I get it. To many of you, I’m different. I’m a working farmer who speaks with a Downstate twang and buys my suits off the rack. But like you, I feel that taxes are too high, our streets aren’t safe and our education system is failing our kids. And after back-to-back billionaire governors, it just isn’t working for us. It’s time we have a governor who understands families. I will put people first, not the elites. Let’s fire Pritzker and take our state back
…Adding… Pritzker campaign…
In Darren Bailey’s latest ad, he claims he “understands families,” but time and time again he’s made it abundantly clear that he doesn’t understand any family who lives, loves, or worships differently than he does.
Bailey and his running mate, Stephanie Trussell, have repeatedly used social media to disparage the Muslim and LGBTQ+ communities. He once posted a video that claimed “Islam is NOT a religion of peace,” and denigrated transgender individuals, writing, “When a young girl decides she is too fat and develops an eating disorder, we get her psychological help. When a young girl decides she is a boy, we adjust reality to fit her desires.” Bailey has also stated that he “believe[s] in biblical marriage between a man and a woman.”
Numerous anti-woman, anti-LGBTQ+ groups have supported Bailey, including the Illinois Family Institute and Awake IL, an organization that Bailey continued to support even after their posts led to vandalism and harassment at UpRising Bakery and Café.
“Darren Bailey’s hateful speech and dangerous positions towards women, Muslims, Jews, and LGBTQ+ individuals show how far he is from ‘understanding’ Illinois families. He enthusiastically takes every opportunity to double down on his radical agenda to spread hate and divide us, even going so far as to introduce legislation that would kick Chicago out of the state,” said JB for Governor spokeswoman Eliza Glezer. “With Darren Bailey at the top of the Republican ticket, hate is truly on the ballot. On November 8, Illinoisans will send a resounding message that hate has no home in Illinois.”
It’s a good ad. It’s a bit odd in that I think he’s being sincere here, but then again he doesn’t have to get into all of his extremist views in a short ad.
But this is politics. People are going to do what they have to do in the moment and say what they need to say. It’s a good ad, But I’m guessing it won’t help him much.
First, you don’t need to be a downstate farmer to understand, “never buy suits off the rack”
If this is the “other shoe” to his silly “what I admire” answer, it’s a long way around the barn to get a closing type argument.
I’ll get to a rating here shortly, but it’s an odd flex for a millionaire farmer to say he’s like folks by buying off the rack suits… as off the rack means you ain’t altering. Words matter.
C+ because it is relatively well done. But, I don’t think it is going to convince anyone to change their vote. And at least he didn’t mention the “heck hole” of Chicago. Also, the “ah shuck, I’m not a billionaire, I’m a farmer worth multi-millions” is getting old.
I give it a B for him. But too little and too late. His own words have defined him. I wish the words Elite and Take Bsck would be banned from political ads
Not a solid B, it’s a B by default that the production quality is pretty solid, Bailey appeared to be comfortable in his own skin, the setting is setting the table for the script, and no major silly signaling.
It’ll sell to the cult, it could reach out to the newly converted, but as far as a closing argument, it’s a B because Bailey tells us who he is in his own words, but makes no compelling argument to move more voters his way.
Bailey and his problems are only overshadowed by the problems with his campaign staff.
but hey, they upgraded him from a ‘farmer’ to a ‘working farmer’ this time around, to better contrast with the ‘not working’ description of the state. That passes for clever in his campaign.
- Three Dimensional Checkers - Monday, Oct 24, 22 @ 9:37 am:
C. I like the two billionaire governors line. But people don’t like Darren Bailey because of the crazy positions he takes and the things he says. This ad does not address that at all.
- Back to the Future - Monday, Oct 24, 22 @ 9:39 am:
Well produced Ad that sticks to the themes Senator Bailey developed in the debates.
Grade - B+.
The best political ad I have seen yet from either a Republican or Democrat contender. Whoever told him to “Be yourself and don’t try to come across as something you aren’t!” is doing this guy a great service. That is all people really want–no BS but just “tell us who you are” in 30 seconds or less. We can figure out the rest by Giggling your name for information and your past history.
C- a decent enough ad, but this feels more like an introductory campaign ad rather than a closer. Also, I personally like it when candidates say “I’m (blank) and I would appreciate your vote” rather than telling us to vote against someone else.
And…. what does he get?
So other governors don’t understand families?
I’m talking myself into giving a lower grade…
F
Darren …you Failed, again, to tell us your plans to fix it all. We know the problems and if you’re running for office then YOU need to share your solutions.
He looks like a guy who knows he’s going to lose and is trying to hold his head up high for the next two weeks. But he’s wrong about why he’s losing and him telling me, wrongly, why he’s losing doesn’t enhance his credibility. The ad shows he just doesn’t get it.
C+. I agree with a commenter above, I feel like he is being sincere in a way. But no matter how relatable you are (or try to be) to voters, it doesn’t mean you are the most qualified to serve the state in such an important position.
