Wednesday, November 28, 2007

Put Jay Footlik's Mom Down as "Undecided" In New Cable TV Ad

Jay Footlik, contender for the Democratic nomination in the 10th District to take on incumbent Mark Kirk, has a new cable ad up. See it at Footlik's campaign site here, along with a Tribune story that gives some interesting background on the spot. Take a look and then come back and comment. Hat Tip: Capitol Fax Blog, which has some reader comments about the ad as well. Looks like Rich beat me to the scoop, but I was in court all morning.

The whole thing is a take-off on the Brady Bunch, and I will give it points for creativity/originality. One woman references Footlik's little-known role a child actor in the movie Teen Wolf, although some folks might think the woman is confusing Footlik with Michael J. Fox.

Almost the first words of the spot are about Dan Seals, and why the folks in the commercial have switched from supporting Seals to going to Footlik. I think it was wise for Footlik to start off dealing with Seals, although it may cut against conventional wisdom, as Footlik has, up until now, barely acknowledged that he first has to lick Seals before he earns a crack at Mark Kirk. But, while Footlik acknowledges Seals and offers a bunch of folks who have 'made the switch,' the viewer doesn't really don't know why they switched, so we don't know if we'd make the same choice. Big error and loss of opportunity to make your case of why Footlik instead of Seals.

Although I chuckled at the ad, I think that Footlik comes off like a 15 year old, and does not appear to be Congressional material, based on this spot.

Also, no word on whether Footlik is going to go to commercial TV with this. Cable ads I think are of somewhat limited value. On the other hand, maybe it's better for him if a lot of people don't see this.

After seeing Footlik's Mom give her enthusiastic endorsement, I guess he's sure to get at least one vote. Go Mom!!!

16 comments:

Anonymous said...

I think the ad is great and enforces the increasing impression that Jay is working harder and wants the job more than Seals.

Team America said...

Which square was yours, Herb? ;-)

Anonymous said...

The lady at the top looked like my first wife.

Anonymous said...

TA:

Last week Jay Footlik held an SRO fundraiser in Winnetka.

Tonight Seals has an event -- for free.

People are paying to be with Jay and Dan's events are now free...

El Rider said...

TA,
You are right, that is a terrible ad. Among other problems one should never make one's self into Alice the maid.

Anonymous said...

I have asked this before but the Footlik supporters have been silent:

What is it, exactly, that Jay Footlik does in his job these days? Why is his firm a registered lobbyist? What is the connection to a "secure peace in the Middle East"?

Anonymous said...

The best thing Footlik's ad has going for it is that it's memorable. That might be enough at this point. The worst things are: 1) Footlik looks like a little kid and 2) his voice is grating. Having said all that, it compares well to the ads run by Paul Wellstone when he first ran for the Senate in Minnesota -- funny, quick and memorable. I'd give it an A-/B+.

Anonymous said...

Good, it will make the race closer and more likely the two go at each others throats.

Jay had a bit role in a teen movie, Mark's played Jack Ryan and
Maverick in real life.

I'll go with Goose's partner over a goof any day.

Just asking but how many tours overseas have Mark and Kimberly done while Dan has been doing this point nonsense?

Watching the cnn debate I really wish McCain had had his you know what together and won in 2000.

Keep up the good work TA.

Anonymous said...

You can tell that we're entering the "silly season" when a serious candidate puts forth a demeaning TV spot like this one. Don't you think that this trivializes the office of a United States Congressman. I'm offended with Jay's mom's sterotypical statement. Worse yet, we still have no idea who he is, what he's proposing, why he's the better candidate than Dan Seals. And to Herb G. I'd ask......is this your idea of working harder? It's time that Mr. Seals AND Mr. Footlik showed something that befits running for the office of 10th District Representative. In the meantime, our Congressman continues to do important things that we've come to expect from him. Shall I detail the list again? Happy to do so, but I think if you check the Tribune, the Daily Herald, the Defense News and some other respected news sources you'll read what he's been doing.

Anonymous said...

None of us have seen anything from Dan Seals -- maybe still unemployed. Jay Footlik just sent another piece and has a second TV ad -- that's the kind of effort to beat your man Kirk.

Team America said...

Either that, Jerry, or Seals simply doesn't feel threatened enough to spend any money at this point because he is so sure he'll crush Footlik in the primary.

If I were Seals, I would not believe the numbers in that poll he recently conducted, but having said that, it doesn't appear to me that Footlik has closed the considerable gap yet.

Anonymous said...

I respect Mark Kirk's military service, but what he does has nothing in common with Jack Ryan or Maverick.

Contrary to what many people seem to believe, he is not a pilot. He is a reserve Navy intelligence officer (restricted line), and he has no warfare qualification pin (a big deal to Navy line officers). Basically, he does a weekend a month at the Pentagon analyzing paperwork summaries of intelligence gathered by any number of groups of people: CIA, FBI, recon military people (including submariners like Kalbfleisch, the Green candidate, an unrestricted line officer with a submarine warfare qualification pin according to his website).

Kirk does not fly planes. During Kosovo, he was activated and served as part of an air crew. That means he did real time analysis on board some sort of spy aircraft. But he has no pilot wings.

Anonymous said...

Well anon- an interesting amalysis of Commander Kirk's military service with no mention that both Seals and Fottlik ARE MOT VETERANS and NEVER SERVED.

Anonymous said...

You're right that Seals and Footlik never served, and you're wrong in assuming that I'm trying to promote them. I think they're both a couple of liars. If I vote for anyone other than Kirk, it will be Kalbfleisch.

Anonymous said...

Kalbfleisch did not file for election with enough signatures so Senator Terry "Dead Guy" Link's top henchman, Pete Couvall had Kalb. knocked off the ballot. CDR Kirk is the only veteran in the race. Footlik and Seals never chose to serve.

Anonymous said...

Kalbfleisch will be in the general election even if the Democrats deny him primary access. The Democrats cannot exclude Green candidates anymore because they are now an established party, and they can slate candidates.

http://www.pioneerlocal.com/arlingtonheights/news/671820,ah-10thdistrict-112907-s1.article