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Rate Gov. Pritzker’s two new TV ads

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* Transcript…

Anita Andrews-Hutchinson: Our mission? Help kids reach their fullest potential.

Our biggest obstacle? A few years ago, it was to get state government to pay our invoices.

Under Bruce Rauner, we were owed hundreds of thousands of dollars. Everybody’s job was at risk.

But JB Pritzker has helped turn things around.

Now the state pays bills on time.

JB understands that in order for me to do my job, he has to do his job.

I used to spend my time worrying about how we were going to keep our doors open, and now I spend my time thinking about our kids.

* Bill…

* Transcript…

Bill Hincks: Our piping and fire protection systems are critical to buildings across the entire state of Illinois.

But under the Rauner administration, it was just constant delays.

The state’s finances were such a mess.

It was kind of a nightmare.

JB Pritzker knew things needed to change.

Now JB’s straightening out the state’s finances, passing balanced budgets, and getting bills paid on time.

He’s keeping us on the job. He’s keeping buildings up to date. In the process he’s saving Illinois money.

With JB, we’ve got a governor that’s working for us.

posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Jan 27, 22 @ 9:00 am

Comments

A
Nice, positive message. Nice reminder of bad times under rauner.
Setting the stage for later labeling republicans a rauner reboot.

Comment by Langhorne Thursday, Jan 27, 22 @ 9:06 am
straaaaange strategy. the Rauner admin is ancient history. But hey at least its not another ad with the word Trump used thirty times in it.

C+

the epitome of average in my opinion

Comment by MaddyMoon Thursday, Jan 27, 22 @ 9:09 am
A-simply for not drowning in doom and gloom, Chicago is Afghanistan, and the “take back” narrative which is all the GOP bring to the table.

Comment by Flyin' Elvis'-Utah Chapter Thursday, Jan 27, 22 @ 9:12 am
might be political statement

But it is a fact the Rauner Administration ruined IL, purposefully, much like Trump admin ruined the federal level right after.

we can recover but will still take time to repair the damage, not all of it is fixed atm

Comment by halving_fun Thursday, Jan 27, 22 @ 9:13 am
I worry about the effectiveness of the ‘Remember Rauner!’ strategy. He was a Presidential Election, insurrection and several rounds of widespread infections ago. Are the vast majority of voters really going to stop and think, ‘Yeah. You think it’s bad now…’? The financial stewardship angle is great. The time spent on Rauner could be used more effectively.

Comment by Hyperbolic Chamber Thursday, Jan 27, 22 @ 9:16 am
I think the first ad might prove to be more effective because it’s getting at education, which is going to be a big issue.

But I personally like the second ad because it connects some of the abstract elements of the state budget to people’s real lives- paying our bills on time means real people get paid on time.

I don’t pretend that that is a politically salient message, it’s just cool to hear.

Comment by Arsenal Thursday, Jan 27, 22 @ 9:16 am
In as much as Pritzker is likely to win by at least 5 percent ( likely 10)- his best single commercial could be that he won’t spend a nickel on his campaign and instead he is writing a check to the States’s pension funds in the the aMount of 150 million dollars

Comment by Sue Thursday, Jan 27, 22 @ 9:16 am
Overall a C-, but an A for the history lessons… “Under Bruce Rauner”; yep JB reminds us that Rauner was once the governor. And You won’t hear or see Rauner in any election ads he’s a ghost. The GOP has MJM and th Dems have Rauner, so boring

Comment by Donnie Elgin Thursday, Jan 27, 22 @ 9:17 am
Four years ago they had a lot of success running against Rauner, one unintended consequence of Griffin/Irvin putting the band back together is that they get to do it again. Shows promise.

Comment by The Captain Thursday, Jan 27, 22 @ 9:17 am
Videos are good. They are a poignant reminder of the disaster, pain and suffering many Illinois families went through under the failed Rauner Administration. Lets not return to that type of government in Illinois ever again.

