, but I resent being treated like one. F
- The Dude Abides - Tuesday, Aug 21, 18 @ 9:40 am:
Madigan, Pritzker, corruption, taxes. Just more of the same. The best thing Rauner could do would be to come out and say that he’s learned from the mistakes he made in his first term and tell us what he would do differently if given a second term. C-
KISS principal, as the election gets closer be ready for even more of the same. Call it lather, rinse, repeat all you want but it is likely effective with potential voters. Rate it a B
It’s a continued narrative that Rauner uses as Rauner gets his pass for signing his lone budget with that 32% tax increase attached.
The out of focus images with the words overlay, yeah, ok, I get it, it’s “coming into focus” but it’s artsy for the sake of being artsy, because the message is again… the same message.
Rauner needs to be likable, this doesn’t address that weak part of his campaign, it only solidifies those sold on the premise of taxes Rauner wants bought. It’s not adding voters.
It’s not a “C” or worse because it’s “artsy” to the continued point Rauner wants hammered. That’s it.
Rauner needs voters. This isn’t moving voters to someone voters don’t like.
All’s fair in love and politics. But the Rauner ad should provide a little more detail in the source for their quotes. For example, if these are the musings of John Kass (and let’s be honest, if they are, more people would have read Kass’ work from these ads than actually read his column), they should cite the article, not just “Chicago Tribune, 4/10/18″.
It’s a tad disingenuous for not stating if it’s editorial copy or from an article stating facts.
As always, statements about what someone else will do. What will Bruce Rauner be doing? Based on his performance history, not much. Taxes had a prearranged option to sunset and he asked the GA for that option to occur. Unpaid bills hit $16B, pensions climbed, budgets did not exist, financial ratings dropped. GA later raised taxes to pay the state’s bills. So what has Rauner actually done that indicates his future actions be any different?
The content of the ad is very good. Straight to the point, unambiguous. The weird strobe effect? It’s distracting.
- Grandson of Man - Tuesday, Aug 21, 18 @ 9:48 am:
Low quality graphics and and hard to follow. I felt myself losing interest. The ad admits Pritzker wants a graduated income tax. I caught that after watching the video a few times. I think lots of people would like a graduated tax.
C
Speaking of Rauner’s corruption theme, there’s a Politifact article out in which Rauner corrupts the word corruption.
“The Main Thing”
They ain’t kidding. It’s Rauner’s only thing, with his horrendous record.
==Fundamental error in never putting around Rauner’s neck his signed budget that validated and certified Rauner’s link to the 32% income tax increase.==
Voter ignorance is real, but I think J.B. knows no one in the general public is ignorant enough to believe Rauner “validated” an income tax increase by vetoing it.
Pritzker can make these types of ads go away by simply saying that the plan is for those under a million taxes will stay the same or go lower, while millionaires will pay a higher rate.
He can further say that he doesn’t know how low rates may go yet because of the lack of transparency in the Rauner administration. He won’t know the extent of the Rauner backlog until he takes office since Rauner’s agencies are not timely in the submission of requests for payment of bills.
It’s the fear of the unknown that makes these types of ads most effective. Taxpayers aren’t worried that their taxes will go down. If taxpayers are reassured that their taxes won’t go up unless they have income of over a million, that will boost their confidence in voting for Pritzker.
- I Miss Bentohs - Tuesday, Aug 21, 18 @ 10:55 am:
= Same old, same old =
You say this but I had some conversations at Obeds and Isaacs of a few friends that careless about this stuff. All of them KNEW that JB is for taxes and was corrupt with Blago/Madigan but none know how JB is framing Rauner other than to say vague things like he did not do very good as a governor.
Seems to me Rauner may win because he is winning the messaging/defining again.
- I Miss Bentohs - Tuesday, Aug 21, 18 @ 11:05 am:
Oh, and I should have added, not one of the people I spoke to named a positive thing about JB or Rauner. So, to neophytes, this messaging may be working. Will they vote? These three said they will as they do every even year.
