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Kennedy says he plans to start airing TV ads in January

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Illinois

Democrat Chris Kennedy, during a campaign stop Monday in Decatur, promoted himself as an anti-establishment candidate for Illinois governor.

“Kennedys have always been oppositional to the entrenched interest,” said Kennedy, noting his father, Sen. Robert Kennedy, ran against sitting President Lyndon B. Johnson, and his uncle, Ted Kennedy, had a primary challenge against President Jimmy Carter. “We love the Democratic Party, but we love America more.” […]

Kennedy on Monday said he expects his message of change will resonate with voters. He plans to start running television ads by January.

I asked him about this yesterday and he seemed confident that he could raise the money to go on TV in January. I just don’t see it yet. That would be an expensive proposition.

* Speaking of money…

“The last 2½ years have been a disaster without a budget and all the problems it caused,” [former Gov. Jim Edgar] said. “I think most people would like to see government function, and he’s the governor, so he’s kind of the one responsible.” […]

If [Rep. Jeanne Ives] overcomes the first hurdle, observers said the three-term representative faces an immensely difficult task against Rauner, whose re-election campaign committee had $72 million on hand Thursday. Ives had $22,488 on hand in her House re-election campaign committee.

“You can buy yourself a primary victory,” Edgar said of Rauner’s advantage.

* On to the GOP’s secretary of state candidate…

“Justice is not being served on the taxpayers of Illinois,” [Grundy County State’s Attorney Jason Hellend] said. Entrenched Democratic politicians are serving their own interests, he asserted.

Hellend particularly noted House Speaker Mike Madigan, who has been in the state House since 1971. That leaves Madigan and White as the two state office holders with the longest terms, he noted.

Helland pointed out that White said he would not run for reelection ahead of both the 2010 and 2014 elections.

“Why can’t Jesse retire?” asked Hellend.

He said White’s decision was because he was “Madigan’s patronage officer-in-chief,” controlling the numerous state jobs associated with the secretary of state’s office.

* Other campaign stuff…

* Dems vying for governor outline views on college funding at UI forum

* Democratic Governor Hopefuls Back More Help For Higher Education

* Jim Dey: Rauner ad stars thankful governors of neighboring states

posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Nov 7, 17 @ 10:56 am

Comments

Kennedy concedes to Lexus’ December to Remember sales event.

Comment by City Zen Tuesday, Nov 7, 17 @ 11:10 am
I wonder if Ives and Rauner will fight over the Edgar endorsement. /s

Comment by don the legend Tuesday, Nov 7, 17 @ 11:12 am
–“You can buy yourself a primary victory,” Edgar said of Rauner’s advantage.–

You sure can. Rauner is Example A. JB is seeking to become Example B.

Comment by wordslinger Tuesday, Nov 7, 17 @ 11:17 am
Kennedy waiting until after Thanksgiving, December holidays, New Year, it’s a gamble that the Kennedy name will be “enough”… if there is enough money to do it.

Figure 9-10 weeks, at least $500K a week on media (that’s not a full saturation that might be needed this late, but… ) building on “Kennedy” wheh that Crew hopes people will be paying attention.

Ok.

Ok, so where’s that minimum $5 million outside the monies Kennedy is leaking by the minute on who knows what.

We’ll see…

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Nov 7, 17 @ 11:37 am
The longer he waits to get on the air, combined with his problems with in-person events, the harder it’s going to be for him to raise money. He’s not gonna get a Bernie-esque small-dollar army, he needs big fish, and he’s not going to land any of them if he remains barely visible.

Comment by Arsenal Tuesday, Nov 7, 17 @ 11:48 am
It may be completely related to money more than strategy but Kennedy is smart to hold off starting his ads until after the holidays. Yes, he will have fewer months to appeal to voters but he will be doing it and focusing on them at a time closer to the election when people *might* be paying more attention. And he will benefit by not having annoyed people for so long in not polluting and over saturating the airways as other candidates are already doing. Name recognition is not as big a problem for him as Biss. If he has a message January will be soon enough for Kennedy to make his advertising stand.

Comment by Responsa Tuesday, Nov 7, 17 @ 11:50 am
January 2018, right?

Comment by A guy Tuesday, Nov 7, 17 @ 11:56 am
We’ll know if Kennedy’s ad strategy was successful when Illinois Republicans claim he is being controlled by Madigan.

Comment by AC Tuesday, Nov 7, 17 @ 11:58 am
This Kennedy fella is all over Directv this month. Must have started early.

Comment by Blue dog dem Tuesday, Nov 7, 17 @ 12:12 pm
Kennedy does know when the primary is doesn’t he?

Comment by Sue Tuesday, Nov 7, 17 @ 1:47 pm
Grundy County States Attorney you should tell the Gov to quit promoting your opponent saying what a good job he’s doing as SoS.

Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Nov 7, 17 @ 1:51 pm
Sort of too little, too late. Too much catch up for a candidate that unfortunately is not impressive, although he is a leader in ideas. Ideas which would never be implemented anyway. Madigan is not going to call for a vote that eliminates his major source of revenue.

Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Nov 7, 17 @ 3:41 pm
= Sort of too little, too late. =

Not really, people are looking for a candidate that’s more appealing than Pritzker. People in Illinois are sick to death of these kinds of Madiganites that run on nothing but generic democratic rhetoric.

Comment by Max Bayer Wednesday, Nov 8, 17 @ 7:51 am