Comment by David Thursday, Jan 27, 22 @ 9:20 am
True enough but people aren’t talking about these issues. I guess it serves the function of trying to remind folks about Rauner for later use in the summer, but that seems like a long thin chain

Meh C

Comment by SWIL_Voter Thursday, Jan 27, 22 @ 9:23 am
Both A for me.

Comment by Back to the Future Thursday, Jan 27, 22 @ 9:24 am
Good ads, rated B. Not heavy enough, in terms of Rauner’s destruction, but that may or will come later. But consultants/pollsters/pros know what ads could work best, not some blog commenter. Good to start touching upon that damage and naming names, because that is what JB inherited and is helping fix. Griffin’s return also makes Raunerism most relevant.

Comment by Grandson of Man Thursday, Jan 27, 22 @ 9:26 am
A-/B+. Hits JB’s strength well and deals with his actual performance. Could have been a little more specific or detailed, but the “real people” type of ads aren’t really expected to be. Compares performance to the previous guy, foreshadowing future commercials should Irwin win, being brought to us by the same team that brought us the ruiner.

Comment by Jibba Thursday, Jan 27, 22 @ 9:27 am
Both an A
It’s morning again in Illinois.

Comment by Proud Papa Bear Thursday, Jan 27, 22 @ 9:28 am
I say an A. It sets up the narrative that JB is doing the job and getting things done.

Comment by Kool Aid Thursday, Jan 27, 22 @ 9:29 am
With no sound - a simple message: Rauner broke it, we fixed it. Good for children. Good for business.

Comment by Uptown Progressive Thursday, Jan 27, 22 @ 9:30 am
Both solid B’s. Good framing for how the state paying its bills on time impacts regular people.

They’re also effectively laying the ground work to tie the Grif Slate to Rauner.

Comment by Roman Thursday, Jan 27, 22 @ 9:30 am
I give the ads an F. There is a great Vox column linked below about the national exhaustion caused by covid and the continual crisis we have been living through. I raise this in response to the next post asking people to rate the governor’s ad. Normally, I care about these things more than the average person, and I can say with all honesty that I don’t care about these ads. The story points out that many democrats have tuned out politics, opening the door for republican efforts around the country, both on the sate and federal level, to restrict voting rights and personal freedoms. My point here is that it could be time to get very creative with political ads. Maybe its time to get away from JB appearing in his ads (that would go for the rest of them as well). Maybe injecting some humor like the classic Paul Wellstone ad. Maybe channel the Gravel ad where he throws the rock into the lake, or where Herman Cain’s campaign manager takes a drag off of a cigeratte. I can say with certainty that any ad that starts with there negative music playing over the opponent, then quickly transitioning to upbeat music with the savior featured on the ad gets an F from me. Its a giant waste of money being spent by people who have never known what its like to not have money, and the horrible decisions real people need to make when their money falls short of what they owe each month. https://www.vox.com/the-goods/22902543/covid-omicron-pandemic-tired-burnout

Comment by moving forward Thursday, Jan 27, 22 @ 9:34 am
Understand the “slate” having trouble getting the “slate” petitions signed. Wow, go figure—Republicans don’t like being told what to do!
JBs ads good, but until he talks crime and explaining to suburban moms his covid approach hes going to stay at 50% And nobody cares about Rauner

Comment by watchful eye Thursday, Jan 27, 22 @ 9:39 am
If you’re just gonna give it a grade and not explain your decision, please, don’t bother.

Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Jan 27, 22 @ 9:40 am
I’d give both of these an A-. Both hit on the fact that the previous governor nearly destroyed the state, and Pritzker has managed the turnaround. I wish I could see some humility in these ads (any ads really), where JB says he made some mistakes along the way, but in the grand scheme of things, Illinois is finally coming out of the abyss. It seems like no politician can be remorseful for anything lest they lose votes from the base and provide fodder for the opposition.

