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* If you happen to be watching today’s Bears game, you may have just seen a new ad featuring Bruce Rauner and Mike Ditka. From a press release…
Bruce Rauner just launched a new television advertisement and digital campaign featuring Mike Ditka.
Visit www.DitkaTough.com to watch the ad and learn more.
The spot aired moments ago during the Chicago Bears regular season opener against the Buffalo Bills.
* If you weren’t watching, or were channel surfing during the commercial break, here it is…
That’s one of the best Ditka ads I’ve seen in a long while.
I’ll open comments on Monday.
* Crain’s ran a story not long ago about Ditka’s broad appeal…
Seventy-one percent of sports fans in the United States know who Mike Ditka is, according to New York-based Q Scores Co., which polls 2,000 fans ages 13 to 64 nationwide every six months. That makes him the second-most-recognizable sports figure with strong Chicago ties, behind only Michael Jordan (87 percent) and more prominent than Bears quarterback Jay Cutler (68 percent), former Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher (62 percent) and Bulls guard Derrick Rose (61 percent). […]
Mr. Ditka’s agent, Steve Mandell, declines to say how much his client pulls in, but industry experts peg his annual take at $2 million to $3 million. Messrs. Jordan and Rose likely are the only Chicago sports personalities who earn more each year from product deals. In the 32 years since he became the Bears’ head coach, Mr. Ditka, 74, has made far more than he earned playing or coaching and still commands up to $250,000 per national brand endorsement, according to media buyers who have worked with him. […]
Mr. Ditka’s reputation as a hard-nosed, working-class American also stretches across generations, says Stormy Simon, co-president of Salt Lake City-based Overstock.com, which used him and former Bears quarterback Jim McMahon in a series of ads in December. The coach, her research showed, even connected with kids born after Mr. Ditka’s coaching career ended.
“They didn’t know his success from football. They knew him as ‘Juice Box,’ “ she says, a reference to his character in the 2005 movie “Kicking & Screaming.” “He’s just this guy who keeps himself relevant in various ways.”
…Adding… Pearson…
Ditka, who has licensed his name for clothing, wine, Bloody Mary mix and sausages, was not paid for the spot, Rauner spokesman Mike Schrimpf said in an email.
…Adding More… From a Democratic strategist…
I can’t recall the last time I saw polling for Ditka, but I guarantee you he isn’t a strong mover with independent women in the suburbs. It’s a dumb strategy, just like most of the TV spending in that race.
…Adding Even More… The Sun-Times points out that Ditka can’t vote for Rauner because he’s been registered to vote in Florida since 2000. But…
Rauner campaign spokesman Mike Schrimpf told Early & Often that Ditka’s voting credentials shouldn’t be issue now since they weren’t four years ago – when Ditka endorsed Quinn over Republican Bill Brady and appeared in an ad for the Democratic governor.
“Pat Quinn certainly thought he was qualified in 2010,” Schrimpf said. […]
Quinn’s campaign publicly sidestepped slamming the revered former Bears coach for not being registered to vote in Illinois and endorsing Rauner.
“Only a billionaire with a $140,000 wine club membership could afford to run such expensive ads during the Bears game,” Quinn campaign spokeswoman Izabela Miltko said in a prepared statement.
“Not to mention, if Mr. Rauner is such a Bears fan, why’s he a part owner of the Pittsburgh Steelers?” she said.
The 2010 Ditka endorsement of Quinn is here.
posted by Rich Miller
Sunday, Sep 7, 14 @ 12:53 pm
Sorry, comments are closed at this time.
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After yesterday’s pathetic effort by “Da Bears”, a little nostalgia for “the way things were” seems comforting.
Comment by Six Degrees of Separation Monday, Sep 8, 14 @ 8:26 am
It was cutesy, it did remind me of Will Ferrell in “Kicking & Screaming”. Good superficially, but made Bruce a character or caricature playing to Ditka
If I just saw it, I liked it, if I heard and saw it, paying attention, it looked like a skit.
However, Great tweet - @dan_bernstein: Does Bruce Rauner understand that most people think Ditka is a clown, and that every cause/candidate he supports fails? Terrible call.
