106 Comments - Reddbyrd - Tuesday, Sep 5, 06 @ 5:13 pm: I say more dog! Maybe even dump the clapping kids for some kennel shots. 600K over 10 days statewide is pretty slim pickins - Anon - Tuesday, Sep 5, 06 @ 5:29 pm: She running for Gov. or Dog Catcher? - tistophone - Tuesday, Sep 5, 06 @ 5:34 pm: The kids should have been rolling dice instead of clapping. - HANKSTER - Tuesday, Sep 5, 06 @ 5:36 pm: Its not a terrible first spot. I think there is too much going on in it though, is it positive, is it negative, where is she ect ect…do viewers come across with a direct message? I cant see this improving her positives but just being on the air is good for her. - anon - Tuesday, Sep 5, 06 @ 5:40 pm: I agree with Hankster. This ad will do little for Topinka but spend her resources and let people know she is actually runinng a campaign. Is Bush helping out with the financing here? Does anyone know? - Centrist - Tuesday, Sep 5, 06 @ 5:43 pm: It does the job. People love dogs. Shows she’s a real person, not the devil Blagojevich has painted her as. Good contrast to the phony Gov. Looked like a good start to me. - Anonymous - Tuesday, Sep 5, 06 @ 5:45 pm: It’s a great add except for the whole “my dogs run away” with the clip of the dogs running… that was pretty stupid. - thinitaly - Tuesday, Sep 5, 06 @ 5:47 pm: Thanks for the heads-up! I think this will catch people’s attention — it’s light-hearted and at the same time it firmly establishes where we need some leadership in this state — controlling spending and making our schools more accountable for results. She can hit him harder on integrity issues when we get closer to Nov. 7. - Anon - Tuesday, Sep 5, 06 @ 5:50 pm: Its a great first ad! She looks great, sounds great, answers the question… and unlike Blago, she’s been thinking. Having dogs appear in the ad shows a more playful side to Judy, in contrast to the way Blago has been trying to portray her. - anon - Tuesday, Sep 5, 06 @ 5:53 pm: Why is it news that a person running for Governor has an ad on TV? - Shelter From The Storm - Tuesday, Sep 5, 06 @ 5:54 pm: It’s an alright first spot, but it’s sort of all over the place. It’s a response spot, then a humanizing spot, then a negative spot, then a positive spot. It’s trying to do too much, but then I guess when you’re only spending 600K over 10 days, you’ve got to pack it in. Nothing earth-shattering. - Anon - Tuesday, Sep 5, 06 @ 5:56 pm: First to Reddbyrd, not everyone has the ability and/or lack of respect for the law to (allegedly) sell our state’s jobs/contracts for campaign contributions and thus have the warchest to spend 20 million in ridiculous attack ads. As far as the ad itself, i agree that it shows Topinka is ready to play ball by going on TV. It is a bad sign for Rod when she begins pointing out his other failures (outside pending investigations) and offering positive solutions. Rod failed to put her away after wasting all that money and now i have a feeling that Topinka will spend whatever she can to share Rod’s record with the voters…knowing Rod’s record, i cannot imagine he is that excited about that - anon - Tuesday, Sep 5, 06 @ 5:57 pm: I want to thank Topinka’s “handlers” for explaining the ad’s intent. I got the bandwagon attempt — or rather the effort to hide behind a lack of family. - anon - Tuesday, Sep 5, 06 @ 5:58 pm: Looking forward to her getting out the word. Excellent that he has not moved the numbers with his negative blitz. Can’t wait til people see what she has been thinking. Game on - Anon - Tuesday, Sep 5, 06 @ 5:59 pm: Blago has spent how much? And….. - This is what I'm thinking - Tuesday, Sep 5, 06 @ 6:02 pm: I like the ad. It will cut through the clutter. It shows her human side. And it begins to show Rod’s disastrous record. People will relate to it. The fact that it accomplishes all of these things in a 30 second ad is saying something. She’s off to a good start. - anonymous - Tuesday, Sep 5, 06 @ 6:18 pm: yeah, centrist, people love dogs. but I believe they love their kids more and Judy says nothing about health care for them.hmm? oh, but schools, accountability, the usual-get a real plan to finance it. and if Bush kicked in the money on this he certainly isn’t getting his money’s worth but let him keep doing so. guilt by association. - Anon - Tuesday, Sep 5, 06 @ 6:20 pm: The commercial is what Illinois’ residents need. It reassures the humility of Topinka and the idea that a voter can actually vote for an individual that cares about the people and not about the size of their wallets. Illinois can have a better Governor, and her name is Judy Baar Topinka. - anon - Tuesday, Sep 5, 06 @ 6:25 pm: I think the ad is very clever and well thought out. It touches on her plan for Illinois (which is more than you can say for Rod, who doesn’t have any idea what