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Rate the new Tom Cross ad

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Illinois state Treasurer candidate Tom Cross is launching a three-market radio buy today — a day after the Republican made a switch and voted in favor of same-sex marriage legislation in the House.

Cross was one of three Republicans in the House to vote for in favor of the same-sex marriage. The others were Ron Sandack (R-Downers Grove) and Ed Sullivan (R-Mundelein).

Cross switched positions after his campaign told the Sun-Times just three weeks ago that he remained opposed to same-sex marriage. The Sun-Times reported then that his Democratic opponent — state Sen. Mike Frerichs (D-Champaign) — was calling on Cross to support same-sex marriage.“I am proud to be one of only two Downstate Senators to co-sponsor and vote for both marriage equality and civil unions,” Frerichs said then.

Cross’ vote neutralizes what could have been a contentious issue in a general election.

The 60-second ad is targeting three central Illinois markets.

* Listen…

* Script…

Illinois’ elected officials have repeatedly failed to solve the state’s big problems

Now we’re facing Skyrocketing debt, record high taxes and the nation’s worst budget deficit.

That’s why Tom Cross is running for Treasurer.

On day one, Tom Cross will put an end to dishonest budget gimmicks…
…demanding the courts enforce the state’s balanced budget requirement…
…and forcing Springfield politicians to fix the problems they’ve too often ignored.

Tom Cross understands without change, Illinois faces near bankruptcy…
…threatening not just our pocketbooks…
…but our schools and public safety.

A former prosecutor…
…Tom Cross will crack down on the corruption that is costing our pension system…
…and he’ll create a new government integrity unit to restore public confidence.

For too long, Illinois families have been paying the price for failed leadership.

As our Treasurer, Tom Cross will clean up their mess…
…fight the waste and corruption…
…and restore fiscal sanity back in Springfield.

posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Nov 6, 13 @ 11:45 am

Comments

“For too long, Illinois families have been paying the price for failed leadership.”

Tom Cross is a Republican member of the Illinois House of Representatives, representing the 84th district where he has served since 1993. He just resigned as the House Republican Leader.

Comment by Beth Wednesday, Nov 6, 13 @ 11:51 am
Tom Cross blasting elected officials for not dealing with pension reform.

Ok, not going to say anything.

Comment by J Wednesday, Nov 6, 13 @ 11:52 am
B+

I would have made it two 30-second ads, one about waste and corruption, the other about fiscal sanity …

like the 1 minute ad closed and divided them.

“More like this”, and “Grogran” will finally feel the snow from the avalanche.

B+, good start out of the gate.

—————

@FakeJasonPlummer - Yeah, I gave it an F. Tom is not a CPA and stuff and after 20 seconds I usually go back and doodle #NotTheTargetAudience

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Nov 6, 13 @ 11:53 am
Wow, he’s going to do all that?

What’s he running for? Generalissimo?

Ugh, it’s offensive. The spot betrays a contempt for voters. To claim you can do all that stuff as treasurer, and expect voters to buy it, is an insult.

Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Nov 6, 13 @ 11:54 am
What a weird ad. The over-the-top calamitous rhetoric over the condition of the state, set to an easy listening Muzak soundtrack?

Also, sounds kind of like an indictment of the work Dan Rutherford has (or hasn’t) done as treasurer, whether that was intended or not.

Of course all of this is ignoring the real key determinant of whether Tom Cross prevails here… White or Blue.

“@TomCross Have you voted in our yard sign color contest? Last chance to vote! #CrossForTreasurer #BLUEvsWHITE goo.gl/lKcHQB”

Comment by hisgirlfriday Wednesday, Nov 6, 13 @ 11:58 am
I need to clarify;

The ad, for me, is to overwhelm Bob Grogan, by having a media presence, hitting on words Bob Grogan is trying to do “retail”, and start to put Tom Cross in the public’s mind.

That being said, and graded “B+” as such…

The hyperbole of “all that can be done” and the superhero ideas and ideals … yeah, those are as Dopey as when others do the same thing.

The rationale and purpose, I get. The hyperbole is as insane as the next guy’s, for sure.

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Nov 6, 13 @ 12:02 pm
Clearly one of most gifted radio ads since Marconi first twisted the dial. It is good to see Billboards planning to be both the auditor general and GUMBY director
The funniest part was “being a prosecutor” Was that the time he and Dallas shared a law office?

Comment by CircularFiringSquad Wednesday, Nov 6, 13 @ 12:03 pm
I personally have a bit of an aversion to candidates from either party who try and act like they haven’t been part of a problem that they now claim they will fix.

Comment by SO IL M Wednesday, Nov 6, 13 @ 12:08 pm
=== …demanding the courts enforce the state’s balanced budget requirement… ===

We’ve gone over this before.

