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* This is a good idea and, speaking from experience, it would be even better if it had two rows…

Seniors love freebies and they generally vote in high numbers. Getting your name in front of them twice a day would be a major positive.

One of the more effective events I’ve seen involve mobile shredders. People really turn out for those shredding events, probably because almost nobody in the private sector does them.

* The Question: What other giveaways should more politicians do? Please explain your answer.

posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Nov 20, 23 @ 9:10 am

Comments

The most effective one I remember were the sponges that said BLA-GOY-YA-VICH. I’m doubting Rod came up with the idea but they were really good for a name that virtually no one south of I-80 knew how to pronounce.

Comment by someonehastosayit Monday, Nov 20, 23 @ 9:18 am
This would be a pretty good week to giveaway turkeys.

I remember when emery boards were a thing. For me personally, I’d like to see branded key chain/bottle openers. I’d use one of those until it broke.

Comment by 47th Ward Monday, Nov 20, 23 @ 9:20 am
Note pads.

Ran for office about 20 years we had small note pads printed up with the campaign logo on the top. People loved them, we went through hundreds of them in parades.

Still see a few around to this day. People used them for phone messages (remember those days) grocery lists and notes to themselves or others. Best money we ever spent.

Comment by Give Me A Break Monday, Nov 20, 23 @ 9:21 am
The George Ryan people really missed out on the shredding synergy opportunity, because they were great at putting George’s name on everything … and destroying documents.

Comment by Michelle Flaherty Monday, Nov 20, 23 @ 9:22 am
Maybe Alexi could attempt to regain popular support in the wake of the Drivers’ facility appointment system fiasco by announcing that all registration and sticker renewals will be Free for all drivers in ‘24.

Comment by Stuck in Celliniland Monday, Nov 20, 23 @ 9:25 am
I second notepads. I’ve got a Habitat for Humanity one right here. I also love me a good pen.

Comment by Honeybear Monday, Nov 20, 23 @ 9:27 am
Twisty ties would be nice. Pushpins. Refrigerator magnets
Honestly I’ll take anything

Comment by Honeybear Monday, Nov 20, 23 @ 9:29 am
I can’t prove it but it sure feels like turkey giveaways are having a renaissance in Chicago politics this year, way more being announced than I remember in past years.

Campaign note pads are aces. Seniors are still analog (and they vote), let them look at your name every time they shop.

Comment by ChicagoBars Monday, Nov 20, 23 @ 9:32 am
I remember the Blago sponges and might still have one, pre-soak.

I think emery boards will always be popular.

Comment by Chicago Voter Monday, Nov 20, 23 @ 9:34 am
T-shirts that say more than just “NAME / NAME 2024.” Get a meme or a funny slogan on there, something that people would be willing to wear out of the house. Walking billboards. You don’t even need THAT many to be successful, if the design is eye catching enough.

When something has just a lot of small text on it, my eyes glaze over and I ignore it all. I still have a few 20+ year old magnets on my fridge that were advertisements for this or that old service, but I honestly couldn’t tell you what any of them are for, just because the text is wildly unmemorable.

Comment by Homebody Monday, Nov 20, 23 @ 9:39 am
My old boss (not Blago) gave out sponges too. People loved them.

I got grossed out when people would tell us they needed a new one because the old one is getting gnarly.

We only gave them out once a year at the 4th of July parades.

Comment by ChrisB Monday, Nov 20, 23 @ 9:40 am
those very thin LED flashlights that stick to your fridge, they’re under a dollar and I can never have too many of them since my kids are always running off with them. I’d see the name several times every day.

Comment by Suburban Mom Monday, Nov 20, 23 @ 9:41 am
Mundane stuff is best. For example, an ice scraper branded with someone’s name will get plenty of use and views. Maybe a whistle for kids to play with (branded with your opponent’s name, if you’re so inclined).

Comment by Former ILSIP Monday, Nov 20, 23 @ 9:42 am
Jar openers.