You don’t need sports talk radio mocking you. It’s like opening another front yourself. Ditka’s Q rating covers the sins, I would run it. The fallout will be Berstein and sports talk radio mocking it
That is the fear I guess, but it was savy and cutesy by Bruce, but the fear is Joe Six Pack hears on The Score how phony Rauner and Ditka are. It’s a stellar ad, will it outlive some mocking
Also, does Bruce want to go down owing sports teams too? It’s just a front you opened unintentionally. That isn’t an average guy either.
I’m probably overthinking it, it was cutesy and fun. I guess I wouldn’t had like the staged banter like with Diana. That is the rub I think makes me take pause.
If Bruce gets through Sports talk unscathed it will be genius, but that tweet is/was an omen.
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Sep 8, 14 @ 8:27 am
I wouldn’t be too concerned about what Dan Bernstein says. He’s a left-wing ideologue who occasionally does sports.
Comment by Klondike Captain Monday, Sep 8, 14 @ 8:36 am
No, they didn’t have to pay Ditka, they just had to film it at his restaurant. Ditka doesn’t work for free. Ask around about “one take Ditka” too.
Comment by 47th Ward Monday, Sep 8, 14 @ 8:36 am
Bernstein is much like Howard Stern… People listen probably as much because they dislike him… But, Da Coach has proved staying power and is beloved. Great Ad and provides the narrative. Folks are ripe for change. Who knows how many votes will be gained, I would say more than the amount lost by it. And that’s the point I suppose.
Comment by Walter Mitty Monday, Sep 8, 14 @ 8:37 am
=== Bernstein is much like Howard Stern… People listen probably as much because they dislike him ===
Howard Stern has a much, much more loyal following than any other radio personality out there. Not that his audience always agrees with him, but he does have enormous sway.
Comment by Just Observing Monday, Sep 8, 14 @ 8:42 am
That was actually really good, simple, funny and a nice fun endorsement at this time of the cycle.
Comment by Ahoy! Monday, Sep 8, 14 @ 8:46 am
Great move by the Rauner camp. After all, it worked for Alan Keyes…
Comment by Chi Monday, Sep 8, 14 @ 8:52 am
I didn’t hear a clear message. The only advantage of this ad seems to be raising Rauner’s profile with a Chicago A-lister. However, this isn’t setting him apart or persuading me to vote for him. Perhaps just increasing his likability? Seems too staged…
Comment by Illinoise Monday, Sep 8, 14 @ 8:53 am
Any rauner ad,like the Bears on Sunday is a loser.
Comment by BMAN Monday, Sep 8, 14 @ 8:55 am
You have to admit its unconventional. But I think it’s smart for Bruce.
Comment by Jechislo Monday, Sep 8, 14 @ 8:57 am
Ditka is helping out because he is still honked off he didn’t run against Obama in 2004.
And it is a great ad!!
Comment by Wally Monday, Sep 8, 14 @ 8:58 am
Bernstein is a clown- Ditka can draw a thousand people to an event. In McHenry he filled the hall. Bernstein couldn’t draw water
Comment by Votecounter Monday, Sep 8, 14 @ 8:59 am
Willy, Bernstein is what we call a jock sniffer. He never played any sports at a high level, and everything with him is negative. He dwells on the negative aspect of all teams in Chicago. Nobody, but nobody cares about his opinion, other than those who like him, are all about the world is ending if a Chicago team loses. Which before you say it is a lot of people , but he dose not carry any weight in this arena. The coach however is respected by many people and his name rec is off the charts.
All the being said its a cute commercial and it will not hurt one bit, but can only help a little.
I must admit I laughed my you know what off when I first saw it.
I only wish Da coach could give that same look to Cutler, Treastman , and Tucker after that Fiasco.
Comment by Leprechaun Monday, Sep 8, 14 @ 9:00 am
Good ad. Keeps your attention, and works on a number of different levels.
Comment by John A Logan Monday, Sep 8, 14 @ 9:02 am
That was a good ad. Bernstein likes to think of himself as the model for the uber-interrigent sports fan. Ditka would definitely be the anti-Bernstein.