Tom Cross intends to spend tax dollars to hire lawyers to accomplish what he couldn’t accomplish as House minority leader.

=== …Tom Cross will crack down on the corruption that is costing our pension system… ===

What corruption? Unless this is a dog-whistle to those who believe public unions have extorted “extravagant” pension benefits.

I’m pretty sure Tom Cross does not intend to go after the management fees being charged by the investment bankers and hedge fund guys.

Comment by Bill White Wednesday, Nov 6, 13 @ 12:11 pm
@Wordslinger- A political ad is disingenuous? You don’t say! Almost like Frerichs going after Cross for SSM before yesterday. Offensive? Not really. That’s how political ads work. This stuff plays with voters.

Comment by Johnny Q. Suburban Wednesday, Nov 6, 13 @ 12:13 pm
As someone who votes on issues and not for a particular party I find this ad nothing but spin and more empty campaign promises As far as I am concerned Cross and his Senate counterpart, Radogno lost my vote when they both came out trashing rule of law and the Illinois Constitution by siding with Madigan and his supporters in diminishing legally protected COLAs
Even though Madigan has been anointed as the “Man in Charge,” Cross and Radogno could have put forth proposals on ways to solve the state budget issues without trashing the rule of law and the Illinois Constitution

Comment by Earl Shumaker Wednesday, Nov 6, 13 @ 12:17 pm
and the $50,000 for the basketball court and the —

Comment by j Wednesday, Nov 6, 13 @ 12:22 pm
He is making promises of what he would do as treasurer. Some of the promises are beyond the scope of authority of the treasurer. The treasurer has to put the state money into banks, make sure the t’s are crossed and i’s are dotted, keep ledgers, and other administrative things like that. When a properly authorized check comes across his desk, he HAS TO sign it, whether he personally likes it or not. He has no veto power over it. He knows this.

Comment by DuPage Wednesday, Nov 6, 13 @ 12:30 pm
I would love to hear specifically how the State Treasurer is going to fight corruption.

Comment by Stones Wednesday, Nov 6, 13 @ 12:35 pm
Mr/Ms BillWhite….most who follow state politics closely understand the GOPies are actually tighter with most public employee unions that the Ds

Comment by CircularFiringSquad Wednesday, Nov 6, 13 @ 12:39 pm
I’m with Wordslinger and DuPage - I love ads that promise things that their office does not encompass and cannot deliver. Then again, people reading Capitol Fax know that, while Bob and Jane from small town (even large city) Illinois do not. All you have to do is hit the right words and people listen. It is a B/B+ ad. But shouldn’t be.

Comment by Archiesmom Wednesday, Nov 6, 13 @ 12:40 pm
This was probably his campaign message when he was going to run for AG and keep in mind he really still is running for AG so just keep it, the voters won’t know the difference - this whole Treasurer thing just keeps him relevant - well at least in his mind.

Comment by he said she said Wednesday, Nov 6, 13 @ 12:41 pm
It sounds like someone took the Cross for Governor script by mistake.

Comment by Hans Sannity Wednesday, Nov 6, 13 @ 12:43 pm
=== On day one, Tom Cross will put an end to dishonest budget gimmicks… ===

Doesn’t that imply Rutherford has failed to do that? Might be awkward if Rutherford is the Gubernatorial nominee.

Comment by Just Observing Wednesday, Nov 6, 13 @ 12:51 pm
On day one, Tom Cross will put an end to dishonest budget gimmicks… Why wait until day one? What if doesn’t win?

Again…Tom Cross will crack down on the corruption that is costing our pension system… Show us where the corruption is now!!

As our Treasurer, Tom Cross will clean up their mess……fight the waste and corruption… Who is their?? Is there really waste in corruption in Springfield?? Why isn’t he exposing it now as an elected official?? Call the BGA Tom!!

Comment by Union Man Wednesday, Nov 6, 13 @ 12:54 pm
It’s long, it’s boring, it’s untruthful, it’s….not good. It sounds like a commercial where a guy using a woman’s voice-over is running against….Tom Cross. Kind of dopey that one of the four tops couldn’t come close to fixing problems that the “treasurer” can?? It matters less though. If you don’t get me in the first 7 seconds, you certainly don’t get me for 2 minutes. It would be more effective using his own voice. It’s just noise. Won’t grab anyone.

Comment by A guy... Wednesday, Nov 6, 13 @ 12:58 pm
good ad..

Comment by Lance Stevens Wednesday, Nov 6, 13 @ 1:10 pm
Agree with a B+. Good introductory ad. Builds name recognition and uses themes that are accepted by his target voting group. Nice start.

