Capitol Fax.com - Your Illinois News Radar

Rate Rauner’s new digital ad

Posted in:

Illinois
YouTube

* Press release…

Today, the Rauner campaign is launching a new digital ad titled “Who Knew?”

When pressed about why he was caught on FBI wiretaps with disgraced ex-Governor Rod Blagojevich just six days before Blagojevich was arrested, JB Pritzker responded “nobody knew the FBI was investigating the man … who knew, you know, that he was actually doing things that were against the interests of the people.”

Everyone knew. The campaign’s new digital ad highlights years of headlines that make it clear the FBI had Blagojevich in their sights.

* The spot…

They make some valid points.

posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Jun 12, 18 @ 9:56 am

Comments

Rate = F

I rate this an F because the Rauner campaign is centering there issues about 10 year old video tapes instead of real life issues that matter to Illinois citizens everyday. These tapes don’t impact my life in any way, but the bad decisions and priorities of Rauner do.. So to Rauner focus on the issues of here and now or do you not care about those that are struggling to make ends meet? Therefore you get an F.

Comment by Real Tuesday, Jun 12, 18 @ 10:05 am
It would mean something if Pritzker was under investigation or indicted, but nothing came of it.

As an ad it’s real good, the way it’s produced, but for its content, it’s chasing a dead end and is meant to distract from arguably the worst gubernatorial performance in state history. If you can’t run on your record, just smear your opponent.

C-

Comment by Grandson of Man Tuesday, Jun 12, 18 @ 10:08 am
When you are unliked, you run ads like these.

It’s a “B”, borderline “B+”

Pritzker can’t play the “babe in the woods routine” when “we heard you on the phone”… I’ve heard that somewhere before.

Pritzker now needs Blago released, Rauner to respond, and POTUS to go after Rauner. That’s just about where this falls now.

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Jun 12, 18 @ 10:09 am
When a billionaire has nothing good to campaign on this is the type of ad’s they run. If Rauner was so proud of what he wants to do for Illinois we would be seeing that in his ad’s right now instead we see distractions from his failed record like this. I urge all to vote Rauner out. That’s all I get from this ad.

Comment by Real Tuesday, Jun 12, 18 @ 10:11 am
@Real How does corruption in state government not impact your life? How is it not a real issue?

Comment by Pickleback Tuesday, Jun 12, 18 @ 10:12 am
==Pritzker now needs Blago released, Rauner to respond, and POTUS to go after Rauner.==

Disagree. Blago’s release will make JB’s victory less likely. Maybe not by much, and the scenario you lay out could certainly help mitigate the damage. But mitigated damage is still damage.

Comment by Arsenal Tuesday, Jun 12, 18 @ 10:14 am
===But mitigated damage is still damage.===

mitigate - verb -make less severe, serious, or painful.

So to make things less damaging isn’t good? Huh?

===Blago’s release will make JB’s victory less likely.===

Doubt that.

Trump will be the one who controls Blago’s fate. Rauner would have to condone Trump. We don’t know how that will be received.

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Jun 12, 18 @ 10:18 am
I agree with OW its at least a Strong B. The question - REAl -, isnt what you think of Rauner, its rather you think the Ad is affective, and it is..

Comment by Board Watcher Tuesday, Jun 12, 18 @ 10:18 am
The ‘who knew he was under investigation’ was a stupid response and hammering him on it is a smart play by Rauner.

Also even if Rauner had a ton of ‘positive’ stuff to say he would be running these types of ads, because when you are running against a guy who has said he will spend whatever it takes to win you have to increase his negatives.

Comment by OneMan Tuesday, Jun 12, 18 @ 10:20 am
Given what Rauner’s got to work with, I rate it a B+. It makes the point that he wants to make.

What Arsenal said.

Comment by walker Tuesday, Jun 12, 18 @ 10:21 am
===Blago’s release will make JB’s victory less likely.===

If that was the case Rauner and the GOP congressional caucus would not be asking Trump to keep him locked up. If you are going to make the claim that a Blago release will hurt JB then show evidence that high ranking republicans in Illinois agree with you?

Comment by Real Tuesday, Jun 12, 18 @ 10:23 am
REAl -, isnt what you think of Rauner, its rather you think the Ad is affective, and it is.

-Sorry but I already pointed out that 10 year old video tapes does not impact my life aka the ad is not effective. Which is why I rated it an F. If 10 year old video tapes impact your life then that would be your opinion. My opinion differs.