Comment by Steve Rogers Thursday, Jan 27, 22 @ 9:47 am
As to the explanation of both ads being As, I like positive ads with regular folks giving a factual explanation on how a candidate affected their lives. They keep my attention.
These kinds of ads are in sharp contrast to ads where folks are basically yelling at me.
Yes, I know and appreciate the fact that negative ads have worked in the past. I am just tired of negative ads.

Comment by Back to the Future Thursday, Jan 27, 22 @ 9:55 am
C. Nothing special, nothing bad. I like positive messages, but I also feel Pritzker puts out the same stale repurposed messages over and over. Time to freshen up the messaging machine.

Comment by ;) Thursday, Jan 27, 22 @ 10:00 am
A-. Both hit on what has long been a big concern for Illinoisans — our state’s fiscal health. The R’s have been pounding the narrative of Dem’s financial mismanagement for years. The ads are a great reminder of how bad it was under the last R and how much progress is being made by Dems. I only wish there could have been a stronger nod to a hopeful future, but I’m an optimist in general.

Comment by Panther Pride Thursday, Jan 27, 22 @ 10:01 am
B. Right tone and focus, but not responsive to the biggest current fears. Still early.

Is the best response to general exhaustion and fear in the public shouting “it’s a disaster but I’m the hero who can fix it” or a more measured and reassuring approach “here are some problems we had and now they’re getting better”?

I favor the low amplitude approach, for right now. Could be wrong.

Comment by walker Thursday, Jan 27, 22 @ 10:09 am
B-
I don’t think people have completely tuned out political ads yet, and JB needs to pour money to drive home the message that he’s doing a good job, and doing it better than it was before.
Once the Griffin slate starts hitting him, it’s going to be about “JB’s failures/mismanagement” at state agencies, plus the same oppo and scandal/Madigan stuff we’ve seen before.
This is doing a good job of just laying groundwork that he is doing good, we are doing good, and it’s better than before. I think with COVID that’s not how people feel right now, so he needs to remind them.
I would give an A if more of the ad was positive. These are like 50% pos/neg. I would like to see more like a 70/30. I think people want bright and happy right now.

Comment by phenom_Anon Thursday, Jan 27, 22 @ 10:11 am
I would add that I think the Rauner hits fall completely flat right now, but it probably needs to be in there because later they are going to do everything they can to tie the new slate to Rauner. So he needs to lay the groundwork to remind people now what it was like. I don’t know how well that will actually work, largely because for most people and business owners, COVID has been much worse that the budget impasse. But hey, they are taking the first steps toward a comprehensive approach, and I think that’s good. I also think Pritzker has the advantage of being able to experiment a little, because he has so much money it’s not as hard to change course. Griffin may have more money than Pritzker, but he’s a businessman and I think will not be willing to spend as much of his personal funding as JB. We saw how fast the money dried up in 2018.

Comment by phenom_Anon Thursday, Jan 27, 22 @ 10:17 am
C- to both

Boring (subject matter) stale ads (production) that have real people giving obviously canned lines. There’s an uncanny valley effect going on with these types of ads. Either do real people with genuine lines or do VO/candidate with scripted lines.

Comment by Hahaha Thursday, Jan 27, 22 @ 10:35 am
C

Well produced ads are not going to convince persuadable voters that the children of Illinois education has not fallen behind these past few years during COVID or that our state economy is thriving and our streets are safer

Comment by Lucky Pierre Thursday, Jan 27, 22 @ 10:44 am
A- to both.

They talk about themes and issues most people care about, and remind the working class they have a governor working for them.

Comment by here we go Thursday, Jan 27, 22 @ 10:49 am
“He’s keeping buildings up to date.”

D+. If only the 2+ year remodeling project at the IDOT Hanley Building would be over. Dust is gathering on equipment and materials because no work is being done. No construction workers to be seen.

Comment by Huh? Thursday, Jan 27, 22 @ 10:54 am
“children of Illinois education has not fallen behind these past few years during COVID ”

Don’t be daft - that’s a nation and worldwide issue that is well documented. It’s disingenuous to say its an Illinois issue, but you do you.

