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Rauner campaign releases new, blurred version of “F-bomb” ad after complaints

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* KSDK St. Louis

By now you’ve probably seen it.

A controversial ad from Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner is getting more attention for what it doesn’t say, than what it does.

Many viewers actually called 5 On Your Side asking us to take the ad off the air

They go on to explain why they can’t take the ad down, despite viewer complaints.

* Moving along to another KSDK story

The ad started airing earlier this week. On Wednesday, Rauner’s campaign team released a new version with the cussing character’s mouth blurred after complaints from TV stations

* The station also asked Rauner about the ad

“The use, or implied use of foul language - was that the right choice to make?” we asked.

“Well, it certainly gets everyone’s attention. I don’t condone the use of foul language but it was deleted or beeped out or whatever the word is. I will use the word screwed. I’ll say, we as a state are screwed if Pritzker and Madigan get in,” Rauner said.

* WPSD TV in Paducah

The ad that aired Wednesday evening is actually a toned down version. Originally, the ad clearly showed the mouth of the person using the F-word. A revised version was later sent to WPSD with the person’s mouth blurred. Rauner’s campaign says some stations asked for an edited version, however WPSD never asked for a revised version of the ad.

* That station also sent a reporter to Metropolis to do some person in the street interviews about the ad

“That’s fine with me,” says Guy Wilcox. “That gives the viewer, they can put whatever they want to in that space.”

Paula Shelton says it’s a low point in a race that was already pretty low.

“Someone with some morals would be nice, but you’re not going to find it in Illinois,” says Shelton.

* Champaign News-Gazette editorial

But what will viewers be talking about — the merits of Rauner as compared to Pritzker or the regrettable use of an incendiary expletive that is only thinly disguised in front of God and everybody.

This is what the late U.S. Sen. Daniel Patrick Moynihan was talking about when he cited the steady decline in social mores or, as he put it, “defining deviance down.”

Rauner’s advertisement represents another tasteless — and easily avoidable — step down the ladder on the social-deviance scale.

Rauner’s motivation is easily understandable — desperate candidates say and do desperate things. But that does not make it socially acceptable, even if it is deemed by some as necessary for a victory.

posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Oct 25, 18 @ 10:21 am

Comments

  1. –“Someone with some morals would be nice, but you’re not going to find it in Illinois,” says Shelton.–

    C’mon, you’re in Metropolis. Perhaps you’re overlooking a seemingly mild-mannered reporter among you who believes in truth, justice and the American Way.

    Don’t let those glasses fool you.

    Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Oct 25, 18 @ 10:27 am

  2. A governor who drops f-bombs in church is less offensive than a governor who lets veterans die in Quincy.

    Comment by Henry Francis Thursday, Oct 25, 18 @ 10:28 am

  3. Cat’s out of the bag. Re-releasing with pixilated video doesn’t change the ad.

    Comment by Huh? Thursday, Oct 25, 18 @ 10:31 am

  4. ===“Well, it certainly gets everyone’s attention. …”===

    … not Jeanne Ives.

    Governor, you won the primary…

    Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Oct 25, 18 @ 10:35 am

  5. The Stranger: There’s just one thing, Governor.

    The Governor: And what’s that?

    The Stranger: Do you have to use so many cuss words?

    The Governor: What the (bleep) are you talking about?

    The Stranger: Okay, Gov. Have it your way

    Comment by 47th Ward Thursday, Oct 25, 18 @ 10:35 am

  6. And Proft commercials saying it’s the politicians “who suck.” The Republican’s, the party of family values.

    Comment by Because I said so.... Thursday, Oct 25, 18 @ 10:36 am

  7. Bruce Rauner came into office droppin’ G’s and he goes out dropping F-bombs.

    A phony, vulgar failure who will not be missed.

    – MrJM

    Comment by @misterjayem Thursday, Oct 25, 18 @ 10:36 am

  8. The only way Rauner walks this one back is if he admits using extreme profanity in a political ad is wrong. He was wrong and should apologize.

