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* Audio from an obscure YouTube video is playing on African-American radio stations in Chicago as part of a new and destined to be highly controversial ad.
I’ve heard tons of buzz since late this afternoon, but I don’t yet have the ad. I asked the Quinn campaign earlier today and received no response, so I spent the last three hours listening to WVON trying to record it, but it never came on. I gave up. And then John V. Moore tweeted out the video.
* Transcript…
“Four African-American TSA guards, big guys, came and they rushed up to me. They looked like they played for the Bears.
“They said ‘Hey!’ I said [hands raised] “Wow, I’m not carrying my gun, what’s going on? Hold, what?’ [Laughter] They said ‘Hey! You’re running for governor.’ I said ‘Yes, I am, you scared me, don’t do that.’”
That video was posted last month. It’s unclear who’s behind the YouTube account.
* I asked Moore if he recalled anything about the rest of the radio ad…
“Yeah, it’s an African American male voice over. He said the audio was captured at a Republican or conservative event. After the audio the voice over mentions that Rauner has funded organizations that are trying to impeach President Obama.”
And, he said, it’s a Taxpayers for Quinn spot. That was finally confirmed by the Quinn campaign tonight.
* I asked the Rauner campaign for comment a couple of hours ago, and recently sent them the YouTube link. I’ll let you know what they say.
*** UPDATE 1 *** The Quinn campaign sent over the script…
Here’s Republican Billionaire Bruce Rauner, telling a story, at a recent conservative Republican fundraiser.
“Four African-American TSA Security Guards, big guys, they rushed up to me, they looked like they played for the Bears. I was like, they said “HEY!” I thought Wow, I’m not carrying my gun, what’s going on? They said “HEY you’re running for Governor.” I said, “Yes I am, you scared me, don’t do that.”
If that’s the kind of story Bruce Rauner tells behind closed-doors at a Republican fundraiser, what’s it going to be like if he’s in the Governor’s mansion?
Rauner poured money into right-wing groups that are campaigning to impeach President Obama. And Rauner wants to legalize deadly assault weapons and cut the minimum wage.
We need a Governor like Pat Quinn who’s stood up for us – fighting for people’s rights and dignity – with courage and respect.
Gov. Quinn: “Taxpayers for Quinn paid for this message because there’s so much at stake.”
*** UPDATE 2 *** Updated with comment from the governor’s campaign…
Our ad includes Bruce Rauner in his own words.
This is just another example of Mr. Rauner saying one thing privately in front of an all-Republican audience and another thing publicly in the city of Chicago. People can judge for themselves whether his comments are appropriate or not.
Also, remember this guy?…
How will black voters react to new Quinn ad on @capitolfax? In speaking to white audience, why would Rauner allude to TSA agents' race?
— Dave McKinney (@davemckinney123) November 1, 2014
*** UPDATE 3 *** Not that it really matters, because there was no real reason for him to mention their race (and he usually doesn’t when he tells this story), but here’s the full video…
.@KarenLewisCTU stop lying about Bruce - that's an edited out of context video; here's the unedited version https://t.co/xhVfKetKf7
— Illinois CR's (@ICRF) September 24, 2014
posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Oct 31, 14 @ 9:21 pm
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Talk about desperation, the Quinnsters must really be running scared.
Comment by anonano Friday, Oct 31, 14 @ 9:26 pm
I Heard this ad several times on the rap music station in Chicago. It did not sound like a desperate ad but was very powerful/shocking because it uses Rauner’s own words. Rauner is very animated when he tells the story, you can tell that he is enjoying it.
I don’t even know what type of context this would be considered appropriate.
The one thing that kept running through my mind was “What’s he thinking?”
Comment by Gator Friday, Oct 31, 14 @ 9:32 pm
===The one thing that kept running through my mind was “What’s he thinking?”===
Or, perhaps: Did he think no one would ever find out?
lol
Just sayin…
Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Oct 31, 14 @ 9:34 pm
Yikes.
I guess it just couldn’t be four guys?
Long weekend and Monday for the Rauner Crew.
Being downstate isn’t going to help.
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Oct 31, 14 @ 9:35 pm
===Or, perhaps: Did he think no one would ever find out?===
lol
I cut that, twice, in my comment.
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Oct 31, 14 @ 9:36 pm
He’s told this story many times, just leaves out the AA part most of the time.
Comment by Anonymous Friday, Oct 31, 14 @ 9:36 pm
4 huge TSA guys accost me at the airport?
