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* Bruce Rauner’s campaign is up on the air with some hard-hitting 15-second TV ads against two of his three opponents. First up, Sen. Kirk Dillard, who “was a registered lobbyist while he was a legislator.” Rate it…
* Next up, Sen. Bill Brady, who voted for tax hikes and pay raises, according to the ad. “Less money for you, more for him.” Rate it as well…
Two recent polls have shown either Dillard or Brady (depending on the poll) bumping up a bit. These two ads appear designed to bring them both down a notch as we await what is billed as a new, killer ad by the Rauner-hating unions.
posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Feb 28, 14 @ 1:50 pm
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As usual with the Rauner campaign, both are good ads.
Comment by MissSmartyPants Friday, Feb 28, 14 @ 1:52 pm
Both about a B+. Quick, efficient, easy to understand. :15 a lot less expensive to run a lot of. Interested to see what the placement looks like i.e. back to back or bookended on other spots.
Comment by A guy... Friday, Feb 28, 14 @ 1:55 pm
Like Rauner, don’t like Rauner. The guy is running a top shelf campaign.
Comment by Big Muddy Friday, Feb 28, 14 @ 1:55 pm
Both ads play to the base. I have to agree with Big Muddy.
The killer ad better live up to its billing. The fat lady is getting ready to start singing.
Comment by Norseman Friday, Feb 28, 14 @ 1:59 pm
Very well done… Quite a box PQ is in.. Awaiting the new killer ad from unions… Should get it out yesterday… Rauner will just roll out an ad attacking all of them…the other 2..and PQ..
Comment by Walter Mitty Friday, Feb 28, 14 @ 2:01 pm
“Why take a chance?”
Covers the bases until the “Killer Ad” surfaces.
Of course the Loch Ness Monster surfaces, but like that, will people see it and believe it?
Tick tock… Tick tock
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Feb 28, 14 @ 2:04 pm
Good ads; outstanding strategy. Rauner seems to be saying: Go ahead and attack me. I’ll attack the others and we’ll keep the status quo.
Smart.
Comment by Just Saying Friday, Feb 28, 14 @ 2:04 pm
The Rauner ad attacking Senator Dillard for being a registered lobbyist is dishonest. In 2000, he was dinged by the Center for Public Integrity, which criticized Dillard for being a registered lobbyist while serving as a lawmaker. Then with the law firm Lord, Bissell & Brook, Dillard said he registered to err on the side of caution but never lobbied for the firm.
Because of the way the current lobbying law is written that is not an absurd explanation is it? Moreover, Rauner is trying with this add to turn registered lobbyists into some type of insider criminal class operating in Springfield.
Does that include the registered lobbyists for the Illinois Manufactures’ Association too? Please let Jerry Peck know that ok.
Comment by Rod Friday, Feb 28, 14 @ 2:14 pm
I`m still not picking anyone till march 18 but leaning.
Comment by Anonymous Friday, Feb 28, 14 @ 2:17 pm
Dillard ad rates an A. Rauner is remaining on message attacking “career politicians.” The legislator/lobbyist hit will be particularly effective.
Brady ad gets a B. Maybe lower-information voters may be aghast that legislators get pay raises like everyone else, but I don’t find it a problem. Nor is it a problem (for me) that Brady voted for “hundreds of millions for pork.” Isn’t it his job to support public infrastructure investments?
Agree with what other commenters here are saying. Rauner is running a great campaign tactically and strategically.
Rich, any hints on what the hit will be in the “killer ad?”
Comment by phocion Friday, Feb 28, 14 @ 2:17 pm
===but I don’t find it a problem===
That pay raise issue always polls well.
===Any hints===
All will be known soonish.
Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Feb 28, 14 @ 2:19 pm
B+ - if I was completely uninformed I would vote for BR based on these ads.
Comment by veritas Friday, Feb 28, 14 @ 2:20 pm
Is “soonish” the same as “anonish” was in the time of Shakespeare?
Comment by A guy... Friday, Feb 28, 14 @ 2:23 pm
I would like to see that picture of Rahm and Rauner … “holding” each other with an ominous script.