Comment by Real Tuesday, Jun 12, 18 @ 10:25 am
B or B+. Just having JB’s name in the same sentence with Blago is bad news. Though I’m not certain what Rauner thinks JB should have down. There’s no clear quid pro quo stuff that anyone, including the FBI, has ever actually alleged, so JB was probably just trying to keep Blago happy without breaking the law. Again, JB refused Blago’s ask for $50k. Not ideal, but when the guy with all the power is corrupt, you either walk the tightrope or get out of the business.

Comment by Perrid Tuesday, Jun 12, 18 @ 10:27 am
It’s solid work. It’s paced to tell a very specific story and make a very specific point. It’s there to refresh memories of people who were aware at the time, but haven’t thought about it for a while.

Fast forward to today; there’s a founded view that the party in power has had corruptness as part of their SOP for decades. Some issues are now being dealt with, but this represents a guy who will take a big step backwards.

This work makes you think about it. Hard. It’s very good and gets better the more you see it. This crew is very good at what they do.

Comment by A guy Tuesday, Jun 12, 18 @ 10:30 am
B+ Its not a devastating charge against JB and goes with the information from tapes already played, but it does get straight to the point without spin. Might have been an A if they said who knew the FBI was investigating the man a few more times to make JB look more like an idiot and get the point to stick a little harder.

Comment by BucknIrish Tuesday, Jun 12, 18 @ 10:35 am
It was a stupid thing to say but not sure it amounts to much beyond that. The ad is fine. B-

Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Jun 12, 18 @ 10:35 am
B. Good use of timeline, text of the dates is hard to read, colors are distracting.

Comment by Dog on Sheffield Tuesday, Jun 12, 18 @ 10:36 am
@Real
===Rate = F===
You’re not delusional or bias. (sarcasm) Corruption and undermining the democratic process clearly affects people’s daily lives and the functioning of this state.

Ad is a solid B+. The more Pritzker is associated with Blago, the better for Rauner.

Comment by INI Tuesday, Jun 12, 18 @ 10:42 am
Rate this ad a solid B. Multiple rebuttals of JB’s extremely dubious claims not to know what everyone who followed politics in Illinois knew.

Comment by Louis G. Atsaves Tuesday, Jun 12, 18 @ 10:53 am
C-

The Blago connection is not going to derail JB’s candidacy enough. Every youtube video I watch these days starts out with the Rauner ad, featuring JB and Blago.

Comment by southwestsider Tuesday, Jun 12, 18 @ 10:57 am
==So to make things less damaging isn’t good?==

It’s better than making them more damaging, but not “good”. “Good” is something that actively helps you.

Best for JB is Blago stays in prison. If that doesn’t happen, then sure, he’d prefer something to happen to get the Republicans crossways with each other, but he can’t count on that.

Comment by Arsenal Tuesday, Jun 12, 18 @ 11:00 am
==If that was the case Rauner and the GOP congressional caucus would not be asking Trump to keep him locked up.==

That’s a fair point, but Rauner has already been running anti-Blago ads for months now, he can’t turn around and say “the feds were too hard on him”. As for the Congresscritters, their fates aren’t necessarily tied to Rauner’s, and they’d probably prefer to keep them as separate as possible.

None of which is to say that Blago’s release = Rauner’s reelection. Making something less likely doesn’t make it impossible, or even unlikely. But Blago’s release would introduce a major element of uncertainty to the landscape, and when you’re the one up 15-20 points, you really don’t want much to change.

Comment by Arsenal Tuesday, Jun 12, 18 @ 11:03 am
==This work makes you think about it. Hard.==

Ah, yes, because political ads that make the audience ruminate have such a distinguished track record.

Comment by Arsenal Tuesday, Jun 12, 18 @ 11:05 am
===If that doesn’t happen, then sure, he’d prefer something to happen to get the Republicans crossways with each other, but he can’t count on that.===

An alleged Republican president will be the one releasing Rod.

Can’t get much more crossways than that.

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Jun 12, 18 @ 11:08 am
==Ah, yes, because political ads that make the audience ruminate have such a distinguished track record.==

Yeah. You might be outside the target for such an ad. Scant few are meant for rumination. I think this one may be. We’ll see.

Comment by A guy Tuesday, Jun 12, 18 @ 11:14 am
Good ad. The timeline is hard to follow.

Pritzker can be beaten, but not by Rauner.

Comment by Last Bull Moose Tuesday, Jun 12, 18 @ 11:14 am
===This work makes you think about it. Hard.==

(Sigh)

Then Rauner’s failure after failure will make people think like they did about how Quinn failed.

Rauner is unlikable, and a failed governor, according to Candidate Rauner.

If the argument for this ad is how hard people will think, I dunno if Rauner wants people thinking too hard, Rauner just wants people not voting.