Won’t matter what color they are. Yeah I’m scared.
I mean I could miss my flight over this…
Comment by Madison Friday, Oct 31, 14 @ 9:37 pm
I’m singing “Bye bye Rauner campaign” to the tune of Rickey Hendon’s Bye Bye Walter Burnett
Comment by Anonymous Friday, Oct 31, 14 @ 9:38 pm
They come out of a black helicopter and I’ll be even more scared lol
Comment by Madison Friday, Oct 31, 14 @ 9:39 pm
So this will kill Rauner’s black outreachnl, Diana’s email today will turn away the conservatives
http://illinoisreview.typepad.com/illinoisreview/2014/10/diana-rauner-bruce-convinced-pro-lifers-to-put-aside-their-views-on-this-issue.html
Beyond Lou Atsaves & Michael Ferro, will anyone vote for this guy?
Comment by Anonymous Friday, Oct 31, 14 @ 9:45 pm
Its the same garbage I usually hear from rich white trash. I’m so glad I don’t live in the burbs anymore. There are too many people just like that.
Comment by Ducky LaMoore Friday, Oct 31, 14 @ 9:46 pm
I’ve heard him tell the story several times but never heard him say African Americans. Nice race baiting by the Quinn folks and we wonder why politics are so distasteful.
Comment by 1776 Friday, Oct 31, 14 @ 9:48 pm
- Anonymous - Friday, Oct 31, 14 @ 9:38 pm:
or maybe “American Pie” with some - Vanilla Man - lyrics?
Comment by RNUG Friday, Oct 31, 14 @ 9:49 pm
I don’t get the “I’m not carrying my gun” comment. He means because the guys are AA he needs a gun?
If so — that’s so weirdly over the top racist I don’t even know what to say.
Comment by Macbeth Friday, Oct 31, 14 @ 9:49 pm
I think Rauner’ in EXTREMELY deep trouble with the AA vote. Besides this latest ad.
On Chicago Week In Review on WTTW tonight (2 1/2 hours ago) Mary Mitchell said that “I do not think that Rauner is going to get a large percentage, even a significant percentage of the African American vote…”
Joel Weisman: “Single digits?”
Mitchell: “VERY low single digits, and the reason I say that is because some of the same people who’s supposed to be helping Rauner is actually, behind the scenes, helping Quinn.”
I thought that was exceptionally interesting.
That’s the trouble with hired help. It’s SO disappointing when you buy people and they don’t stay bought. Know what I mean?
Comment by Mighty M. Mouse Friday, Oct 31, 14 @ 9:50 pm
===I’ve heard him tell the story several times but never heard him say African Americans.===
Now you have.
===Nice race baiting by the Quinn folks and we wonder why politics are so distasteful.===
Did Rauner…say it, or are my eyes and ears deceiving me?
Just asking.
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Oct 31, 14 @ 9:53 pm
@anonano: please. It doesn’t take desperation to run this audio as an ad. It would be malpractice to not run it. The fact that it’s a late buy and limited to radio just underscores how little the Quinn camp relies on it.
The “I don’t have my gun” part is just weird. It’s part pandering to the NRA, part clueless white guy. I don’t know what to make if it.
Comment by the Other Anonymous Friday, Oct 31, 14 @ 9:55 pm
Rauner’s remarks were very disrespectful to African-Americans. He was speaking to an audience of like-minded people and obviously never imagined that anyone would find out. I am glad this came out before it is too late. The more we learn about Bruce Rauner, the more unacceptable he becomes.
Comment by ChazAllen1 Friday, Oct 31, 14 @ 9:58 pm
You guys arent drinking the Quinn kool-aid you are taking it by fire hose. Anything Quinn does that is controversial or downright nasty is pooh poohed but Bruce jokes around about 4 big guys rushing at him and, oh man, this is just terrible.
Comment by anonano Friday, Oct 31, 14 @ 10:00 pm
===The “I don’t have my gun” part is just weird===
I think it could be seen two ways. 1) Hey, I don’t have a gun, TSA guys. Don’t arrest me. 2) Big black people are rushing at me and I don’t have my gun. Uh-oh.
He likely meant 1, but I’m guessing the target audience picks 2. And I’m also guessing that some members of his audience that day picked 2 as well.
Just sayin…
Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Oct 31, 14 @ 10:00 pm
is this the 47 percent-like comment people have been wondering was out there or not?