Rahm is polling at 50% “unlikely to vote for someone close to Rahm” in a GOP primary… but that is “just me”…
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Feb 28, 14 @ 2:24 pm
Rich,
Is there any truth to the rumor that the “killer ad” will feature family members of the plaintiffs in the resthome cases?
Comment by Raunerbot Friday, Feb 28, 14 @ 2:25 pm
The spots are fine, in and of themselves. Nothing special, but the montage of Brady stills is pretty funny.
I’m not so sure about the media strategy. The other guys aren’t going to get on TV. Why bring them up, on TV? Why not produce fresh, positive spots on yourself?
Seriously, Bruce, you’ve done the intros. Don’t you have a testimonial in your bag-of-tricks? A couple of sympathetic characters who will say what a swell guy you are?
C’mon, dude, that’s basic — make your peeps work for it. They’re phoning it in because of air superiority.
It’s kind of like the commenter earlier who saw the response to the nursing home spot five times in one night, but has yet to see the spot that prompted it. Why bring it up in markets where it’s not on the air?
And if you’re going to go negative against the Other 3, why not continue with the sneaky PAC spots? Why put your name on it?
I bet it has something to do with the buy and who-gets-what. There’s a big pie there to be cut up and a lot of voices howling for a piece, I’m guessing.
Comment by wordslinger Friday, Feb 28, 14 @ 2:25 pm
Where does Rauner cite anything in his ads? For all we know, it could all be BS.
Comment by MrCR Friday, Feb 28, 14 @ 2:27 pm
Disagree Word. The point of these ads is to prevent anyone from becoming the Rauner alternative. He knocked off Rutherford (or helped him knock himself off) and now he doesn’t want either of these guys to get any traction. Very smart.
Comment by Chicago Cynic Friday, Feb 28, 14 @ 2:29 pm
Would have liked to see the negative Rutherford ad before he executed the plan “How to lose a campaign in 10 days.”
Comment by Almost the Weekend Friday, Feb 28, 14 @ 2:39 pm
No citations to back up claims. Weak ads. C-
Comment by IbendahlLuvsJBT Friday, Feb 28, 14 @ 2:42 pm
Tactically they may be smart but they’re dirty, mean-spirited and misleading in the case of Dillard and I don’t like them.
It’s also outrageously hypocritical to tweak Dillard for his vote on the Pension Bonds “$10b in debt” when it’s very possible that Rauner’s firm GTCR got a slice of that cash from TRS or ISBI. As they say, follow the money.
Comment by Arthur Andersen Friday, Feb 28, 14 @ 2:42 pm
Didn’t Rauner just say last night during the debate that he doesn’t attach his opponents? oh wait not until after the debate is finished.
Comment by PoolGuy Friday, Feb 28, 14 @ 2:44 pm
attack. ugh
Comment by PoolGuy Friday, Feb 28, 14 @ 2:46 pm
Good. Maybe it will motivate Dillard and Brady to stop running such wimpy campaigns. Their time is almost up.
Comment by too obvious Friday, Feb 28, 14 @ 2:50 pm
The lawyer letters will FLY on these - patently false and without backup to any source. Rauner launched his lawyers at attack ads that were cited with authority. These are self-serving with no attribution for viewers to verify. Rauner must think (know) it’s a no-intel voting base!
Comment by Reformed Public Servant Friday, Feb 28, 14 @ 2:51 pm
Good ads…short and unmindful of actual facts explaining what the charges are. Reminds me of Buddy Bishop ads from the 70s and 80s.
Comment by Commonsense in Illinois Friday, Feb 28, 14 @ 2:52 pm
CC, I have no problem with negative spots. But you don’t want to look mean-spirited or kicking someone when they’re down.
As far as one of them becoming the Rauner alternative, I guess they’ll have to tear each other to shreds before that happens.
I would have had the spots in the can, but I wouldn’t have spent any money on them now. Looking at the polling, I can’t see a reason to.
This might be the only time these two guys get on TV. Positive spots featuring Uncle Bruce would have been better.
Comment by wordslinger Friday, Feb 28, 14 @ 2:56 pm
–The lawyer letters will FLY on these - patently false and without backup to any source. –
Lot of good that will do.