    Comment by Wensicia Thursday, Oct 25, 18 @ 10:37 am

  9. Not playing well in conservative Quincy. Just reason number 15 to vote him out over here.

    Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Oct 25, 18 @ 10:40 am

  10. With Emphasis

    “Well, it certainly gets everyone’s attention”

    Comment by Texas Red Thursday, Oct 25, 18 @ 10:41 am

  11. …We’ve got a f^*&#@‘n problem…

    Comment by Langhorne Thursday, Oct 25, 18 @ 10:42 am

  12. So is the CNG endorsing Rauner for governor or state social deviant, in front of God and everybody?

    Put them and the tronc edit board in the same room and you’ve got a real Algonquin Round Table.

    Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Oct 25, 18 @ 10:43 am

  13. 47, like, that’s just your opinion, man. This aggression will not stand, man.

    Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Oct 25, 18 @ 10:46 am

  14. ===“Well, it certainly gets everyone’s attention. …”===

    … piling on to your poor messaging, adding in a bad way to the braves of Bruce and Diana Rauner.

    We are finding out more and more who Bruce and Diana are…

    “No $&@%^ problems” and “We’re $&@%^… “

    Like I said, speaks a great deal to who Bruce and Diana Rauner are.

    Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Oct 25, 18 @ 10:49 am

  15. “Well, it certainly gets everyone’s attention…”

    So does a two year old throwing a tantrum in a restaurant.

    “I don’t condone the use of foul language but it was deleted or beeped out or whatever the word is…”

    So that makes it all OK???

    And, your cash that paid for the ad doesn’t serve to condone the use of foul language, “beeped” or otherwise, in your own campaign ad??? What a set of morals this guy has. Yeesh.

    Comment by Anon221 Thursday, Oct 25, 18 @ 10:52 am

  16. BTW- that KSDK interview with Rauner could easily be a late night infomercial for “Rauner’s Greatest (Campaign) Hits.” I think he “hit” nearly all of his “See and Say” talking points. Some twice.

    Comment by Anon221 Thursday, Oct 25, 18 @ 10:54 am

  17. Make it stop. The election cant get here soon enough.
    Three of four posts thus far: kwasi amoah, gonzales inspect and measure, F-bomb. Davis/londrigan ads running nonstop while i type this. I think i will take my dog for a walk.

    Comment by Langhorne Thursday, Oct 25, 18 @ 11:00 am

  18. ===Rauner’s motivation is easily understandable — desperate candidates say and do desperate things====

    ouch.

    Comment by Boone's is Back Thursday, Oct 25, 18 @ 11:00 am

  19. Rauner is more and more like Trump everyday.

    Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Oct 25, 18 @ 11:07 am

  20. Hey, he has to try something, he is down 16-22 points.

    Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Oct 25, 18 @ 11:22 am

  21. He tries to be like Trump, but he fails at that too.

    Comment by Bobby Hicks Thursday, Oct 25, 18 @ 11:28 am

  22. I recall in the 2010 GOP primary, while Bob Schillerstrom was still in, he had an ad that played on his last name, saying “s**t storm,” that was muffled. No one really seemed to bat an eye at it.

    Comment by Lost In Chicago Thursday, Oct 25, 18 @ 11:30 am

  23. NG gets it right for once. Props. But stopped clock, twice a day, you know.

    Comment by Jibba Thursday, Oct 25, 18 @ 11:34 am

  24. “As I was telling Mike Madigan when I called him shortly after being elected, one of the guys in my car cursed when I stopped to rescue that f’n deer. I told him I don’t condone cursing.”

    Comment by Robert the Bruce Thursday, Oct 25, 18 @ 11:35 am

  25. This shows that Rauner has completely lost touch with conservative Illinoisans. It’s not just that the commercial uses the F-word — it’s that he showed a clergyman saying it. Tone deaf doesn’t begin…

    Comment by Soccermom Thursday, Oct 25, 18 @ 11:36 am

  26. The feigned outrage here is entertaining. This dramatic offense taken by some is their business but don’t make the mistake of thinking there aren’t people that agree with what this commercial is saying.

    The ad is thought-provoking and nicely ties Pritzker to Madigan. It’s a little edgy but that’s what you do when you’re behind in the polls.

    Don’t like it? Vote for Pritzker, Madigan, and more of the same.

