Feeling little under the weather today, but working on a more detailed post regarding the news that Mark Kirk's practical plan to deal with Iran (i.e., impose real economic sanctions like cutting off refined gasoline, stop loans and investments) is getting some real national attention; however, sadly, it appears that the World Bank doesn't want to go along and intends to make about $900 million in new loans to Iran. See some stories about it here and here.
In the meantime, enjoy the latest from Jay Footlik--he's up on cable TV here on the North Shore. Don't know how extensive the media buy is, or if this ad will go beyond airing on cable. Recall that Seals spent a huge amount of money getting on local network TV in the last campaign, and while I personally scoffed at that strategy at the time, it did force Kirk to empty his coffers in buying time in response. The problem with Chicago network TV is, though, that it's very difficult to target your audience (you end up hitting most of the metro area, not just the 10th District) and it's very expensive, so it doesn't necessarily return a lot of votes for the buck.
So, what do y'all think about the Footlik ad? It begins with more on Jay's disadvantaged youth (echoing his mailer), and then finishes with a platform of three things he will do that he claims Mark Kirk has failed to do: provide affordable health care; reduce foreign independence on oil; and bring the troops home. Interestingly, what Jay doesn't mention is that these are not Mark Kirk's failings; in reality, these are the same goals that the large majority of Democrats probably thought that they were sending the last bunch of folks to Congress in the tsunami election of 2006. Don't you think the Footlik argument ought to be a little more focused on issues that people will not question why they weren't fixed the last time around by the Dem-controlled Congress? Has the outrage against Bush peaked, considering he will not be on the ticket in 2008? Is this a losing or winning strategy?
Footlik also doesn't mention Dan Seals in the ad, although he references Kirk. It's always questionable about whether you mention an opponent at all in these types of ads, but eventually Footlik is going to have to provide Dem primary voters with a reason to vote for him instead of Dan, and it better be something else besides just 'I'm Jewish.' So far, the only other thing he's touted is his Washington insider experience, and I wonder with the all-time low approval of Congress, if this doesn't actually work against him.
In fact, of the platform issues raised in the ad, one would think that Seals' position would be indistinguishable, at least on the broader topics. So, when is Jay going to explain why it should be him and not Seals? I suppose he's got to introduce himself to the voters first, but time's-a-wastin'...
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10 comments:
TA,
Good point on the ad. Health care? The Democratic idea of demonizing just about everybody, even doctors, will not make health care less expensive or more accessable. Energy independence? Is the guy serious? The Democratic party is pushing the same pipe dreams that they have been pushing since the time before disco. Autos have necome more efficient due to dramitic advancements in computer technology and miniturozation, not CAFE regulations. Bring the troops home? Other than a few notable exceptions (including JFK and FDR) the Democratic Party has stood on the side of tyrranny since their 1864 party platform (the Chicago Platform) in which they wanted to trade peace for slavery. Well, they'll always have Cuba
Right, El Rider, but remember the question here is not whether any of the same tired policies and talking points will actually work, it's how they will play to the Dem base, who will decide the primary.
So far, as Footlik has done is establish that he's singing from the right sheet of music. Now the issue it, who has the better voice, him or Seals?
TA, good analogy on who can "sing" better. I've seen the Footlik AD. I'm Jewish. I am beginning to resent the fact that he's playing this theme over and over. Yes, 24% of this district has Jewish voters. I'd also like to hear Footlik and Seals address issues that affect voters here in the district. The fact that they aren't from this district is a disadvantage, to be sure. Congressman Kirk will have to continue to get his positions out there on health care, the economy, Iraq, Iran. He has, of course, but some seem to ignore what he has said. Some distort his views and positions. Getting back to your question. Footlik's first TV spot says nothing we don't already know about him. The clock is more than ticking.
The Democrats have nothing to offer than the same old tired policies, but they don't think they are old or tired, just ideas whose time has come. I think it may be clever for Footlik to be first on the battlefield and run as if he is the only candidate. I am disappointed that he is so liberal. The only benefit would be that he would be better on Israel than Seals, but Mark is fine on Israel. If I were a Democrat, and Jewish, I would figure go for Footlik because Israel is important. If I were independent I would choose Kirk, because no matter how hard they try to tag him as a conservative, he is centrist and closest to the Independent's usual middle of the road viewpoint.
The ad is pure comedy.
1. Charlie Rangel also came from nothing, he just promised a 1 trillion dollar tax hike.
2. The democrats have controlled congress for 11 months now and their biggest obstacle has been their own caucus, not Mark, not moderate republicans, their own blue dog democrats who are in deeply bush districts and can see for themselves that pulling out of Iraq and socialized medicine would be disastrous for our country. Dan's promised to be another Jan Schakowsky so I could buy that he would change things, but that would be a disaster of a different kind.
3. He was a low level aide in the clinton white house, and is that really the kind of leadership we want in this district? Do we want a return to politics over policy and more of that spin. No.
We get enough in Springfield, we don't need it representing us in D.C.
Democrats have an interesting choice, Dan is an uber-liberal who is clearly a card carrying member of the Jimmy Carter wing on his party's Israel policy.
On the other hand if Jay loses it's doubtful he would stick around, demonstrating he was more interested in the office than serving us.
The ad shows that Jay is working way harder than Dan. It should be his shot against your guy Kirk. Dan has gone from unemployed to weirdo email activist. Jay has a resume that sings no more Kirk.
Herb G
Anon-Herb G. Funny, I'm not hearing that "song" at all. What exactly are you hearing in Jay's "song" that seems to indicate that Congressman Kirk should not be re-elected? Jay Footlik has never lived in this district, has not shared any plans or programs that show his interest in being the congressman from and for this district. I'd be very interested in hearing the words to Jay Footlik's "song".
Very interesting that there has been nothing on this blog about Pakistan going berserk -- a much more dangerous threat to the US than Iran -- nor on Kirk's reasoned approach to cutting off Iran's gas and World Bank funds, instead of threatening a shoot-out at the OK Corral.
You folks sound like you're rearranging the Democratic deck chairs on the Titanic. No Left Turn, you continue to be simplistically one-dimensional.
Wake up.
Dear Anonymous Wake Up,
Everybody knows they go to my blog if they are interested in Pakistan; its a cause that has not yet captured the imagination of the average American.
If we wanted a shoot out at the OK corral, we'd be fans of Barack Obama, who already has announced his Pakistan plan. I think it would be a fair assumption that most of us stand with President Bush on the Pakistan issue and there isn't much else to say.
Besides, I like no left turn.
TA, have you considered turning off that really annoying word verification feature?
Anon 11:11- re-read the lede to the post and you will see not only did we just mention the Iran issue yesterday, see a previous post for a more detailed discussion. And I expect more to come, but I was sick yesterday.
As for Pakistan, I agree that it's an important issue, but this isn't CNN (thank goodness) or Fox either. We can't cover everything of relevance in the world, but as Publia notes, this happens to be a topic she is really interested in, so why not saunter on over to www.wilmette.blogspot.com and chat about it there?
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