Comment by PoolGuy Friday, Oct 31, 14 @ 10:03 pm
===Bruce jokes around about 4 big guys rushing at him===
I think you left out a word or two there, pard.
Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Oct 31, 14 @ 10:04 pm
and Rich I agree, more i listen sounds like it is 1)
Comment by PoolGuy Friday, Oct 31, 14 @ 10:04 pm
It’s the perception and the context of the words.
Rich has that right.
Rauner said words to be interpreted in context, and the listener will decide. That is the bottom line.
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Oct 31, 14 @ 10:05 pm
======The “I don’t have my gun” part is just weird===
I think it could be seen two ways. 1) Hey, I don’t have a gun, TSA guys. Don’t arrest me. 2) Big black people are rushing at me and I don’t have my gun. Uh-oh.
He likely meant 1, but I’m guessing the target audience picks 2. And I’m also guessing that some members of his audience that day picked 2 as well.===
I think you’re exactly right.
Comment by Mighty M. Mouse Friday, Oct 31, 14 @ 10:07 pm
You know who would never have a gaffe like this? Kirk Dillard.
Comment by K3 Friday, Oct 31, 14 @ 10:07 pm
He finishes the story which I have heard a number of times, by saying the four large TSA officers then told him “your running for governor! We’re going to vote for you!”
How pathetic of a shameful distorted ad can the Quinn campaign run? And they waited until NOW to run this distorted version of his story? This may be the greatest example. Shameful. Absolutely shameful.
===Beyond Lou Atsaves & Michael Ferro, will anyone vote for this guy?===
I can’t speak for Ferro, but I early voted for him. No regrets whatsoever. And after this distorted last second pathetic smear job, I will sleep well tonight knowing I did the right thing.
Comment by Louis G Atsaves Friday, Oct 31, 14 @ 10:11 pm
I think those guys know they are African-American. If was a big deal to them, don’t you think they would have said something a long time ago? Apparently they didn’t, and likely laughed it off.
Geez, some make a big deal out of everything, ultra sensitive.
Comment by anonano Friday, Oct 31, 14 @ 10:13 pm
What’s the point of the story?
Comment by Wordslinger Friday, Oct 31, 14 @ 10:14 pm
===You know who would never have a gaffe like this? Kirk Dillard.===
Those other Republican candidates were helpless in the primary. They had little time, less money, and no real chance at all. They were just overwhelmed, like pennies flattened by a passing freight train.
Comment by Mighty M. Mouse Friday, Oct 31, 14 @ 10:17 pm
drip drip drip. every vote discouraged and encouraged counts.
Comment by Amalia Friday, Oct 31, 14 @ 10:17 pm
I think Lou will be losing some sleep Tuesday night when he realizes he had to find just 990 more bad signatures to keep Chad Grimm off the ballot
Comment by Anonymous Friday, Oct 31, 14 @ 10:18 pm
anonamo:
Bruce didn’t mention their race when talking TO THEM. Only when talking ABOUT THEM behind their backs. How would they know he was telling this story in GOP fundraisers? You think they got an invite?
As for people being sensitive… gosh I wonder what could possibly have been going on in the world in the last few months to have the black community a little skittish hearing a story about a middle-aged white authority figure thinking about locating his gun the first thing upon black men coming up to him.
Comment by hisgirlfriday Friday, Oct 31, 14 @ 10:18 pm
And they are still harping on the “wants to cut the minimum wage” crap. Unbelievable. Bottom feeders.
Comment by anonano Friday, Oct 31, 14 @ 10:19 pm
===He finishes the story which I have heard a number of times, by saying the four large TSA officers then told him “your running for governor! We’re going to vote for you!”===
I honestly, 100%, no snark, believe that is truly true, but Ads aren’t designed like that, you know that too.
Like I said above, and Rich made the point first, and best;
The interpretation. And - Wordslinger - with asking the point of the story, hits another chord.
You know - Louis G. Atsaves -, “Don’t say things that come back to haunt, in any or perceived context.”
That’s what this is.
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Oct 31, 14 @ 10:20 pm
===What’s the point of the story?===
Context, context, context??? It’s a 17 second clip.
What was he talking about, and what did he say next?
Comment by Mighty M. Mouse Friday, Oct 31, 14 @ 10:22 pm
Folks, when rating a TV ad targeted at hunters, one has to take hunters into account.
When rating an ad targeted at, say, teenagers, one has to take that into account.
The same goes for any targeted market. You rate the ad based on who it’s aimed at.