his plan is). - newmann - Tuesday, Sep 5, 06 @ 6:26 pm: I think the ad is very clever and well thought out. It touches on her plan for Illinois (which is more than you can say for Rod, who doesn’t have any idea what his plan is). - B Hicks - Tuesday, Sep 5, 06 @ 6:30 pm: A lot of new handles on this thread. The Topinka people are out in force. Ringers. The ad sucks. - anon - Tuesday, Sep 5, 06 @ 6:30 pm: Great first ad!! She’s will be a breath of fresh air to the Governor’s Office! What is Rod thinking??!! - Anon - Tuesday, Sep 5, 06 @ 6:32 pm: I think it’s pretty good considering she’s only spending $600,000 on this buy and Blago’s spent a pointless $6 million on his. - anonymous - Tuesday, Sep 5, 06 @ 6:38 pm: This is a terrible ad. I cant stop laughing. I was completely lost with its message. I mean including the dogs is just nuts. It makes her look unprofessional and doesn’t install leadership qualities. I was thinking of voting for her, but this just emphasizes the points I didn’t like about her: wacky, unprofessional, and not ready for higher office. Weak. - Anonymous - Tuesday, Sep 5, 06 @ 6:41 pm: Now it’s a fight! JBT has entered the ring. Blago has been throwing punches and done litte damage. Lets see what JBT’s left right left combo will do - anon - Tuesday, Sep 5, 06 @ 6:43 pm: AllKids? You all must be joking. No infrastructure or funding. Can you say worth nothing but a press pop? - Mortar Mike - Tuesday, Sep 5, 06 @ 6:45 pm: Judy clearly articulates the problems and failures of the Blagjevich administration while maintaining a positive message. 4 Star ad. Well done Topinka campaign! - Tiger Woods Fan - Tuesday, Sep 5, 06 @ 6:47 pm: Blagojevich is a joke! I am glad to see Topinka finally coming out with some fire power of her own! VOTE TOPINKA! - Walking Wounded - Tuesday, Sep 5, 06 @ 6:47 pm: Not bad at all. Got to agree with Hankster, though, as the ad does kind of jump around a bit. Nice start, keep it coming, Judy! - ChicagoCynic - Tuesday, Sep 5, 06 @ 6:48 pm: As ads go, it’s fair. It won’t move any numbers and the buy is too small to really matter. It’s really an investment buy. She’s hoping it will reassure her funders that she’s for real and that they should start rolling in the big checks. If it works (and moves numbers), she’ll stay on the air. But if it doesn’t (and I’d give it about a 25% shot to work with such a small buy), she’ll go dark in ten days and the media will do a bunch of stories about her lack of resources. I wouldn’t start loading the moving trucks yet. - Justice - Tuesday, Sep 5, 06 @ 6:49 pm: She looked great, sounded great, had a welcome smile, and appeared sincere and thoughtful. It is the beginning of an overall winning strategy. I think JBT has awakened the giant that Illinois can be under her leadership. Better schools, better government, more businesses and business growth, great energy programs, better overall healthcare for everyone….yep, it’s the beginning of a new day. Welcome on board the new Illinois. Great job JBT….great job!! Don’t let up!!! - At least she is thinking - Tuesday, Sep 5, 06 @ 6:53 pm: I, for one, like Judy’s ad. I think it is refreshing and while it points out some of her policy initiatives, it also points out some of Rod’s shortcomings. You don’t see her standing in a soybean field while praising ethanol production (which, by the way, comes from corn). What’s HE thinking? - Hova - Tuesday, Sep 5, 06 @ 6:55 pm: Great ad, I like how she keeps it light while showing Rod’s disasterous tenure. I didn’t think it was possible, but the incumbent governors 47% is about to go on a diving trip. - REPUB@HEART - Tuesday, Sep 5, 06 @ 6:59 pm: The ad started out good, but fell fast. What was with the dog running away from her? The message was so “here and there” I don’t even know what she was really even proposing. JBT: 0 Confused people on JBT’s ad: All Illinois - Tropy News Guy - Tuesday, Sep 5, 06 @ 7:09 pm: The dogs should have been running away from the TV for better effect, but I’m no high-priced advisor. Why does it show her working at a desk when it mentions “pork barrel spending”? She should tap into the plentiful anti-Rod feelings out there and say, “Four more years of Blagojevich? What are YOU thinking?” Thanks for putting the link up… living in the St. Louis market, we won’t ever see this ad. - Troy News Guy - Tuesday, Sep 5, 06 @ 7:10 pm: . - Doug Dobmeyer - Tuesday, Sep 5, 06 @ 7:17 pm: Well for someone who wants to be Gov of a Blue state it was pretty ligggggggght! The dogs and kids were cute, but will that make me vote for her - no. The ad need some meat and she apparently doesn’t have it to add. It will be like throwing her money down the drain. My advice vote for Rich Whitney, the Green Party Candidate. Well maybe - besides being opposed to the death penalty we’ll