The Jim Oberweis campaign has made a 500-point ad buy on broadcast TV in the Chicago media market that is started on Saturday.
The buy includes ads on ABC 7, NBC 5, CBS 2, WGN 9, Fox 32 as well as a cable buy across the entire District.
The ad focuses on comments Rep. Lauren Underwood made during a recent candidates’ interview with the Chicago Sun Times Editorial Board. During the interview she refused to condemn rioting and instead talked about “beautiful protests.”
“Rioting and looting and violence are not ‘beautiful’,” Oberweis said. “I have consistently stood up for law enforcement. I have advocated for defending our police – not defunding them and I have called for an end to the violence. My opponent has been given numerous opportunities to condemn the violence, but she continues to refuse to do so.”
It’s sole mission is to “enrage” the old, angry, white voters that not only look like Oberweis, but vote, old, angry, and white.
If you recognize what this ad is, and what it’s trying to do, it’s a solid B+.
To the content, the grab can be easily, and is in this ad, to continually lump the bad actors doing criminal activity, and making clear by the way this ad is… black lives matter… aren’t worthy of their message.
I mean, Oberweis is about racially charged politics, choosing white issues, be they about helicopters and stadiums, or running this ad to make clear his racial thoughts.
He’s running for a federal office, again? Is this his 5th time? I guess he’s going to just keep spending until he buys himself a seat at the table…
Interesting ad though, a B. Pulling one from the Trump playbook, which tells you a lot.
So sad and should not be allowed. Race baiting on the part of a old white man should not be legal.
- Frumpy White Guy - Tuesday, Sep 22, 20 @ 8:27 am:
It seems to me that she maybe trying to avoid the whole issue. She has never expressed support for Black Lives Matter and speak more to healthcare issues.
=== So sad and should not be allowed. Race baiting on the part of a old white man should not be legal.===
That’s a bad take.
I want folks like Oberweis to tell me who they are. I promise I’ll believe him.
It’s ads like these, and this era, the only good I’ve found since Rauner (honesty to governing and the purposeful hurting for an agenda) and Trump is the brazen way(s) that both Raunerites (even today) and Trunpkins overtly tell me how awful their takes are.
I thank them.
This ad I rated a B+ specifically because the overt racial message to the old angry white voters like Oberweis is appreciated. I know Oberweis has learned nothing.
I give it no better than a C. If the views of the district were aligned with Oberweis it would probably be an A. But once again he proves that he’s out of touch with the voters. Scare the old white people isn’t going to get you elected in the 14th.
” It’s sole mission is to “enrage” the old, angry, white voters that not only look like Oberweis, but vote, old, angry, and white.” “This ad I rated a B+ specifically because the overt racial message to the old angry white voters like Oberweis is appreciated. I know Oberweis has learned nothing.”
Bingo!
B+ for what it sets out to do with its audience. F for humanity.
- Jose Abreu's Next Homer - Tuesday, Sep 22, 20 @ 9:10 am:
This ad in of itself has all of the hallmarks of being racist that I can’t help but wonder what the other pitches looked like. At least they decided not to run the one that featured a monkey.
This ad comes out after the Illinois GOP is trying to defend a candidate that was blatantly and overtly racist and homophobic and the only think the candidate is actually sorry about is being caught being so racist and homophobic.
Is this the only thing this guy is running on? As rich as he is and the best thing he can do is throw a negative ad that is blatantly racist on the air with the hopes that reminding white people living in the district that Lauren Underwood is black, and hoping that those same white people are incapable of understanding nuance around the discussion of BLM protests and won’t recognize these remarks as being taken completely out of context?
I give this ad a D. Passing, but barely. This is going to do more damage to his campaign than help it, but I could be wrong. Maybe they have some great data that demonstrates that the voters of that congressional district will respond positively to an add that’s entire message is steeped in racism.
I wasn’t watching this Sun-Times interview but I have heard Lauren use this line before. It’s not exactly what you want to hear out a congressional representative, she needs to clean up this response.
A better response would have been to say she condemns rioting and looting, but many protests have been peaceful and the right of Americans to peacefully assembly and express their opinions is sacred.
The ad leaves me feeling she wasn’t fully prepared for the ed board meeting.
That said, it’s Obie, so was what she said taken out of context? Did she further elaborate or say something further that puts “beautiful protests” in a different light?
Amateur editing job of slicing and dicing Lauren’s words. Racist and childish slandering. Just what Zi would expect from Oberweis.
- Da Big Bad Wolf - Tuesday, Sep 22, 20 @ 2:01 pm:
Do you take points off for handing in incomplete work?
