Today, the Rauner campaign is launching a new TV ad titled “Moby Dick.”
The ad features Ron Wilson, a Vietnam veteran and proud Illinoisan, talking about the Madigan-Pritzker tax hike agenda. In the ad, Ron says, “Madigan’s been in since Moby Dick was a minnow. 47 years, he hasn’t fixed it.”
Ron, like many other Illinoisans, knows that giving Madigan total control by electing JB Pritzker means higher taxes and more corruption.
A friend suggested to me this morning that the “Moby Dick” thing kinda works in this case. Bruce Rauner is Captain Ahab and Madigan is his great white whale. But the book didn’t end too well for the Captain, she reminded me.
Truth is, Illinois is in trouble. It didn’t get here in just a decade. It didn’t get here in two decades. Madigan’s been in since Moby Dick was a minnow. 47 years, he hasn’t fixed it. And he’s got JB Pritzker in there. What makes you think one of his lackeys is going to change it. They want to tax and then spend more. He’s not going to hit you with just one tax. He’s going to hit you with two or three. It’s just not going to work. It will not work.
JB Pritzker and Mike Madigan. Higher Taxes. More Corruption.
…Adding… Four years ago, the Rauner campaign billed Ron Wilson as a former AFSCME local president who said in the spot of Gov. Pat Quinn: “Don’t attack Bruce, tell me what you got done”…
Bruce Rauner's campaign just released an ad featuring Ron Wilson, who also appeared in a commercial for Rauner's 2014 campaign.
— Illinois Working Together (@IllinoisWorking) August 28, 2018
…Adding… DGA…
Today, Governor Bruce Rauner launched a new ad that only served to remind voters of how little he’s accomplished in four years as Governor. The newest ad features Ron Wilson, who four years ago called out Rauner’s opponent for his negative ads and challenged him to “tell me what you got done. I see zero.”
Four years later, Rauner is using Wilson to attack his opponent instead of telling voters what he’s gotten done.
“Bruce Rauner has zero positive things to say about his failed record in office,” said DGA Illinois Communications Director Sam Salustro. “If anything, Rauner’s failed leadership negatively affected Illinois families as his two-year budget crisis added billions of dollars of debt and slowed job creation in the state.”
As setting up bad comparisons for yourself goes, Captain Ahab isn’t great, but he’s no Al Capone, so at least it’s not the worst one of the last couple weeks.
- Almost the weekend - Tuesday, Aug 28, 18 @ 9:41 am:
AFSCME is just clueless. I wonder what it would take for them to see the light. Still sticking it to PQ.
The most interesting thing about this ad is how it leans into the “unhealthy obsession” meme. Otherwise, same old same old, doesn’t seem like something that’ll close a ten-point gap.
Thank you very much for your service Mr. Wilson. Now, as the former president of an AFSCME local, can you please explain to me how Bruce Rauner is going to get Illinois out of “trouble”? How would a second term be different?
As a political allegory, I give it an A, mostly for the Ahab stuff and personally hoping for the sinking of the Pequod. As a political ad, I give it a C- because it relies on voters forgetting the last 4 years as well as decades of Republican governors. I rate it an F for scientific accuracy, since whales don’t grow from minnows.
I hate to be nitpicky, but baby whales are calves, not minnows. Also, the metaphor with Moby Dick is a terrible one: read the book BTIA before making references to a maniacal leader. Ahab has also been linked to Satan and Narcissus. You really want to go there?
Yup GovJunk aka Capt. Ahab is really findin’ ways to kick himself in the b….
And spendin’lots o cash to do.
BTW whats Prez Wilson been up since ‘14..senior issues researcher at IPI?
==Folksy ad that will be effective in folksy areas with folksy folks.==
True, but it’s gotta be killing them that they’re still having to run ads appealing to those “folksy folks” who should already be in his corner. A little over two months out, still not yet able to target the segment of Illinoisans who might not be leaning his way. Ouch
- Trapped in the 'burbs - Tuesday, Aug 28, 18 @ 10:09 am:
While his obsession with Madigan continues, he can’t explain how he will succeed this term since Madigan will still be there. Oh, and there’s also the cancer headline in the Trib. McCann won’t be taking votes away from JB. If only Rauner had accomplished anything or made a few friends along the way. Imagine JB winning and Madigan retiring after the inauguration, we might be able to hear Rauner’s head exploding in Italy.
Kind of an odd comparison given all the reasons already said.
My take - the Guv knows he is toast. And the BTIA also knows he is toast. So after some bong rips the kids came up with a way they could use MJM and Dick in the same sentence.