=none know how JB is framing Rauner other than to say vague things like he did not do very good as a governor=
It actually seems like a compelling message to me. And to pretend that JB isn’t giving tangible evidence to the point is just whistling through the graveyard, my friend.
The problem with Bruce Rauner’s message is captured this way: “my plan to stifle Mike Madigan and impose my will on the legislative process to the benefit of Illinois is working based on this, this, and this.”
That isn’t his message is it? Why, because his plan did not work. One one facet of it.
The message is plain, simple, and to the point. The points have been made many times in the past. Sound quality is good but the visuals are hard to read. I give it a grade of C.
JB can not come out and say the progressive tax will will only raise taxes on the rich. He knows it will not be enough to pay the state debt and for his increased spending. The middle class is going to be hit hard in increased taxes by a JB governor.
People on retirement income beware. A progressive income tax could also mean that your interest and dividend income could be taxed higher. Your pension and social security could be added to your interest and dividend income to figure out your tax bracket. Thus while you may, or may not get taxed on your retirement income, your passive income could be taxed at a higher rate.
The ad is truthful.
Over taxing ad retaxing by 7000 units of government out of 800 funds. For all of Madigans 40 years is why we are where we are.
It has meant the only thing budgeted by the legislators, per their leader:
is their own bsbsil health insurance and their own pensions.
While I pay mine at full boat and theirs..
It is posted on the cantrollers web site. Exactly what she did with the funds the legislators budgeted last year.
It is beyond time for these people to be fired by the citizens of the state.
- Retired Educator - Tuesday, Aug 21, 18 @ 9:33 am:
Same old, same old. Rauner needs to say what he will do if reelected. The other guy is worse, just doesn’t cut it anymore. “D-”
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Aug 21, 18 @ 9:38 am:
Fundamental error in never putting around Rauner’s neck his signed budget that validated and certified Rauner’s link to the 32% income tax increase.
“Bruce Rauner has been governor for 4 years. The first two years, Bruce Rauner refused to sign budgets, holding hostage our state, hurting higher education, and refusing to pay social services the money owed to them. Rauner’s third year? The bipartisan Illinois legislature saved Illinois from the reckless Rauner, a governor willing to hold off signing budgets until reforms happened. In year four, after never signing a budget in his first 3 years, reckless Rauner signed his first budget, raising taxes 32% with his own signature, with no reforms and no property tax relief for Illinois homeowners. Doesn’t Illinois need a governor who’s in charge and deliver on promises? Illinois deserves better than Bruce Rauner.”
Rauner owns the tax issue, right now.
Pritzker needs to decide;
Are ya gonna tell voters Rauner signed that 32% tax increase into his lone signed budget?
Are ya gonna be able to produce where your next knees show “taxes raised on those like Bruce Rauner and me”?
Until those two things happen, the Rauner ads like those above will ramp down where Pritzker could make hay.
Rauner isn’t likable. This is one of Rauner’s angles. It was left open by Pritzker.
- Anon221 - Tuesday, Aug 21, 18 @ 9:40 am:
What is this, the ultimate in MadLibs from BTIA??? What are the actual full context of these select picked phrases??? Maybe some people enjoy the mushroom farm that has become BTIA, but I resent being treated like one. F
- The Dude Abides - Tuesday, Aug 21, 18 @ 9:40 am:
Madigan, Pritzker, corruption, taxes. Just more of the same. The best thing Rauner could do would be to come out and say that he’s learned from the mistakes he made in his first term and tell us what he would do differently if given a second term. C-
- Texas Red - Tuesday, Aug 21, 18 @ 9:40 am:
KISS principal, as the election gets closer be ready for even more of the same. Call it lather, rinse, repeat all you want but it is likely effective with potential voters. Rate it a B
- Cheryl44 - Tuesday, Aug 21, 18 @ 9:41 am:
Taxes are going up no matter who is governor. I will vote for the guy I think will not dress up in costumes and tell lies.
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Aug 21, 18 @ 9:43 am:
To the Ad, and the Post,
It’s a “B-“
It’s a continued narrative that Rauner uses as Rauner gets his pass for signing his lone budget with that 32% tax increase attached.
