* Mark Brown on Gov. Rauner’s new TV ad…
It’s the work of someone who knows he is in deep trouble and is desperate to break through, someone who still thinks he could change the minds of Illinois voters if they just stopped long enough to listen to his message, which is what it always has been:
If you don’t vote for me, you are sooo f—–. […]
Rauner spoke with students Tuesday at Chicago Hope Academy, repeating his oft-told story of how unnamed businessmen convinced him to run for governor to save the state.
And it occurred to me that it’s a shame that Rauner may soon pass from the public scene without ever identifying those public-spirited citizens so that the rest of us could properly thank them.
When he was finished, Rauner joined the students of the Christian high school in prayer, then retreated outside to explain to reporters why he thought it necessary to use “f—–” in a campaign commercial.
Do the kids still use the phrase “sick burn”?
- Arsenal - Wednesday, Oct 24, 18 @ 9:32 am:
I don’t think Rauner is doomed- yes, it’s late, though- but I agree this add is a desperation play from a candidate who feels like his shot is slipping away.
- Anonymous - Wednesday, Oct 24, 18 @ 9:37 am:
==I don’t think Rauner is doomed==
He’s doomed
- Arsenal - Wednesday, Oct 24, 18 @ 9:44 am:
==He’s doomed==
Look, I get it, but crazier things have happened. I, too, would walk with a certain pep in my step if I were JB, but we should all be a little more humble with our predictions.
- Anonymous - Wednesday, Oct 24, 18 @ 9:51 am:
==He’s doomed==
He has a better chance than I do
- Anon221 - Wednesday, Oct 24, 18 @ 9:53 am:
How would Rauner respond, I wonder, if one of those students had asked him about the crude language and undertones of yesterday’s ad? Does the prayin’ absolve him of the crudeness, or is he just not in charge of what his campaign says publically?
- wordslinger - Wednesday, Oct 24, 18 @ 9:59 am:
Upon further review, the “unholy union” spot is really a mess. Would love to see the concepts that were passed over for this “winner.”
One, it’s an attempt to use humor to call out alleged corruption. Don’t you want people to get mad about corruption? Who gets mad about things they’re supposed to laugh at?
Then, you have the juvenile gay marriage snark, an obvious imitation of Proft and an appeal to the crowd that supposedly likes that sort of thing.
But then you end it a pastor in a church dropping an F-bomb at the altar. Who’s that supposed to appeal to? Churchgoers?
I hope Rauner kept it clean when he was praying with the kids, at least.
- @misterjayem - Wednesday, Oct 24, 18 @ 10:15 am:
“but crazier things have happened.”
Much crazier. And very recently.
But every day, early voting steadily shrinks the pool of voters to whom Rauner can make any last ditch, Hail Mary appeals.
Bummer.
– MrJM
- cover - Wednesday, Oct 24, 18 @ 10:15 am:
= Who’s that supposed to appeal to? Churchgoers? =
Probably so. Face it, Trump gets a “mulligan” from right-wing church leaders for his bad behavior.
- Gruntled University Employee - Wednesday, Oct 24, 18 @ 10:18 am:
==He has a better chance than I do ==
Only because your name is not on the ballot.
- Cubs in '16 - Wednesday, Oct 24, 18 @ 10:38 am:
===Does the prayin’ absolve him of the crudeness===
That was just another example of playin’ to the crowd he’s with at the time. In Rauner’s mind, anything goes because the ends justify the means. Like when he says he really is a compassionate person because of the ‘millions’ he donates. Somehow that is supposed to absolve him from the damage done during the impasse.
- Skeptic - Wednesday, Oct 24, 18 @ 10:39 am:
“Who’s that supposed to appeal to?” Well, you gotta admit, (a) We’re still talking about it and (b) we know whose ad it is. In the ad biz, that counts as a win, doesn’t it? Does it swing any voters? Who cares, it’s still substantially similar to a win. /s
- Arsenal - Wednesday, Oct 24, 18 @ 10:49 am:
==Don’t you want people to get mad about corruption?==
I think the theory was that sometimes mockery is more devastating than condemnation. And that’s often been true, but it seems to be a severe misunderstanding of the electorate this year.
- Arsenal - Wednesday, Oct 24, 18 @ 10:50 am:
== In the ad biz, that counts as a win, doesn’t it? ==
We probably shouldn’t underrate how much the ad consultants and their desire to justify bigger contracts influenced the production of this ad.
- wordslinger - Wednesday, Oct 24, 18 @ 11:01 am:
–I think the theory was that sometimes mockery is more devastating than condemnation.–
It can be, if the message is personal incompetence or hypocrisy, for example. But alleged systemic corruption? I don’t think so.
- Arsenal - Wednesday, Oct 24, 18 @ 11:12 am:
==But alleged systemic corruption? I don’t think so.==
You’re probably right, especially in IL where some level of corruption has often been just laughed off already. But I’m also struggling to think of a “funny” ad that has broken through this year. Everyone’s angry. Even the ones winning are angry.
- RNUG - Wednesday, Oct 24, 18 @ 11:29 am:
== But alleged systemic corruption? I don’t think so. ==
The Richard Daley’s and Paul Powell’s may be gone because the legality of their approach changed, but there is still a bunch of cronyism. Exhibit A: Leslie Munger being rewarded for losing an election
- Anonymous - Wednesday, Oct 24, 18 @ 12:27 pm:
What does Leslie Munger do for her $135k a year taxpayer-funded salary?
- Huh? - Wednesday, Oct 24, 18 @ 12:54 pm:
“Rauner joined the students of the Christian high school in prayer”
So now 1.4% has found religion. Was he wearing his ecclesiastical costume?