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* All of these videos have well over 100,000 views. I didn’t notice them until last night, when one popped up on a YouTube video I was watching. They’re all designed to publicize the statewide ballot initiatives and blast the Republicans. The first one we’ll look at is about employer birth control benefits…
A mailer about the issue can be read by clicking here.
* Next up, the millionaire’s tax referendum…
* And finally, the minimum wage…
Discuss.
posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Oct 22, 14 @ 9:15 am
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Meh, on the first two. Comedy’s hard. If you’re not laughing, it’s not funny, and you should take another approach.
Comment by Wordslinger Wednesday, Oct 22, 14 @ 9:21 am
In the light of the fact that Barack Obama spends most of his free time playing golf, is the anti-millionaire spot (”Fair Share Tax on Millionaires”) really wise to link the out of touch wealthy to the game of golf.
Comment by Under Further Review Wednesday, Oct 22, 14 @ 9:22 am
Discuss http://youtu.be/A1v9M9cMpJw
Comment by William j Kelly Wednesday, Oct 22, 14 @ 9:23 am
Millionaire video is ridiculous. Stupid. Juvenile.
Comment by Peoria Guy Wednesday, Oct 22, 14 @ 9:27 am
===In the light of the fact that Barack Obama spends most of his free time playing golf, is the anti-millionaire spot (”Fair Share Tax on Millionaires”) really wise to link the out of touch wealthy to the game of golf.===
Golf?
The Walker Cup, the amateur version of team Ryder Cup golf, and the event and trophy named after George Herbert Walker, a former USGA President…and one branch of the Bush family.
Dwight D. Eisenhower has a cabin named after him at …that track Bobby Jones opened up near the Georgia/South Carolina border, staying on the property for days at a time. At times, aides thought his presidency revolved around his gold schedule.
Golf isn’t about Obama, or the Bushes, or Eisenhower.
You’re putting the think to it too hard.
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Oct 22, 14 @ 9:35 am
The ads are embarrassing. Church ladies, prudent bosses sipping from effeminate tea cups, monopoly cartoon characters who condemn the middle class are all a part of a juvenile fiction that flops when used as an ad.
The hatred and disrespect oozing from them overwhelms attempts to make reasoned presentations to persuade voters.
A waste of money for them. They don’t take other’s opinions respectfully, so they won’t convince any thinking voter.
Comment by VanillaMan Wednesday, Oct 22, 14 @ 9:37 am
Over 100,000 views each is a pretty big deal, isn’t it?
I recall candidate videos getting hundreds, occasionally thousands, but never tens of thousands of views.
Speaking of golf, Willy, last night’s Chicago Tonight debate ended with a very odd moment where the moderator suggested a little one-on-one basketball between Frerichs and Cross.
Of course I immediately pictured Cross on the golf course.
Comment by Yellow Dog Democrat Wednesday, Oct 22, 14 @ 9:42 am
Well said Vanilla. Very well said.
Comment by Peoria Guy Wednesday, Oct 22, 14 @ 9:44 am
Agreed. Way over the top. Red meat for the already converted. But 100k views…
Comment by BarbaricYalp Wednesday, Oct 22, 14 @ 9:46 am
Vanilla Man and Peoria Guy
Spoken like the out of touch old white guys you are and represent. For some of us this is our reality……..get a clue the demographics of America are changing.
Comment by Dazed But Not Confused Wednesday, Oct 22, 14 @ 9:51 am
===Of course I immediately pictured Cross on the golf course.===
Every Friday afternoon, I call Fox Bend to see if Cross needs a 4th, and I’m told, every Friday;
“Willy, if Tom needs you for a 4th, he’ll tell us. He hasn’t.”
I think they’re afraid I’ll dump his clubs in the pond this time.
To the Post,
If it isn’t inherently funny, then it’s an inside joke, and in this case, it’s an inside joke, playing to the 100,000 masses.
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Oct 22, 14 @ 9:56 am
====Vanilla Man and Peoria Guy
Spoken like the out of touch old white guys you are and represent. For some of us this is our reality……..get a clue the demographics of America are changing.======
Classy.
Comment by Peoria Guy Wednesday, Oct 22, 14 @ 10:01 am
Dazed, if you think this “rich guy” in the video actually resembles the actual “average rich guy”, then your Dazed handle fits you well.