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Jun 12, 18 @ 11:16 am
Oh Willy,

Here I thought we were asked to rate an ad…

Comment by A guy Tuesday, Jun 12, 18 @ 11:30 am
“Corruption and undermining the democratic process clearly affects people’s daily lives” which is why I’m glad the guy that did it is locked up for a good long time.

To the post: B. I’ll give it some props for avoiding most of the clichés, there’s no grainy B&W of Pritzer in an unflattering pose, no flag waving, no sappy piano music. Otherwise, it’s fairly meh.

Comment by Skeptic Tuesday, Jun 12, 18 @ 11:33 am
I’d give it a B. I like the timelines and it connects Pritzger to the disgraced former Governor. The Ad is over a minute long and a lot of folks won’t pay attention to the whole thing. Similar Ads were run in the Spring, it just becomes noise after while but this Ad by itself is pretty decent. The Ad ends saying Illinois deserves better. That brings the question, given Rauner’s performance as Governor is he better?

Comment by The Dude Abides Tuesday, Jun 12, 18 @ 11:34 am
This is a professional well crafted ad with a well thought out title. Yes. Everybody knew because media was reporting on it regularly for years. Some people thought it was business as usual for Illinois, and others thought much of it was beyond the pale even for Illinois. But everybody knew what was going on with Blago and that investigators were hovering. Pritzker looks smarmy and dishonest here pretending that *he* didn’t know– and that’s what the ad is meant to show. It succeeds.
Grade B+

Comment by Responsa Tuesday, Jun 12, 18 @ 11:35 am
===This crew is very good at what they do.===

Lol.

It’s a good hit piece, and depending upon your browser, search history and the tags this is targeted to, you might have to watch this ad before your You Tube video of cats doing funny stuff plays.

“You can skip this ad in 8 seconds…SKIP.”

It might all be moot though if Trump commutes Rod’s sentence. Then we’ll hear how Rod didn’t do anything wrong, how he was railroaded by corrupt prosecutors, how all Rod did was practice politics, like he is with JB on these tapes. And then it’ll be Rauner’s word versus Trump’s. Lol.

This ad will win a Pollie award when Trump wins a Nobel Peace Prize.

Comment by 47th Ward Tuesday, Jun 12, 18 @ 11:36 am
===This work makes you think about it. Hard.==

If the rating includes looking hard at things…

===If the argument for this ad is how hard people will think, I dunno if Rauner wants people thinking too hard, Rauner just wants people not voting.===

Your argument on the rating is how hard one might look.

Ok, then that measure seems odd, since Rauner wants a tamped down turnout.

If you’re argument is it depressing turnout will be successful, then that’s the argument.

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Jun 12, 18 @ 11:37 am
B. It’s a borderline-effective negative ad that will probably resonate with a lot of people who consider Blago the poster child of government corruption. Will it make Rauner’s vote total go up? Maybe a little, but not enough to turn the election in his favor.

Comment by Steve Rogers Tuesday, Jun 12, 18 @ 11:39 am
Too complicated to view beyond “Rate this Ad”.

That’s what I did. When I refer to “this crew”, I mean exclusively the video crew; writers, production, and concepters. Not the whole of the Governor’s team; just these folks who are consistently excellent. Wish he was good as how they portray him.

An ad that brings back images, words, and in this case “actual voices”, is by it’s very nature, designed to make you think. Think back. Remember. In my opinion, this ad does this successfully and effectively. Thus, a strong rating.
No more, no less. 1 ad. 1 Rating.

Comment by A guy Tuesday, Jun 12, 18 @ 11:42 am
@Real You work for Pritzker campaign right?

Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Jun 12, 18 @ 11:57 am
Just my inexperienced political opinion - I don’t think Rauner can make JB look bad enough to make himself look good enough to be reelected. A lot of the folks that I talk to are very leery about voting JB, but they are rock-solid on their dislike for Rauner.

Comment by Bobby Hicks Tuesday, Jun 12, 18 @ 11:57 am
==Can’t get much more crossways than that.==

Probably. But it’s hard to predict. Blago’s been in the poke or under indictment for a decade now. Freeing him would be a pretty monumental change to the IL political landscape. And when you’re the guy polling ahead by 15-20 points, you want as few things as possible to change.

Comment by Arsenal Tuesday, Jun 12, 18 @ 12:06 pm
===And when you’re the guy polling ahead by 15-20 points, you want as few things as possible to change.===

The party of your opponent, their president “lets out” a felon ex-governor… you want that chaos.

Trump and Rauner at odds for Rauner’s base helps Pritzker and makes ads like this seem “less” as Trump will say Rod was railroaded or something to justify a commutation

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Jun 12, 18 @ 12:09 pm
The well is dry.