Saw the Zoom meeting. What Underwood said in response to Tom McNamee’s question about the charge that Underwood had not condemned the violence at 23:23 She responds: “And I don’t think that kind of violence has anyplace in our communities and certainly in a way that intimidated or distracts people’s protest.
Then she goes on today how she isn’t calling for defunding the police but she is focused on the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act.
The statement Underwood made was ill-advised and this will leave a mark. If it’s untrue she can try to get stations not to run it. Otherwise, it’s a solid ad (agree on the B+ grade). Just because you don’t think it’s fair or the game should be played by different rules, I’m sorry. [Insert ‘this ain’t beanbag’ quote here.]
Nothing about Underwood screams pro- violence except Jim Oberweis. It’s as if he forgets that these constituents are college educated suburbanites. They see through this nonsense.
Well as an old white guy i guess this ad is meant for me. I give it a C is same old same old. I voted Hultgren last time. He blew the race. I am voting Underwood this time. She actually seems to know her district and I think represents it very well. I was happily surprised by her work and work ethic. i sure as heck hope the Republican party is done with Oberweise. But I guess every county needs its Harold Stassen.
@Barb G
I have seen the interview provided by Wolf but could not find the segment you referred to when she condemned the riots and violence. As far as I could tell she only mentioned the person from her district to attacked the protesters in Wisconsin but nothing about the overall riots themselves.
Did I miss something? If so give me the time in the interview that she did as you say.
- Da Big Bad Wolf - Wednesday, Sep 23, 20 @ 6:24 am:
===As far as I could tell she only mentioned the person from her district to attacked the protesters in Wisconsin but nothing about the overall riots themselves.===
Yes she does. She talked about Rittenhouse, and uses this sad event to segue to a comment about overall violence in general. The statement is more poignant because apparently Rittenhouse is from her district.
Here: 23:23 “And I don’t think that kind of violence has anyplace in our communities and certainly in a way that intimidated or distracts people’s protest.
== A better response would have been to say she condemns rioting and looting, but many protests have been peaceful and the right of Americans to peacefully assembly and express their opinions is sacred.==
Yes but it’s obvious to me (and it should be obvious to everyone) she was talking about peaceful demonstrators, not looters.
She does seem awkward in her response which Oberweis’ team took advantage of.
The narrator: “Riots are not beautiful. They are ugly.”
Well Underwood didn’t say riots were beautiful. Sheesh.
- Frank talks - Tuesday, Sep 22, 20 @ 7:25 am:
Law and order playbook.
He should have used a helicopter to fly over the riots.
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Sep 22, 20 @ 7:41 am:
It’s a B+
It’s sole mission is to “enrage” the old, angry, white voters that not only look like Oberweis, but vote, old, angry, and white.
If you recognize what this ad is, and what it’s trying to do, it’s a solid B+.
To the content, the grab can be easily, and is in this ad, to continually lump the bad actors doing criminal activity, and making clear by the way this ad is… black lives matter… aren’t worthy of their message.
I mean, Oberweis is about racially charged politics, choosing white issues, be they about helicopters and stadiums, or running this ad to make clear his racial thoughts.
It’s a B+ to the targeted audience.
- TheInvisibleMan - Tuesday, Sep 22, 20 @ 7:48 am:
I’ll give it a 55 out of 70
- RickG - Tuesday, Sep 22, 20 @ 8:02 am:
Needs Moar Choppers.
(I only came to see how long it took for the first helicopter reference. I was not disappointed).
- Ryan - Tuesday, Sep 22, 20 @ 8:03 am:
He’s running for a federal office, again? Is this his 5th time? I guess he’s going to just keep spending until he buys himself a seat at the table…
Interesting ad though, a B. Pulling one from the Trump playbook, which tells you a lot.
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Sep 22, 20 @ 8:11 am:
===first helicopter reference===
Racist-type ads are unforgettable.
I’d be disappointed if we all forgot what that helicopter was, and what message it was sending.
This ad is of that… tradition.
- Nummy yummy - Tuesday, Sep 22, 20 @ 8:23 am:
So sad and should not be allowed. Race baiting on the part of a old white man should not be legal.
- Frumpy White Guy - Tuesday, Sep 22, 20 @ 8:27 am:
It seems to me that she maybe trying to avoid the whole issue. She has never expressed support for Black Lives Matter and speak more to healthcare issues.
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Sep 22, 20 @ 8:28 am:
=== So sad and should not be allowed. Race baiting on the part of a old white man should not be legal.===
That’s a bad take.