Comment by Peoria Guy Wednesday, Oct 22, 14 @ 10:03 am
The reason I know they are decent is that all the Rs on the board are grumbling about them. And, with respect Wordslinger, I do not see it as comedy that they were going for. They are caricature figures, exaggerated to be sure, but the main points, birth control coverage and tax rates, are serious ones and too funny would be a distraction.
Comment by Willie Stark Wednesday, Oct 22, 14 @ 10:03 am
==Red meat for the already converted?==
Doubt it. These are targeted right at the younger potential voters, 18 to 30, both in style and medium, to get them to the polls. I think they might work with that target, who otherwise might not bother to vote.
Comment by walker Wednesday, Oct 22, 14 @ 10:04 am
Condescending and dismissive.
I’m always right because you’re always wrong is not a winning argument.
Comment by Thunder Fred Wednesday, Oct 22, 14 @ 10:11 am
Walker,
“Young potential voters?” Ugh. Sounds like great targeting to me. Okay. How about Red med for the already converted who probably won’t vote then. Better?
Comment by BarbaricYalp Wednesday, Oct 22, 14 @ 10:11 am
*meat
Comment by BarbaricYalp Wednesday, Oct 22, 14 @ 10:11 am
But still 100k clicks is very impressive.
Comment by BarbaricYalp Wednesday, Oct 22, 14 @ 10:13 am
I despise the labeling of people–see Willie and Dazed. Silly.
I generally vote Republican, but favor a raise in the minimum wage, I am pro-choice, I am anti-school voucher and am one of the strongest Rauner critics here. Why do some have to try to label everybody? Thinking people are much more complex than that and we have numerous thinking people here.
Comment by Peoria Guy Wednesday, Oct 22, 14 @ 10:14 am
I second Vanilla Man’s comments, but I think the key words here are “thinking voter”, so I think you’re underestimating the impact these might have.
Comment by Nony Wednesday, Oct 22, 14 @ 10:17 am
- In the light of the fact that Barack Obama spends most of his free time playing golf -
Some day I’d love to understand the world you right wingers live in. I understand not liking the guy, but does he really consume all of your thoughts?
Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Oct 22, 14 @ 10:20 am
If ur spending money to make an ad, it doesn’t cost much more to get a bot to give the ad 100K views.
Also, it they bought 100K views of this ad to be shown before videos (where you can skip after 5 seconds) would this ad to the view count?
Comment by Nonplussed Wednesday, Oct 22, 14 @ 10:21 am
- Peoria Guy - ,
How did I get thrown into this?
I made a point that golf…it isn’t about Obama, or both Bushes, Eisenhower, or even Clinton or Ford, if you want to talk about golf and the Presidency…
I said it was an inside joke, to 100,000 views. Did it not get 100,000 views? They’re tired caricatures, but people are clicking, for the inside joke.
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Oct 22, 14 @ 10:23 am
Prediction: Rauner wins by large margin. Illinois will regain its stature in the big picture.
Comment by Beetlejuice Wednesday, Oct 22, 14 @ 10:24 am
I didn’t think the first two ads were funny either, but perhaps they are intended to be satire, not comedy, i.e. “the use of humor, irony, exaggeration, or ridicule to expose and criticize people’s stupidity or vices, particularly in the context of contemporary politics and other topical issues.”
Whether they’re effective or not depends on their goal. If the goal was to make people laugh, they were failures. If the goal was to use “irony, exaggeration, or ridicule” to remind non-rich, working-class voters of their interests at stake in this election, then perhaps they are not failures.
In any event, I think that the phrase “effective, comedic campaign commercial” may be an oxymoron.
IMHO, YMMV, etc.
– MrJM
Comment by MrJM Wednesday, Oct 22, 14 @ 10:25 am
@under further review: Since Moderate Republican President Barrack Obama plays golf all the time…does this mean taxpayers can get their money back for the 8 years wasted by George Bush riding his bike?
Comment by Del Clinkton Wednesday, Oct 22, 14 @ 10:26 am
Maybe that beetle juice is spiked(?)
Thanks for factually backing up your drive-by.
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Oct 22, 14 @ 10:28 am
#1 Untrue. A stereotype ad that is offensive beyond measure. Not remotely funny. Not worth rating.
#2 Untrue. A stereotype ad that is equally as bad and maybe worse than #1. The bad acting suggests this may be why the guy is reduced to doing third tier internet political videos. Not worth rating.