===The best political ad I have seen yet from either a Republican or Democrat contender.===
The “Democrat contender” is quite the tell, lol
In a matrix measure of a closing argument ad, the fundamental of “asking for your vote” is missing, it’s a closing argument predicated on the angst of victimhood, and being aggrieved, both parts lack building off a base to win,
If this is the best ad of the cycle, you’ve already decided to vote like the cult or the “astonishingly newly converted”
It’s a B, sure, the best, Republican or “Democrat” isn’t accurate to the mere fundamentals
I would rate the ad a B-. Bailey’s everyman schtick might work if he could ever follow it up with something substantive. But “fire Pritzker” seems to be where his campaign begins and ends.
Instead of a closing argument, it comes across as an introduction. And I got a chuckle out of the line about “back-to-back billionaire governors,” like, okay, time for a multimillionaire governor?
His policies are way out of touch with the majority of folks in Illinois. He has no real plans to fix anything. And he had consistently demonstrated he doesn’t know what he is doing or saying half the time.
So all he can do is try to come across as a decent guy who isn’t a billionaire.
The message is decent, for him, but for the love of god, let someone else do the talking. That voice alone contradicts his everyman argument. To my lifetime Chicagoan ears, it sounds like nails on a chalkboard.
Gotta be honest, I was waiting, almost baiting this response, didn’t expect - LP - to be the fish.
So…
Let’s say I go to Brooks Brothers. Or, you pick a place to get a suit, but Brooks Brothers really works here, lol
Now, they are expensive suits. Likely, I’m not gonna ask them to pull materials for my suits, but there are incredible Brooks Brothers suits.
How am I gonna pick a suit? Off the rack.
If I’m gonna spend X number of dollars, you think anyone over the age of 25 that has been in a professional setting isn’t gonna have that suit altered?
You get that suit chalked up, you tailor it, you buy a suit knowing… you don’t buy it off the rack, you get that tailored.
Now, - LP - unless you’re making your First Communion, and getting that white suit at 6-8 years old, tailored ain’t a thing, you buy it and wear it… off the rack.
I never buy suits off the rack, never buy golf clubs off the rack.
It’s not elite or hoity-toity, adult professional males (and females) tailor suits, even grabbed off the rack… rarely buying and wearing off the rack.
I find it sad that a “working farmer” who can only keep his farm in business with government subsidies, thinks he can be Governor. If he had turned his farm into a successful business, through diversification, not dependent on subsidies, I’d have more respect. I know it can be done. My neighbor added a greenhouse/produce business to his corn and beans farm and is doing quite well.
This is a base-maintenance ad. “Oooh, those elites, they don’t like us ’cause we’re farmers and wear cheap suits”. And for what that is, it’s good enough. But for an Illinois Republican to still be doing base maintenance two weeks before Election Day, that’s a bad sign for him.
It’s not bad if it served to introduce Bailey as a candidate. I’d give it a B under those circumstances. As a closing argument it’s a D since anyone who has followed the race knows what Bailey stands for.
The problems Bailey cites are real, but he has no new ideas–if he talks about ideas at all. I don’t see this converting many undecideds, if that’s what it was intended to do.
As far as buying suits off the rack, if you buy from a place that has one rack of jackets and another rack with pants, you can get a pretty decent fitting suit.
But I think his point is, what good is a sharp suit if it’s empty?
Personally, I don’t think that’s the case with Pritzker. There’s definitely a thinking person inside his suits.
- The Velvet Frog - Monday, Oct 24, 22 @ 10:31 am:
I’m just glad that he finally mentioned that he’s a farmer.
I give it a B-. I had a different take than most people on the suit comment. I thought it was a dig at Pritzker’s weight which I found mean spirited. Second, while the attempt was to bond with the “common man” in today’s world a large percentage don’t own a suit and won’t get/care about the inference to having a custom made suit.
- Give Us Barabbas - Monday, Oct 24, 22 @ 10:36 am:
I give it a c because it’s not making the ask, it’s only pressing very vague negatives.
Did not expect a sartorial discussion in the comments of CapFax this fine Monday, but here we are. My contribution, as someone under the age of 40 who works in an industry where wearing suits to work is still the expectation, is that the vast majority of younger people that I know exclusively buy off the rack, in large part because of money, in larger part because going to a tailor is not necessarily a common thing anymore and quite frankly, the generation that doesn’t know how to mail a letter also doesn’t know how to get a suit tailored.
That said, I doubt most of the folks in said generation are the target of this ad, and ‘buying off the rack’ speaks to a certain blue collar demographic, regardless of the realities for buying suits.
To the post, I agree with the commenters that have called this a good introductory ad. If Bailey had started running this in early July, I might even have been tempted to give it an A. But in October, two weeks out? It’s a solid C, and I don’t think it’ll change many votes.