Comment by Peoria guy Monday, Sep 8, 14 @ 9:02 am
I am sorry to see Rauner’s original ‘game plan’ of deceiving voters about his real plan and relationship with Rahm is even working on my hero, da coach! http://youtu.be/dV_9OFxOhAo
Comment by William j Kelly Monday, Sep 8, 14 @ 9:04 am
===Nobody, but nobody cares about his opinion, other than those who like him…===
Isn’t that the WHOLE point? lol.
===Bernstein is a clown- Ditka can draw a thousand people to an event. In McHenry he filled the hall. Bernstein couldn’t draw water===
Why do people pay cash money to be heard on radio? To be heard. Berstein, like any radio host, talks, people listen, and it’s free.
Do you want someone calling you a clown for 3 hours on radio?
Don’t be too dismissive, If Rauner being a phony to a captive audience mocking the idea “Ditka endorse anything”, or mocking Alan Keyes and Bruce now carrying that baggage too.
Radio shows love a running bit…
I liked it, but will there be a undercurrent fallout? I don’t think so…but that tweet is an interesting “tell and take”. That’s it.
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Sep 8, 14 @ 9:07 am
Good fun with a famous Chicago icon.
Rauner continues to shut down the negative campaign stereotypes Quinn has been spending millions. Rauner will continue to expose these negative ads as nonsense, with a smile, a watch, a jacket, a van, a wife, and other items every voter can relate to him through.
Comment by VanillaMan Monday, Sep 8, 14 @ 9:08 am
Why would I listen to a rich guy endorse another super-rich guy for any election?? They both are in to things that will make them more money or give them more power or stroke their massive egos. I hope talk radio skewers both of them.
Comment by Big Joe Monday, Sep 8, 14 @ 9:08 am
No one’s on the fence about Rauner because they don’t think he has enough important friends or heard enough platitudes about how he’s going to “shake up Springfield.” What’s holding Rauner back is the question of sincerity. Can you actually believe what he’s saying? Is he being honest about who he is and what he stands for? Is there any genuine substance behind the heavily focus-grouped persona?
Having him play a caricature against Ditka doesn’t solve this problem, it exacerbates it.
Comment by Nope, nope, nope Monday, Sep 8, 14 @ 9:13 am
Bernstein’s opinion is worthless. As is Ditka’s. The difference is that Bernstein is actually quite funny while Ditka’s is not so funny.
As for the using Ditka’s in the ad this leads to the question of whether Rainer thinks changing the offensive Redskins name is “asinine” (as Ditka’s believes).
Comment by shockjock Monday, Sep 8, 14 @ 9:13 am
what big joe said…the Bears aren’t so much beloved these days anyways…especially after the debacle yesterday…I’ll listen to Ditka on football maybe, not politics…
Comment by Loop Lady Monday, Sep 8, 14 @ 9:13 am
So did Ditka set himself up for scrutiny by throwing himself in the political process? Are reporters going to search out his restaurants and see if all the kitchen help are legal citizens? What about his other business ventures? Tax Breaks? Sweetheart deals? Ditka should have kept his mouth shut and stayed out of the political spotlight…this is going to back fire on him and his almost religious standing as Da’Coach!!!!
Comment by Da' Bears Monday, Sep 8, 14 @ 9:14 am
Looks like a skit with Rauner attempting to act. Since he’s been doing that since he began running, I wasn’t surprised to see him acting here too.
Comment by PublicServant Monday, Sep 8, 14 @ 9:18 am
The only thing I’m interested in is Rauner’s “bust-out” nursing home scheme going to trial this month. I suspect we’ll see that the only thing Rauner shakes up (or more, specifically, down) is the money out of seniors’ pockets.
Comment by Frenchie Mendoza Monday, Sep 8, 14 @ 9:18 am
Quite honestly, I’d respect the opinion of Gary Fencik before that of Ditka.
Comment by Skeptic Monday, Sep 8, 14 @ 9:21 am
Nice ad. If you think celebrity endorsements matter, this is a good one.