Comment by Original Rambler Monday, Nov 20, 23 @ 9:44 am
Not political but when radio listeners were supposed to log their listening by hand for ratings purposes, the thinking was that people performed this task in the kitchen - hence, radio station refrigerator magnets!

Comment by Dave Dahl Monday, Nov 20, 23 @ 9:44 am
I’ve seen (and own) promotional sunglasses with a logo printed on the bows. Can’t have too many pairs of sunglasses.

Similarly, you can’t have too many pairs of readers. Although I’ve never seen branded, freebee reading glasses, it sure seems like a good idea for targeting the voting demographic.

– MrJM

Comment by @misterjayem Monday, Nov 20, 23 @ 9:47 am
Combs. Letter openers.

Comment by Cook Street Monday, Nov 20, 23 @ 9:52 am
clip on holder for cell phone in car. promote safety, have your name in clear view all the time.

Comment by Amalia Monday, Nov 20, 23 @ 9:53 am
As far as pills box, just get two or three or how many you times you take pills a day and use a Sharpie Permanent Marker on them and label AM, Noon, PM or whatever.
Eye glass cleaner rag with logo on it, it gets used a lot

Comment by 13th Monday, Nov 20, 23 @ 9:56 am
I always liked the Barry Goldwater pin my parents got, it was a gold plated elephant with big black glasses.

Agree with the note pads. Sheba goes through a several of pads every month.

Comment by Huh? Monday, Nov 20, 23 @ 10:01 am
Chip clips. Even the small ones are handy.

Comment by Coconuts Monday, Nov 20, 23 @ 10:03 am
Refrigerator magnet given away yearly with Cubs and Sox schedule printed on it. Or Bears.
Chip bag clips. Can never have too many of those and people keep them forever.
The old nail file is always a good one that never gets old as there still isn’t a modern substitute for a good old-fashioned nail file.

Comment by Frida's boss Monday, Nov 20, 23 @ 10:07 am
I’ll basically always take a coozie and a bottle opener.

Comment by Arsenal Monday, Nov 20, 23 @ 10:15 am
@13th, so our lives, right?? Multiple boxes cause one would not help me remember how to take the pills. the pill box campaign piece is really good.

Comment by Amalia Monday, Nov 20, 23 @ 10:23 am
Nobody has mentioned yardsticks yet: I’m stunned. Every state fair, I see folks collecting them like bunches of daisies. To what purpose, I dunno, same as souvenir fans. Frisbees are also popular as dog toys and disposable fun for the kids. Shoehorns also get daily use.

Comment by Give Us Barabbas Monday, Nov 20, 23 @ 10:23 am
I second notepads and jar openers. Especially jar openers.

Comment by TinyDancer(FKASue) Monday, Nov 20, 23 @ 10:26 am
Minature flashlight to go on the key ring, with some sort of catchy saying (name, office, slogan, etc.).

Comment by Anyone Remember Monday, Nov 20, 23 @ 10:28 am
Pocket calendars.

Comment by Wensicia Monday, Nov 20, 23 @ 10:35 am
Rep. Cassidy has this addictive lip balm that comes in really handy…especially since I’ve been able to take enough to have them in the car, various bags, at home, in the office…hope she never pulls those out of rotation.
Hand sanitizer is also a good giveaway.

Comment by Winter is Here Monday, Nov 20, 23 @ 10:52 am
microfiber glasses cleaner - help us see the good and the bad out of politicians

Comment by Donnie Elgin Monday, Nov 20, 23 @ 11:14 am
Post-it notes

Comment by Two Left Feet Monday, Nov 20, 23 @ 11:17 am
Still have my Judy Barr Topinka jr football after all of these years

Comment by Lucky Pierre Monday, Nov 20, 23 @ 11:20 am
Oh, note pads, definitely. And emery boards, you can never have too many emery boards.

On the other hand, I have no room for any more refrigerator magnets.

Comment by JoanP Monday, Nov 20, 23 @ 11:20 am
WKRP-style turkey giveaway was memorable.