It’s a C-. Good production quality and straightforward. If I was only judging it on those points it would be higher like a solid B.
But I am judging as a voter and his message is built on at least a few lies.
“I’m a working farmer who speaks with a Downstate twang”
Millions of people in Illinois work, and work hard. Our current governor works harder than most farmers I know. And that “twang” is not an Illinois twang. I have lived in rural and downstate Illinois for 20 plus years. His is the most pronounced accent I have heard.
“and buys my suits off the rack.”
So what? Do you buy your socks that way? What a stupid attempt at shade. Dude, you are a multi millionaire and just as hefty as our governor. Try not to look as if you are wearing a tent. There is nothing wrong with having a suit fitted, that is spending money wisely. But just a silly statement that tells me he is not emotionally or intellectually mature enough to run for office. Zero leadership qualities.
=But like you, I feel that taxes are too high,=
S now it is all about “feeling”? Spare me.
=our streets aren’t safe=
Yep, Xenia is tough country.
=and our education system is failing our kids.=
Your school is failing, but public schools are working miracles given what we have to work with.
The weird thing about the “suits off the rack” comment is that at the last debate, Bailey complimented Pritzker on his suits and wanted to go suit shopping with him.
Was Bailey being disingenuous at the debate or in the ad?
Waste of ad space. Change the name/face to mine or any other person and it would have the same effect. A generic ad that says nothing. He is a farmer, ok. Welder, teacher, CPA would all work just as well. He is not different. There are many people just like him. What is he going to do beside fire Pritzker? What does he bring to the table/game beside generalities? Not much.
D. The ad looks nice, but like some others above, I was really rubbed wrong by the “I buy suits off the rack” comment. His framing could have been that he’s like the rest of us rather than like Pritzker. But no, he is saying that being an everyman makes him different than Pritzker’s *voters,* specifically the ones who aren’t downstate. And apparently, being a “working” farmer,” not just a farmer, distinguishes him too.
When he says “I get it,” I wonder who he’s getting “it” from. Where are the voters saying, “I’m not sure I can trust someone who shops at a store.” Sorry, Darren, but that’s not why we don’t like you. Believe it or not, I, a Democratic voter in Chicago, buy suits off the rack and work for a living — and I’ve even heard people talk with a rural twang before. The problem is the substance and the lying, and this closing argument didn’t win any points on either front.
===I know exclusively buy off the rack, in large part because of money, in larger part because going to a tailor is not necessarily a common thing anymore and quite frankly, the generation that doesn’t know how to mail a letter also doesn’t know how to get a suit tailored.===
So the old, angry, white, rural candidate who isn’t altering his suit is appealing to the “youngsters?
See, then you have this apologist take that kinda makes the whole ad an absolute farce to trying to pander… I laughed…
===Off the rack does not mean not altered it just means not custom made and thus much less expensive
Bailey probably buys his overalls custom made
How can a farmer know more about this that so many commenters?===
Yep different folks, two different thoughts.
- LP - is wrong, again, however…
As the first comment states, it’s buying “off the rack”, which anyone… anyone… buying a suit should never do, and if folks can’t even mail a letter, they ain’t getting suits fixed by a tailor.
You both figure out whatcha all mean, mean”while”, it’s suit malpractice to buy a suit off the rack, Bailey is pandering to those that see suits tailored as “bad”, no matter how one tries to apologize or explain… which is losing.
“Wearing a suit is like wearing a hat. If you have poor fitting hat, it’s all someone will remember. Never wear a poor fitted suit. Never buy off the rack.”
Repeatedly identifying problems and then (repeatedly) saying “what we must do” without saying what it is we must do… does nothing but move a little air…hot air.
==How can a farmer know more about this that so many commenters?==
Look, LP, I’m just a common guy. I try to look nice, but I can’t keep up with all of you and Bailey’s high-falootin’ elite fashion terms. I don’t begrudge Bailey his millions of dollars or you your obvious keen interest in fashion, but I would suggest that millions of Illinois voters just can’t relate to your preoccupation with the proper words for suits.
===Should have been running this ad from day one to counter the negative Pritzker ads.===
In many ways, he has. His campaign is like a Seinfeld episode. It’s about nothing. He continually describes the problems, as he sees them, but offer zero in terms of solutions. He’s supposed to be telling the voters what he would do to change things, and all we get is zero based budgeting and fire Pritzker.
I think voters deserve specifics. Bailey thinks they just need to be angry.
He can’t run on his record, he can offer any specifics where he would do something different, and when pressed, it’s clear Bailey isn’t up to the job of leading Illinois. But he sure can complain.
He’s got enough grievances that it’s really more like the Festivus campaign. All he needs is the pole.
As political ads go this was OK. But that is not saying much. Trying to separate himself from Rauner and Priztker (the billionaires) would be a good move but is too little t0o late in a State that is heavily Democrat in state and national elections.And Bailey just annoys a lot of people.