This ad ain’t aimed at middle aged white guys who post on political blogs at 10 o’clock at night.
Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Oct 31, 14 @ 10:23 pm
==If was a big deal to them, don’t you think they would have said something a long time ago?==
Wait, we’re they at the fundraiser? Otherwise, they wouldn’t have known how Rauner described them.
Comment by Arsenal Friday, Oct 31, 14 @ 10:23 pm
If you’ll look to the right on the blog under the “Blogs” feed, there’s a link to a Bill O’Reilly clip in which O’Reilly explains:
“The White Republican Power Structure is Afraid of Black Americans.”
I guess his next book will be “Killing Rauner’s Campaign.”
Comment by Wordslinger Friday, Oct 31, 14 @ 10:25 pm
hisgirlfriday–I realize that, but he said you guys scared me and mentioned his gun. If it was a big deal to them and they interpreted the incident as racist, wouldn’t they have complained immediately? They recognized him as running for guv and apparently mentioned they planned to vote for him.
Doesn’t sound like 4 black guys that were upset or insulted, does it?
Comment by anonano Friday, Oct 31, 14 @ 10:27 pm
===This ad ain’t aimed at middle aged white guys who post on political blogs at 10 o’clock at night.===
Yep. The reason the Ad was cut was for it’s intended audience, on specific stations. That alone tells who Quinn’s Crew thinks this will resonate with.
There is a reason the voice over is done as it was too.
It’s powerful.
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Oct 31, 14 @ 10:29 pm
And this clip is offensive, how?
Dems in their race bating laboratories, cooking up nothing burgers.
Comment by Caswell Friday, Oct 31, 14 @ 10:32 pm
I am not black - but I told a few black friends about commercial- the result: they are making sure they vote for Quinn this weekend.
That’s the intent, to make sure blacks hear him tell his joke in his own words and that thing about funding Obama’s impeachment is the cherry on top.
Comment by MIMI Friday, Oct 31, 14 @ 10:33 pm
Funny, there is an ad out right know with a black female school administrator praising Rauner for his contributions to minority schools. There are black pastors endorsing him. Wordslinger even praised Rauner’s outreach to the black community.
Comment by anonano Friday, Oct 31, 14 @ 10:33 pm
“Talk about desperation, the Quinnsters must really be running scared.”
You could say that about any attack ad.
But in this case, it’s particularly nonsensical. This looks like the second part of a one-two punch to me; the first was to stir up trouble with the Tepublican base so that Rauner had to give them some TLC, taking time away from his AA outreach.
Comment by Arsenal Friday, Oct 31, 14 @ 10:33 pm
Anonymous: ===I think Lou will be losing some sleep Tuesday night when he realizes he had to find just 990 more bad signatures to keep Chad Grimm off the ballot===
Lost that sleep several months ago!
Comment by Louis G Atsaves Friday, Oct 31, 14 @ 10:35 pm
What doesn’t make sense is if these guys were TSA agents why is he scared? They are TSA agents not gang bangers, they are in a uniform. Also, since they were in uniform, why did they look like Chicago Bears, is that what makes them sound more scary sounding?
Comment by wndycty Friday, Oct 31, 14 @ 10:35 pm
===Funny, there is an ad out right know with a black female school administrator praising Rauner for his contributions to minority schools. There are black pastors endorsing him. Wordslinger even praised Rauner’s outreach to the black community.===
…and ironic that this Ad could very well undo all that.
Seen that movie before.
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Oct 31, 14 @ 10:36 pm
Mitt Rauner meet your disappearing black voting block.
Comment by Amalia Friday, Oct 31, 14 @ 10:37 pm
I’m black and what he said didn’t sound racial at all. Sounds like he was talking about a defensive line in the NFL, which are predominently WHAT COLOR?
Comment by Caswell Friday, Oct 31, 14 @ 10:40 pm
Has Meeks down any radio for Rauner? He was supposed to be a big get at one point.
Caswell, if youre not offended, don’t worry about it.
Comment by Wordslinger Friday, Oct 31, 14 @ 10:41 pm
“If it was a big deal to them and they interpreted the incident as racist, wouldn’t they have complained immediately?”
1) Pretty sure it’s the way Rauner told the story that’s the problem, not the underlying incident.
2) That being said, maybe they don’t report it because African Americans have come to believe- and I think reasonably so- that in such situations, people will bend over backwards to give the rich guy every benefit of every doubt, and probably accuse them of “Race baiting” for their trouble.
