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Millions being spent on cognitive dissonance

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Illinois

* I’ve been telling subscribers about this since mid-September…

Armed with a record war chest, embattled Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan is hitting the TV waves in an unprecedented fashion this election season, with at least a dozen Democratic House candidates now running televised ads and at least a few more expected to go that route in the final weeks of the campaign. […]

Particularly notable is the amount of money being spent not on cable TV, which can be localized to some degree, but on broadcast stations in the Chicago media market. […]

Such an expenditure was unheard of until the last couple of elections, and even then limited to just a couple of districts. […]

The Democratic candidate, Michelle Darbro so far has more than $300,000 in ads, most on broadcast TV, according to the latest reports, with a spokesman for Stephens saying he fears another half million dollars worth of ads is on the way. The ads slash Stephens and kin for enriching themselves at taxpayers’ expense

Madigan’s operation spent about a million bucks each on Chicago broadcast in at least a half-dozen races two years ago, plus St. Louis. The Senate Democrats did the same for four of their candidates.

What’s more notable this time around is how early the HDem expenditures began. Two years ago, the Chicago broadcast buys weren’t launched until the final week. This time, they started on September 15th. Lots of folks are voting early this year.

The HGOPs have no money to respond.

But what’s most notable, I think, is that the House Democratic candidates are all being positioned as reformers who will take on the mean ol’ Springfield establishment. Subscribers have been getting regular updates on this topic, so I swear I am not making this up.

The approach obviously polls well or they wouldn’t be doing it, but the massive amount of cognitive dissonance this requires to pull off is simply mind-blowing.

posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Oct 6, 20 @ 10:53 am

Comments

I’m seeing so many different rep district ads that I don’t know where I live anymore.

Comment by Amalia Tuesday, Oct 6, 20 @ 11:00 am
Seen some of these ads for state House Dems (or hit pieces against their Republican opponents). Skilicorn (66th) is toast, and Ness ads aren’t even negative. Stephens-Darbro everywhere. Even Dan Ugaste’s (65th) opponent running hit piece on broadcast TV. Brian Sager (63rd) not on TV, as he’s promised to NOT support Madigan,

Comment by John Lopez Tuesday, Oct 6, 20 @ 11:05 am
Junior O’Daniel: “A lot of people like that re-form. Maybe we should get us some.”

Pappy O”Daniel: “I’ll reform you, you soft-headed son of a *****. How we gonna run reform when we’re the damn incumbent?”

– O Brother, Where Art Thou? (2000)

– MrJM

Comment by @misterjayem Tuesday, Oct 6, 20 @ 11:21 am
The Ugaste ad in particular is disgusting and so far out there as to be disgraceful. I know politics ain’t beanbag but that one I saw? Sheesh!

Comment by Louis G Atsaves Tuesday, Oct 6, 20 @ 11:50 am
I haven’t yet seen a Scherer campaign ad on WAND (Channel 17, Decatur) yet, but I wonder if that actually might be coming soon.

Comment by Chatham Resident Tuesday, Oct 6, 20 @ 11:55 am
Brian Sager (63rd) not on TV, as he’s promised to NOT support Madigan,

He is also very close to Jack Franks.

That’s Jack:

1) I will only serve three terms;

2) I will not run for County Board Chairman

Franks.

I suspect BS will follow his good buddy’s lead if he’s elected.

Comment by Fav Human Tuesday, Oct 6, 20 @ 11:59 am
==That’s Jack:

1) I will only serve three terms;

2) I will not run for County Board Chairman

Franks.==

Forgot 3) I will not get myself banned from the Capitol Complex after leaving office.

https://capitolfax.com/2020/02/04/more-questions-about-the-jack-franks-probe/

Comment by Chatham Resident Tuesday, Oct 6, 20 @ 12:21 pm
Seeing Bristow ads on St.Louis commercial TV as well as cable.

Comment by Nitemayor Tuesday, Oct 6, 20 @ 12:57 pm
Using Madigan money to take out Raunerites is like using scorpions to take out cockroaches. Effective but does not create a livable home.

Comment by Last Bull Moose Tuesday, Oct 6, 20 @ 1:34 pm
==The HGOPs have no money to respond.==

Why do they have so little support? One reason may be the flat income tax.

Rich folks who lean Republican may reason that as long as there is a flat income tax, they are largely protected from Springfield Dems. If the tax amendment passes, that protection goes away.

So paradoxically, passage of the amendment could energize the GOP, since the rich will have more of a stake in Springfield’s actions.

Madigan has likely understood this, as he long opposed a graduated income tax. Perhaps the flat tax has bolstered the Dem majorities in the House and Senate, and so enhanced Madigan’s power.

While Durkin publicly opposes the amendment, there appears to be an upside either way.

Comment by Anonanonsir Tuesday, Oct 6, 20 @ 4:25 pm