Comment by DeeLay Thursday, Jan 27, 22 @ 10:56 am
==the children of Illinois education has not fallen behind==

Present company included, apparently.

Comment by Roadrager Thursday, Jan 27, 22 @ 10:58 am
Agree with the poster questioning how much Rauner bashing resonates with voters. Maybe that works for a commercial targeted at Springfield or public union workers but
Rauner feels like a very very long time ago.

Comment by hisgirlfriday Thursday, Jan 27, 22 @ 11:02 am
Both ads get an A. I think people are missing the point of these early ads. They are aimed at the suburbs. They are aimed at the mainstream GOPers who were disgusted with how Rauner governed and ran away from Trump. These are issues they really care about. Fiscal responsibility, credit upgrades and just general good governance matters to these folks.

Think about it this way. When you have an unlimited checkbook, you get to be really strategic in your ad targeting. This is part of that effort. Great stuff.

Comment by New Day Thursday, Jan 27, 22 @ 11:10 am
It is also well documented that Illinois kids did far more remote learning than other states and the results for minority children were especially problematic

https://www.wbez.org/amp/stories/student-test-scores-in-illinois-plummet-offering-first-broad-measure-of-the-pandemics-impact/8d65ae0c-dd6b-4b54-9bf8-23381043c3fc

Comment by Lucky Pierre Thursday, Jan 27, 22 @ 11:11 am
=Don’t be daft - that’s a nation and worldwide issue that is well documented. It’s disingenuous to say its an Illinois issue, but you do you.=

That’s what JB is up against though. He could have done the worst possible, or best possible job battling COVID. The vast majority of people in Illinois see the last two years as very dark times. They don’t view 2015-2019 in even remotely as negative of a light. It may not be fair, but it is reality. JB can defend what he’s done, but it means a lot of “yes but that’s because…”, and as they say, if you’re explaining you’re losing.
This cycle has a built-in uphill climb for incumbents.

Comment by Wonkey Kong Thursday, Jan 27, 22 @ 11:13 am
B, tending towards B+.

These campaign ads are the Applebee’s of campaign ads. They’re not exciting, they’re not risky, and they’re intended for broad appeal and consumption. Applebee’s. It’s not a place where you’d go to impress a date, but you’ll show up there after a catching a movie for some half price appetizers.

From the standpoint of their messaging strategy, I assume these ads are intended to help drive positive name ID and positives in general by reminding folks how truly awful the last GOP Governor was and what a good job JB Pritzker has done fixing the mess Bruce Rauner left behind.

I presume they will attempt to tie whichever nominee to Bruce Rauner, which is going to be pretty easy since the GOP Daddy’s messaging machine is turning out the same rhetoric.

A B is a respectable grade. This is a respectable ad. You can look down on Applebee’s all you want, but you could go for a Cajun Chicken Pasta right now.

JB has his record to run on. The GOP’s message so far is nothing but lies and misrepresentation.

The GOP can’t run an Applebee’s ad because no one wants to eat at their restaurant, especially not if they’re honest with voters about what’s on the menu.

Comment by Candy Dogood Thursday, Jan 27, 22 @ 11:29 am
==Maybe channel the Gravel ad where he throws the rock into the lake, or where Herman Cain’s campaign manager takes a drag off of a cigeratte. ==

Why would you want to emulate those two campaigns?

==The vast majority of people in Illinois see the last two years as very dark times.==

The majority of voters also approve of how Pritzker has done his job.

==it means a lot of “yes but that’s because…”==

Except that’s not what Pritzker is doing. I mean, the ads are right there at the top of the page, I can see them, there’s no “Yes, things are bad, but…”. It’s all “things are getting better thanks to me”, and leaving it to the Lucky Pierres of the world to say “Ah, actually, everything is terrible because…”

And then, someone else is explaining. And as they say, if you’re explaining…

Comment by Arsenal Thursday, Jan 27, 22 @ 11:36 am
==It is also well documented that Illinois kids did far more remote learning than other states and the results for minority children were especially problematic==

And the first ad is about how Pritzker helped keep a learning center open.