Somebody contracted to produce and place the negative spots and they want to be paid before the train leaves the station.
Lot of money on the Rauner Train.
Comment by wordslinger Friday, Feb 28, 14 @ 2:59 pm
After 11 million spent, the panic begins. Let’s hope the GOP voters continue to make Bruce nervous as they turn from him.
Comment by Polls Friday, Feb 28, 14 @ 3:00 pm
Well ya just knew THIS was comin’, and that it was just a matter of time, for good ‘ol Brucie to show that he’s up to the old tricks again. Obviously, with the lead and as such, a BIGger Dagger and Slice of the GOP “Contribution$” Pie (shucks he practically OWNS THAT Pie!), ya just knew he’d come out like a shark with vicious attempts to try and cut each and every one of his opponents down to size and chop them up into bits and pieces WITH that same, huge dagger.
And all of this hypocritcally coming on the very HEELS of how Brucie was boasting pontifically just last NIGHT in the Debate about how HARD he’s tried to aVOID slamming his GOP Opponents…yeah RIGHT! As to the Ads, oh, they respectively have GOT to sting each of ‘em somewhat, but they’re ALso lightweight in some regards: C on the whole.
Comment by Just The Way It Is One Friday, Feb 28, 14 @ 3:11 pm
==lightweight in some regards: C on the whole==
There is nothing lightweight about an ad with D-Lard.
Comment by Raunerbot Friday, Feb 28, 14 @ 3:17 pm
Who said Brady and Dillard couldn’t get on tv? Wow that rauner is sure generous if it weren’t for his commercials nobody would even know there was a campaign going on!
Comment by William j Kelly Friday, Feb 28, 14 @ 3:44 pm
He who controls the airways controls the universe!
With all due respect to Frank Herbert.
Comment by Wensicia Friday, Feb 28, 14 @ 4:05 pm
Rauner’s air war has been superb. Only thing that could trip him up would be if all the people convinced by the ads stay home, and only the hard core GOP voters show up. Given how weak the remainder of the field is, however, I’m not sure if even record low turnout would make any difference.
Comment by Illinois Man Friday, Feb 28, 14 @ 4:34 pm
I just saw these ads on tv. They are running back to back to create a full 30 second spot. It makes them lose some effectiveness…
Comment by Anonymous Friday, Feb 28, 14 @ 4:36 pm
“Rich,
Is there any truth to the rumor that the “killer ad” will feature family members of the plaintiffs in the resthome cases?”
The nursing home legal mess is ongoing. In one case, the estate of one of the deceased former nursing home residents is trying to collect the lawsuit settlement and is alleging that the nursing home company fraudulently tried to evade liability.
If one wants to apply the business model in running the government and was a businessperson, it’s only fair to scrutinize the business activities.
If I got anything wrong, I apologize in advance. My brain is fried. Another winter storm is coming down the pike. I wish everyone the best in Springfield and central Illinois, where the storm is supposed to be at its strongest.
Uncle!
Comment by Grandson of Man Friday, Feb 28, 14 @ 4:43 pm
Lousy
Comment by Think About It Friday, Feb 28, 14 @ 4:47 pm
@2:51PM=Rauner launched his lawyers=
Rauner claim is the nursing home cases were “overturned”, (he did not claim they were untrue). That doesn’t mean the people did not die. It just meant his lawyers got him out of it. Kind of like OJs California trial. If you have good enough lawyers, you can get away with almost anything. Rauner has enough money to buy an army of good lawyers.
Comment by DuPage Friday, Feb 28, 14 @ 4:49 pm
==the rumor that the “killer ad” will feature family members…==
Oh I wouldn’t be shocked at ALL to see that angle presented with suffering Loved Ones revealed as to how deeply and horrendously the Nursing Home Debacle has devastated their lives and that there would be more residual Fall-Out from the Rauner company Lawsuits ,because when I hear different people talkin’ about it at work and how despite all those deaths and mistreatment of innocent Senior Citizens, Rauner still made “BILLions?!” When ya hear comments like that from “regular” folk who sound really now instanTAneously turned-off by Rauner as a result, I KNOW it’s having a real impact, and they as Voters ARE looking to find out more…
Comment by Just The Way It Is One Friday, Feb 28, 14 @ 4:59 pm
Well, hate to say it but most people in nursing homes die there…
The question kids if it was due to consistent negligence and if that can be pinned on Bruce and his company. (Commented a while back the nursing home ad would work better if the family was involved)
Also what is false about the ads about Dillard and Brady? Was Dillard not a registered lobbyist while being a member of the legislature? I don’t think the issue is someone was a lobbyist, but being one while a member of the legislature will rub some folks the wrong way.
