‘If you are a Republican — man, woman, child or house plant — you are genetically predisposed to detest Nancy Pelosi, and Hillary is not far behind.’
Republicans will face a massive gender gap at the polls this November, but they’re still betting big on an ad strategy that demonizes two of the most recognizable women in American politics.
Over the last 30 days, close to 100 Republican-funded TV spots casting Hillary Clinton, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi — or both — as villains have aired more than 34,000 times, according to data compiled for POLITICO by Advertising Analytics. In three battleground Senate races alone — Indiana, Missouri and West Virginia — ads featuring Pelosi or Clinton blanketed TV screens, running more than 1,100 times in each state.
All told, Republican campaigns or affiliated groups sank $28.4 million into the Clinton and Pelosi messaging over the last month.
“It’s all about energizing the Republican base,” said Republican strategist Ana Navarro. “If you are a Republican — man, woman, child or house plant — you are genetically predisposed to detest Nancy Pelosi, and Hillary is not far behind.”
Pelosi’s face often appears in grainy, black and white ads featuring buzz words aimed at inflaming Republican voters. The House minority leader is frequently described as a liberal with “San Francisco values” who wants to impose sanctuary cities and “massive tax hikes.” She’s then placed side by side with Democrats running at every level — from statewide to Congress and even state legislature.
“Montclair Mikie,” blares one of the ads targeting Democrat Mikie Sherrill in New Jersey’s 11th Congressional District. “A Pelosi liberal behind closed doors.” The spot, which nods to the affluent township where Sherrill resides, features audio in which Sherrill praises Pelosi even though the candidate has said she won’t support Pelosi for speaker if Democrats take back the House.
The Clinton ads, which aren’t as prevalent as the ubiquitous Pelosi commercials, are equally scornful. In one spot running in Arkansas — her onetime home state — the Democrat running in the 2nd Congressional District is whacked for “following the Hillary playbook” by taking money from Hollywood donors.
“Liberal Hollywood elitists who don’t share our values are pouring money into Clarke Tucker’s campaign,” the ad, titled “Hillarywood,” warns. “Why? Because Clarke Tucker is a Hillary-supporting Democrat for higher taxes and bigger government. Clarke Tucker, Hillary and Hollywood. We’ve seen this movie before. Who really wants to see it again?”
Hillary and Pelosi-bashing is a tried and true strategy for the GOP, but one that carries more risk in an election cycle marked by historic gains by female candidates and a gender gap that’s hit record highs.
According to a CNN poll released this week, 63 percent of women said they intended on voting for Democratic candidates. The poll also showed that women are among the most motivated groups expected to vote this November.
Republicans say their reason for not backing off attacks on Pelosi and Clinton is simple: it works.
Congressional Leadership Fund, which is financing ads featuring Pelosi in at least 15 battleground districts, said its polling shows there’s no better Democratic scapegoat than Pelosi, whose name ID and negatives are through the roof.
“Nancy Pelosi and her agenda are absolutely toxic in all battleground districts across the country,” said spokeswoman Courtney Alexander. “Both Republicans and Democrats view Pelosi as a reminder of everything they dislike about the Democratic Party, whether it be calls to abolish ICE or higher taxes.”
A September Gallup poll reports that Hillary Clinton’s popularity is equally low, and she continues to be a deeply polarizing figure nearly two years after losing the 2016 presidential race. The survey reported her favorability rating at 36 percent — among Republicans, it’s a rock-bottom 4 percent.
Still, Democrats — and even some Republicans — question whether the familiar blueprint will backfire since it doesn’t account for 2018’s unique conditions or new motivations stirring women in a post-Brett Kavanaugh election.
“We’ve got 30,000 women running nationwide and they’re still running against Nancy Pelosi and Hillary Clinton,” said Sue Dvorsky, former Iowa Democratic Party chair. “Is that the best they’ve got?”
Dvorsky accused Republicans of turning to a one-size-fits-all ad strategy because they failed to connect with voters on real issues and now in the run-up to the election are facing a depressed base.
“These are their perennial villainesses,” she said. “This is such a tired trope.”
John Thomas, a California-based GOP consultant, said his own testing this cycle shows there’s little risk to Republicans who attack Pelosi and Clinton because their negatives are so high — even among women.
“If it ain’t broke don’t fix it, right?” Thomas said. “Pelosi and Clinton are still incredibly unpopular figures.”