Comment by Just Saying Wednesday, Nov 6, 13 @ 1:14 pm
@ Just Observing

Well said.

Tom Cross is implicitly criticizing Dan Rutherford for not accomplishing what needed to be accomplished.

Comment by Bill White Wednesday, Nov 6, 13 @ 1:29 pm
Grogan Quarterly Report Cash On Hand: $70,209.41

No subsequent A1’s reported.

Cross for Treasurer Quarterly Cash On Hand: $175,568.00

Subsequent A1’s filed: $47,600

Funds available in his state rep account quarterly: $150,251.58

Subsequent A1’s: $4,000

So adding up quarterly cash on hand plus A1’s Cross has about $375K compared to Grogan’s $70K.

Comment by John Galt Wednesday, Nov 6, 13 @ 1:34 pm
Oswego Willy,

A serious question for you . . .

If Tom Cross is elected Treasurer would you support his office filing a lawsuit to seek judicial determination regarding the legality of a budget enacted by the General Assembly and signed by the Governor?

Comment by Bill White Wednesday, Nov 6, 13 @ 1:35 pm
Are women more likely to vote for male candidates who hire females to read scripts for their radio ads?

Please provide a rubric for rating.

Comment by Hans N. Sannity Wednesday, Nov 6, 13 @ 1:37 pm
>>Illinois’ elected officials have repeatedly failed to solve the state’s big problems.

Comment by Tommydanger Wednesday, Nov 6, 13 @ 2:01 pm
Hmmmm, refreshingly self critical or hoping people don’t know or remember he is one of the elected officials he’s complaining about?

I’ll wait until he says he’s an ‘outsider’ and then I’ll know.

Comment by Tommydanger Wednesday, Nov 6, 13 @ 2:03 pm
I’m not sure all the things he says he will do - match the Treasurer’s duties as described in the Illinois Constitution? Perhaps he should focus his ad on those duties? But then I guess that would make for boring ads.

SECTION 18. TREASURER - DUTIES
The Treasurer, in accordance with law, shall be responsible for the safekeeping and investment of monies and securities deposited with him, and for their disbursement upon order of the comptroller.
(Source: Illinois Constitution.)

Comment by Joe M Wednesday, Nov 6, 13 @ 2:13 pm
Way too many messages for one early ad. He could break this into three pieces, and probably will.

I’d avoid the reference to long-term elected officials.

I grant it’s unrealistic to promise an end to things the Treasurer really doesn’t control “on day one”, but some of those messages have some bite.

Comment by walkinfool Wednesday, Nov 6, 13 @ 2:43 pm
RE: Tom Cross will crack down on the corruption that is costing our pension system… How’s he going to do that as treasurer?

Comment by foster brooks Wednesday, Nov 6, 13 @ 2:43 pm
Those are great things he wants to do….which he already has failed to do since 1993 and as republican minority leader has failed to accomplish. ….no vote in the primary from this solid suburban elected official

Comment by Local Mayor Wednesday, Nov 6, 13 @ 2:56 pm
A lawyer saying that he’s “…demanding the courts enforce the state’s balanced budget requirement…”

HUH?

Comment by huh Wednesday, Nov 6, 13 @ 2:59 pm
What’s the size of the ad buy? It says three markets, but doesn’t indicate how much he’s plunking down.

I agree the ads need to be broken up. Is it possible he’s created a “master ad” that will in fact be broken up for more target efforts in the future?

How much of the ad buy is to actually get his name out there versus just trying to demoralize Grogan?

Comment by John Galt Wednesday, Nov 6, 13 @ 3:20 pm
I’m a little late to post, but I couldn’t help myself…

That ad is just political nonsense. I also found it ironic that Cross was at the helm of House leadership for more than a decade and left his own party in a financial mess… and this man is qualified to be state treasurer?

Comment by In the Middle Wednesday, Nov 6, 13 @ 5:19 pm
As one of the big four he was directly in the seat to create and ’solve the state’s big problems’. Didn’t happen so he walks away. Now he is going to crack down, put an end, and clean those same things up as Treasurer. OK.

Comment by zatoichi Wednesday, Nov 6, 13 @ 5:42 pm
Isn’t he suggesting that Rutherford isn’t doing any of those things?

Comment by Just Me Wednesday, Nov 6, 13 @ 8:54 pm
Absolutely love the ad and give it an A+. It’ll do as much good as Rauner’s millions spent on TV ads no one ever saw.

What’s 2Putz’s gay lobby pay-off? It better be worth it because he just lost most of the state below I-80.

The Gidwitz/Oberweis IL GOP is a sight to behold in wonder.

Comment by otoh Thursday, Nov 7, 13 @ 10:44 am