Dill Brady never vote for a capital program? I think you could say the same things about anyone who has been in the legislature for 20 years regardless of party. That’s the downside of being a legislator you have a record and anyones voting record (or a list of bills the submitted) could be cherry picked to make them look bad. It’s a fact of life.
Comment by Oneman Friday, Feb 28, 14 @ 5:07 pm
==Well, hate to say it but most people in nursing homes die there==
Well, they’re going to die anyway, so what? is not the best defense.
Comment by Wensicia Friday, Feb 28, 14 @ 5:11 pm
===Well, hate to say it but most people in nursing homes die there…===
Thanks for sharing.
Really made my Friday.
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Feb 28, 14 @ 5:12 pm
===“killer ad” will feature family members ===
From what I was told a week ago, at least one, yes.
Stay tuned. I think it’ll be any minute now.
Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Feb 28, 14 @ 5:16 pm
I am deeply offended by Bruce Rauner’s characterization of Illinois being in a death spiral. I am deeply offended by all politicians dragging Illinois and all Illinois politicians through the mud for their own personal political benefit.
Comment by Spike Friday, Feb 28, 14 @ 5:20 pm
== Well, they’re going to die anyway, so what? is not the best defense. ==
True but outrage will come from cause of death not death it’s self.
The other question is, considering how well the ad work has been for Bruce so far, do they have a couple of counters already ready and if so will they overwhelm the Union stuff?
Comment by Oneman Friday, Feb 28, 14 @ 5:25 pm
===True but outrage will come from cause of death not death it’s self.===
That makes it all better I guess, instead of …
===Well, hate to say it but most people in nursing homes die there…===
Still, a nice Friday gift…
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Feb 28, 14 @ 5:32 pm
Rauner’s people are always spot on. They are running some of the best and most polished campaign ads I’ve seen in a state that tried to roll out Squeezy the Pythoon. Money is one thing, but a campaign team that stays on message and produces these kinds of ads looks like a winner to me. Very impressive.
Comment by Bocephus Friday, Feb 28, 14 @ 6:05 pm
===Rauner’s people are always spot on. They are running some of the best and most polished campaign ads I’ve seen in a state that tried to roll out Squeezy the Pythoon.===
Squeezy the Python was not a campaign Ad.
Even the Rauner Crew knows its not a campaign Ad.
Lot of commenters seem to just brag on the Rauner Crew and “woosh”. Maybe Scrimpf has Schrimpferbots? lol
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Feb 28, 14 @ 6:14 pm
Never said Squeezy was a campaign ad. But it did come from PQ’s people who are way overmatched this time. “I’m just an old Cracker Barrel guy” is not going to play this time for PQ. Maybe he can tell people he’s “the Education Governor” again. Good luck with that.
Comment by Bocephus Friday, Feb 28, 14 @ 6:56 pm
Quinn just hired a Campaign Manager and using his Ad people from last time, so saying “they” created Squeezy…well, that is a bit “misinformed”
Good luck with that, lol
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Feb 28, 14 @ 7:25 pm
What bugs me about Rauner’s ads is his lack of decent sources. None in these attack ads (which I saw twice on different network stations in Springfield tonight), no dates or questionable sources in others. Yes it’s a minor thing that most people don’t care about but it’s just a basic thing they cannot grasp.
Comment by MyTwoCents Friday, Feb 28, 14 @ 9:01 pm
Quinn better start saying his prayers… Right now it looks like Rauner is going to clean his clock no matter how much money the mob ( excuse me, unions) dump into his campaign !
Comment by Donkey Dem Monday, Mar 10, 14 @ 9:41 am