But I’d forgotten about Ditka and Alan Keyes … they’re birds of a feather, all three of them.
Comment by olddog Monday, Sep 8, 14 @ 9:25 am
I saw the ad during the game.
So now Rauner’s back to smashing special interests, I see. He’s been soft for a while, but now he’s back with a fury. What happened to his folksy van driving? What happened to the moderate that his wife is selling in TV commercials?
Who is this guy? Willy, how many Rauners are there?
Ditka likes Sarah Palin, so that says enough about his politics to me. Plus, Ditka’s facial expression on the commercial represented angry old Republicans pretty well.
Comment by Grandson of Man Monday, Sep 8, 14 @ 9:26 am
From Howard Stern Show 10/30/10:
Mike also explained why he wouldn’t run for public office, despite his immense popularity in Chicago: “I was asked to run for Senator and you know, to me, being a politician is all about serving.” There’s a technical issue as well: “I am a resident of the state of Florida…I spend most of my time in Chicago, my wife spends most of her time in Florida. Ideal situation.” Howard asked if Mike’s wife benefitted from his Levitra endorsement, so Mike laughed: “I think there are a lot of men who need help…I have no problem with it.”
Can Ditka even vote here?
Comment by LizPhairTax Monday, Sep 8, 14 @ 9:27 am
I knew this ad was effective when I saw David Axelrod’s tweet sneering that Ditka was an “Alan Keyes Republican”.
Comment by qcexaminer Monday, Sep 8, 14 @ 9:28 am
Ditka should’ve won 3 Super Bowls with the talent he had in the mid-80s, he was too busy promoting himself.
Comment by James the Intolerant Monday, Sep 8, 14 @ 9:28 am
What is a “special interest,” according to Bruce Rauner??? That is what I would love to know.
Comment by yo Monday, Sep 8, 14 @ 9:31 am
Looks to me like Ditka got a free ad for his restaurant.
Just another example of how Bruce can’t be bought, he’s too busy doing the buying.
Comment by Anonymous Monday, Sep 8, 14 @ 9:31 am
=== So did Ditka set himself up for scrutiny by throwing himself in the political process? Are reporters going to search out his restaurants and see if all the kitchen help are legal citizens? What about his other business ventures? Tax Breaks? Sweetheart deals? Ditka should have kept his mouth shut and stayed out of the political spotlight…this is going to back fire on him and his almost religious standing as Da’Coach!!!! ===
Take a deep breath. All of this predicted fall-out is only in your imagination.
Comment by Just Observing Monday, Sep 8, 14 @ 9:31 am
It’s a good plain simple ad. The ad promotes the ’shake up Illinois’, ‘tough’, and anti-’special interest’ themes without any details and without so much as a hint how Rauner will solve the states problems. The only major Rauner theme missing in this ad is the ‘corrupt union bosses’ theme.
Comment by Hit or Miss Monday, Sep 8, 14 @ 9:35 am
I happen to agree with Bernstein that Ditka is a clown. But as a Bears fan, he is our clown. He’s more a mascot of Bears fandom than Staley the Bear. Must’ve seen at least 3 people wearing t-shirts at the Bears game yesterday with cartoon cariacatures of Ditka on them and the people wearing them wouldn’t have been old enough to have been alive when Ditka was still coaching the Bears, let alone for the Super Bowl season or his playing days.
Comment by hisgirlfriday Monday, Sep 8, 14 @ 9:44 am
===Can Ditka even vote here?===
That would be fun & delicious, but it’s Ditka, it won’t matter.
- GOM -, there are at least 2 Rauners, but the variations are like different ingredients to a recipe, you add, you take away , but there is still only 2; beef and….chicken.
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Sep 8, 14 @ 9:45 am
OK ad. Traditional set-up and straight man bit seen every night on late night talk shows. Nice PR for Ditka’s.
Comment by zatoichi Monday, Sep 8, 14 @ 9:49 am
It’s fine. But Ditka flogs a lot of stuff. I don’t know that he’s ever moved the needle for anyone in a race. He did a spot for Quinn last time out.