Comment by Adlai Friday, Oct 31, 14 @ 10:41 pm
To all the shocked Raunerbots, this is the kind of hardball your guy likes to play. He was playing with minor leaguers in the primary. Quinn’s crew just threw a hard inside fastball that I bet strikes out your guy’s effort to get on first base with the black community.
Comment by Norseman Friday, Oct 31, 14 @ 10:41 pm
Yeah Adlai, run with that story if it makes you feel better.
Likely these guys weren’t 5′8″ and 150 lbs. Good chance they were 6′3″-6′5″ and 250 lbs.+
And Caswell just weighed in and gave an opinion that should carry a lot of weight.
Comment by anonano Friday, Oct 31, 14 @ 10:46 pm
Caswell, by that, people will make up their own minds about it. I’m sure it will be seen in different ways.
Some people buy into the Rauner spots that portray Quinn as a part of a corrupt political machine. Others don’t.
Comment by Wordslinger Friday, Oct 31, 14 @ 10:47 pm
Norseman, some guys yank inside fastballs out of the park.
Comment by anonano Friday, Oct 31, 14 @ 10:49 pm
I think the point Bruce was trying to make was how marvelously amazing he is that, as a middle-aged super rich elitist white guy, four working class black guys would vote for him.
Comment by Cheswick Friday, Oct 31, 14 @ 10:50 pm
The tweet by Dave McKinney. I like it.
I find it ironic that one opinion, either way, “decides”.
It’s how it will be interpreted by adding up all those individual opinions that will give the bigger picture…like any other Ad.
- Norseman -, exactly right, well said.
Quinn’s Crew ain’t the Primary Rauner faced.
Quinn’s Crew plays for “keeps” at the highest level, with no holds barred.
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Oct 31, 14 @ 10:53 pm
===Norseman, some guys yank inside fastballs out of the park.===
Not this heater. You can’t turn this to a positive, that I do know.
It’s damaging, how far is at issue here.
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Oct 31, 14 @ 10:55 pm
To Louis Atsaves point, the fact that Rauner felt the need to throw in the TSA agents’ race only when speaking to an all-white audience says all you need to know about Bruce Rauner’s mindset regarding the AA community.
Comment by Sox fan Friday, Oct 31, 14 @ 10:56 pm
===To all the shocked Raunerbots, this is the kind of hardball your guy likes to play. He was playing with minor leaguers in the primary. Quinn’s crew just threw a hard inside fastball===
Didn’t Rich say Quinn was the best closer he ever saw? Bruce has been on the receiving end of a lot of body shots and all that pummeling takes a toll.
But fortunately, as you say, Bruce enjoys playing hardball. Considering the severe beating he’s been taking I’d say he’s done well to stay on his feet.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FNNJjfx-Ojc
Comment by Mighty M. Mouse Friday, Oct 31, 14 @ 10:59 pm
Correct me if I’m wrong, but didn’t this happen in an airport? And so him saying “I’m not carrying my gun” alludes to the fact that he isn’t sure why he’s being chased down by some TSA agents. What is wrong with that? Did he have to include the AA part? No, but who the heck cares that he did? I’m black and I don’t care when people mention that they were speaking to a black person. Guess what? Details make stories better. This, and all of you that think it’s some terrible thing, is the best example of a non-story that I’ve heard this cycle. Politics at it’s worst.
Comment by Uh... Friday, Oct 31, 14 @ 11:05 pm
I tried to place myself in Rauner’s shoes, and what weirds me out a bit is his mention of a gun. Why would he mention he didn’t have a gun to TSA agents? It seems to be the last thing to say to agents. I’d want to calm the situation down as much as possible, and mentioning a gun seems to not be the way to do it. I’d be scared to mention a gun to agents. It could invite more unwanted hassle.
When I was younger and had some very minor run-ins with cops, my friends and I learned to defuse the situations as much as possible. The gun part seems arrogant.
Comment by Grandson of Man Friday, Oct 31, 14 @ 11:06 pm
To the extent that Rauner’s story is true at all, I don’t think he said the part about the gun out loud.
Comment by Adlai Friday, Oct 31, 14 @ 11:08 pm
Game changer. Given how seriously the Sun Times takes even the *appearance of impropriety*, the withdrawal of its Rauner endorsement is surely imminent.
Comment by Sam Weinberg Friday, Oct 31, 14 @ 11:09 pm
“I pulled up in the car and the little black boy called me the Mayor.”