This state is not “Democrat”, this state hasn’t had a decent, moderate-right candidate for governor that won since Ryan… Rauner was a phony, extreme governor, who hurt Illinois, ruining the party all the while.
C, I guess, because he’s honest - “I’m different.” Yep.
For all the fashionistas out there: the concept “off the rack” includes the necessary alterations/ tailoring required for a better fit. This is because “prêt-à-porter” clothing is deliberately manufactured to the standard dimensions of each size.
The opposite of “off the rack” is “couturier” - the cost of which for a men’s suit runs from $2000 up depending on the quality of materials selected.
… and yet that is not the intent of the line, or how it’s been interpreted by one commenter here as intended “it’s expensive to go to a tailor” so to speak.
Further, I can go to a Macy’s as one example, buy a suit “off the rack” and walk out, no tailoring.
This idea it’s included isn’t what Bailey is selling, Bailey’s point is to those who look at suits/tailoring as “elite”
If it’s included, then why is the number one advice is always “never buy off the rack”… because some folks who buy suits say to haberdashers and tailors… “this suit is… and now I need to spend… for alterations?”
Macy’s sells suits for folks not looking for the “included” because that means more cash.
This ad is for the folks that see suits, tailored suits, as “elite”
The ad is a B. Darren Bailey being his authentic self. Is that authentic self good enough to win this race? Nope. But at this point, be who you are, work to turn your people out. And hope for a miracle.
- DuPage Dad - Monday, Oct 24, 22 @ 9:19 am:
Same narrative, different corn field. Who cares? Does this guy know any other tunes?
D
- Bruce( no not him) - Monday, Oct 24, 22 @ 9:22 am:
“after back-to-back billionaire governors”
But the first billionaire governor, He was right.
D
- TheUpperRoom - Monday, Oct 24, 22 @ 9:23 am:
It’s a good ad. It’s a bit odd in that I think he’s being sincere here, but then again he doesn’t have to get into all of his extremist views in a short ad.
But this is politics. People are going to do what they have to do in the moment and say what they need to say. It’s a good ad, But I’m guessing it won’t help him much.
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Oct 24, 22 @ 9:24 am:
First, you don’t need to be a downstate farmer to understand, “never buy suits off the rack”
If this is the “other shoe” to his silly “what I admire” answer, it’s a long way around the barn to get a closing type argument.
I’ll get to a rating here shortly, but it’s an odd flex for a millionaire farmer to say he’s like folks by buying off the rack suits… as off the rack means you ain’t altering. Words matter.
- G'Kar - Monday, Oct 24, 22 @ 9:26 am:
C+ because it is relatively well done. But, I don’t think it is going to convince anyone to change their vote. And at least he didn’t mention the “heck hole” of Chicago. Also, the “ah shuck, I’m not a billionaire, I’m a farmer worth multi-millions” is getting old.
- Scurvydog - Monday, Oct 24, 22 @ 9:30 am:
C-. I thought it was a solid B add up until he said “fire Pritzker”. Just makes him sound angry.
- DuPage Saint - Monday, Oct 24, 22 @ 9:33 am:
I give it a B for him. But too little and too late. His own words have defined him. I wish the words Elite and Take Bsck would be banned from political ads
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Oct 24, 22 @ 9:33 am:
Rating? It’s a B
Not a solid B, it’s a B by default that the production quality is pretty solid, Bailey appeared to be comfortable in his own skin, the setting is setting the table for the script, and no major silly signaling.
It’ll sell to the cult, it could reach out to the newly converted, but as far as a closing argument, it’s a B because Bailey tells us who he is in his own words, but makes no compelling argument to move more voters his way.
- TheInvisibleMan - Monday, Oct 24, 22 @ 9:33 am:
D
Bailey and his problems are only overshadowed by the problems with his campaign staff.
but hey, they upgraded him from a ‘farmer’ to a ‘working farmer’ this time around, to better contrast with the ‘not working’ description of the state. That passes for clever in his campaign.
- Arsenal - Monday, Oct 24, 22 @ 9:33 am:
Big “I’m not a witch, I’m you” vibes.
- Three Dimensional Checkers - Monday, Oct 24, 22 @ 9:37 am:
C. I like the two billionaire governors line. But people don’t like Darren Bailey because of the crazy positions he takes and the things he says. This ad does not address that at all.
- Back to the Future - Monday, Oct 24, 22 @ 9:39 am:
Well produced Ad that sticks to the themes Senator Bailey developed in the debates.
Grade - B+.
- Inquisitive - Monday, Oct 24, 22 @ 9:41 am:
The best political ad I have seen yet from either a Republican or Democrat contender. Whoever told him to “Be yourself and don’t try to come across as something you aren’t!” is doing this guy a great service. That is all people really want–no BS but just “tell us who you are” in 30 seconds or less. We can figure out the rest by Giggling your name for information and your past history.