Rauner is Captain Ahab; Illinois is the ship that is going to be lost at sea with all hands drowned by debt; Madigan is the often hunted, but never captured or killed Moby Dick who will swim on long after Illinois is sunk.
I am pretty sure Ron doesn’t pay any state taxes on his state pension or social security benefits. He also gets age based property tax exemptions if he has any property.
Am I missing something that the title seems to be poking fun at Pritzker’s size, essentially comparing him to a whale?
- Back to the Future - Tuesday, Aug 28, 18 @ 10:54 am:
The Bruce needs to attract anti Madigan/Rham/Pritzker
Dems. This ad just doesn’t do that.
Getting a little late to start attracting voters. I would give this Ad a D.
Guess AFSCME should talk to Madigan about member management. One member sues them and wins in the US Supreme Court another cuts a commercial for the guy looking to destroy them.
May be time to look for some new leaders?
Well, it gets an “A” for irony, anyway. It seems the BTIA folks were catching up on sleep during their American Lit. classes. Or maybe the comparison of Rauner to the looney-tunes Captain Ahab is a deliberate play to absolve him from responsibility for nearly running Illinois’ ship of state aground? Are they trying to hint that he’s not culpable?
- LXB - Tuesday, Aug 28, 18 @ 9:38 am:
As setting up bad comparisons for yourself goes, Captain Ahab isn’t great, but he’s no Al Capone, so at least it’s not the worst one of the last couple weeks.
- Almost the weekend - Tuesday, Aug 28, 18 @ 9:41 am:
AFSCME is just clueless. I wonder what it would take for them to see the light. Still sticking it to PQ.
- Arsenal - Tuesday, Aug 28, 18 @ 9:41 am:
The most interesting thing about this ad is how it leans into the “unhealthy obsession” meme. Otherwise, same old same old, doesn’t seem like something that’ll close a ten-point gap.
- A guy - Tuesday, Aug 28, 18 @ 9:42 am:
Folksy ad that will be effective in folksy areas with folksy folks.
- Cubs in '16 - Tuesday, Aug 28, 18 @ 9:44 am:
Thank you very much for your service Mr. Wilson. Now, as the former president of an AFSCME local, can you please explain to me how Bruce Rauner is going to get Illinois out of “trouble”? How would a second term be different?
- wordslinger - Tuesday, Aug 28, 18 @ 9:45 am:
Ahab is a deranged fanatic. And not in a good way.
- Shark Sandwich - Tuesday, Aug 28, 18 @ 9:48 am:
“Madigan’s been in office longer than a Jon Bonham drum solo…”
- Jibba - Tuesday, Aug 28, 18 @ 9:50 am:
As a political allegory, I give it an A, mostly for the Ahab stuff and personally hoping for the sinking of the Pequod. As a political ad, I give it a C- because it relies on voters forgetting the last 4 years as well as decades of Republican governors. I rate it an F for scientific accuracy, since whales don’t grow from minnows.
- Steve Rogers - Tuesday, Aug 28, 18 @ 9:50 am:
I hate to be nitpicky, but baby whales are calves, not minnows. Also, the metaphor with Moby Dick is a terrible one: read the book BTIA before making references to a maniacal leader. Ahab has also been linked to Satan and Narcissus. You really want to go there?
- DriXander - Tuesday, Aug 28, 18 @ 9:53 am:
@Almost the weekend, here’s AFSCME’s response to the ad from 4 years ago: http://m.afscme31.org/news/afscme-local-993-debunks-phony-rauner-ad + AFSCME’s endorsement of Pritzker & Stratton: http://m.afscme31.org/news/afscme-people-committee-endorses-pritzker-for-governor
- Annonin' - Tuesday, Aug 28, 18 @ 9:54 am:
Yup GovJunk aka Capt. Ahab is really findin’ ways to kick himself in the b….
And spendin’lots o cash to do.
BTW whats Prez Wilson been up since ‘14..senior issues researcher at IPI?
- Lester Holt’s Mustache - Tuesday, Aug 28, 18 @ 9:56 am:
==Folksy ad that will be effective in folksy areas with folksy folks.==
True, but it’s gotta be killing them that they’re still having to run ads appealing to those “folksy folks” who should already be in his corner. A little over two months out, still not yet able to target the segment of Illinoisans who might not be leaning his way. Ouch
- Trapped in the 'burbs - Tuesday, Aug 28, 18 @ 10:09 am:
While his obsession with Madigan continues, he can’t explain how he will succeed this term since Madigan will still be there. Oh, and there’s also the cancer headline in the Trib. McCann won’t be taking votes away from JB. If only Rauner had accomplished anything or made a few friends along the way. Imagine JB winning and Madigan retiring after the inauguration, we might be able to hear Rauner’s head exploding in Italy.