see what else he has to say. Doug Dobmeyer - dozer - Tuesday, Sep 5, 06 @ 7:22 pm: hmmm A Bright future for Illinois — like brightstar? I like it. I would have used that dog won’t hunt instead of them running away. But I’ll give it a solid B and thumbs up. I woul dsay the next one shoul dplay off of it with I’m Judy Baar Topinka, and I’ll tell you what I’ve been thinking….. Then i roll out ad number three that has a bunch of guys, construction types, and all the average joe from the street with the same responce, Judy Baar Topinka, I’m thinking what she’s thinking… then cut in with the illis dead last in jobs etc etc and her plan to change it. it could be a catchy bit that he helped pay $10 million to brand and help her. my medai cnsulting services are free, but if they use them I will fill out an inkind contribution for say $50,000 - Anonymous - Tuesday, Sep 5, 06 @ 7:23 pm: Methinks the Blagoids complain about the dogs too much. What about the ‘dead last in education funding’ part, kids? Good ad. Better ones ahead. - Reddbyrd - Tuesday, Sep 5, 06 @ 7:24 pm: DearANON5:56 Give us a break, Judy Bore is THE Party that put the “for sale” sign everything. Her mentors hocked anything that stood still for more than a blink If you paid much attention during the glory days of BigJim, BllinkyJim and George you know testing was a joke and required a receipt from a certain pancake shop for validation. Contracts, contributions all the same nonsense. How would YOU spell MSI? GRod has made many dumb moves, but the AccordionGal offers no reason to change and Mr. ConcealCarry Green is just too scary. - anon - Tuesday, Sep 5, 06 @ 7:25 pm: Little kids dressed in Jon Benet or casino appropriate attire…That might spice up her campaign. She’s lost the conservative vote. Why not go all the way… - anon - Tuesday, Sep 5, 06 @ 7:28 pm: Dozer.. Real unions will never support “Right to Work Topinka.” - Angie - Tuesday, Sep 5, 06 @ 7:31 pm: Well well well. Judy has wisely conserved her resources for when it counts, as in closer to the election. Rod has blown how much of his campaign war chest cash all summer long? And just because he HAS it to waste? Typical liberal. Judy will use resources wisely, and her behavior with regards to conserving her efforts for when it really counts shows how she’ll fix the fiscal mess that Illinois is in. Meanwhile, Rod is still blowing his campaign money wad. How wasteful of him. What’s he thinking????;-) - Angie - Tuesday, Sep 5, 06 @ 7:42 pm: P.S. Judy should play clips of live Louis Farrahkan speeches where he says all of that vile and vicious stuff (I mean run the worst of his stuff for all to hear), then cut to Blago appointing Sister Claudette to his hate crimes panel. Then, end it with a big fat “What’s he thinking?” That would be a devastating ad for the Blago campaign. I mean, how would you counter that? You couldn’t! - anon - Tuesday, Sep 5, 06 @ 7:48 pm: It sure sounded like she said “slick a$%”, instead of “slick ads”. clever wordplay, but a little inappropriate. - What are you thinking? - Tuesday, Sep 5, 06 @ 7:49 pm: Anon 7:28, You’re right. They’re much more likely to support someone who used non-union labor to renovate his house. - Gus Frerotte's Clipboard - Tuesday, Sep 5, 06 @ 8:01 pm: She needed to cover a lot of territory with this ad, and she did. The great ads hit one theme and drive them home, but this is a good ad that tries to present her as a serious, thoughtful candidate. So I give her credit there. But her problem is that all along, she’s let the Governor frame the terms of the debate. He has an education plan, she has an education plan; he says she’s not thinking, she says she is. It’s like the Democrats on the national level — there’s no affirmative agenda, just response. And if that’s all you have, it’s going to be tough to beat a well-funded incumbent. - Bill - Tuesday, Sep 5, 06 @ 8:06 pm: Finally, some drivel from Judy the joke. What a waste of money, what little there is of it! Does this mean taht she is starting her campaign now? Bow wow. Bring it on! - Disgusted - Tuesday, Sep 5, 06 @ 8:21 pm: There are a lot more “anons” out there tonight. The governor’s staff must be working overtime. Anon 5:57, very low blow. Shame on you and your comment was inappropriate and inconsequential, given the make-up of families in the U.S. Anon 7:25 - vicious and inappropriate. I liked this ad. It was funny and pointed out what needed to be said. That and a lot more to come, I hope. And no, I’m not a Republican. I just recognize a crook when I see one. Anon. 6:43 - I see that the staff of Healthcare and Family Services was in Quincy this week, touting AllKids. However, they are STILL not reiterating to their audiences that a child has to be UNINSURED FOR A YEAR, before they qualify. A sin of omission? - the ole