- Vote Quimby - Monday, Oct 24, 22 @ 9:41 am:
C- a decent enough ad, but this feels more like an introductory campaign ad rather than a closer. Also, I personally like it when candidates say “I’m (blank) and I would appreciate your vote” rather than telling us to vote against someone else.
And…. what does he get?
So other governors don’t understand families?
I’m talking myself into giving a lower grade…
- Weary - Monday, Oct 24, 22 @ 9:43 am:
F
Darren …you Failed, again, to tell us your plans to fix it all. We know the problems and if you’re running for office then YOU need to share your solutions.
- Socially DIstant watcher - Monday, Oct 24, 22 @ 9:45 am:
He looks like a guy who knows he’s going to lose and is trying to hold his head up high for the next two weeks. But he’s wrong about why he’s losing and him telling me, wrongly, why he’s losing doesn’t enhance his credibility. The ad shows he just doesn’t get it.
- Lucky Pierre - Monday, Oct 24, 22 @ 9:49 am:
Never buy suits off the rack?
Talk about out of touch with reality
Is that you Rod?
Is
- Romeo - Monday, Oct 24, 22 @ 9:49 am:
C+. I agree with a commenter above, I feel like he is being sincere in a way. But no matter how relatable you are (or try to be) to voters, it doesn’t mean you are the most qualified to serve the state in such an important position.
- lol - Monday, Oct 24, 22 @ 9:52 am:
HA. So the suit compliment wasn’t really a compliment.
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Oct 24, 22 @ 9:53 am:
===The best political ad I have seen yet from either a Republican or Democrat contender.===
The “Democrat contender” is quite the tell, lol
In a matrix measure of a closing argument ad, the fundamental of “asking for your vote” is missing, it’s a closing argument predicated on the angst of victimhood, and being aggrieved, both parts lack building off a base to win,
If this is the best ad of the cycle, you’ve already decided to vote like the cult or the “astonishingly newly converted”
It’s a B, sure, the best, Republican or “Democrat” isn’t accurate to the mere fundamentals
- Pundent - Monday, Oct 24, 22 @ 9:53 am:
I would rate the ad a B-. Bailey’s everyman schtick might work if he could ever follow it up with something substantive. But “fire Pritzker” seems to be where his campaign begins and ends.
- Furtive Look - Monday, Oct 24, 22 @ 9:57 am:
I’ll give Darren a nice solid C for this one. There is certainly something unique about his “downstate twang” though, and not in a good way.
- Curious citizen - Monday, Oct 24, 22 @ 9:58 am:
I give it a D.
Instead of a closing argument, it comes across as an introduction. And I got a chuckle out of the line about “back-to-back billionaire governors,” like, okay, time for a multimillionaire governor?
- Langhorne - Monday, Oct 24, 22 @ 10:00 am:
Always with the gripes. Elites, ooohhh, bad. Take back, Fightin words.
How about one idea, one plan, that is something that you would actually do? Workable. Attractive enough to get popular support and understanding.
What is the buy behind this ad? Where is it placed? How does it help him in the collars?
D. The same old message. Soft soothing unconvincing delivery.
- Henry Francis - Monday, Oct 24, 22 @ 10:06 am:
It’s the best he can do.
His policies are way out of touch with the majority of folks in Illinois. He has no real plans to fix anything. And he had consistently demonstrated he doesn’t know what he is doing or saying half the time.
So all he can do is try to come across as a decent guy who isn’t a billionaire.
What else can he do at this point.
- H-W - Monday, Oct 24, 22 @ 10:09 am:
Solid A
Serious. This message is clear, and appealing.
Good ad.
- Politix - Monday, Oct 24, 22 @ 10:09 am:
The message is decent, for him, but for the love of god, let someone else do the talking. That voice alone contradicts his everyman argument. To my lifetime Chicagoan ears, it sounds like nails on a chalkboard.
C
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Oct 24, 22 @ 10:12 am:
===Never buy suits off the rack?
Talk about out of touch with reality===
Gotta be honest, I was waiting, almost baiting this response, didn’t expect - LP - to be the fish.
So…
Let’s say I go to Brooks Brothers. Or, you pick a place to get a suit, but Brooks Brothers really works here, lol
Now, they are expensive suits. Likely, I’m not gonna ask them to pull materials for my suits, but there are incredible Brooks Brothers suits.
How am I gonna pick a suit? Off the rack.
If I’m gonna spend X number of dollars, you think anyone over the age of 25 that has been in a professional setting isn’t gonna have that suit altered?
You get that suit chalked up, you tailor it, you buy a suit knowing… you don’t buy it off the rack, you get that tailored.
Now, - LP - unless you’re making your First Communion, and getting that white suit at 6-8 years old, tailored ain’t a thing, you buy it and wear it… off the rack.
I never buy suits off the rack, never buy golf clubs off the rack.
It’s not elite or hoity-toity, adult professional males (and females) tailor suits, even grabbed off the rack… rarely buying and wearing off the rack.
