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Yard signs don’t vote, but they sure can rattle an opponent

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Illinois

* We talked about a new study on yard signs the other day, but check out this story about appointed Rep. Andy Skoog (D-La Salle) and his Republican opponent Jerry Long…

Long acknowledged he has his work cut out for him. At his house on Carr Street in South Streator, he has a large sign advertising his candidacy on a trailer.

But a look down his street shows Skoog swayed nearly all his neighbors — if all the yard signs are an indication.

About a week before, he said, Skoog came through the neighborhood knocking on doors. Long said he jokingly asked the lawmaker whether he would knock on his door as well. The two men, Long said, had a pleasant conversation. He said he offered Skoog a bottle of water, which the lawmaker declined. They exchanged phone numbers.

Long said he heard Skoog claimed he held Republican values when speaking with the neighbors, most of whom Long considered conservative.

Long said he would make the case for his candidacy to his neighbors. Skoog’s posting of signs all around his neighborhood, Long said, was “pandering to my neighbors to intimidate me.”

When my brother Doug ran for alderman in a little town in Texas years ago, I told him to get over to his opponent’s street post haste and plaster it with yard signs. Worked like a charm. It truly messes with opponents’ minds when their own neighbors turn against them. It’s highly demoralizing.

posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Aug 19, 16 @ 10:50 am

Comments

This is fun campaign mind trick psy-ops.

Signs have yet to vote, but they can leave an impression and strike at the will when popping up at the right time, at the right place.

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Aug 19, 16 @ 10:55 am
As you have said Rich, boot on the neck and don’t take it off.

Comment by Honeybear Friday, Aug 19, 16 @ 11:02 am
So if Pat Quinn had his lawn mowed and weeded he may have won. It is tough when your neighbors dislike you.

Comment by Anonymous Friday, Aug 19, 16 @ 11:04 am
I’ve seen a few Skoog signs in Streator and only one Long sign–so far–but it’s early yet.

Jerry Long is a tough campaigner and nearly beat Mautino last time, in Long’s first time out, so that should tell you something.

Streator used to be a strong union town, but not as much today. I wouldn’t underestimate Long.

Comment by Streator Curmudgeon Friday, Aug 19, 16 @ 11:08 am
It’s posts like these that are the small things in life and campaigns that make this little blog absolutely magic. Much appreciated Rich.

Comment by Biker Friday, Aug 19, 16 @ 11:23 am
Years ago I told Sen Pat O’Malley about a ton of signs in the south suburbs for his opponents running for Governor. I told him his own township was blanketed for them. He turned and with a raised voice said signs dont vote and I am way ahead in the polls through out the south land.
I guess they did vote in that election!!!

Comment by Inspector Gadget Friday, Aug 19, 16 @ 11:38 am
As disconnected as many voters are, below the Presidential and Governor levels, name recognition still counts. Hard to forget the name in your own front yard.

Comment by walker Friday, Aug 19, 16 @ 12:00 pm
My god, I hate yard signs.

Great post, Rich!

– MrJM

Comment by @MisterJayEm Friday, Aug 19, 16 @ 12:29 pm
I worked for a candidate who moved into a new housing development the year before the campaign. One day he went back to his home after a day of campaigning and there were dozens of yard signs in his precinct.

The other campaign must have contacted every hard “D” or “R” (I won’t say which one), and chances are his new neighbors didn’t even know who he was when they agreed to place the yard sign.

Our candidate became obsessed with yard signs in his precinct and wanted us to waste an entire weekend knocking on a precinct we knew we were going to win. It took us days to convince him to get over it.

We still won, but kudos to the other campaign for doing something relatively easy and distracting our candidate for almost a week.

Comment by Just Me Friday, Aug 19, 16 @ 12:30 pm
If you enjoy campaign work- there are few things more “fun” than knocking the opponent’s precinct.

Comment by West Sider Friday, Aug 19, 16 @ 1:09 pm
Love that you advised your brother on the yard signs!

Comment by Belle Friday, Aug 19, 16 @ 1:38 pm
And sophomoric stunts like this will help improve the atmosphere in Springfield how…….?????

Comment by Red Bud Friday, Aug 19, 16 @ 1:50 pm
Actually, I just suggested this tactic to a local candidate running county-wide, who is not that well known, against a candidate who takes his election for granted. It will be interesting to see what happens!

Comment by illini Friday, Aug 19, 16 @ 1:55 pm
=== And sophomoric stunts like this will help improve the atmosphere in Springfield how…….????? ===

There’s nothing sophomoric about going door to door as a candidate and persuading voters to vote for you. The yard signs are just a measuring stick for how successful the candidate has been in talking to his constituents.

Comment by Anonymouth Friday, Aug 19, 16 @ 2:31 pm
What Anonymouth said. That “sophomoric” comment is the goofiest comment of the week.

Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Aug 19, 16 @ 2:52 pm
I mean, seriously, Red Bud, did you just fall off the turnip truck or something?

Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Aug 19, 16 @ 2:54 pm