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* They’ve taken down the paywall on Hannah Meisel’s report on campaign mascots and props. I loved this story so much this morning that I got way behind on writing the subscriber Fax. Have fun…
Some may scoff at or even mock the strategies at work, decrying them as a “dumbing down” of democracy. But political strategists told The Daily Line that when used correctly, these characters and stunts cut through the noise of a seemingly endless political season and deliver a simple message about a candidate’s opponent.
After the chickens, Rauner’s 2014 campaign continued to add to its arsenal of costumed characters as the months progressed, eventually employing a campaign worker to spend days on end dressed up as a cross between then-Gov. Pat Quinn and fairytale character Pinnochio, famous for having a nose that grew every time he lied. This hybrid character, Quinnochio, was often joined by another campaign worker dressed in an orange jumpsuit and a rubber mask of imprisoned ex-Gov. Rod Blagojevich.
But Rauner’s first gubernatorial bid was not the first time an Illinois Republican created spectacles to attract media attention. Many of Rauner’s 2014 campaign staff had come from former U.S. Senator Mark Kirk’s office, where the senator’s 2010 election campaign had found a highly original way and extremely simple way to illustrate the alleged ties between Kirk’s opponent, Democrat Alexi Giannoulias, and the mob.
Enter: the shark.
posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Nov 6, 18 @ 10:02 am
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Alexi and Quinn… ya had a shark and a Quinnochio… and don’t forget Squeezy…
It’s like an ESPN commercial with the mascots.
Great to look back at those. Fun stuff. Thanks to Hannah and to Rich for making it a post too.
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Nov 6, 18 @ 10:20 am
Good ol’ Jaws. What a cut-up
Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Nov 6, 18 @ 10:31 am
This is what makes life fun!
Comment by JimboJamz Tuesday, Nov 6, 18 @ 11:00 am
They work with the media who are constantly bored by being told by candidates what they should report on, and allow the reporters to add intrigue to the otherwise rote existence of the campaign trail.
Comment by Ok Tuesday, Nov 6, 18 @ 12:06 pm