precinct captain - Tuesday, Sep 5, 06 @ 8:25 pm: Cute but not effective,why give Blagojevich issues that he can attack her and define her with? Why is she trying to drive the debate. She has neither the time nor the resources to win this type of contest.Good Luck if this works, I doubt it. - Anonymous - Tuesday, Sep 5, 06 @ 8:40 pm: I give Topinka great credit for this first ad. She has always found unique ways to convey her message. It is a great attention grabber. I hope to see more of this discourse in our politics. It is a breath of fresh air for Illinois. I like what she is thinking. - Sarge - Tuesday, Sep 5, 06 @ 8:59 pm: Great first ad. It was lighthearted, but laid it on the Governor for letting Illinois sink to last place in state education spending. Remember the good old days when we were 38th? I guess that’s another facet of “no more business as usual.” - What are we thinking? - Tuesday, Sep 5, 06 @ 9:10 pm: Well, I watched the ad and thought, what is she thinking? I thought about it and then saw a real person, someone who is speaking from the heart and I combined those thoughts with her track record already. She’s honest, she’s up front, she pulls no punches, so from her service to our state already shows her as a leader, the ad shows her as a person, not some person who will do anything, sell anyone short and hurt anyone just to get ahead. I know what Judy is thinking. I also know what Rod is thinking after seeing him at work from himself during his time in office. Folks, really start thinking. Rod has run jobs at of the state, run businesses out of the state, put more people out of work, increased fees and rates to the point Illinois can’t afford to have people like Rod in office. As a citizen who voted for Rod, I’m asking all of you, to vote for reform, vote for business, vote for jobs, vote for a better economy vote for Judy. She’s not trying to buy your vote like her oponent has been doing for months now. She’s taking a little bit of your time to get her message out, not intruding into our homes like Rod has for the past several months. I don’t want a used car salesman for Governor or a con-man. I want a Governor, a leader and the only choice is Judy Barr Topinka….and no I’m not a staffer I’m just a hard working guy who made a big mistake when I helped put Rod in office. Thank you - X-Man - Tuesday, Sep 5, 06 @ 9:18 pm: Let’s see if the rod crew can take as good as they like to give. Rods support is as sturdy as a card house. Judy …you can put it on the board…YES! - Illinois is #1 - Tuesday, Sep 5, 06 @ 9:18 pm: Great ad Judy!! I love the dogs, makes the voters realize that you are a real person, despite what the Blago campaign has portrayed you to be. You have my vote JUDY!!! - David P. Graf - Tuesday, Sep 5, 06 @ 9:19 pm: Well, Topinka’s ad isn’t scuzzy like Blagojevich’s tv ads. But, she’s still the one who knifed Peter Fitzgerald in the back. - Dog Breath - Tuesday, Sep 5, 06 @ 9:21 pm: Is it just me…or were her dogs “panting” very, very loudly in the beginning of the commercial? Totally unprofessional. - very encouraged - Tuesday, Sep 5, 06 @ 9:21 pm: Finally, what the general public is needing from Judy Baar Topinka. This is a very clever, well thought out, ad. It is not the initial “warm and fuzzy” ad that I thought she would release. Instead, she takes the hash to Rod. But, in the same sense, she appears to be extremely approachable. Hats off to Judy…. I have a feeling that she will be dealing some “RED MEAT” (and I aint talking about salmon or beef) from here on out. - Dog Lover - Tuesday, Sep 5, 06 @ 9:24 pm: GO JUDY GO! YOUR AD WITH THE DOGS SURE BEATS RODS AD WITH HIS SPOILED KIDS! - El Conquistador - Tuesday, Sep 5, 06 @ 9:38 pm: It’s a good ad. Let’s see how Sept. goes. - Anonymous - Tuesday, Sep 5, 06 @ 9:43 pm: I’m thinkin’ she shouldn’t be dog catcher, must less Governor. The real news tomorrow of course will be Judy’s old crony George Ryan hopefully getting sent away for a long time to the Federal Pen. All of the hound dogs in the world can’t distract from that. - Anon - Tuesday, Sep 5, 06 @ 9:54 pm: Y’all dont get it The Dogs are not running for Office. Who let the Dogs out Woof Woof… - zatoichi - Tuesday, Sep 5, 06 @ 9:54 pm: Decent ad. Nice approach that does not seem too rehearsed. Thought the ad was fairly memorable. Got her points in and played off Rod’s themes. What more do you want in a 30 sec spot? Rod’s response wave should come in several days. Not crazy about kid shot but her team must feel it works for them. Nice to see her swinging back. - OneMan - Tuesday, Sep 5, 06 @ 10:04 pm: Man this has been an entertaining read, some who if Judy showed her dogs walking on water would respond ‘hey that add sucks and her dogs can’t swim’ and others who if she showed her dogs answering nature’s call would