Joe Manchin 'Hicky' Ad Hammers GOP Opponent (VIDEO)

Democratic Gov. Joe Manchin, who is running for West Virginia's open U.S. Senate seat, is out with a new campaign ad taking aim at a spot released by Republicans last week in which "hicky" actors were hired to portray state voters.

The GOP ad, aiming to boost Manchin's opponent John Raese, was paid for by the National Republican Senatorial Committee as an independent expenditure, and not created in coordination with Raese's campaign.

Nevertheless, Manchin is trying to pin the scandal directly on his opponent, who has shot up in the polls in recent weeks. "John Raese thinks we're hicks," says a narrator in the new 30-second Manchin ad. Another voice continues, "His people hired actors from Philadelphia to attack Joe Manchin and told them to dress 'hicky.'"

Politico's Mike Allen reported on the casting call for the initial pro-Raese spot:

But not just any actors: "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)."

The new ad out from Manchin's camp blasts the ordeal as "insulting." A narrator says of Raese, "He didn't even apologize. Obviously we're not good enough for him."

A spokesman for Raese's campaign dismissed the attack as "desperate."

WATCH:

Comments

[Balzy26]

11:37 PM on 10/14/2010

Anyone else embarassed with this whole process?

[heronpoint]

10:19 PM on 10/14/2010

Direct and to the point - zing!

[salkoc]

09:53 PM on 10/14/2010

that ad is going to hurt ....direct and to the point . the little touch of florida in the family background is brutal .this one is a poll changer.

[Longtimeliberal]

07:10 PM on 10/14/2010

My family originally grew up in the country and I can tell you that is an insult.

[moose and squirrel]

06:56 PM on 10/14/2010

John Raese said he got his money the old-fashioned way--he inherited it. does that sound like a regular joe?

[StPeteDave]

10:44 PM on 10/14/2010

doesn't sound like a mountaineer, that's for sure!

[tkns]

06:54 PM on 10/14/2010

It will resonate with the voters. It is like Meg Whitman constantly telling us Californians that she wants to make CA look like Texas. If you love Texas so much-move there .

[ritenow]

01:36 PM on 10/12/2010

This is tantamount to the GOP pretending to be the average American, when in truth they are for and about big business and filling the pockets of the friends in higher places.

[Bloggerrogr]

11:40 AM on 10/12/2010

I remember when I was in high school.
One day I showed up with a hicky on my neck. All the guys were like, "Oh, wow, fella...who gave that to you?"
Girls looked questioninly at me.
My guidance counselor had me in for a 'talking to'
I kept it hidden from my parents...
Excuse me. Not that kind of 'hicky'?
Nevermind.
FWIW

[moose and squirrel]

06:57 PM on 10/14/2010

if Raese wins you'll get alot of those as his GOP cronies suck the life out of you!

[Bloggerrogr]

07:16 PM on 10/14/2010

m & s;
I'm going NOWHERE near W. Virginia. EVER.

FWIW

[willandjansdad]

07:55 AM on 10/12/2010

They should have hired the Dancin' Outlaw. Now that's WV.

[artist-53]

07:06 AM on 10/12/2010

The Raese ad was a gift to his opponent and Manchin's return ad was flawless. And I feel like I'm watching the Wimbledon of campaign ads this election season.

[bmike]

04:59 AM on 10/12/2010

Raese could not find anybody in the state that felt like that so he hired people from out if state plus nobody been asking him about a job they only ask Obama.

[colah]

08:45 AM on 10/12/2010

Great post mike!
Im thinking of using it for the basis of my thesis!

[siamao]

07:46 PM on 10/14/2010

Using "it". As an old Thesis and Dissertation Chair from way back,
what's the "it" you're thinking of using?

[Big Game Hunter]

03:42 AM on 10/12/2010

The GOP is run by people from the Country Clubs, but the footsoldiers come from the Trailer Parks.

[Puddin]

10:40 PM on 10/14/2010

Nice...I will have to remember to use your simple but so true words. Thank you.

f&f

[sylhines]

01:35 AM on 10/12/2010

In reality, the privileged portion of the GOP and the wackos, which Raese has now demonstrated he is indeed one, have always regarded the low income, uneducated and ignorant class of the party to be hicks and hillbillies. This is the end results of wedge politics.

[MRb1000]

01:30 AM on 10/12/2010

This is a hard hitting add! It will work. Nobody like to be called dumb and uneducated.

[santafesam]

09:15 PM on 10/14/2010

We are seeing the true picture of republican, tbaggers and their base. The candidates do look down on and insult the very people they depend on for votes..and those voters seem to revel in their own ignorance. Gleefully celebrating stupidity and denigrating education as elitist.

[dellastreet49]

10:58 PM on 10/11/2010

Manchin keeps throwing $hit up against the wall hoping some of it will stick.