Clean Line Energy Partners' Jimmy Glotfelty came to Mendota dressed as a "farmer" tonight!
The "chore coat" is a political campaign tactic intended to disguise a privileged, super-rich candidate who has never done an honest day's work and make him appear to be "a regular working guy." The tactic became mainstream when used by unsuccessful presidential candidate John Kerry in 2004. Use of this political styling tactic has exploded recently, including use by Illinois gubernatorial hopeful Bruce Rauner.
Jimmy was seen in Mendota with Aaron Chambers, of the firm ThomsonWeir. ThomsonWeir performs public relations services for their well-heeled corporate and political clients. "We craft client-specific messages and tailor client communications outreach, whether through conventional news media or through new media tools, to engage and educate local audiences about client priorities."
Aaron Chambers was found sitting alone way up high in the bleachers at Mendota High School, where he was furiously scribbling copious notes on every speaker who opposed RICL. When one of his bleacher neighbors looked over his shoulder to see what he was writing, she saw him drawing diagrams that looked a lot like this:
This really wasn't a good idea! Why not just have Jimmy walk through the gym holding up a blinking neon sign that says "I think you all are STOO-PID!"? Same effect.
I have to wonder... has Aaron watched the movie Promised Land recently? In that movie, the carpetbagging corporate agents sent to a small town to purchase gas rights from unsuspecting "locals" make the farm store their first stop in town, where they load up on chore coats, boots, plaid shirts and khaki work pants in an attempt to "fit in."
Do you think Jimmy or the other Clean Line executives pondered Aaron's advice before stopping by the farm supply store and picking up Jimmy's costume? Did they really think this was a genius idea? Or were the employees simply too afraid to speak up and tell Jimmy he was making a big, big mistake that would turn him into the laughing stock of rural Illinois?
Ha ha ha ha ha! We're laughing with you, Jimmy, honest!