- Sir Reel - Monday, Oct 24, 22 @ 10:12 am:
C
I agree with Weary, he again offers no solutions.
I find it sad that a “working farmer” who can only keep his farm in business with government subsidies, thinks he can be Governor. If he had turned his farm into a successful business, through diversification, not dependent on subsidies, I’d have more respect. I know it can be done. My neighbor added a greenhouse/produce business to his corn and beans farm and is doing quite well.
- Independent - Monday, Oct 24, 22 @ 10:14 am:
When did farmers become more virtuous and “real” than the rest of us?
- Arsenal - Monday, Oct 24, 22 @ 10:15 am:
This is a base-maintenance ad. “Oooh, those elites, they don’t like us ’cause we’re farmers and wear cheap suits”. And for what that is, it’s good enough. But for an Illinois Republican to still be doing base maintenance two weeks before Election Day, that’s a bad sign for him.
- Arsenal - Monday, Oct 24, 22 @ 10:16 am:
==Never buy suits off the rack?
Talk about out of touch with reality==
It is extremely common menswear advice.
Most people simply don’t need a suit anymore. If you’re going to be an outlier and get one, you might as well do it right.
- Lurker - Monday, Oct 24, 22 @ 10:22 am:
If an intro ad, A.
As a closing ad, B-
- jackmac - Monday, Oct 24, 22 @ 10:27 am:
It’s not bad if it served to introduce Bailey as a candidate. I’d give it a B under those circumstances. As a closing argument it’s a D since anyone who has followed the race knows what Bailey stands for.
- Streator Curmudgeon - Monday, Oct 24, 22 @ 10:29 am:
D
The problems Bailey cites are real, but he has no new ideas–if he talks about ideas at all. I don’t see this converting many undecideds, if that’s what it was intended to do.
As far as buying suits off the rack, if you buy from a place that has one rack of jackets and another rack with pants, you can get a pretty decent fitting suit.
But I think his point is, what good is a sharp suit if it’s empty?
Personally, I don’t think that’s the case with Pritzker. There’s definitely a thinking person inside his suits.
- The Velvet Frog - Monday, Oct 24, 22 @ 10:31 am:
I’m just glad that he finally mentioned that he’s a farmer.
- City Guy - Monday, Oct 24, 22 @ 10:35 am:
I give it a B-. I had a different take than most people on the suit comment. I thought it was a dig at Pritzker’s weight which I found mean spirited. Second, while the attempt was to bond with the “common man” in today’s world a large percentage don’t own a suit and won’t get/care about the inference to having a custom made suit.
- Give Us Barabbas - Monday, Oct 24, 22 @ 10:36 am:
I give it a c because it’s not making the ask, it’s only pressing very vague negatives.
- walker - Monday, Oct 24, 22 @ 10:37 am:
B+ Good tone. A little late
- /s - Monday, Oct 24, 22 @ 10:39 am:
Did not expect a sartorial discussion in the comments of CapFax this fine Monday, but here we are. My contribution, as someone under the age of 40 who works in an industry where wearing suits to work is still the expectation, is that the vast majority of younger people that I know exclusively buy off the rack, in large part because of money, in larger part because going to a tailor is not necessarily a common thing anymore and quite frankly, the generation that doesn’t know how to mail a letter also doesn’t know how to get a suit tailored.
That said, I doubt most of the folks in said generation are the target of this ad, and ‘buying off the rack’ speaks to a certain blue collar demographic, regardless of the realities for buying suits.
To the post, I agree with the commenters that have called this a good introductory ad. If Bailey had started running this in early July, I might even have been tempted to give it an A. But in October, two weeks out? It’s a solid C, and I don’t think it’ll change many votes.
- Cheswick - Monday, Oct 24, 22 @ 10:43 am:
He buys a suit off the rack, but yet he dines on $100 porterhouse steaks on the Gold Coast. Hello.
- Louis G Atsaves - Monday, Oct 24, 22 @ 10:49 am:
Should have been running this ad from day one to counter the negative Pritzker ads. Grade: B
- Anthony - Monday, Oct 24, 22 @ 10:51 am:
Personable, but this should have been his first campaign ad. Not his last.
Bailey might be electable, but certainly not in Illinois.
- JS Mill - Monday, Oct 24, 22 @ 10:56 am:
It’s a C-. Good production quality and straightforward. If I was only judging it on those points it would be higher like a solid B.
But I am judging as a voter and his message is built on at least a few lies.
“I’m a working farmer who speaks with a Downstate twang”
Millions of people in Illinois work, and work hard. Our current governor works harder than most farmers I know. And that “twang” is not an Illinois twang. I have lived in rural and downstate Illinois for 20 plus years. His is the most pronounced accent I have heard.
“and buys my suits off the rack.”