respond with ‘Brillant’ OneMan - Buck Flagojevich - Tuesday, Sep 5, 06 @ 10:07 pm: Not a bad way to start. The attacks against Blago will come later after she defines and identifies herself. Blago people, don’t worry about Judy’s money. The Repubs in DC have put Illinois into play and targeted Illinois as the easiest state to pick up a governor seat. Money shouldn’t be a problem considering Rod has blown through $10 mllion and has nothing to show for it. - RickG - Tuesday, Sep 5, 06 @ 10:16 pm: I heard about the ad earlier, but just now saw it. I’m disappointed. I don’t think it’s aggressive enough, and I REALLY don’t think it plays on the “What’s She Thinking” line enough. It’s a good start…but I’d have made the whole ad a list of, “Here’s what I’m thinking.” Such as… “I’m thinking that Illinois schoolchildren deserve the best education money can buy. I’m thinking that state employees deserve the pension money they’ve been promised. And I’m thinking that we need to stop governing by photo opportunity, and start taking care of the business of the people. But mostly, I’m thinking we need a change.” Of course, there’s a reason I’m not a political adviser (though I’d love to do it someday). But it seems that she could have made a bigger splash by getting rid of the Dogs and being just a bit more aggressive. - Gregor - Tuesday, Sep 5, 06 @ 10:17 pm: Expect massive anti-spin from Blago’s people by 10 in the morning, with a web ad released by noon and “answer ads” by five. The fact they will be full of distortions, half-truths, innuendo and slander is a given. They are likely to put half the agency directors on one-day “vacations” tomorrow and the rest of the week to make rebuttals to the press. If I was an advisor to Big Red, I’d say the next plays after this buy are a rotation of single-subject ads, one on comparative ethics, one on his budget shennanigans and poor stewardship, And one on real health care plans and one on education. I would also say it is past time to start smacking the guy around in some debates. Big wins there create a lot of earned media plus they get people talking at the water cooler for days afterward. Plus they give us nerds here new discussion fodder:-) - Anonymous - Tuesday, Sep 5, 06 @ 10:25 pm: Maybe those dogs are running away from Topinka, and not from Blago’s ads. With the film crew creating a distraction, they probably saw their chance for freedom. And by the way Buck Flago, you must be the 12th man on the deal team, the last to know what’s going on. Check out the NYT. The White House is focused on minimizing losses in the House and cutting out on the 36 races for Gov. Nice wishful thinking though. Bush is done with that ingrate Topinka anyway. link [Edited by moderator to add some html code] - Metro-east survivor - Tuesday, Sep 5, 06 @ 10:26 pm: Hey, any JBT ad is a welcome change from all the Blago trash. Personally, I hope he spends every last dime he has on the worthless ads he’s been running. Of course, we won’t see Judy’s ad down here, but she doesn’t need to. Everyone I’ve talked to says any Gov who won’t live in Springfield doesn’t get their vote. Blags goes down in flames because he ignores 80% of the state. Good riddance, I say. P.S.: Nice Mom de Plume, Buck! - smh - Tuesday, Sep 5, 06 @ 10:29 pm: This ad isn’t bad, but I don’t think it’s the first. There was one on Sunday during the “Meet the Press” hour on WEEK. I think I saw it again tonight on WYZZ. That ad is really annoying. All I got out of it was a grating voice saying “experience.” Still, she’ll have to do far worse than a few bad ads to get me to stay home. I seldom vote for republicans, but this will be the year in two races. - Grand ol Pappa - Tuesday, Sep 5, 06 @ 10:31 pm: It looks like Blago’s people are as openly shameful as their fearless leader. To critisize a single mother raising a son on her own, who ends up a Major in the US Army is like holding your little girl up as a shield to combat the media… - Rich Miller - Tuesday, Sep 5, 06 @ 10:33 pm: Actually, Anon 10:25, if you read the NYT story you’d have seen this: ===The White House is largely turning away from the 36 governors’ races, although Mr. Rove and Mr. Bush will continue to help Republican candidates for governor raise money, party officials said.