#3. Income inequality, lack of decent jobs and the increasing middle class squeeze are real in this country. But this ad is over the top and insults sentient voters of all demographics by trivializing both the problem and the solutions. C-.
Comment by Responsa Wednesday, Oct 22, 14 @ 10:31 am
Beetlejuice: Nice fly-by.
Noticed you buzzing us before with brief Rauner campaign messages.
Anything of substance to say on the topic of the thread?
Comment by walker Wednesday, Oct 22, 14 @ 10:34 am
The noise floor is higher than these spots hit. The only ads I could stomach watching at this point are Frerichs’ “too tall” ad, and Rauner’s (choking on my own typed words here) paper endorsement ads.
I actually want to track down and slap the Schneider ad couple — rich, smug, and annoying. Just how I want everyone to see Democrats.
Comment by Toure's Latte Wednesday, Oct 22, 14 @ 10:34 am
Oswego, I assume you were included because you are an old, out of touch, unhip white guy who is probably a millionaire!
Comment by Peoria Guy Wednesday, Oct 22, 14 @ 10:42 am
- Peoria Guy -,
Who you calling…old?
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Oct 22, 14 @ 10:44 am
“Thinking voter”?
Nice little dog whistle, especially coming after your rant a few months ago. Hypocrite.
Comment by Precinct Captain Wednesday, Oct 22, 14 @ 10:44 am
This is Madigan’s ballot initiative plan? Internet videos? The guy is losing it. Needs to retire for crying out loud.
Comment by Ms Anon Wednesday, Oct 22, 14 @ 10:46 am
Oswego,
Comment by Peoria Guy Wednesday, Oct 22, 14 @ 10:48 am
Oswego, anybody as wise as you has to be old!
Comment by Peoria Guy Wednesday, Oct 22, 14 @ 10:50 am
- Peoria Guy -,
Thanks, Bud. Much respect.
To the video,
The partisan bend to the videos indicate the target audience isn’t what the “caricature” Republican is, but dismissing the “caricature” Republican. It is pointing out “them”, in a failingly humorous way to partisan eyes, even if you fit, or don’t fit, the caricature.
That’s the rub.
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Oct 22, 14 @ 11:00 am
“Their kids, their schools, their problem.” I wonder how many farmers (who are far from millionaires) have said exactly the same thing (about property taxes)? Anyway…meh.
Comment by Skeptic Wednesday, Oct 22, 14 @ 11:23 am
Anybody really believe that a millionaires tax will be used to fund education?
I don’t. And neither do the ads proponents. They know, as do the rest of us, that any increase
in taxes will be put in the general pot and spent as those running the state want it spent.
All of these ads are foolish and deceptive- but this is not to say they might not have some impact.
Comment by Federalist Wednesday, Oct 22, 14 @ 11:31 am
Prediction. Same as I made last June.
Quinn wins by 1 or 2 points. Narrow victory but he wins.
Personally, I believe that Madigan is rooting for Rauner.
Comment by Federalist Wednesday, Oct 22, 14 @ 11:33 am
Agree Federalist.
Comment by Peoria Guy Wednesday, Oct 22, 14 @ 11:42 am
@Oswego Willy:
Seriously, you are dismissing the Bushes as golf fanatics because an uncle had a golf trophy named after him? That excuses Obama for spending more time golfing than anyone not on the pro tour? Moral relativism at its worst
Comment by anon Wednesday, Oct 22, 14 @ 11:58 am
“And I would watch 100,000 times……”
Hatip The Proclaimers
Comment by Ghost Wednesday, Oct 22, 14 @ 11:58 am
“Moral relativism” and golf?
Ike golfed too much. LBJ, Reagan and W went to their ranches too much, blah, blah, blah.
Sound and fury….
The life of a zealot must be awfully unhappy.
Comment by Wordslinger Wednesday, Oct 22, 14 @ 12:08 pm
- anon -
Perspective?
George Herbert Walker wasn’t a “fanatic”, he was the President of the governing body OF golf, the United States Golf Association. His belief in the spirit of golf and amateur golf is founded on his Walker Cup matches, and as they are played today, that love, the root of the word amateur, is based on why Mr. Walker wanted the matches.
Further.
George H. W. Bush is not a “fanatic”. He is HIS World Golf Hall of Fame Bio.
From the website;
“His grandfather, George Herbert Walker, was president of the USGA in 1920. During his time at the helm, he created the Walker Cup, a biannual competition between amateur stars from the U.S. and United Kingdom. The Walker Cup remains today as one of amateur golf’s most beloved events.