-R. Blagojevich
Funny, I don’t remember any radio ads then.
Comment by Not it Friday, Oct 31, 14 @ 11:09 pm
===Funny, I don’t remember any radio ads then. ===
Take it up with JBT.
We skewered the guy mercilessly for it here. And relentlessly.
Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Oct 31, 14 @ 11:16 pm
Rauner says, “I thought, wow, I’m not carrying my gun…”
to me he never actually said those words to the TSA agent. it was in his head, he’s thinking why are these guys coming at me.” I don’t think he actually said the word gun out loud.
Comment by PoolGuy Friday, Oct 31, 14 @ 11:16 pm
I’m with Adlai on whether Rauner truly mentioned the “gun” line to the TSA agents (that’s kinda like yelling “fire” in a crowded theater). He was likely just appealing to what he thought his audience wanted to hear.
Comment by Sox fan Friday, Oct 31, 14 @ 11:16 pm
=== No, but who the heck cares that he did?===
Watch and see.
Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Oct 31, 14 @ 11:20 pm
I don’t know if those African American TSA agents have families, but they’d better be careful. I will bankrupt them with legal fees.
Comment by DuPage Dave Friday, Oct 31, 14 @ 11:31 pm
This is officially the most surreal campaign I’ve ever experienced.
Comment by Which side are you on? Friday, Oct 31, 14 @ 11:34 pm
If Quinn ekes out another victory predicated on black votes compliments of Emil Jones, this comment will rate up there with the “Rum, Romanism and Rebellion” speech that sank James G. Blaine. One key difference, Blaine did not say it himself.
Comment by Under Further Review Friday, Oct 31, 14 @ 11:36 pm
Quinn must be really worried to throw this out there
Comment by Truly Said Friday, Oct 31, 14 @ 11:39 pm
I’m not the target audience so I can’t guess how effective this will be, but if it has a big effect, this State is in even bigger trouble than I thought.
Comment by Harry Friday, Oct 31, 14 @ 11:55 pm
===To Louis Atsaves point, the fact that Rauner felt the need to throw in the TSA agents’ race only when speaking to an all-white audience says all you need to know about Bruce Rauner’s mindset regarding the AA community.===
That wasn’t my point. That was your point. My point is that in 2014, Democrats and Quinn cynically played the race card by editing a story and deliberately distorting it.
Comment by Louis G Atsaves Saturday, Nov 1, 14 @ 3:59 am
The so-called full video is 34 seconds long compared to 17 seconds for the original snippet. It doesn’t show you what he was talking about before or after he told his “final” story. It fleshs out the story itself a bit more but does very little to provide any missing context.
Why did he tell this story–to show that even big, scary AA’s are willing to vote for him? Does that really make any sense?
Comment by Mighty M. Mouse Saturday, Nov 1, 14 @ 6:01 am
A pathetic and desperate smear by a pathetic and desperate Governor.
Here’s the full video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hrhT6zpNoFI
The story is from an extended riff from Rauner about how he was going into Democratic areas and communities and working to earn people’s support. It starts at around 21:40 and the story in question is at 26:55.
In the context of Rauner illustrating how he is working for votes even in traditionally Democratic areas and communities (such as the African American community), then it is entirely appropriate for Rauner to mention the guards’ race.
Comment by so... Saturday, Nov 1, 14 @ 6:55 am
Rauner should only need 20-30% of the cook county vote. He has spent a considerable amount of time campaigning in cook county. Brady had just below 20% of cook county voters without spending any time there.
This will be a non issue.
Comment by Will P Saturday, Nov 1, 14 @ 7:21 am
Thanks So…
I heard the speech. Would never in a million years think any part of his words could be interpreted as racist. Well, I guess a desperate and pathetic governor can twist anything. Too bad he can’t twist around his own awful record.
Sad really…
Comment by Dupage moderate Saturday, Nov 1, 14 @ 8:03 am
Sorry for the typos…
“all white group”
Comment by Under Further Review Saturday, Nov 1, 14 @ 8:15 am
Seriously, Rauner folks, get a new line in response to attack ads. Calling them all desperate isn’t all that compelling, especially not for a Republican who lost a double digit lead and has to spend the last three days before the election campaigning downstate.
Comment by Arsenal Saturday, Nov 1, 14 @ 8:18 am
Thank you So. Highlights what a pathetic move this was by the Quinn campaign.
This should be Update No. 4.
