The National Republican Senatorial Committee has put out a new ad going after West Virginia's Democratic governor, Joe Manchin, who is seeking the Senate seat vacated after Robert Byrd passed away. A couple of good ol' boys talk about him: "Joe's not bad as governor, but when he's with Obama ... " one says. "He turns into 'Washington Joe," another replies. (Wait, he turns into Joe Biden!?) The's message is clear: Real West Virginians know where Manchin will best serve.
Except the ad was cast and filmed in Philadelphia. Reports Politico:
“We are going for a ‘Hicky' Blue Collar look,” read the casting call for the ad, being aired by the National Republican Senatorial Committee. “These characters are from West Virginia so think coal miner/trucker looks.”
“Clothing Suggestions” included jeans, work boots, flannel shirt, denim shirt, “Dickie's type jacket with t-shirt underneath,” down-filled vest, “John Deer [sic] hats (not brand new, preferably beat up),” “trucker hats (not brand new, preferably beat up).”
Machin's campaign, against "Philadelphia" John Raese, a Republican businessman, hasn't taken off as expected, but it's still competitive. Ironically, much of the money tarring Manchin as a tool of Washington is coming from Republicans in Washington as well as national corporations that literally believe voters they're trying to reach are hicks.
-- Tim Fernholz