So what? Do you buy your socks that way? What a stupid attempt at shade. Dude, you are a multi millionaire and just as hefty as our governor. Try not to look as if you are wearing a tent. There is nothing wrong with having a suit fitted, that is spending money wisely. But just a silly statement that tells me he is not emotionally or intellectually mature enough to run for office. Zero leadership qualities.
=But like you, I feel that taxes are too high,=
S now it is all about “feeling”? Spare me.
=our streets aren’t safe=
Yep, Xenia is tough country.
=and our education system is failing our kids.=
Your school is failing, but public schools are working miracles given what we have to work with.
- Steve Rogers - Monday, Oct 24, 22 @ 11:04 am:
The weird thing about the “suits off the rack” comment is that at the last debate, Bailey complimented Pritzker on his suits and wanted to go suit shopping with him.
Was Bailey being disingenuous at the debate or in the ad?
- zatoichi - Monday, Oct 24, 22 @ 11:07 am:
Waste of ad space. Change the name/face to mine or any other person and it would have the same effect. A generic ad that says nothing. He is a farmer, ok. Welder, teacher, CPA would all work just as well. He is not different. There are many people just like him. What is he going to do beside fire Pritzker? What does he bring to the table/game beside generalities? Not much.
- Huh? - Monday, Oct 24, 22 @ 11:08 am:
D. Nothing new, rehash of previous ads.
Who cares how he buys his suits. Kind of a self own on the billionaire crack, ignores his own wealth.
- Above Ward Numbers - Monday, Oct 24, 22 @ 11:08 am:
D. The ad looks nice, but like some others above, I was really rubbed wrong by the “I buy suits off the rack” comment. His framing could have been that he’s like the rest of us rather than like Pritzker. But no, he is saying that being an everyman makes him different than Pritzker’s *voters,* specifically the ones who aren’t downstate. And apparently, being a “working” farmer,” not just a farmer, distinguishes him too.
When he says “I get it,” I wonder who he’s getting “it” from. Where are the voters saying, “I’m not sure I can trust someone who shops at a store.” Sorry, Darren, but that’s not why we don’t like you. Believe it or not, I, a Democratic voter in Chicago, buy suits off the rack and work for a living — and I’ve even heard people talk with a rural twang before. The problem is the substance and the lying, and this closing argument didn’t win any points on either front.
- Lucky Pierre - Monday, Oct 24, 22 @ 11:25 am:
Off the rack does not mean not altered it just means not custom made and thus much less expensive
Bailey probably buys his overalls custom made
How can a farmer know more about this that so many commenters?
- low level - Monday, Oct 24, 22 @ 11:29 am:
F. F for an ad; F as a candidate. Cant get past his annoying voice.
- Jocko - Monday, Oct 24, 22 @ 11:44 am:
I’d have given this ad a B in July…now it’s a C.
==It’s time we have a governor who understands families==
provided you stay ‘in line’. If not, out you go while the missus and I pray about it.
- low level - Monday, Oct 24, 22 @ 12:00 pm:
He got PPP loans, yes? Did he use that money to buy suits off the rack?
- Rudy’s teeth - Monday, Oct 24, 22 @ 12:03 pm:
Rate D-
More empty words from an empty head.
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Oct 24, 22 @ 12:11 pm:
===I know exclusively buy off the rack, in large part because of money, in larger part because going to a tailor is not necessarily a common thing anymore and quite frankly, the generation that doesn’t know how to mail a letter also doesn’t know how to get a suit tailored.===
So the old, angry, white, rural candidate who isn’t altering his suit is appealing to the “youngsters?
See, then you have this apologist take that kinda makes the whole ad an absolute farce to trying to pander… I laughed…
===Off the rack does not mean not altered it just means not custom made and thus much less expensive
Bailey probably buys his overalls custom made
How can a farmer know more about this that so many commenters?===
Yep different folks, two different thoughts.
- LP - is wrong, again, however…
As the first comment states, it’s buying “off the rack”, which anyone… anyone… buying a suit should never do, and if folks can’t even mail a letter, they ain’t getting suits fixed by a tailor.
You both figure out whatcha all mean, mean”while”, it’s suit malpractice to buy a suit off the rack, Bailey is pandering to those that see suits tailored as “bad”, no matter how one tries to apologize or explain… which is losing.
“Wearing a suit is like wearing a hat. If you have poor fitting hat, it’s all someone will remember. Never wear a poor fitted suit. Never buy off the rack.”
- suit advice, men or women.
- Dotnonymous - Monday, Oct 24, 22 @ 12:13 pm:
Repeatedly identifying problems and then (repeatedly) saying “what we must do” without saying what it is we must do… does nothing but move a little air…hot air.
- Dotnonymous - Monday, Oct 24, 22 @ 12:18 pm:
Bailey (like Rauner) can’t seem to smile…right…closer to a chomp than a genuine smile.