Comment by Louis G Atsaves Saturday, Nov 1, 14 @ 8:19 am
It’s the dog whistle. Why did Rauner mention race when speaking to a white Republican crowd? He went there and may have intended to do so.
Comment by Grandson of Man Saturday, Nov 1, 14 @ 8:49 am
Louis: Sorry for calling you out on stating the fact that Rauner mentioned the race of the TSA agents only when speaking before a white audience (it was several other Rauner posters, not you). Regardless, the audio will serve it’s purpose by showing Rauner’s true colors when it comes to the AA community.
Comment by Sox fan Saturday, Nov 1, 14 @ 8:51 am
Another excellent example of why Raunervich is dangerous when he doesn’t stick to the script.
Comment by Norseman Saturday, Nov 1, 14 @ 8:53 am
Ask any Black folks what they think about the ad? It strikes of a bunch of White people in a room grasping at straws to figure out what can work to motivate Blacks to vote. SURPRISE, Black is not a bad word, and most Black people don’t think of it as one. Quite frankly the Black people that I talk to find the fact that it was turned into a commercial offensive and pandering!
Comment by MJ the Madman Saturday, Nov 1, 14 @ 9:00 am
Dog whistles for everyone. Why did Rauner mention his gun?
Comment by Grandson of Man Saturday, Nov 1, 14 @ 9:13 am
Well, it is a pathetic and desperate attempt by Quinn.
And Arsenal, check what your guv is doing . Yep, he is flying around downstate and doling out more money. Rauner is actually meeting with people asking for their votes.
Comment by anonano Saturday, Nov 1, 14 @ 9:16 am
===Rauner is actually meeting with people asking for their votes.===
Quinn asked for voters’ votes, then Rauner cut ANOTHER closer Ad to, what, you guessed it, ask for a vote.
Pretty pathetic, “me too” lol
Comment by Oswego Willy Saturday, Nov 1, 14 @ 9:22 am
Ah Willy, enjoy your day. I’m gonna miss your unique writing style.
Comment by anonano Saturday, Nov 1, 14 @ 9:26 am
Dress warm. It’s cold out there.
Comment by Oswego Willy Saturday, Nov 1, 14 @ 9:29 am
Not offensive. Just a reminder that Mr. Rainer has spent most of his professional life in a “whites only” environment where the sight of four powerful AA men is a surprise worth noting.
Comment by Uptown Progressive Saturday, Nov 1, 14 @ 9:31 am
MJ you wrote “Black people that I talk to find the fact that it was turned into a commercial offensive and pandering!”
The ad broke yesterday, did you focus group it? I am Black, many of my friends are Black and all of my family and guess what. . .we think its effective.
Comment by wndycty Saturday, Nov 1, 14 @ 9:32 am
“Quite frankly the Black people that I talk to find the fact that it was turned into a commercial offensive and pandering!”
I think it was Rauner who was pandering to his white Republican listeners. See below:
“Not that it really matters, because there was no real reason for him to mention their race (and he usually doesn’t when he tells this story)”
Comment by Grandson of Man Saturday, Nov 1, 14 @ 9:42 am
MJ, that’s some quick work. Based on your research, sounds like the spot is backfiring on Quinn with its intended audience.
So no worries.
I’m still a little confused on the context. The story is supposed to illustrate how he’s campaigning in traditionally Democratic communities — like airports?
Because as those who’ve heard him tell the story before have said here, he usually doesn’t mention race while telling the story.
Comment by Wordslinger Saturday, Nov 1, 14 @ 9:58 am
That’s what Quinn’s scared of. He’s toast.
Comment by Four Black Guys, All Voting for Rauner Saturday, Nov 1, 14 @ 10:04 am
===That’s what Quinn’s scared of. He’s toast.===
So, what’s your point?
The Mary Mitchell column is what Rauner is afraid of, leaders secretly working with Quinn.
It’s not that 4 that Quinn is worried about. Quinn is worried the raw numbers not coming out and voting at all. Turnout.
Cute drive-by.
Comment by Oswego Willy Saturday, Nov 1, 14 @ 10:19 am
Breaking: Rauner criticized the governor for not choosing one of those African-American TSA Security Guards as Quinn’s running mate and promised to hire them in a Rauner administration.
– MrJM
Comment by MrJM Saturday, Nov 1, 14 @ 10:35 am
OW, it wasn’t in her column. She said it on tv:
On Chicago Week In Review on WTTW last night Mary Mitchell said that “I do not think that Rauner is going to get a large percentage, even a significant percentage of the African American vote…”
Joel Weisman: “Single digits?”