I want folks like Oberweis to tell me who they are. I promise I’ll believe him.
It’s ads like these, and this era, the only good I’ve found since Rauner (honesty to governing and the purposeful hurting for an agenda) and Trump is the brazen way(s) that both Raunerites (even today) and Trunpkins overtly tell me how awful their takes are.
I thank them.
This ad I rated a B+ specifically because the overt racial message to the old angry white voters like Oberweis is appreciated. I know Oberweis has learned nothing.
- Pundent - Tuesday, Sep 22, 20 @ 8:28 am:
I give it no better than a C. If the views of the district were aligned with Oberweis it would probably be an A. But once again he proves that he’s out of touch with the voters. Scare the old white people isn’t going to get you elected in the 14th.
- Fan - Tuesday, Sep 22, 20 @ 9:05 am:
While I am not an Oberweis fan, this is a solid ad. Urban violence is the suburban GOPers best chance for victory.
And yet in this crazy State, Dems will pick up seats despite corruption and violence. Sad commentary on the status of the GOP here (and nationally).
- Bingo - Tuesday, Sep 22, 20 @ 9:07 am:
” It’s sole mission is to “enrage” the old, angry, white voters that not only look like Oberweis, but vote, old, angry, and white.” “This ad I rated a B+ specifically because the overt racial message to the old angry white voters like Oberweis is appreciated. I know Oberweis has learned nothing.”
Bingo!
B+ for what it sets out to do with its audience. F for humanity.
- Jose Abreu's Next Homer - Tuesday, Sep 22, 20 @ 9:10 am:
3 out of 5 ice cream scoops
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Sep 22, 20 @ 9:10 am:
=== Sad commentary on the status of the GOP here (and nationally).===
The national GOP isn’t corrupt?
That’s not a very good take.
=== Urban violence is the suburban GOPers===
Be like Oberweis… it’s white… worried about POC in the suburbs.
At least be honest in your assessment.
The reason it’s failing is there are fewer racist voters in the suburbs these days.
It’s not sad, it’s diversity.
- Touré's Latte - Tuesday, Sep 22, 20 @ 9:12 am:
Has all the campaign chatter and ads devolved down to demanding the other side condemn this and that?
Asking for a friend…
- Candy Dogood - Tuesday, Sep 22, 20 @ 9:27 am:
This ad in of itself has all of the hallmarks of being racist that I can’t help but wonder what the other pitches looked like. At least they decided not to run the one that featured a monkey.
This ad comes out after the Illinois GOP is trying to defend a candidate that was blatantly and overtly racist and homophobic and the only think the candidate is actually sorry about is being caught being so racist and homophobic.
Is this the only thing this guy is running on? As rich as he is and the best thing he can do is throw a negative ad that is blatantly racist on the air with the hopes that reminding white people living in the district that Lauren Underwood is black, and hoping that those same white people are incapable of understanding nuance around the discussion of BLM protests and won’t recognize these remarks as being taken completely out of context?
I give this ad a D. Passing, but barely. This is going to do more damage to his campaign than help it, but I could be wrong. Maybe they have some great data that demonstrates that the voters of that congressional district will respond positively to an add that’s entire message is steeped in racism.
- Candy Dogood - Tuesday, Sep 22, 20 @ 9:28 am:
===It’s a B+===
It’s ads like this one that make me think maybe we should come up with a rubric.
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Sep 22, 20 @ 10:00 am:
=== we should===
I have mine. It’s mine.
This ad is a B+
- Jocko - Tuesday, Sep 22, 20 @ 10:22 am:
I give it a B, but to harp on Underwood’s deflection as an endorsement of rioting is weak sauce.
Jim might want to explain what he’s still doing here in Illinois, given that his wife (and their primary residence) are listed in Florida.
- Precinct Captain - Tuesday, Sep 22, 20 @ 10:56 am:
It’s 2020, not 1968. Some of you might not realize that.
- Oscar - Tuesday, Sep 22, 20 @ 11:46 am:
I wasn’t watching this Sun-Times interview but I have heard Lauren use this line before. It’s not exactly what you want to hear out a congressional representative, she needs to clean up this response.
- Moe Berg - Tuesday, Sep 22, 20 @ 11:56 am:
A better response would have been to say she condemns rioting and looting, but many protests have been peaceful and the right of Americans to peacefully assembly and express their opinions is sacred.
The ad leaves me feeling she wasn’t fully prepared for the ed board meeting.
That said, it’s Obie, so was what she said taken out of context? Did she further elaborate or say something further that puts “beautiful protests” in a different light?