    Comment by cdog Thursday, Oct 25, 18 @ 11:47 am

  27. Bruce and Diana Rauner approved this f$&@%^ message.

    Comment by JS Mill Thursday, Oct 25, 18 @ 11:48 am

  28. “I don’t condone the use of foul language”

    Bruce Rauner: Not in charge of the State of Illinois, not in charge of the parts of his company that were pumping out carcinogens in DuPage County or neglecting seniors in nursing homes, and now, not in charge of his own political campaign. Four more years, please.

    Comment by Roadrager Thursday, Oct 25, 18 @ 12:07 pm

  29. I feel like Rauner is being honest - he honestly feels this way about IL. Since I moved back to the homeland in ‘14 he’s been ragging on this state all the time.

    I don’t know how Pritzker will fare as governor but it will be nice to have someone in the office who *likes* the state and is rooting for its residents.

    Comment by ChicagoVinny Thursday, Oct 25, 18 @ 12:08 pm

  30. ===No one really seemed to bat an eye at it===

    There was a bit, but that ad didn’t feature a member of the clergy saying the word.

    Either way, the Rauner campaign is essentially admitting they went too far by sending out the second version of the ad. So, the defense here of the first version doesn’t make a lot of sense in that context.

    Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Oct 25, 18 @ 12:10 pm

  31. –Rauner is more and more like Trump everyday.–

    Unfair. Rauner was lying and pitting people against each other for two years before Trump took office.

    –This shows that Rauner has completely lost touch with conservative Illinoisans. It’s not just that the commercial uses the F-word — it’s that he showed a clergyman saying it. –

    Isn’t that wild? There are infinite creative possibilities to deliver the message “Pritzker/Madigan…Bad.”

    I can’t begin to imagine the process that landed at gay-marriage snark and the F-Bomb preacher, unless Proft and much Blue Sky meth were in the room.

    I’d love to see the concepts that were rejected for this winner. They must be something.

    Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Oct 25, 18 @ 12:18 pm

  32. Anyone remember the “Schmidt Happens” campaign for AG?

    Exactly.

    Comment by Michelle Flaherty Thursday, Oct 25, 18 @ 12:21 pm

  33. –The feigned outrage here is entertaining.–

    This, from the delicate daisy who yesterday blamed Trump’s indecency on the fact that some Dems didn’t show up for his inauguration.

    How’s kindergarten going, anyway?

    Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Oct 25, 18 @ 12:37 pm

  34. –With Emphasis

    “Well, it certainly gets everyone’s attention”–

    So does stepping in a cowpie in public.

    No emphasis required:

    Rauner edited the spot after people in Southern Illinois complained about its profanity and his supporters at the CNG cited him for social deviancy.

    That’s a win for you, slugger?

    Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Oct 25, 18 @ 12:52 pm

  35. Rauner: “F-Bombs are better than real bombs….”

    Comment by Anonimity Thursday, Oct 25, 18 @ 12:55 pm

  36. …Isn’t that wild? There are infinite creative possibilities to deliver the message “Pritzker/Madigan…Bad.”…

    Not so sure. I think he has used them all.

    Comment by don the legend Thursday, Oct 25, 18 @ 12:58 pm

  37. Nice Dude reference 47th.

    Comment by Big Joe Thursday, Oct 25, 18 @ 1:07 pm

  38. ==The ad is thought-provoking ==

    Quite the mental giant aren’t you if this ad is “thought provoking.”

    Comment by Demoralized Thursday, Oct 25, 18 @ 1:52 pm

  39. So here’s the thing; I have a really, really good idea for an ad that would connect Pritzker and Madigan indelibly while appealing to downstate sensibilities. Obviously, I’m not going to share it. But man, I can totally see it. SIGH.

    Comment by Soccermom Thursday, Oct 25, 18 @ 3:05 pm

  40. “Every day when I go to the grocery store, a little old lady comes up to me and says, ‘Governor, hang in there or else we’re f****.’”

    Comment by Skeptic Thursday, Oct 25, 18 @ 4:00 pm

  41. the f bomb is nothing compared to the dog whistle of using gay marriage as a frame for this despicable ad. Really a new low…

    Comment by anonymous Thursday, Oct 25, 18 @ 5:54 pm

  42. Doesn’t matter what he says because it will surely be a lie such as a willful denial of allowing veterans die on his watch.

    Comment by cc Thursday, Oct 25, 18 @ 7:01 pm

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