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Cloonen ad lands on USA Today’s “five worst”

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* USA Today editorialized today about the five worst political ads of the year…

Believe it or not, this year’s crop of election commercials contains fewer really bad ads than in previous cycles. We have, nonetheless, persevered to find some of the most misleading. […]

Medicare scare in Illinois

At first glance, the ad run by Illinois Democrat Kate Cloonen seems like routine stuff. She suggests that her Republican opponent, Lindsay Parkhurst, would take away seniors’ Medicare and Social Security.

Democrats make that case frequently. But normally, they can point to some vote long ago to make modest or necessary reductions in federal spending to support their claim. In this case, the ad is not backed up by the slightest scintilla of evidence.

What makes it even more absurd is that the office that Cloonen currently holds, and that Parkhurst is seeking, is a seat in the state legislature.

Even if Parkhurst wanted to end the two signature federal programs for retirees, she’d have a hard time doing so from her perch in Springfield. Surely, Cloonen can come up with something better than this.

The ad is here.

posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Oct 26, 16 @ 9:32 am

Comments

Wow what a candy crushing blow to her campaign

Comment by hot chocolate Wednesday, Oct 26, 16 @ 9:38 am
=…the ad is not backed up by the slightest scintilla of evidence.=

And? Isn’t that standard practice these days?

See Also: Illinois Policy Institute

Comment by MSIX Wednesday, Oct 26, 16 @ 9:42 am
Oh please. We all know Lindsay Parkhurst will give Japan and South Korea nuclear weapons as well. /s

Comment by Cleveland Fan Wednesday, Oct 26, 16 @ 9:42 am
The time-honored tradition of “scare the old folks” lives on.

Comment by Ron Burgundy Wednesday, Oct 26, 16 @ 9:46 am
Yikes. that’s your basic Republicans are bad on steroids. here’s a fun look at a Republican candidate from Texas
http://www.votegerald.com

Comment by Amalia Wednesday, Oct 26, 16 @ 9:46 am
This ad did not (candy) crush it.

Comment by Jose Abreu's next homer Wednesday, Oct 26, 16 @ 9:47 am
Evidence? Who needs that? It just gets in the way of making an important point.

Comment by zatoichi Wednesday, Oct 26, 16 @ 9:50 am
To answer the last comment of USA Today……um, I don’t think so.

Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Oct 26, 16 @ 10:19 am
That (dis)honor really belongs to Madigan as it’s his ploy — Cloonen is just the recipient of the negative attention in this USA piece. Repeatedly Madigan’s loyal foot soldiers use this nonsense successfully (who know, it may work again) that’s why he should get the “credit.”

Of course, Madigan IS getting the real attention by being the deserved target in almost all of the contested House and Senate races. A vote for Cloonen/Conroy/Bradley/Smitty, et al. is really a vote for Madigan’s continued control in Springfield. So, this attention drawn on Cloonen is a good thing.

Comment by Deft Wing Wednesday, Oct 26, 16 @ 10:47 am
- Deft Wing -

What you need to do is link to the Chicago Tribune Editorial.

The Chicago Tribune, in one fell swoop not unlike you, said…

“Forget all our Micro endorsements… Forget them… ‘Because Madigan!’… and just vote Raunerite… blindly”

If you want to promote idiocy, like it with the Trib editorial so we can all laugh with (or at) your and the Trib’s ridiculousness.

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Oct 26, 16 @ 11:43 am
From a civics standpoint these ads drive me crazy. Not to be a jerk about it but the general public thinks of government as one giant blob. Misinformation like this leads constituents to think a state rep or senator can vote on federal issues.

Comment by Team Sleep Wednesday, Oct 26, 16 @ 12:08 pm
Deft Wing: You’re joking, right?

Same practices are common by both parties in Illinois, and in every state.

Comment by walker Wednesday, Oct 26, 16 @ 12:25 pm