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Question of the day

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YouTube

* This Sen. Sam McCann ad started running last week. Your rating?…

* Script…

Bryce Benton’s people have gone too far.

Claiming McCann’s a friend of Madigan? C’mon…McCann told the Speaker —NO.

Sending waves of surveillance teams to track McCann, his wife…even his kids.

They’ve created phony newspapers, and fake stories — just to deceive voters. Unbelievable.

Spending millions on dirty tricks and lies against McCann. Fake newspapers. Lies. Surveillance teams. Way over the line.

Bryce Benton’s gone way too far. Even for Illinois.

posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Mar 7, 16 @ 11:46 am

Comments

I think it’s a weak attempt. I rate it a D+

Comment by downstater Monday, Mar 7, 16 @ 11:48 am
The one thing I’ve noticed about this ad is that all the surveillance accusations come from “eyewitness accounts.” I think the ad sounds like Benton is really sleazy, but if you care enough to read who they cite, it leaves you feeling underwhelmed. Also, he doesn’t seem to have responded to the allegation about him lying about his military record - unless I just missed it. I’m not in Mcann’s district so I don’t get all the updates - just the commercials

Comment by Johnny Pyle Driver Monday, Mar 7, 16 @ 11:53 am
“Surveillance teams”. I suppose that must be what Sam calls trackers, something every competent campaign uses these days. Understandable, then, that he wouldn’t know anything about them

Comment by Anonymous Monday, Mar 7, 16 @ 11:53 am
C
At this point, IMO, earlier ads from both sides have had whatever effect they are going to have. So it is this ad, vs the marine ad, as we draw to a close. The marine ad is an A–easy to understand, a real body blow. Mcanns ad whines about dirty tricks (yawn) and millions spent (snooze). Its up to the ground game, and crossovers.

Comment by Langhorne Monday, Mar 7, 16 @ 11:55 am
Think it is effective.

Comment by Tinsel Town Monday, Mar 7, 16 @ 11:55 am
==McCann told the Speaker —NO.==

To what? A facebook friend request?

Comment by Handle Bar Mustache Monday, Mar 7, 16 @ 11:59 am
It doesn’t do anything to change people’s minds. Now if he would have included that the accusations about the other ads were false, etc., in this attempt, perhaps it would resonate better.

C-

Comment by The Muse Monday, Mar 7, 16 @ 12:01 pm
This is the first ad I’ve ever seen complaining about routine campaign tactics…To anyone used to campaigns, it just seems whiny.

Comment by NIU Grad Monday, Mar 7, 16 @ 12:03 pm
I don’t think this spot is meant to change people’s minds. It’s meant to try and keep people who voted for McCann before. No sense in reinforcing the oppositions message by mentioning it. For people who don’t know what to believe, this says don’t believe everything you hear and stick with the guy you voted for before. Most people aren’t familiar with campaign tactics and this ad isn’t targeted towards anyone that does. If you throw enough mud up there that nothing is clear, people may stick with the guy they know.

Comment by Tube Monday, Mar 7, 16 @ 12:17 pm
McCann’s ads have been mostly positive pieces. This mild attack ad is pretty much in tune with the others, trying not to destroy McCann’s nice guy / no dirty tricks image while getting the point across that Benton isn’t a nice guy.

I’d say a C+ for the ad itself.

However, in the larger context of a public fed up with politicians in general and politically motivated attacks in particular, it may be hitting just the right tone. If there are any left in the district, it may move some undecided votes.

Comment by RNUG Monday, Mar 7, 16 @ 12:19 pm
Next Benton Ad: “Sam says I have gone too far, but has he checked his odometer lately?”

Comment by Cadillac Monday, Mar 7, 16 @ 12:31 pm
It’s a pass, but not a strong one. The voice casting is poor. That voice doesn’t sound trustworthy or credible for the message trying to be conveyed. My own choice would have been a female with more concern in her voice and less contempt. The images and voice fight and conflict. A lot of imagery going on. If his wife and kids are being followed around, better production and casting would have been more helpful here. Again, a very weak pass.

Comment by A guy Monday, Mar 7, 16 @ 12:39 pm
He forgot to mention the black helicopters…

Comment by Anon Monday, Mar 7, 16 @ 12:55 pm
The ad was weak because it does not link “that Madigan” to the challenger. /s

Comment by Beaner Monday, Mar 7, 16 @ 1:29 pm
I like the “Even for Illinois” part!

Comment by nonn Monday, Mar 7, 16 @ 2:24 pm
B-

Benton’s being used by the Governor. If Benton is not elected how does this affect his work relationship with the State Troopers after the election? Not being endorsed by the State Troopers or the State FOP has to hurt in more was than one.

Can Benton win w/o labor? We will see in a couple of weeks. But this election is mild compared to Dunkin’s race.

Comment by Rollo Tomasi Monday, Mar 7, 16 @ 3:00 pm
The Bryce Benton attack ads may backfire. Some primary voters I’ve spoken to are mad that interests from “out of town” are attacking the local guy.

Comment by Keyser Soze Monday, Mar 7, 16 @ 3:27 pm
Rollo…

May be, but compare the money thrown at this downstate race by Proft’s PAC and today’s totals in Dunkin’s race. Scary.

Comment by Behind the Scenes Monday, Mar 7, 16 @ 3:47 pm
The entire Madigan/Rauner fight has turned into two minor races, a testosterone match. Regardless of what happens in either race, what is going to change except sound bites

Comment by Former State Employee Monday, Mar 7, 16 @ 4:47 pm
He might survive these attacks in the primary but he still has unanswered questions that need to be answered after its over, like travel reimbursements among others. He can’t hide forever. Not all these charges are a smear campaign. You got troubles Sam.

Comment by Ginhouse Tommy Monday, Mar 7, 16 @ 4:48 pm
Based on this and the past few McCann mailers I’ve gotten, I can’t tell if he just doesn’t know that IECs aren’t under the control of political campaigns, or if he knows and just doesn’t care.

Comment by JI Monday, Mar 7, 16 @ 7:59 pm