- Arsenal - Monday, Oct 24, 22 @ 12:19 pm:
==How can a farmer know more about this that so many commenters?==
Look, LP, I’m just a common guy. I try to look nice, but I can’t keep up with all of you and Bailey’s high-falootin’ elite fashion terms. I don’t begrudge Bailey his millions of dollars or you your obvious keen interest in fashion, but I would suggest that millions of Illinois voters just can’t relate to your preoccupation with the proper words for suits.
- The Velvet Frog - Monday, Oct 24, 22 @ 1:00 pm:
“Bailey probably buys his overalls custom made”
Is that supposed to be an argument in favor of the guy?
- 47th Ward - Monday, Oct 24, 22 @ 1:04 pm:
===Should have been running this ad from day one to counter the negative Pritzker ads.===
In many ways, he has. His campaign is like a Seinfeld episode. It’s about nothing. He continually describes the problems, as he sees them, but offer zero in terms of solutions. He’s supposed to be telling the voters what he would do to change things, and all we get is zero based budgeting and fire Pritzker.
I think voters deserve specifics. Bailey thinks they just need to be angry.
He can’t run on his record, he can offer any specifics where he would do something different, and when pressed, it’s clear Bailey isn’t up to the job of leading Illinois. But he sure can complain.
He’s got enough grievances that it’s really more like the Festivus campaign. All he needs is the pole.
But C+ for the production value.
- notafraid - Monday, Oct 24, 22 @ 1:13 pm:
As political ads go this was OK. But that is not saying much. Trying to separate himself from Rauner and Priztker (the billionaires) would be a good move but is too little t0o late in a State that is heavily Democrat in state and national elections.And Bailey just annoys a lot of people.
- RNUG - Monday, Oct 24, 22 @ 1:28 pm:
B- or maybe a B. Would have been a B+ or A- if he had included an ask; that’s basic in a closing ad.
- Dotnonymous - Monday, Oct 24, 22 @ 1:40 pm:
“I get it.” - Darren Bailey
Coulda fooled me.
- AlfondoGonz - Monday, Oct 24, 22 @ 1:43 pm:
“Bailey probably buys his overalls custom made”
I nominate this for most unintentionally funny comment of the year.
Bravo, LP, bravo.
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Oct 24, 22 @ 1:47 pm:
===Bailey probably buys his overalls custom made===
Sounds like something the elite would do… so much money, custom overalls…
Off the rack suits and custom overalls… who is the real Darren Bailey?
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Oct 24, 22 @ 1:58 pm:
===in a State that is heavily Democrat===
Easy on the mouth breathing…
===Rauner===
… who was a Republican, as was Kirk, as was…
This state is not “Democrat”, this state hasn’t had a decent, moderate-right candidate for governor that won since Ryan… Rauner was a phony, extreme governor, who hurt Illinois, ruining the party all the while.
“Democrat state”… stop being a victim.
- dbk - Monday, Oct 24, 22 @ 2:25 pm:
C, I guess, because he’s honest - “I’m different.” Yep.
For all the fashionistas out there: the concept “off the rack” includes the necessary alterations/ tailoring required for a better fit. This is because “prêt-à-porter” clothing is deliberately manufactured to the standard dimensions of each size.
The opposite of “off the rack” is “couturier” - the cost of which for a men’s suit runs from $2000 up depending on the quality of materials selected.
And this is why Darren’s ad gets a “C” from me.
“Darren Bailey, too different for Illinois.”
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Oct 24, 22 @ 2:38 pm:
=== includes===
… and yet that is not the intent of the line, or how it’s been interpreted by one commenter here as intended “it’s expensive to go to a tailor” so to speak.
Further, I can go to a Macy’s as one example, buy a suit “off the rack” and walk out, no tailoring.
This idea it’s included isn’t what Bailey is selling, Bailey’s point is to those who look at suits/tailoring as “elite”
If it’s included, then why is the number one advice is always “never buy off the rack”… because some folks who buy suits say to haberdashers and tailors… “this suit is… and now I need to spend… for alterations?”
Macy’s sells suits for folks not looking for the “included” because that means more cash.
This ad is for the folks that see suits, tailored suits, as “elite”
Bailey is a simple farmer. Ask him.
- Jerry - Monday, Oct 24, 22 @ 3:13 pm:
I’d give it an F-. You are a Multi-Millionaire Farmer who buys suits off the racks. To quote Mayor Daley: “cuckoo”.
- btowntruthfromforgottonia - Monday, Oct 24, 22 @ 3:27 pm:
C.
Better in tone than many of his ads and maybe the best produced of them.
But I don’t buy his attempt to look like he is “one of us”.
- Big Dipper - Monday, Oct 24, 22 @ 5:55 pm:
F. They used Fire Madigan for years. Get some new ideas.
- CubsFan16 - Monday, Oct 24, 22 @ 9:41 pm:
The ad is a B. Darren Bailey being his authentic self. Is that authentic self good enough to win this race? Nope. But at this point, be who you are, work to turn your people out. And hope for a miracle.