- Henry Francis - Tuesday, Aug 28, 18 @ 10:13 am:
Kind of an odd comparison given all the reasons already said.
My take - the Guv knows he is toast. And the BTIA also knows he is toast. So after some bong rips the kids came up with a way they could use MJM and Dick in the same sentence.
- Streator Curmudgeon - Tuesday, Aug 28, 18 @ 10:25 am:
Odd coincidence. In yesterday’s Caption Contest, I compared Rauner to Captain Ahab, chasing Moby Madigan.
As for this commercial, it will reinforce those who hate Madigan/Democrats but won’t sway others. Same old tune, over and over.
- Dance Band on the Titanic - Tuesday, Aug 28, 18 @ 10:33 am:
Four years of Bruce and he can’t afford a new hat or tee shirt? Guess he’s not better off today.
- Practical Politics - Tuesday, Aug 28, 18 @ 10:36 am:
With apologies to Herman Melville:
Rauner is Captain Ahab; Illinois is the ship that is going to be lost at sea with all hands drowned by debt; Madigan is the often hunted, but never captured or killed Moby Dick who will swim on long after Illinois is sunk.
- OneMan - Tuesday, Aug 28, 18 @ 10:37 am:
Not a bad ad.
I would take corruption out of the tag line.
- Archpundit - Tuesday, Aug 28, 18 @ 10:43 am:
Next commercial is “Strawberries”
- A Jack - Tuesday, Aug 28, 18 @ 10:46 am:
I am pretty sure Ron doesn’t pay any state taxes on his state pension or social security benefits. He also gets age based property tax exemptions if he has any property.
- Anon1234 - Tuesday, Aug 28, 18 @ 10:51 am:
Am I missing something that the title seems to be poking fun at Pritzker’s size, essentially comparing him to a whale?
- Back to the Future - Tuesday, Aug 28, 18 @ 10:54 am:
The Bruce needs to attract anti Madigan/Rham/Pritzker
Dems. This ad just doesn’t do that.
Getting a little late to start attracting voters. I would give this Ad a D.
- Stuff Happens - Tuesday, Aug 28, 18 @ 10:59 am:
This seems like a weight joke against Pritzker.
- Cheryl44 - Tuesday, Aug 28, 18 @ 11:13 am:
Have none of the BTiA read the Cliff Notes? Ahab was crazy.
- Archpundit - Tuesday, Aug 28, 18 @ 11:18 am:
As a fellow fat American to Pritzker, I don’t think this is a fat joke. More like deep psychological tell on Rauner’s obsessions.
- Anonymous - Tuesday, Aug 28, 18 @ 11:21 am:
Isn’t a whale a mammal? I get the jist but a minnow is a fish not a whale. Rather ignorant ad even for downstate.
- DuPage Bard - Tuesday, Aug 28, 18 @ 11:23 am:
Guess AFSCME should talk to Madigan about member management. One member sues them and wins in the US Supreme Court another cuts a commercial for the guy looking to destroy them.
May be time to look for some new leaders?
- Crispy - Tuesday, Aug 28, 18 @ 11:23 am:
Well, it gets an “A” for irony, anyway. It seems the BTIA folks were catching up on sleep during their American Lit. classes. Or maybe the comparison of Rauner to the looney-tunes Captain Ahab is a deliberate play to absolve him from responsibility for nearly running Illinois’ ship of state aground? Are they trying to hint that he’s not culpable?
- VanillaMan - Tuesday, Aug 28, 18 @ 11:28 am:
I never listen to old men with nasty white mustaches, anymore than I listen to guys with gray pony tails.
It’s the 21st century - try to look like you know that.
- Stagman - Tuesday, Aug 28, 18 @ 12:09 pm:
Pat Quinn had a heck of a lot more accomplishments than Bruce Rauner
- JoanP - Tuesday, Aug 28, 18 @ 2:15 pm:
“Don’t attack J.B. or Mike, tell me what you got done” - updated that for you, Ron.
- Anon - Tuesday, Aug 28, 18 @ 7:34 pm:
Ron Wilson’s retirement should be taxed.
- VanillaMan - Tuesday, Aug 28, 18 @ 10:32 pm:
Madigan’s 47 year old political career criticized by man who hasn’t changed facial hair style in 47 years.
Next, man in powdered wig complains about Illinois bicentennial.
- Jerry - Wednesday, Aug 29, 18 @ 9:14 am:
I think Mr. Wilson should be asking Rauner what he’s done, same question he asked Quinn four years ago.