The out of focus images with the words overlay, yeah, ok, I get it, it’s “coming into focus” but it’s artsy for the sake of being artsy, because the message is again… the same message.
Rauner needs to be likable, this doesn’t address that weak part of his campaign, it only solidifies those sold on the premise of taxes Rauner wants bought. It’s not adding voters.
It’s not a “C” or worse because it’s “artsy” to the continued point Rauner wants hammered. That’s it.
Rauner needs voters. This isn’t moving voters to someone voters don’t like.
- Colin O'Scopy - Tuesday, Aug 21, 18 @ 9:43 am:
All’s fair in love and politics. But the Rauner ad should provide a little more detail in the source for their quotes. For example, if these are the musings of John Kass (and let’s be honest, if they are, more people would have read Kass’ work from these ads than actually read his column), they should cite the article, not just “Chicago Tribune, 4/10/18″.
It’s a tad disingenuous for not stating if it’s editorial copy or from an article stating facts.
- siualum - Tuesday, Aug 21, 18 @ 9:45 am:
“As soon as Pritzker takes office….”. Sounds like Rauner is conceding already.
- zatoichi - Tuesday, Aug 21, 18 @ 9:48 am:
As always, statements about what someone else will do. What will Bruce Rauner be doing? Based on his performance history, not much. Taxes had a prearranged option to sunset and he asked the GA for that option to occur. Unpaid bills hit $16B, pensions climbed, budgets did not exist, financial ratings dropped. GA later raised taxes to pay the state’s bills. So what has Rauner actually done that indicates his future actions be any different?
- A guy - Tuesday, Aug 21, 18 @ 9:48 am:
The content of the ad is very good. Straight to the point, unambiguous. The weird strobe effect? It’s distracting.
- Grandson of Man - Tuesday, Aug 21, 18 @ 9:48 am:
Low quality graphics and and hard to follow. I felt myself losing interest. The ad admits Pritzker wants a graduated income tax. I caught that after watching the video a few times. I think lots of people would like a graduated tax.
C
Speaking of Rauner’s corruption theme, there’s a Politifact article out in which Rauner corrupts the word corruption.
“The Main Thing”
They ain’t kidding. It’s Rauner’s only thing, with his horrendous record.
- XDNR - Tuesday, Aug 21, 18 @ 9:52 am:
Rauner has no accomplishments to run on so we repeatedly get more of the same ads, blah, blah, blah….Rate it D-
- Generic Drone - Tuesday, Aug 21, 18 @ 9:53 am:
I stopped watching political a while back. Campaign season way too long.
- Jocko - Tuesday, Aug 21, 18 @ 10:00 am:
After four years, the best Bruce can come up with is “The other guy is worse than me.”?
Give me one reason to vote “for” you rather than “against” the other guy.
- Phil King - Tuesday, Aug 21, 18 @ 10:10 am:
==Fundamental error in never putting around Rauner’s neck his signed budget that validated and certified Rauner’s link to the 32% income tax increase.==
Voter ignorance is real, but I think J.B. knows no one in the general public is ignorant enough to believe Rauner “validated” an income tax increase by vetoing it.
- VanillaMan - Tuesday, Aug 21, 18 @ 10:25 am:
It’s not the main thing - it’s the main lie.
- Spliff - Tuesday, Aug 21, 18 @ 10:35 am:
That is the worst one yet. If people get more from the visual than the voice over then this was a total waste of money.
- A Jack - Tuesday, Aug 21, 18 @ 10:43 am:
Pritzker can make these types of ads go away by simply saying that the plan is for those under a million taxes will stay the same or go lower, while millionaires will pay a higher rate.
He can further say that he doesn’t know how low rates may go yet because of the lack of transparency in the Rauner administration. He won’t know the extent of the Rauner backlog until he takes office since Rauner’s agencies are not timely in the submission of requests for payment of bills.
- A Jack - Tuesday, Aug 21, 18 @ 10:55 am:
It’s the fear of the unknown that makes these types of ads most effective. Taxpayers aren’t worried that their taxes will go down. If taxpayers are reassured that their taxes won’t go up unless they have income of over a million, that will boost their confidence in voting for Pritzker.