Ditka’s quite mercurial when it comes to politics. In the abstract, he comes off to the right of the Attila the Hun.
But where the rubber meets the road, he can sound like a bleeding-heart lefty.
For example, he has long and loudly proclaimed that the NFL owners have a moral obligation to provide more pension money and health care benefits for old retired players. This is above and beyond what was called for in their contracts.
What would The Baron think of that, lol?
And he’s big fan of the NFL’s redistributionist revenue sharing policy, in which the big-market teams prop up the small-fry. You know, from each according to his abilities, to each according to his needs.
Comment by wordslinger Monday, Sep 8, 14 @ 9:54 am
Judging by the anger and pettiness of the Quinnsters, pretty good ad. No one is talking about Quinn’s lawn cutting ad this morning. That was one during the game as well.
Comment by Western Ave. Doug Monday, Sep 8, 14 @ 9:55 am
===No one is talking about Quinn’s lawn cutting ad this morning===
Why would anyone do that? We discussed that ad several days ago.
Comment by Rich Miller Monday, Sep 8, 14 @ 10:00 am
High Profile ad buy that wasn’t crowded out by all the other political ads during the traditional times? Fantastic.
Say what you will about the content, but it reached an audience not normally targeted by politicians. Also, during a live sports event, people are more likely to watch it, and not skip over the commercials like a DVRed show. The placement alone makes it a winner. Add the fact that it was actually relevant to what was being shown, and it’s probably one of the best ads that may sway independent voters.
Yeah, the content was light. If he put any more into it, though, he’d risk turning viewers off. Kinda like how you shouldn’t knock on doors during the game.
I remember a now-former US Senator from IL who appeared before a Monday Night Football game featuring the Bears. It seemed to work pretty well for that guy. I’m pretty the Bears lost that game though.
Comment by ChrisB Monday, Sep 8, 14 @ 10:01 am
===Judging by the anger and pettiness of the Quinnsters,…===
“Anger”? “Pettiness”?
Example of you hyperbole, please?
Rich hit it, we talked about the lawn more Ad last week, and I am pretty sure reading the topic of this Post, there is no mention of Quinn. Please try to follow along.
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Sep 8, 14 @ 10:02 am
=We discussed that ad several days ago.=
Sorry Rich, I know you did. I mean in social media, radio shows, and tv. IMO Ditka took the wind out of political advertising for the short term.
Comment by Western Ave. Doug Monday, Sep 8, 14 @ 10:03 am
I’m a Rauner guy and I thought this ad was sort of awkward. I think one fierce look from Ditka would have been enough as opposed to like three takes of back and forth.
Also, with the take from the Democratic strategist, how is it a dumb strategy to run an ad with the most popular Bears coach of all time during the Bears season opener? The ad made sense, it just wasn’t done that well.
Comment by Lunchbox Monday, Sep 8, 14 @ 10:07 am
Willy how is this for another example of Quinnster pettiness and anger?
==Ditka likes Sarah Palin, so that says enough about his politics to me. Plus, Ditka’s facial expression on the commercial represented angry old Republicans pretty well.==
Please follow along.
Comment by Western Ave. Doug Monday, Sep 8, 14 @ 10:10 am
“. . like a DVRed show.” Some of us record the game and watch it later in large part so we *can* skip over the ads. (And it allows me to spend the prime part of the day doing what I want and not in front of the TV. And it takes an hour less time to watch too.)
Comment by Skeptic Monday, Sep 8, 14 @ 10:16 am
Is there anything or anyone Mike Ditka won’t take money to endorse?!
Comment by Ducky LaMoore Monday, Sep 8, 14 @ 10:19 am
What I remember about Ditka is he took a winning team and destroyed it. I suppose Illinois will end up the same under Rauner.
Comment by A Jack Monday, Sep 8, 14 @ 10:30 am
- Western Ave. Doug -,
Thanks.
Sorry for asking you to strengthen your argument from beyond a drive-by. My mistake.
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Sep 8, 14 @ 10:31 am
Yet another reason to vote against Bruce Rauner.
