New Rauner attack ad includes Harold Washington video

CHICAGO (WLS) -- In the race for Illinois governor Republican candidate Bruce Rauner is running a new political attack ad includes decades-old video of late Chicago Mayor Harold Washington, but not everyone thinks it will win him votes against Governor Pat Quinn.

Once again, Harold Washington speaks from the grave about Pat Quinn. Is it an act of political desperation or will it be a difference-maker in the race for governor?

It's not the first time the now 27-year-old interview has been used in a political commercial. In 1987, the late Harold Washington, Chicago's first black mayor, talked about firing then city revenue director Pat Quinn.

Former Illinois Comptroller Dan Hynes aired a similar ad in his failed 2010 democratic primary race against Quinn.

"Bruce Rauner is a different type of candidate," said Rev. Corey Brooks.

This year, the Rev. Brooks, a supporter of Rauner, says black voters should remember Washington's words about the Democratic incumbent.

"For him to speak certain words about an individual as it relates to work performance or ethics those are things we have to pay close attention to in our neighborhood," Brooks said.

"I think that's going to backfire," said Maze Jackson, who directed Quinn's successful field operation in 2010.

Jackson doubts the Washington ad will work in 2014.

"You really have to ask yourself, or will the African-American community ask themselves, 'What would Harold Washington say about Bruce Rauner?'" Jackson said.

The Rauner campaign also has recycled the 2010 Hynes campaign issue surrounding the early release of state prison inmates in 2009.

"What happened after Quinn freed them is unthinkable?"

Media consultant Thom Serafin senses the Rauner campaign, using 4-year-old material, has lost its momentum.

"It does suggest that they are looking at this and scratching their heads trying to figure out what works and they're throwing everything up against the wall to see what sticks," Serafin said.

But Rev. Brooks said he believes that what may not have worked for Hynes in a primary will work for Rauner in a general election.

"He's a more formidable candidate than the person that ran at that time," Brooks said.

The Rauner campaign also has produced a companion radio commercial to be aired on Chicago stations with large African American audiences.