Like, c’mon, I know you don’t like JB and so you hope that everything he does won’t work, but you’re really doing some gymnastics here.

Comment by Arsenal Thursday, Jan 27, 22 @ 11:40 am
A+++. Especially the ad with Anita Andrews-Hutchinson at It Takes A Village School. Absolutely outstanding showing the mission of her school and the difference between Rauner and Pritzker when it comes to early childhood learning.

Comment by low level Thursday, Jan 27, 22 @ 11:42 am
Running it’s morning in America ads when the vast majority of voters think our largest city and the state are on the wrong track is a questionable strategy.

The Virginia election proved elections are about the future.

Running ads about the previous Governor’s term will only appeal to the minority of voters who believe we are on the right track

https://newschannel20.com/amp/news/local/survey-60-believe-illinois-is-headed-in-wrong-direction

https://abc7chicago.com/amp/the-chicago-index-is-on-right-track-survey-civic-survery/10495510/

Comment by Lucky Pierre Thursday, Jan 27, 22 @ 11:49 am
A solid B+. Reminds us of where we’ve been and where we’re at. And if you’re opponent is a Griffin funded candidate it’s a good reminder of what that can mean.

Comment by Pundent Thursday, Jan 27, 22 @ 11:53 am
=Except that’s not what Pritzker is doing. I mean, the ads are right there at the top of the page, I can see them, there’s no “Yes, things are bad, but…”. It’s all “things are getting better thanks to me”, and leaving it to the Lucky Pierres of the world to say “Ah, actually, everything is terrible because…”=

Are you missing something here? Do you pay money to run ads where you are attacked and have to explain yourself? Of course not.
Yes, there’s no explaining here, there’s no mention of COVID at all. He’s selling how great he was, how bad the previous guy was. This is, after all, his commercial. He’s not going to remind people about things they’re unhappy about during his tenure.

But that doesn’t change what he’s up against.

Comment by Wonkey Kong Thursday, Jan 27, 22 @ 11:54 am
Ads are “A”.

Reminding voters that the GOP guy you beat badly in 2018 was awful and hurt real people is a good ad.

Showing voters that you have helped those same real people is a good ad.

Comment by don the legend Thursday, Jan 27, 22 @ 12:08 pm
==Do you pay money to run ads where you are attacked and have to explain yourself?==

Many people do, yes.

==But that doesn’t change what he’s up against. ==

Look, it was your position that:

“JB can defend what he’s done, but it means a lot of “yes but that’s because…”, and as they say, if you’re explaining you’re losing.”

I’m just pointing out that, in reality, he’s bragging about what he’s done and leaving the “explaining” to someone else.

Comment by Arsenal Thursday, Jan 27, 22 @ 12:12 pm
==Running it’s morning in America ads==

The tagline is “Strong Leadership in Tough Times”.

Peep them last two words, pal.

==The Virginia election proved elections are about the future.==

The VA election was an open seat. When an incumbent governor is on the ballot, the election is a referendum on them.

Comment by Arsenal Thursday, Jan 27, 22 @ 12:15 pm
==If only the 2+ year remodeling project at the IDOT Hanley Building would be over. Dust is gathering on equipment and materials because no work is being done. No construction workers to be seen.==

Maybe COVID and now the supply chain shortages (and trucker shortages) have slowed down the construction project?

Comment by NonAFSCMEStateEmployeeFromChatham Thursday, Jan 27, 22 @ 12:23 pm
First ad an A.
Well scripted and good message delivered there.

Second ad a B.
A little exaggeration on keeping state buildings up to date.
More is getting done on state buildings than under Rauner but there still needs to be more done.

Both ads are good though.

Comment by btowntruthfromforgottonia Thursday, Jan 27, 22 @ 12:27 pm
The election will be referendum on JB’s term not his predecessors where elected Democrats rejected proposals with broad bipartisan support like term limits, property tax reform, fair maps and pension reform

Comment by Lucky Pierre Thursday, Jan 27, 22 @ 12:46 pm
== The Virginia election proved elections are about the future.==

Um, no. Elections have always been about the future. Try and up your game, LP.