Comment by Joan P. Monday, Sep 8, 14 @ 10:35 am
I didn’t get this ad at all.
To me, it a) makes Ditka look like the “leader” and not Rauner, and b) makes it look like Rauner is waffling on “taking on special interests”.
It’s all just weird and awkward and uncomfortable.
Comment by AlabamaShake Monday, Sep 8, 14 @ 10:42 am
Hard Hitting Ad. Ditka kinda reminds me somewhat of ‘ol Lonesome Rhodes - kinda homey like - but tough like a Coach. Lots of votes going to Rauner with this ad. Rauner sticks with the plan and the message he wins. period.
Comment by Mcleanic Monday, Sep 8, 14 @ 10:47 am
Prof. Willy,
I would say “your welcome”, but ouch. Didn’t realize I was back in freshman English in college. Gentleman’s C…
Comment by Western Ave. Doug Monday, Sep 8, 14 @ 10:49 am
I agree with Alabama. This ad was more about Ditka burnishing his no nonsense tough guy image. The fact that Rauner played second fiddle is NOT want voters want to see from a gubernatorial candidate.
Comment by shockjock Monday, Sep 8, 14 @ 11:00 am
If you still have some ground to gain in name recognition (Rauner does), nice call.
Comment by Anonymous Monday, Sep 8, 14 @ 11:04 am
Hey “A Jack”…
======What I remember about Ditka is he took a winning team and destroyed it. I suppose Illinois will end up the same under Rauner. ========
How, in 2014, after 12 years of total Democrat rule, where jobs are hemmoraging from this state, income and property taxes are higher than ever, our children graduating from college are relocating to other states to find opportunity, can you say that Illinois is currently “a winning team”?
Dude, put down the medical mary jane and admit, Illinois has been ruined, and keeping the same yahoos in power is the last thing we need to do right now.
Comment by Jerry Hubbard Monday, Sep 8, 14 @ 11:09 am
Is that how easy it is to change Rauner’s mind on something? Just stare at him?
Comment by Person 8 Monday, Sep 8, 14 @ 11:14 am
=== I would say “your welcome”, but ouch. Didn’t realize I was back in freshman English in college. ===
Of course if we *were* back in freshman English, you’d say “you’re welcome.” Right?
(Sorry. I couldn’t help it.)
Comment by olddog Monday, Sep 8, 14 @ 11:22 am
Not a bad ad. Not a good ad. Doesn’t move imo. People are very good at separating sports from politics, don’t think anyone is or isn’t going to vote for Rauner because of Ditka.
As someone brought up: does this open the door on Rauner being asked about the name “Redskins”? That’s the only way I could see this ad making a difference, if it somehow causes foot-in-mouth over the Washington name with Rauner.
Comment by From the 'Dale to HP Monday, Sep 8, 14 @ 11:31 am
As a Capitol Fax reader AND A BOERS AND BERNSTEIN Listener - I have to chirp up.
Bernsie is a left winger, no doubt but does not pain to hide it. He talks more sports than a lot of people and frankly at least has an educated opinion, unlike his former counterpart Mike North…
Now to Ditka and Rauner… I am not sure if I can copy the link Rich, but am happy to provide it, but the YouTube Video does exist of Ditka endorsing Quinn in 2010 and it is easy to find. So my question to Da Coach is, why the switch? Why were you for Quinn in 2010 and Rauner in 2014?
Comment by Rahm's Parking Meter Monday, Sep 8, 14 @ 11:32 am
People obsess and analyze this stuff way too much.
Average viewer thought it was funny, I bet.
Comment by Formerpol Monday, Sep 8, 14 @ 11:54 am
Thanks olddog. You’re right. I will shut up now.
Comment by Western Ave. Doug Monday, Sep 8, 14 @ 12:13 pm
@ Western Ave. Doug
No reason to shut up. I just blame it on AutoCorrect when I do that.