Bush’s father, Prescott Bush, was another avid golfer and also a president of the USGA before becoming a U.S. senator in 1952. Prescott Bush was an outstanding player, and an eight-time club champion at Cape Arundel Golf Club in Kennebunkport, Maine.”
Hmm.
And what about all this Obama golf stuff. President George W. Bush told… The Golf Channel… his take on that.
From the GolfChannel.com
GWB “‘You know, I see our president (Obama) criticized for playing golf. I don’t – I think he ought to play golf,'’ Bush says in the interview. ‘’Because I know what it’s like to be in the bubble. And I know the pressures of the job. And to be able to get outside and play golf with some of your pals is important for the president. It does give you an outlet.'’
Anything else on the Bush family and golf?
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Oct 22, 14 @ 12:11 pm
OW:
Fascinating. Thanks for sharing.
George H.W. Bush invited my dad, a unionist, to his inauguration. And my dad appeared with him at an event in St. Louis, with good things to say afterward.
Comment by Yellow Dog Democrat Wednesday, Oct 22, 14 @ 12:46 pm
===George H.W. Bush===
Perhaps the most underrated president of my lifetime.
Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Oct 22, 14 @ 12:49 pm
- YDD -, thanks. The Bush family and golf are forever linked in past and present.
Forgot this LAST Bush link, but very telling…
===San Antonio, Texas (Feb. 18, 2011) – Former President George W. Bush has been named The First Tee’s honorary chair. He succeeds his father, former President George H. W. Bush, who has served as The First Tee’s honorary chair since the organization’s inception in 1997 and will shift to an honorary chair emeritus role.===
It’s more than being a “hobby” or a “cover” to help Obama, or any Dopey idea. The Bush family has serious roots in golf.
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Oct 22, 14 @ 12:54 pm
=== ===George H.W. Bush===
Perhaps the most underrated president of my lifetime.===
CNN’s “41On41″. A must see.
Makes Rich’s argument to the masses. Very well done.
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Oct 22, 14 @ 12:58 pm
I am not a President Obama fan, but I think too much is made of his golfing passion. I realize the optics sometimes do not look good—especially hitting the links minutes after discussing an American beheading–but presidents need to do what they need to do to relax. For some that is clearing brush or biking, for others playing golf.
Comment by Peoria Guy Wednesday, Oct 22, 14 @ 1:30 pm
George H.W. Bush was a good guy who had the misfortune of having to run against one of the most masterful politicians in history.
As for the golf thing, the outrage is moronic. A president is president 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. He’s got access to everybody and everything he needs no matter where he is. It’s just silliness to say the a president is out of touch anywhere. They aren’t. To suggest otherwise is just dumb.
Comment by Demoralized Wednesday, Oct 22, 14 @ 4:32 pm
======George H.W. Bush===
Perhaps the most underrated president of my lifetime.===
He defeated Saddam Hussein while avoiding setting in motion the predictable destabilization of Iraq.
Comment by Mighty M. Mouse Wednesday, Oct 22, 14 @ 7:38 pm
Old white guy?
Why am I not surprised that someone who likes these ads would themselves be comfortable using stereotypes against those of us who recognize these ads as an embarrassment?
You are mistaking wisdom, insight and maturity as characteristics of an old man. I am proof that they are not.
Any good salesperson could make the same points. These ads are insulting and could only sway an undecided voter towards the side opposing them.
A century ago, the GOP was attacked in ads showing a poorly drawn ugly African American speaking in ignorant jibberish claiming to explain why “dey luv da Reepublikins!” These ads weren’t funny back then, and they are still unfunny today.
I don’t appreciate ads that claim I’m as bad as the stereotypes denigrated within them. No one does.
Comment by VanillaMan Wednesday, Oct 22, 14 @ 9:42 pm
If you think I am somehow being racist by using the term, “thinking voters”, you obviously aren’t within that group, but are hearing something no one else can, because you have the problem of projecting race upon a benign adjective which when used in normal conversations is actually considered a compliment.
In that case, in the future exclude yourself when I describe voters as “thinking”.
Comment by VanillaMan Wednesday, Oct 22, 14 @ 9:50 pm
VMan, you’re proof of what now, if you say so yourself, lol?
Comment by Wordslinger Wednesday, Oct 22, 14 @ 9:55 pm