- I Miss Bentohs - Tuesday, Aug 21, 18 @ 10:55 am:
= Same old, same old =
You say this but I had some conversations at Obeds and Isaacs of a few friends that careless about this stuff. All of them KNEW that JB is for taxes and was corrupt with Blago/Madigan but none know how JB is framing Rauner other than to say vague things like he did not do very good as a governor.
Seems to me Rauner may win because he is winning the messaging/defining again.
- I Miss Bentohs - Tuesday, Aug 21, 18 @ 11:05 am:
Oh, and I should have added, not one of the people I spoke to named a positive thing about JB or Rauner. So, to neophytes, this messaging may be working. Will they vote? These three said they will as they do every even year.
- Colin O'Scopy - Tuesday, Aug 21, 18 @ 11:05 am:
=none know how JB is framing Rauner other than to say vague things like he did not do very good as a governor=
It actually seems like a compelling message to me. And to pretend that JB isn’t giving tangible evidence to the point is just whistling through the graveyard, my friend.
- Colin O'Scopy - Tuesday, Aug 21, 18 @ 11:09 am:
The problem with Bruce Rauner’s message is captured this way: “my plan to stifle Mike Madigan and impose my will on the legislative process to the benefit of Illinois is working based on this, this, and this.”
That isn’t his message is it? Why, because his plan did not work. One one facet of it.
- Colin O'Scopy - Tuesday, Aug 21, 18 @ 11:10 am:
=One one facet of it=
Oops. That should read: “Not one facet of it.”
I regret the error.
- Rich Miller - Tuesday, Aug 21, 18 @ 11:20 am:
===these ads are keeping him from being in full runaway mode===
When was the last time a sitting governor lost by double digits?
- Hit or Miss - Tuesday, Aug 21, 18 @ 11:36 am:
The message is plain, simple, and to the point. The points have been made many times in the past. Sound quality is good but the visuals are hard to read. I give it a grade of C.
- G'Kar - Tuesday, Aug 21, 18 @ 11:44 am:
Based on watching it on my computer with the sound off, I give it an “F”. The quotes were too blurry to read.
- Lucky Pierre - Tuesday, Aug 21, 18 @ 12:37 pm:
If your policies don’t work the first 40 years in office your luck is bound to change eventually
Time to double down Democrats
- Anonymous - Tuesday, Aug 21, 18 @ 1:13 pm:
JB can not come out and say the progressive tax will will only raise taxes on the rich. He knows it will not be enough to pay the state debt and for his increased spending. The middle class is going to be hit hard in increased taxes by a JB governor.
- Anonymous - Tuesday, Aug 21, 18 @ 1:20 pm:
People on retirement income beware. A progressive income tax could also mean that your interest and dividend income could be taxed higher. Your pension and social security could be added to your interest and dividend income to figure out your tax bracket. Thus while you may, or may not get taxed on your retirement income, your passive income could be taxed at a higher rate.
- sharkette - Tuesday, Aug 21, 18 @ 1:24 pm:
The ad is truthful.
Over taxing ad retaxing by 7000 units of government out of 800 funds. For all of Madigans 40 years is why we are where we are.
It has meant the only thing budgeted by the legislators, per their leader:
is their own bsbsil health insurance and their own pensions.
While I pay mine at full boat and theirs..
It is posted on the cantrollers web site. Exactly what she did with the funds the legislators budgeted last year.
It is beyond time for these people to be fired by the citizens of the state.
- Arsenal - Tuesday, Aug 21, 18 @ 3:22 pm:
==When was the last time a sitting governor lost by double digits?==
Sure, though I still think Rauner won’t, either (though time is going in…).
- Rich Miller - Tuesday, Aug 21, 18 @ 4:05 pm:
===When was the last time a sitting governor lost by double digits? ===
1960. Otto Kerner beat William Stratton 55.5-44.3
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Illinois_gubernatorial_elections#1960
And yet they still named a building after him.