Comment by olddog Monday, Sep 8, 14 @ 12:40 pm
I am with you Formerpol have a little fun with it
Comment by E town Monday, Sep 8, 14 @ 12:42 pm
Strikes me as silly and awkward, but I suppose it will appeal to the same Joe Sixpacks moved by a guy featuring one old car kept at one of his 9 or whatever large homes.
Comment by too obvious Monday, Sep 8, 14 @ 12:55 pm
Ditka also does cigars and FL resort…Binny’s too
He gets 25k per speech and was a money loser for a central ill group about 2 years ago
Not that it means much but Proft trashed the ad too.
Could be a revolt of the whack jobs on the horizon
Comment by circularfiringsquad Monday, Sep 8, 14 @ 1:05 pm
- Ducky LaMoore - Monday, Sep 8, 14 @ 10:19 am:
Is there anything or anyone Mike Ditka won’t take money to endorse?!
Ducky you beat me to it. Whether it’s cheap wine with his face on it, a liquor chain stores, you name it he will endorse it if there’s a buck to be made by him. Loved him as a coach (except when he went nuclear on some one of his schleps who made a mistake on the field), but when he endorse Keyes for senate he lost my respect. Endorsing Quinn last time around sealed it for me. Now he endorses Rauner ? Principled he is not when it comes to politics
Comment by Anonymous Monday, Sep 8, 14 @ 1:13 pm
All I’ll say is this ad -cries out- for Youtube parody spoofing. Take any controversial quote from Rauner, and intersperse “Ditka staring” afterwards. Get on it, Netroots Nation.
Comment by ZC Monday, Sep 8, 14 @ 1:16 pm
The spot needs some edits:
1. First Ditka stare - keep Ditka face, music ‘daaa’
2. Second stare - Cullerton face, music ‘dahhh’
3. Third stare - Madigan face, music ‘DAAAAA’
Rest stays as is.
Comment by zatoichi Monday, Sep 8, 14 @ 1:16 pm
==- GOM -, there are at least 2 Rauners, but the variations are like different ingredients to a recipe, you add, you take away , but there is still only 2; beef and….chicken.==
And there are at least 2 Pat Quinns. The important question is, will these alter-ego candidates split the vote for the “real” Rauner or Quinn (assuming there is such a person)?
Comment by Anon. Monday, Sep 8, 14 @ 1:42 pm
–the most popular Bears coach of all time–
Halas, dude. He was at the Hupmobile showroom in Canton.
Comment by wordslinger Monday, Sep 8, 14 @ 1:55 pm
Da Coach knew one thing: football. Then it so happened that he was dumb enough to run Defensive Coordinator Buddy Ryan out of town.
Buddy was the architect of the famed “46″ defense that was instrumental in winning the Super Bowl that year. Great move, Ditka.
Iron Mike should stick to cigars and restaurants and whatever the 20 other things are he endorses.
Comment by low level Monday, Sep 8, 14 @ 2:12 pm
–Then it so happened that he was dumb enough to run Defensive Coordinator Buddy Ryan out of town.–
He didn’t run anybody out of town.
Buddy got offered his first-ever head coaching job with an underachieving team loaded with talent.
Any coordinator would have taken that Philly head coaching job in a heartbeat. Buddy turned out to be a great coordinator but a mediocre head coach. He never did anything with that Eagles team.
Comment by wordslinger Monday, Sep 8, 14 @ 2:43 pm
I know this ad is not designed for the likes of me but what I took from it is that Rauner has to be intimidated into doing the right thing. Not sure how that makes him an attractive candidate.
Comment by girllawyer Monday, Sep 8, 14 @ 3:13 pm
Dan Bernstein on the Score tweeted Ditka blaming Obama for “Ray Rice beating his fiancée”.
You think Rauner’s commercial will be replayed any more?
Comment by Nonplussed Monday, Sep 8, 14 @ 4:56 pm
– Rauner will continue to expose these negative ads as nonsense, with a smile, a watch, a jacket, a van, a wife, and other items every voter can relate to him through. –
And he will continue to run a load of negative spots against Quinn.
Comment by wordslinger Monday, Sep 8, 14 @ 5:34 pm
And now Ditka is speaking up in defense of Ray Rice. Money quote “Now his earning power is ruined”. I don’t think you’ll see this ad running much longer.