Comment by low level Thursday, Jan 27, 22 @ 1:22 pm
I don’t know why they’re bringing up the Rauner years. Those are over and done and basically undermines the positive message of getting things done since well not as much got done under Rauner. Let’s stay positive and look forward to the future…

Comment by Levois J Thursday, Jan 27, 22 @ 1:26 pm
==Democrats… pension reform==

So clearly Lucky P missed the bipartisan pension savings passed in 2013 but rejected by the Illinois Supreme Court unanimously.

Comment by low level Thursday, Jan 27, 22 @ 1:26 pm
===will be referendum on JB’s term not his predecessors===

Disagree. It will be a referendum on JB’s performance, but you need some context to see if he is doing a good job. Comparing to the previous guy is a great way to get it. And JB looks pretty good in that regard, so many voters are already a “yes.” For the GOP base they are already a “no.”

For those who are still on the fence, they will then look at whether the alternative might be better, based on his promises or whatever record he does have. And that is where the Team Rauner hits come in again, for bringing the same old promises from a new guy

Comment by Jibba Thursday, Jan 27, 22 @ 1:30 pm
==Try and up your game, LP.==

Don’t hold your breath. If he’s one thing he’s consistent - consistently bad.

To the ad -

It’s a B. Nothing spectacular but he’s hitting on something that people need to be reminded of and that is he’s turned the state’s finances around.

Comment by Demoralized Thursday, Jan 27, 22 @ 1:35 pm
Tell JB elections are about the future.

He is the one spending millions of dollars in ads about the Rauner administration

Comment by Lucky Pierre Thursday, Jan 27, 22 @ 2:31 pm
==Tell JB elections are about the future.==

Tell the Republican Party elections are about the future. They are the one’s bringing up Mike Madigan at every turn.

Doofus.

Comment by Demoralized Thursday, Jan 27, 22 @ 2:43 pm
C for somewhat contrived…more JB…smiling.

Comment by Dotnonymous Thursday, Jan 27, 22 @ 2:46 pm
==He is the one spending millions of dollars in ads about the Rauner administration ==

This is also a misreading of the ad. The Ad is “about” What A Great Job JB Pritzker Has Done. Rauner is mentioned 1) to establish the pre-JB baseline; 2) Because it looks like Republicans may be dumb to do the same thing again and expect a different result. But the Ad is “about” JB.

Comment by Arsenal Thursday, Jan 27, 22 @ 3:24 pm
Sticks and Stones…

every Doofus knows the Madigan organization is on currently trial and not the Rauner administration

No wonder you are Demoralized

Comment by Lucky Pierre Thursday, Jan 27, 22 @ 3:45 pm
==every Doofus knows the Madigan organization is on currently trial and not the Rauner administration ==

Man, even you guys’ “elections are about the future” rule has a “because Madigan” exception.

Comment by Arsenal Thursday, Jan 27, 22 @ 4:01 pm
So LP has nothing except “sticks and stones” when his error about pension reform and Democrats is pointed out. Figures.

Comment by low level Thursday, Jan 27, 22 @ 4:16 pm
B

It’s perfectly okay as far as ads go given we’re still a long way out from the election. Running against rauner isn’t a closing message, but these aren’t meant to be closing arguments.

Comment by Nick Thursday, Jan 27, 22 @ 4:22 pm
==Man, even you guys’ “elections are about the future” rule has a “because Madigan” exception.==

Exactly. And this is just another reason why LP should not be taken seriously about anything and that everything out of his mouth should be ignored.

Comment by Demoralized Thursday, Jan 27, 22 @ 4:29 pm
“The election will be referendum on JB’s term not his predecessors”

When the preceding governor praises one of the GOP primary candidates, it’s just as much a referendum on him as it is the current governor.

Comment by Fivegreenleaves Thursday, Jan 27, 22 @ 9:15 pm