Mitchell: “VERY low single digits, and the reason I say that is because some of the same people who’s supposed to be helping Rauner is actually, behind the scenes, helping Quinn.”
Comment by Mighty M. Mouse Saturday, Nov 1, 14 @ 10:36 am
My Bad, apologies.
Thank you for correcting me.
This radio Ad won’t help Rauner, the Twitter rebuttal won’t be able to keep up with targeted radio.
Comment by Oswego Willy Saturday, Nov 1, 14 @ 10:44 am
Wow, I’ve never seen a group comment before. Did the four of you take turns typing or did you each think of a couple of words.
Comment by Norseman Saturday, Nov 1, 14 @ 11:07 am
In the 1983 Chicago mayoral election, the weekend before the election, Jane Byrne sent truckloads of hams to AA neighborhoods. When Harold Washington was asked what he thought about the hams, Harold got that big grin on his face and said, “They should take the hams and vote for Harold.” Everyone should take Rauner’s money and vote for Quinn. Only 4 days left to cash in folks.
Comment by Chicago Report Saturday, Nov 1, 14 @ 11:14 am
Maybe I’m just old and cynical, but it seems to me that all politicians cherry pick and cut quotes to fit their agenda and message. For example, last night I saw a Rauner ad in the Peoria TV market touting all his newspaper endorsements. At one point it say that the PJS wrote “We trust Bruce Rauner.” Well, that is just part of the quote and by snipping the rest of it gives the viewer of the commercial a very different understanding than the actual endorsement. So, I’m not too sympathetic to those who support Rauner here, just like I would not be too sympathetic if Quinn supporters complained about this Rauner ad. (and for the record, I know I won’t vote for Rauner, and I can’t bring myself to vote for Quinn, so I’m leaning towards undervoting the gubernatorial race.)
Comment by G'Kar Saturday, Nov 1, 14 @ 11:16 am
This is yet another example of Rauner telling a specific audience what he thinks they want to hear. He’s done this throughout the campaign — on minimum wage, gay marriage, choice, you name it. The guy will say anything. And that’s what’s going to do him in.
Comment by Roland the Headless Thompson Gunner Saturday, Nov 1, 14 @ 11:18 am
The most disturbing of this we don’t think of ourselves as Illini or as Americans. We still divide ourselves by race and use race as a weapon.
Comment by FormerParatrooper Saturday, Nov 1, 14 @ 11:19 am
FP, the very few of the Illini Confederation who remained in the region got booted west of the Mississippi in the 1830s under the Indian Removal Act.
Comment by Wordslinger Saturday, Nov 1, 14 @ 11:29 am
Country club humor that is out of place and damaging. Enough to significantly increase AA turnout? I don’t think so.
Comment by ChD Saturday, Nov 1, 14 @ 11:30 am
So, my take is that Rauner has told this same story repeatedly, but not mentioned race. So he must have told the story to illustrate how excited all, even TSA agents, are about his campaign. “4 big TSA guys run up to me in the airport and I’m scared, but it turns out they were so excited to see me that they just had to shake my hand to tell me they were voting for me.”
He embellishes the story using race and the gun to change the message for an all white crowd. It’s just as bad as choosing Sanguenetti to get the women’s vote. It’s not because he’s racist or misogynist, he’s insensitively objectifying them.
Comment by my two cents Saturday, Nov 1, 14 @ 11:34 am
Thanks Chicago Report. Needed the laugh.
Comment by Samurai Saturday, Nov 1, 14 @ 12:04 pm
wndycty…no focus groups just a little group of us that play around with this stuff. So what exactly are you mad at? That he described them a big or Black. Which one is wrong or bad? In our overly politically correct world we seem to look for anything as a gotcha moment on the race issue. In my humble opinion PQ has been a friend to the Black community for decades. He should just remind the community how he’s been helpful. What I do find funny is a very white audience discussing how Black people will react as if we’re lab rats to be experimented on. I think this conversation is no different than the Bruce Rauner clip. PQ has friends in the Black community, we know who Rauner is, why patronize us?
Comment by MJ the Madman Saturday, Nov 1, 14 @ 12:17 pm
The fact that Rauner jokingly talks about how he needs a gun to fend off 4 big black guys isnt’t shocking. What’s sad is the fact that black ministers are using their influence to back a candidate with these views.
Comment by Bronzeville Sunday, Nov 2, 14 @ 12:35 pm