=== All those candidates want is money. They certainly don’t want him around. The only reason I intervened in this gloriously bizarre discussion is that the aforementioned Anon screwed up the site layout by posting a long link. Please, learn how to use basic html. Thanks. - Veritas - Tuesday, Sep 5, 06 @ 10:34 pm: If they plan on winning this campaign, perhaps JBT’s staff should tear themselves away from this site and start busting there humps to gin up some grass roots support among the base. - Anonymous - Tuesday, Sep 5, 06 @ 10:34 pm: Metro-east survivor, please note that Jim Thompson didn’t live in Sprinfield either, and his daughter always attended a Chicago school. - values matter - Tuesday, Sep 5, 06 @ 10:38 pm: Remember her “Bright Start” TV spots? She always goes for the personalization, the casual, the personal touch that might connect with folks. Not a bad first ad. In fact, my guess is the Governor’s TV folks are scrambling to come up with something to counter. I can see it now… two dogs, reviewing the state’s fiscal condition under George Ryan and Judy B Topinka, then turning around and whining and running out of the room. That’s where Blago’s team will be going. - SilverBackDemocrat - Tuesday, Sep 5, 06 @ 10:42 pm: I think it was a lame ad. It makes me think, “what’s she thinking?” What a waste of money. Keep making commercials like that one. Typical Republican double-talk (pork barrel spending, etc.). I think she looked phoney; and the close up shot, what a mistake. The ad shows that she is a smart-aleck. The Governors negative ads about “what is she thinking” painted a picture of her with her own words and the truth hurts. She will just make people remember those ads that showed her being hypocritical and against everything. I hope the Governor responds with a campaign ad that says point blank: “I am a Bill Clinton Democrat (universal health care for children, pre-school for all 3 and 4 year olds, investing in our states future with 35 “or however many” brand new ethanol plants that will create thousands of brand new good paying jobs along with a critical infrastructure plan that will create thousands of construction jobs; and my opponent, Judy Baar Topinka is a George W. Bush Republican! We’ve heard and seen how George W. Bush operates and we know what Judy Baar Topinka thinks (she thinks George W. Bush is doing a great job). What’s she thinking? Vote Democrat! - Anonymous - Tuesday, Sep 5, 06 @ 10:43 pm: Rich, my bad on the link. So sorry. But re the NYT piece. I think that presumes one must allow Bush or Rove in to get the cash. Topinka did it once to get the money, and now her pop-goes-the-weasel video from the event is probably costing her more in damage than she raised. If a Republican is ashamed to be around the President, he or she won’t get money. That’s just common sense. That article is saying Bush will come in as a draw, he doesn’t bring his own check. And there was this in the article: “They have determined that control of Congress is likely to be settled in as few as six states and have decided to focus most of the party’s resources there, said Republican officials who did not want to be identified discussing internal deliberations. Those states will likely include Connecticut, Indiana, Missouri, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Washington, though officials said the battle lines could shift in coming weeks.” No mention of Illinois. - Who let the dogs out - Tuesday, Sep 5, 06 @ 11:17 pm: This ad, while not enitrely crap, is by no means “the ad” that’s going to turn Judy around. Anybody else think it looked like a Christmas special? How many freaking dogs and kids does she have? She’s hoarding the children and pets of illinois! - Swift Boating - Tuesday, Sep 5, 06 @ 11:17 pm: Media Advisor: Glad to be aboard the campaign. I think it’s important to make a strong and bold first impression. Blagojevich has spent a lot of money to try to define who you are and now we want to illustrate how wrong that is. Topinka: I agree. I don’t like this “what’s she thinking” stuff. I want to look right in the camera and say “I’ve been thinking.” This way people will know that I think. Media Advisor: Actually you would be playing right into their hands by reinforcing their tagline in viewers minds. It is important that you be the one to dictate what the campaign is going to be about. When I worked for the Swift Boat Veterans for Truth we made ads that questioned John Kerry on his supposed strenghts. We turned the debate completely around and he never recovered. We fought that race on our own terms. Topinka: I want my dogs in the commercial. Media Advisor: I wonder if I still have Katherine Harris’ number. - Little Egypt - Tuesday, Sep 5, 06 @ 11:37 pm: The only thing I would change is I wouldn’t put Elvis’ mug in the ad. This time OK, but from here on out, don’t give his face any free time. You’re paying for it JBT and make it all YOUR ad. Great first strike. Now keep ‘em coming. - SilverBackDemocrat - Tuesday, Sep 5, 06 @ 11:41 pm: Furthermore, a Blagojevich response ad might say something like, George Bush wants to cut $150 million dollars in medicaid payments to Illinois that helps provide health care to the poor and Judy Baar Topinka is in lockstep with President Bush (in fact, she is even more “extreme” than George Bush because she