Comment by Lester Holt's Mustache Monday, Sep 8, 14 @ 5:44 pm
Good? Id like to see the bad ones.
Comment by Obamas Puppy Monday, Sep 8, 14 @ 5:45 pm
Please show us where Ditka is defending Ray Rice that is way out of line Lester Holt. Brutality of anybody let alone a woman is sick and making light of it or twisting facts is way way out of line.
Comment by Leprechaun Monday, Sep 8, 14 @ 6:06 pm
My other posts aren’t showing -
Leprechaun, he said it live on ESPN. You can find it on other websites.
Comment by Lester Holt's Mustache Monday, Sep 8, 14 @ 6:21 pm
Several other websites, including TMZ and deadspin have posted the video of Ditka saying this. I would provide a link, but it’s not working when I try to post it.
So, go ahead and verify it, and then please let me know if I’m I still way out of line. Thanks
Comment by Lester Holt's Mustache Monday, Sep 8, 14 @ 6:49 pm
So what your saying is that Ditka said now his earning power is ruined. And that somehow suggests he is defending him?
Comment by Leprechaun Monday, Sep 8, 14 @ 7:11 pm
Listened and watched so where does he defend him ? Two lives ruined, earning power is ruined, and this can never be tolerated and the players should learn a serious lesson.
No where does he pull a Steven H Smith not even close. If your going to try and twist somebody’s words make a better case. When what you said has failed to been mentioned by one single news source obviously it’s not what you think or say it is.
Comment by Leprechaun Monday, Sep 8, 14 @ 7:26 pm
What is pretty hilarious is most posters here on Friday idolized Ditka. Now Ditka does an ad with BR and ‘ol Iron Mike is just not a good dude.
You can tell the left is very worried how a number of races are developing. Some of you need to be outraged on the posts critical of the Quinnster, not just Rauner.
Comment by Wally Monday, Sep 8, 14 @ 7:52 pm
Gee Wally, how would you know all that? Some kind of swami or something?
Comment by wordslinger Monday, Sep 8, 14 @ 8:08 pm
I’m not a Quinn guy I don’t have a problem with Ditka, I actually like the old curmudgeon. Maybe this is one of those things that he says from time to time that doesn’t sound right, but you shrug your shoulders and say well, he’s an old guy and it probably just came out wrong.
But even I can’t seriously agree with him. Ray Rice is a bad guy who made a bad mistake, in my book. My first concern was certainly not for his “earning power”. I don’t think anyone is going to make a huge deal of it, but personally if I am Bruce Rauner I’m quietly taking this one off the air.
Comment by Lester Holt's Mustache Monday, Sep 8, 14 @ 8:24 pm
===You can tell the left is very worried how a number of races are developing. Some of you need to be outraged on the posts critical of the Quinnster, not just Rauner.===
What races? You said a number, so how many?
Illinois has two statewide races; Governor, Treasurer.
That’s the list.
When Oberweis gets in the MOE or stops taking, then you may have something.
Lisa, Jesse, Judy.
One name identifies them. No races, just making sure they do their diligences.
So, where are these races you speak?
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Sep 8, 14 @ 8:36 pm
I care more what Chicago native Marv Levy thinks than what Ditka thinks. #gobills
Comment by Ben Monday, Sep 8, 14 @ 8:38 pm
The next time Ditka appears in an IDOT hiring scandal post, I promise to show appropriate outrage at his concern over Ray Rice’s loss of earning potential.
Comment by Lester Holt's Mustache Monday, Sep 8, 14 @ 9:02 pm
Some of you need to be outraged on the posts critical of the Quinnster, not just Rauner.
OW is always like that. He gets on a kick and perseverates on it like he has poison ivy or something. Four years ago, it was all things Plummer. This year, it has gotten worse for him. It is now all things Rauner.
He can’t help himself. We pray for a modern medical cure. Jerry Lewis is thinking about doing a telethon for him.
Comment by VanillaMan Tuesday, Sep 9, 14 @ 8:58 am