But that could depend on who shows up to vote.
Janine Parry, director of the Arkansas Poll, said that in a year deemed to be ‘the year of the woman,’ Republicans risk voter backlash over an onslaught of ads targeting two powerful women. But that’s predicated on a massive turnout among groups that historically don’t post major turnout numbers in the midterms, she said.
“They’re betting that anyone who is turned off is already voting Democrat or are less likely to vote in this election anyway,” Parry said. “Single women, minority women, young women might feel annoyed, irritated, even infuriated by ads like that. But they’re less likely to vote in this election than white married women. And that’s who’s being targeted.”
Some Republicans fear that even if the strategy works, it isn’t doing enough to engage with voters in today’s environment, where an unprecedented number of women are not only running for office but have demonstrated in special elections and primary contests that they are the critical bloc of voters that can swing an election.
“I’d rather be forward-thinking and thinking about the future,” Kim Reem, member at large of the National Federation of Republican Women, said of the Pelosi and Clinton ads. “Personally, I’d like to see candidates run on their own merit. I don’t think there’s a lot of value to lump everything into one basket.”
Reem sees the reasoning for having Pelosi in ads but she questioned using Clinton this cycle.
“There’s no doubt about it that they’re polarizing,” Reem said. “But where is Hillary on the ballot? She’s not.”
source: politico.com
Wow – two Halloween witches at once in my opinion. Also, in my opinion both should be sitting in a federal prison jail cell wearing a bright orange jump suit. As a former Democrat I am sure glad that I would NOT vote for anyone that they would recommend. Stay out of Pennsylvania.
Can’t wait to see those two broads crying and whining when the RED WAVE HITS……….Those female politicians are as useless to the USA as mammary glands on a boar…………
Where Nasty Nancy and Killery polyester rum are concerned you will be smart to never believe anything they say and you need to kerpas far away from the two headed viper as possible!
The democrats are scraping the bottom of the barrel this time around. Truth is, they talk the talk but have nothing to offer.
I’m terms of what is best for the Country, republicans are by far offering the best candidates. And any new contenders are too far left to be taken seriously … Some should actually consider stand up rather than politics. Harris, Booker, Warren, Cortez, have absolutely no enduring qualities whatsoever …
DEMOCRAT VOTERS = TERRORIST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Both of those power hungry old hags need to take some good advice about “go home, sit down and shut up”!
Modify hags to read women.
Both of those power hungry old women need to take some good advice:- “Go home, sit down and shut up “.
Both of those power hungry old women need to take some good advice:- “Go home, sit down and shut up “.
Post as typed!!!!
Get out and vote for the GOP in November to save the country from NAZI Commie Demoncrats liberals!They want to make America into another Venezuela!Obama almost got us there! Now that America is great again because of president Trump let’s keep it that way!
Viva President Trump.
The FACT THAT YOU CONTINUE TO QUOTE FNN…THE FOUNDER OF THE FAKE NEWS CARTEL….AND ACTUALLY CALL THAT WHACK JOB NAVARRO A CONSERVATIVE! IS ALL I NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THIS PSUEDO CONSERVATIVE PUBLICATION. NEXT YOU WILL BE QUOTING THE OTHER RINO RUBIN! WHAT A SCAM! WHO ACTUALLY PAYS FOR THIS PUBLICATION??!! WHERE’S THE MONEY REALLY COME FROM?
I firmly believe that both of the woman (not Ladies) belong in a institution for the mentally insane.
just in for Hollowing , that was expected ,you can not find a better face mask .
We are voting Republician! The Dems, are acting like spoiled kids, hum, you know they say, we come into this world as infants helpless, as we age we get like children. Those two old ladies need help, not sure there is anything anyone can do to help them, they have totally lost it. Maybe beyond help!!! Acting like brats!!!
I asked my daughter in Arizona if she planned to vote. She applied for a mail ballot and never received it. She has no patience to make contact again. She is in her later 30s and she really doesn’t feel her vote counts anyway- that’s my impression. My vote in NYS hardly makes a difference either but I’m making sure to be home by Nov 6. Just in case…
VOTE REPUBLICAN GET OUT & VOTE, INDEPENDENTS & UNHAPPY DEMOCRATS JUMP ON THE RED WAVE. No Socialism/Communism for the U.S.A.