wants to cut Billions of dollars from medicaid, then quote her budget plan that calls for cutting billions from medicaid-show some headlines from a newspaper). Then say, Cutting health care for the most vulnerable people of our state, poor people. What’s she thinking? That’s the difference between me and my opponent. Vote Democrat! - ironman - Wednesday, Sep 6, 06 @ 12:35 am: I truely think JBT is setting the stage for more to come and the truth will hurt…. - Anon - Wednesday, Sep 6, 06 @ 1:04 am: If the 2006 elections were a movie… - Yellow Dog Democrat - Wednesday, Sep 6, 06 @ 1:39 am: The beginning of the ad is weak but it has a nice finish. Although she violates one of the first rules of political ads — use surrogates to attack your opponent — she manages to get away with it without seeming mean-spirited. It’s an okay ad, but just okay. It’s not going to move any numbers in the horserace, but it will probably pull her own negatives back down. Before they launch the nukes in October. - Kiyoshi Martinez - Wednesday, Sep 6, 06 @ 4:47 am: Would it kill campaigns to start using YouTube? I had to try three different players to get it to work on my computer for 30 seconds. - GetAGrip - Wednesday, Sep 6, 06 @ 6:37 am: I am sure Rod will respond with an add in a cornfield and discuss how soy beans are the way to solve all the economic problems of Illinois. His people will call it brilliant and his hair will look great. Oh, almost forgot… He will need to make up a lie and then lie again and when caught, blame it all on George Ryan. Good job Rod, you are the greatest Gov. ever! - Reddbyrd - Wednesday, Sep 6, 06 @ 6:38 am: Anon 10:43 Illinois is not on the list because the GOPs have already conceded that they cannot beat Bean. Duckworth is a winner. Kirk will probably go too, but the Bush/Rove don’t like him anyway. If someone wants to disagree explain why the GOP tried to hide the Speaker Hastert trip to Peoria last week to campaign for a state rep and two other Congressmen are campaigning for a State rep in Quincy. Illinois will be a lot bluer when this is over. - anon - Wednesday, Sep 6, 06 @ 6:50 am: I wanna see less vague political babble and MORE DOG!!! - Louis G. Atsaves - Wednesday, Sep 6, 06 @ 6:54 am: Finally saw the ad through your blogsite. Very likeable! Judy portrays herself in a positive light and shows her sense of humor while answering some charges. We all forget that all we’ve seen of Topinka thus far is the distorted image of a nutty mean-spirited shrew whose comments are taken out of context. Suddenly, she isn’t a shew, she is a real person with a real message being attacked by a mope. Not a bad start. I think the ad is really designed to go after suburban women and their support. Between the “I’ve been thinking” cute line and the new rolling pins that say Topinka on it, the negative impact of Blagojevich’s ads have been ansered with a sense of humor and in a classy way. My bowling season started last night. From the comments being made, Blagojevich ought to watch his back. The Ryan trial with the sentence today is going to hit him in the face as “all Governors are corrupt” and “this one is worse than the last one” seemed to be the consensus of the average Joe’s last night. Not one of them mentioned dancin the polka. - tistophone - Wednesday, Sep 6, 06 @ 8:21 am: Glad to see her wasting her money. I guess they felt they needed to get on the air before her old dance partner was sentenced. - Left Leaner - Wednesday, Sep 6, 06 @ 8:22 am: She just seems……uncomfortable. And the dogs thing is weird. - Niles Township - Wednesday, Sep 6, 06 @ 8:34 am: Nothing on WGN or WFLD? - jaundiced eye - Wednesday, Sep 6, 06 @ 8:45 am: Oh my, that’s a lot of money to spend on reinforcing the free (and frequent) message Sneed sends about Topinka: madcap lover of adopted dogs, quick with a quip but not a serious politician with a clear message on any issue. “Swift Boating” is most on target on this topic. Mixed messages and images in a single ad, a little too cute [what’s with all these kid shots?] and too little money to buy air time. Cut the cute, send a single rebuttal message without repeating your opponent’s key line because that line works to his advantage, not yours, and sticks in the memories of viewers. - Will County Voter - Wednesday, Sep 6, 06 @ 8:51 am: I personally like the Topinka Ads. It’s nice to see a candidate take the high road, putting ideas out there instead of sound bites. Topinka isn’t wasting our time throwing mud at the Elvis impersonator, she’s telling us what she plans to do for the state. - Coloradem - Wednesday, Sep 6, 06 @ 9:25 am: Good ad. Not enough to save her though…. - VanillaMan - Wednesday, Sep 6, 06 @ 9:59 am: Classic Topinka. Cute. She wins elections using these techniques. The woman is gruff, but her humor