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Rate the Sen. Kwame Raoul AG campaign announcement video

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* The expected press release…

KWAME RAOUL ANNOUNCES BID FOR ILLINOIS ATTORNEY GENERAL

Brings decades of experience advocating for victims, making justice system work for all

CHICAGO, IL – State Senator Kwame Raoul (D-Chicago 13th) formally announced his candidacy for Illinois Attorney General today and:

As a prosecutor and a legislator, I’ve spent my career advocating on behalf of victims, speaking up for the voiceless and producing real change in our justice system. I’ve seen the law used to the advantage of large corporations and to the detriment of the middle class and those of lesser means. I’ve worked to shift that balance and make our state’s laws the great equalizer they ought to be.

As an elected official, I have a keen sense of the cynicism many Illinoisans feel toward the government, and I don’t blame them. We’re living in a time when regional, economic, racial and partisan divides have been exploited to give us impasse, not results. My record is one of leveraging the tools of government to level the playing field and promote the common good.

As Attorney General, I’ll put my problem-solving and advocacy experience to work to ensure that justice in Illinois is blind, never discriminating between city, suburban and Downstate, between brown, black and white or between rich and poor. I am running to restore balance so that political gamesmanship is no match for the rule of law, under which all are equal.

Raoul also launched an announcement video and website for his Attorney General bid, highlighting his advocacy for Illinoisans and the principles he will take with him to the Attorney General’s office.

* And here’s his announcement video…

posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Sep 20, 17 @ 2:16 pm

Comments

==I’ve seen the law used to the advantage of large corporations and to the detriment of the middle class and those of lesser means. I’ve worked to shift that balance and make our state’s laws the great equalizer they ought to be.==

Uh, wasn’t he chief sponsor on the pension theft bill, SB 1, in 2013? You know the one that the courts found unconstitutional.

Comment by 360 Degree TurnAround Wednesday, Sep 20, 17 @ 2:21 pm
I think it’s a good ad for someone running state wide in Illinois.

Comment by Steve Wednesday, Sep 20, 17 @ 2:23 pm
We need more diversity in this race. Aren’t there any defense attorneys that can run, all we have are prosecutors to choose from.

Comment by 360 Degree TurnAround Wednesday, Sep 20, 17 @ 2:25 pm
Solid ad- particularly for the short window he’s had. I think accomplishes the feel of front runner status that he is looking to project.

Comment by Boone's is Back Wednesday, Sep 20, 17 @ 2:28 pm
Kind of low energy…

Comment by NIU Grad Wednesday, Sep 20, 17 @ 2:29 pm
I thought it was stiff and rote.

Comment by Marty Funkhouser Wednesday, Sep 20, 17 @ 2:30 pm
Who picked the background music? God awful. Someone needs to equalize the voice and music.

Comment by Sound Engineer Wednesday, Sep 20, 17 @ 2:31 pm
Boone’s,

He didn’t have a short window. He chose a short window. There is nothing forcing any AG candidate to come out with candidacy statements or mediocre videos at this time.

Comment by Chicago Cynic Wednesday, Sep 20, 17 @ 2:32 pm
Boone’ thats funny. Short time line. this ad has been in the can since he abolished the death penalty.

Comment by anon Wednesday, Sep 20, 17 @ 2:38 pm
Agreed on the music.

Comment by Come on Man! Wednesday, Sep 20, 17 @ 2:41 pm
From a post on Monday:

== One of the most unpopular connected insiders in all of Illinois leaks the news on the record that a property tax appeals lawyer and daughter of yet another connected Chicago insider may be running for attorney general.

Gonna be tough to top that roll-out. ==

Kwame Rauol: Hold my beer.

Comment by TopHatMonocle Wednesday, Sep 20, 17 @ 2:44 pm
ZzZzZzZzZz

Comment by Slender Stu from Cass Co. Wednesday, Sep 20, 17 @ 2:59 pm
Ok… on second thought…as much as I like Kwame.. I watched the video again without sound and on full screen. I retract my initial comment….

He isn’t looking into the camera, is clearly reading lines, and exhibits an odd, almost forced facial expression. The b-roll slide show leaves wanting too. They could have at least used news footage or other video rather than scrolling pictures.

Comment by Boone's is Back Wednesday, Sep 20, 17 @ 3:13 pm
I agree on the b-roll images. In many shots it’s as if he’s seeking the camera and trying to look impressive. Not enough shots of him interacting with people.

Comment by Former Downstater Wednesday, Sep 20, 17 @ 3:56 pm
I can’t give it a fair rating because I fell asleep the first time. The second time I tried to watch it I got so bored that I started looking at my twitter feed.

Comment by gadfly Wednesday, Sep 20, 17 @ 4:25 pm
Semi off topic but 360 you will never see a defense attorney or Public Defender run for office. The attack ads would be brutal. He/she tried to help a molester, rapist, murderer.

Comment by DuPage Saint Wednesday, Sep 20, 17 @ 4:54 pm
==I’ve seen the law used to the advantage of large corporations and to the detriment of the middle class and those of lesser means== Um, the guy is currently an attorney advising large corporations according to his law firm profile, isn’t that his job to use the law to his advantage to his corporate clients to the detriment of the middle and working classes.

Also, his profile states he represented management in labor relations matters, how is this going to play to the labor wing of the party?

I understand his appeal as a candidate, but there are going to have to be some issues addressed in the coming year.

Comment by Swift Wednesday, Sep 20, 17 @ 5:05 pm
Maybe he had advance warning from Ms. Madigan, but the piece sure felt rather rushed and thrown together in a big hurry. Maybe taking a few more days to craft the message and practice and refine the audio and video would have been worthwhile. I wonder if his low key presentation here was an attempt to mitigate his emerging reputation as a volatile and easily riled guy. Over all OK, but not an impressive introduction to the race. Grade C.

Comment by Responsa Wednesday, Sep 20, 17 @ 6:48 pm