American is doing good now, don’t change that, keep the Jobs & Economy going only under Republicans.
Vote Smart, Vote Republicans across the Ballot.
I hope ALL TRUE AMERICANS can see past the lies and understand that for our Republic to stay a free we ALL must vote to keep our nation on course. Secure our borders and follow the rule of law which our Republic was founded on it is not Black White male female question it a WE THE PEOPLE question and if we allow our Nation turn to a Socialist Republic
Viva President Trump
I don’t know why somebody put me on this mailing list. I hate Donald Trump, Mitch McConnell, Paul Ryan and Lindsay Graham. Please get me off from this too-weird site.
All of these Democrats need to stop acting like 10 year old cry babies the past is the past… And why is it ok for Dems to commit, with word’s like white people, that’s racism on there part !! Go Trump !!!
My comment has nothing to do for now with demented Pelosi and criminal Killarney but with
stupid Juan Williams,Marie Harf, Jessica Tarlov and Shepherd Smith. These 4 are
sickening to watch so I turned
off the TV whenever they talk
We don’t want socialism, higher taxes or higher crime rates….sooooooooooooooooo you better vote red or you may end up dead.
Both Pelosi and Hillary best reflect the mind set of liberals,lie misrepresent,and stoop to what ever level it takes to win reelection,they have become unhearable and just as ugly as they ever were.
It is important that we vote against these Democrat extremists who call for violent attacks on those who don’t agree with them. How would you feel if someone falsely accused your husband or son of sexual assault? Do you honestly want a mob to attack you in a restaurant, at a service station, or at a department store? Vote Red in November and stop these radical Democrats.
VOTE RED in November. Voting Red us against radical Democrats who could falsely accuse your husband or son of sexual assault or attack you and your family in a restaurant, at a service station, or in a store while shopping
I am voting republican on everything. I dont even care what their personal politics are…i will never vote for a democrat again. Nor will i vote for a bill that is authored by a democrat or backed by a democrat. I am done with the democrats.
I will vote for conservative Republican candidates who promise to uphold our constitution and the values on which our country was founded.
Pelosi & Hillary are both losers. Why do Democrats keep voting for losers. Don’t they have any other leaders? I guess not! Young Alexandra Ocasio is no politician but a buffoon
Do not be fooled. The demonic democratic party is in an all out war to destroy the Republican party ( and the millions of American voters who vote Republican. )Their goal a one party system. . Can you believe Hillary in the white house as president. It would not be her first term but bill Clinton 3rd term. she is power hungry empthy bag . Let the Democratic party know. The swamp is being drained. President Trump has changed the rules. As president from now on you have to prove your results. You must be president of the USA not the world. AMERICA FIRST.
Republicans Yeah! God Bless America and God Bless President Trump
A CNN poll?! Give me a break. I’m female and surely NOT going to vote Democrat! Another idiotic poll from a much less than reliable source.
Why would anyone who has one ounce of common sense vote for the Democrats? A party who has completely lost it all. Obama will go down in history as the worst President in American History. Trump is not a typical Washington politician. He is a business man and a damn intelligent one. After all, what is a bigger business than the business of running America. His record of accomplishments speaks loudly for itself. No President in our history has accomplished so much in so short of time in office. Wake up American voters and vote Republican.
Hillary Clinton and Nancy Pelosi the 2 pant suit women incognito. The
bopsee twins. What 1 doesn’t do, the other one does. They’re trouble
waiting for something to happen. Will they ever go away?
WE TRUE AMERICAN’s MUST NEVER EVER LET THIS HAPPEN TO OUR’ AMERICA. WE NOW MORE THEN EVER MUST “VOTE” >>>ALL RED RED RED RED RED RED RED RED RED, IN NOVEMBER of 2018. <<< WE MUST TAKE BACK CONTROL of THE WASHINGTON 's DUMBO=CRATIC; SYSTEM of BIG BROTHER MENTALITY and HATRED.. WE HAVE A LEADER IN WASHINGTON D. C. (("OUR" NEW WORKING and HONEST")) PRESIDENT DONALD J. TRUMP.
YES WE ‘ALL’ NEED TO BE VOTING IN NOVEMBER.. RED RED RED RED RED RED RED RED RED.. IS OUR COLOR of CHOICE. HELP TO TACK BACK CONTROL of WASHINGTON D. C.
Clinton and Piglosi are scum sucking horrible people