balances this nicely. She looks like the kind of lady who will gut an insubordinate, but send their kids Christmas gifts - which is exactly what voters will want in a governor. With Blagojevich stuck at 48% after spending oodles of his filthy lucre on television, and doling out pork as governor, Topinka will start closing in because she has just begun to fight and her numbers are already close. Voters have seen what Blagojevich can do, and still only kool-aid Democrats support him. What Topinka is to do now is run a race without major errors. She has had a lot of practice doing this in the past, and she will probably do so again. This ad reminds voters why they like her. Only heartless mopes dis it. - South Side - Wednesday, Sep 6, 06 @ 9:59 am: Wow, Duckworth’s already the winner, great insight Reddbyrd…hope you like crow. - armchair critic - Wednesday, Sep 6, 06 @ 10:48 am: I watched it last night and then again this morning to see if I felt differently about it. This all comes down to $$. They wanted to open with a positive, as they should, but Rod’s been hammering them on TV so much, you have to also respond in some way. They don’t have much $$, so they had to do 2 things at once. I think it’s a good add considering the circumstances. Yes, the open reinforces Rod’s frame to some extent, but he’s already burned that message in with tons of air time, so I think it comes off as a nice spin on all the heavy negative. This is the folksy Judy people remember from the other ads. No one political ad is the one that’s going to change a race unless there’s a smoking gun (or a Barackstar in it). This is designed to pull down her negatives, as YDog pointed out, and show signs of life in the campaign as others have noted. They have to hope this will help raise $$ so they can stay up. They’re in a tough spot and this add is a good one considering the position they’re in. - anon and amused - Wednesday, Sep 6, 06 @ 12:14 pm: I liked the dogs, and I think I got it, which is certainly not a given for me. The dogs brought to mind what happened at the State Fair this year. Her opponent grabbed his daughter out of his wife’s arms when the press persisted in asking questions he didn’t want to answer. Then he accused the reporters of making the child cry. Similarly, Judy jokes, the media (in the form of Blago ads) makes her dogs cry. She, on the other hand, went ahead and answered the questions about what she’s been thinking. Thus, we can be relieved it’s all in fun, and she is not planning to hide behind the dogs or anyone else whenever someone has questions about whether she is fulfilling her responsibility to govern. - Minion - Wednesday, Sep 6, 06 @ 12:58 pm: here is what I am thinking: the dogs are a distraction from what the message should be; namely, Rod’s failure to clean up Springfield mess and inability to lead the state. I agree with the person who said it tries to do too much. Forget showing the Rod ads in the background. Instead, show Rod’s statements and superimpose borrowing, ethical problems, manufacturing data, etc. Then do a takeoff of what is he thinking. What is he thinking? Is he thinking? Is he capable of thinking, considering he jokes about his bad grades in school? Keep thinking, Judy. - Buck Flagojevich - Wednesday, Sep 6, 06 @ 1:55 pm: Swift Boating - Your pretend media avisor says “When I worked for the Swift Boat Veterans for Truth we made ads that questioned John Kerry on his supposed strenghts.” Using this logic an opponent couldn’t run an ad against Rod. He ain’t got no strengths. - Angie - Wednesday, Sep 6, 06 @ 2:07 pm: Maybe she wanted the dogs in there to shore up the fella vote. I mean, you know. Dogs are man’s best friend. She’s a dog chick! It’ll go over well with the guys. lol - Standing in line - Wednesday, Sep 6, 06 @ 2:42 pm: While standing in line this morning waiting to get in to see the FBI, I was thinking, what a great ad. More importantly, it is a shot across the bow of the Blogo ship that will soon be sinking. Remember Blogo fans, as your ship of fools sinks ever so slowly out of sight please gather around and sing “nearer our Rod to thee.” You’ll want to hold hands to keep from getting thrown under the bus. Great, Great ad Judy!!! It’s the beginning of a new Illinois!!! - Garp - Wednesday, Sep 6, 06 @ 6:28 pm: Good positive ad, gets alot done. Dogs are a stupid idea. - Anonymous - Wednesday, Sep 6, 06 @ 10:21 pm: My god is that a creepy ad. And are those kids at the end the same ones that had to sit through her reading of “If I Ran the Zoo?” - sang dem - Wednesday, Sep 6, 06 @ 11:09 pm: maybe she just otta give gr the 600k to pay his fine that would be a thoughful kind hearted thing to do. Oh ya but them her campaign fund would be broke. by the way you guys lost Sorry, comments for this post are now closed.