Comment by Colors of Fall Monday, Nov 20, 23 @ 11:21 am
Chip Clips. Always Chip Clips. Emery Boards. Magnetic calendars. Pens, tons and tons of pens.

Comment by Just Another Anon Monday, Nov 20, 23 @ 11:30 am
That’s a great idea. Thanks for making me feel so old, Rich.

Comment by ArchPundit Monday, Nov 20, 23 @ 11:32 am
@Homebody

In 1975 or so, I helped a friend set up and take down a fundraising campaign tent and tables for a candidate’s dinner. I was given a t-shirt to be identified. It read, “We work for peanuts” and had a silhouette of the candidate.

I miss Jimmy Carter.

Comment by H-W Monday, Nov 20, 23 @ 11:44 am
Yardsticks.

My mother-in-law collected them, and her collection seems to be gaining value in antique shops.

So, yardsticks.

Comment by Commonsense in Illinois Monday, Nov 20, 23 @ 11:46 am
Mouse pads

Comment by Papa2008 Monday, Nov 20, 23 @ 11:56 am
Toothbrushes and dental floss with names on them. Sounds crazy but toothbrushes are used daily and then can be used for other things.

Comment by clec dcn Monday, Nov 20, 23 @ 12:00 pm
Chip Clips
Don’t think you could do it cheap enough but a stand for next to the bed to put a phone on while it is charging.
Also small cutting board.

Comment by OneMan Monday, Nov 20, 23 @ 12:07 pm
==Mundane stuff is best…branded with someone’s name will get plenty of use and views.==

The list so far includes: emery boards (a personal favorite), yardsticks, note pads, chip clips, cell phone holder, bottle/can openers, koozies, sponges.

I think the key is to be inexpensive (easy on the campaign budget) and useful year round (seen over and over).

The thin LED flashlights that stick to your fridge are probably too expensive for most campaigns to hand out in large numbers. Calendars are only good for a year. Ice scrapers are seasonal. Little toys are OK, but if the kids take them the message is less likely to be seen.

Comment by Pot calling kettle Monday, Nov 20, 23 @ 12:11 pm
Rep. Moylan just texted me: Dog treats, finger nail files, hand sanitizer, Ukrainian buttons, and send the dogs a personalized greeting card

Comment by Rich Miller Monday, Nov 20, 23 @ 12:40 pm
Oven mitts. Especially with holidays coming up

Comment by Eire17 Monday, Nov 20, 23 @ 12:49 pm
Echo the note pads comment. And nail files as well I’ve seen be super successful.

Comment by Jumbo Monday, Nov 20, 23 @ 1:00 pm
I’m with MrJM - readers. Not practical for a parade or large event but would work for the pop-up senior services events electeds hold.

Comment by Proud Sucker Monday, Nov 20, 23 @ 2:32 pm
Roach clip. Especially if you voted for legalization.

Comment by Lurker Monday, Nov 20, 23 @ 2:42 pm
Hot pads and oven mitts. Use them even with today’s microwave ovens and Instant Pots.

Comment by Nearly Normal Monday, Nov 20, 23 @ 2:54 pm
Note Pads as others indicate ( & cheap )

Fly Swatters-best of all -costly-but they keep them

Comment by Red Ketcher Monday, Nov 20, 23 @ 3:40 pm
Former State Rep. Mike Curran (D-Springfield) was a big advocate of finger nail files and note pads. He said women use emery boards to file their nails & guys use em to file down model airplanes! Unlike a campaign flyer, which usually gets tossed immediately, note pads voters keep em around a while, usually at least till the election.
If you do turkey give-away, make sure you follow the City Treasurer’s lead and have recipient sign for it when you actually have them sign your petition!

Comment by Watchdog Monday, Nov 20, 23 @ 4:04 pm
- Similarly, you can’t have too many pairs of readers. -

I’ve got a pair of readers in every room…I’ll take another dozen.

I’ve missed you MrJM…and your punch.

Comment by Dotnonymous x Monday, Nov 20, 23 @ 4:46 pm