- Unconventionalwisdom - Tuesday, Sep 22, 20 @ 12:01 pm:
Solid ad. Better than I expected from him. And he did himself a favor but not appearing with his mug on the ad and his usual blathering.
Will it be effective?
- Meh - Tuesday, Sep 22, 20 @ 12:24 pm:
Not bad messaging. But holy cow that’s weak production quality. Did James Marter make this in his basement? Yeeesh.
- Susan - Tuesday, Sep 22, 20 @ 1:08 pm:
Amateur editing job of slicing and dicing Lauren’s words. Racist and childish slandering. Just what Zi would expect from Oberweis.
- Da Big Bad Wolf - Tuesday, Sep 22, 20 @ 2:01 pm:
Do you take points off for handing in incomplete work?
Saw the Zoom meeting. What Underwood said in response to Tom McNamee’s question about the charge that Underwood had not condemned the violence at 23:23 She responds: “And I don’t think that kind of violence has anyplace in our communities and certainly in a way that intimidated or distracts people’s protest.
Then she goes on today how she isn’t calling for defunding the police but she is focused on the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act.
- Hyperbolic Chamber - Tuesday, Sep 22, 20 @ 2:05 pm:
The statement Underwood made was ill-advised and this will leave a mark. If it’s untrue she can try to get stations not to run it. Otherwise, it’s a solid ad (agree on the B+ grade). Just because you don’t think it’s fair or the game should be played by different rules, I’m sorry. [Insert ‘this ain’t beanbag’ quote here.]
- Pundent - Tuesday, Sep 22, 20 @ 2:28 pm:
Nothing about Underwood screams pro- violence except Jim Oberweis. It’s as if he forgets that these constituents are college educated suburbanites. They see through this nonsense.
- DuPage Saint - Tuesday, Sep 22, 20 @ 2:47 pm:
Well as an old white guy i guess this ad is meant for me. I give it a C is same old same old. I voted Hultgren last time. He blew the race. I am voting Underwood this time. She actually seems to know her district and I think represents it very well. I was happily surprised by her work and work ethic. i sure as heck hope the Republican party is done with Oberweise. But I guess every county needs its Harold Stassen.
- Unconventionalwisdom - Tuesday, Sep 22, 20 @ 3:38 pm:
Does anyone have a complete video/transcript of what she said> I can not find it.
The Sun Times seemed to have it but it has been deleted by them as far as I can tell.
Thanks in advance.
- Da Big Bad Wolf - Tuesday, Sep 22, 20 @ 5:43 pm:
https://www.newsbreak.com/news/2054702937345/il-14-video-of-lauren-underwood-and-jim-oberweis-editorial-board-interview
- Barb G - Tuesday, Sep 22, 20 @ 6:33 pm:
D- It’s so obvious the ad cuts off Underwood when she’s about to condemn the violence. He needs better editors
- PublicServant - Tuesday, Sep 22, 20 @ 7:41 pm:
Money can’t buy you love, Jim. Go get a cone, and sell ice cream. You’re gonna lose bad. Cya.
- Unconventionalwisdom - Tuesday, Sep 22, 20 @ 7:44 pm:
Thanks to the Da Big Bad Wolf!
@Barb G
I have seen the interview provided by Wolf but could not find the segment you referred to when she condemned the riots and violence. As far as I could tell she only mentioned the person from her district to attacked the protesters in Wisconsin but nothing about the overall riots themselves.
Did I miss something? If so give me the time in the interview that she did as you say.
- Da Big Bad Wolf - Wednesday, Sep 23, 20 @ 6:24 am:
===As far as I could tell she only mentioned the person from her district to attacked the protesters in Wisconsin but nothing about the overall riots themselves.===
Yes she does. She talked about Rittenhouse, and uses this sad event to segue to a comment about overall violence in general. The statement is more poignant because apparently Rittenhouse is from her district.
Here: 23:23 “And I don’t think that kind of violence has anyplace in our communities and certainly in a way that intimidated or distracts people’s protest.
- All this - Wednesday, Sep 23, 20 @ 6:35 am:
== A better response would have been to say she condemns rioting and looting, but many protests have been peaceful and the right of Americans to peacefully assembly and express their opinions is sacred.==
Yes but it’s obvious to me (and it should be obvious to everyone) she was talking about peaceful demonstrators, not looters.
She does seem awkward in her response which Oberweis’ team took advantage of.
The narrator: “Riots are not beautiful. They are ugly.”
Well Underwood didn’t say riots were beautiful. Sheesh.