Comment by Albany Park Patriot Tuesday, Jun 12, 18 @ 12:13 pm
==You might be outside the target for such an ad.==

And you might be an easy mark for it.

Comment by Arsenal Tuesday, Jun 12, 18 @ 12:13 pm
It’s a B ad. Production is fine, but nothing memorable. Text is the same old ‘he is a bad guy’ story. The crew really needs to come up with something that emphasizes Rauner’s successes. Should I vote for Rauner because Prizker talked to Blago on the phone 10 years ago or because Rauner has made my life better. I ain’t hearing what Rauner has done for me.

Comment by zatoichi Tuesday, Jun 12, 18 @ 12:16 pm
==And you might be an easy mark for it.==

Clever. Maybe just a bit too much so. “Who knew” is even more ‘campaignable’ as a series as “What was she thinking”.

Memory serves me that that series did ok back in the day.

Comment by A guy Tuesday, Jun 12, 18 @ 12:47 pm
===Memory serves me that that series did ok back in the day.===

Yep, mostly because Judy didn’t have any money to respond or change the narrative. I think that’s where your comparison runs into trouble.

Comment by 47th Ward Tuesday, Jun 12, 18 @ 12:51 pm
F- it’s perfidious.

Comment by Honeybear Tuesday, Jun 12, 18 @ 12:54 pm
==Yep, mostly because Judy didn’t have any money to respond or change the narrative. I think that’s where your comparison runs into trouble.===

47, a good ad campaign is a good ad campaign, regardless. Judy did not have money. This guy does…And yet, here we are.

Comment by A guy Tuesday, Jun 12, 18 @ 1:12 pm
===And yet, here we are.===

If past is prologue, the only ad better than this one will be Rauner’s next one. I’m sure you’ll see it as a game-changer, a tour de force, a magnum opus, a blockbuster, the Daisy ad times a million, etc. And then Rauner will release another ad, which will be even better.

Here we are indeed.

Comment by 47th Ward Tuesday, Jun 12, 18 @ 1:20 pm
Actually, they had a clinker in there by their standards a time or two ago. They’re not all award winning, but they all ring a bell.

Don’t confuse my appreciation of the Digital Team work with admiration for their client. They just happen to be very good. What you’re suggesting though is how a good ad campaign operates…keeps building and adding new interesting and disruptive twists.

Appreciate that they have been able to do this with someone who doesn’t necessary inspire this kind of excellent work. Heck, imagine if he did?

Comment by A guy Tuesday, Jun 12, 18 @ 2:21 pm
==They just happen to be very good.==

Well, they just happen to tickle your fancy. Which is fine, my wife likes those Housewives shows, too. And there’s no real evidence that these ads move Rauner’s numbers anymore than the Housewives shows do.

Comment by Arsenal Tuesday, Jun 12, 18 @ 2:28 pm
Ars, #1, there may be some evidence that they’ve moved numbers. Just a hunch.

#2, your wife liking those Housewives shows is something you should pay some attention too. lol.

Comment by A guy Tuesday, Jun 12, 18 @ 2:40 pm
#3, my fancy requires a lot more to be tickled.

They don’t get me quite there. They’re methodical. I’m GOP. I am partisan. But, when it comes to these, I do my best to be as objective as possible.

Comment by A guy Tuesday, Jun 12, 18 @ 2:42 pm
It’s good for the subject matter. I just question if Blago has the juice anymore.

He’s been out of office for nine years; he’s been in prison for six. Is he top-of-mind to persuadable voters? More than property taxes?

Where’s the toilet spot? I’d have started running that the day after the primary.
“Billionaire dodges property taxes by ripping toilets out of one of his mansions.”

How is that not the top spot? Is there research that shows Blago is hotter than property taxes? I find that hard to believe.

Comment by wordslinger Tuesday, Jun 12, 18 @ 2:57 pm
F

People do not have attention spans to read a commercial. It assumes everyone is as tuned into the political game as they are, they aren’t.

Comment by Publius Tuesday, Jun 12, 18 @ 3:13 pm
Blago is old news and can be disregarded in current governor’s race.
Rauner is proven to be unable to govern this state.
He has decimated the poor, the caregivers to many Il. citizens and the least able to help themselves while still continuing to fail the war veterans
from multiple wars. I cannot name one example of him being capable to the govern this state and so many have died, faced poverty, and were failed by his inability to face facts while still after four years cannot accept that he is the one to begin the budget process.

Comment by cc Wednesday, Jun 13, 18 @ 12:17 am
I would pay google to stop showing me Rauer’s propaganda on youtube. It ruins my mood while I’m trying to watch “Critical Role”. But that’s just me.

Comment by James Knell Monday, Jun 25, 18 @ 11:30 am