A campaign video produced by a county’s Republican party is getting national attention for being perhaps the worst political ad of the season.
The Gratiot County, Michigan Republicans made the ad supporting Republican gubernatorial candidate Tudor Dixon. In it, seven older white people are standing on a road wearing sleeveless jackets, bandanas, chains, and Jesus fish, complaining about Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D). They call each other “man” in case anyone didn’t understand that they’re supposed to be bikers.
Most of their complaints are run-of-the-mill Republican talking points this campaign cycle: that Whitmer’s government instituted measures to stop the spread of COVID that weren’t fun, how Whitmer wants to “keep killing babies,” and the fact that inflation happened (who knows how the governor of Michigan is responsible for that one).
“Three thousand restaurants closed, and she’s pro-business?” one biker dude asks incredulously.
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“Yeah right!” the baddest biker chick responds.
Later in the ad, one woman brings up an order Whitmer gave early in the pandemic for nursing homes to re-admit recovering COVID-19 patients, but only if they had isolation units and enough personal protection equipment to do so safely. The measure was meant to fight hospital overcrowding but was characterized by the right as something that spread the virus among the elderly.
One of the men looks right at the camera and says: “Gram died alone.”
After they say Dixon’s name in unison – as one does when one is in a biker gang – they get ready to “roll.” One of the bikers helpfully reminds his friends to “watch out for potholes.”
Dixon shared the ad on social media and she seemed to like it.
These great folks know exactly what @gretchenwhitmer has done to all of us. Thanks to the Gratiot County GOP for this video! pic.twitter.com/GbgvnftPfY
— Tudor Dixon (@TudorDixon) October 3, 2022
But others mocked the ad, with one person comparing it to Utah state Sen. Linda Paulson’s (R) infamous rapping ad.
Tudor Dixon’s campaign died alone. pic.twitter.com/vcbkRkvIlo
— A Liberal Dad (@LiberalFathers) October 4, 2022
It's like the public access ad your brother made and you're proudly showing us as we cringe for you. And "shart" was trending as a result of this sad little video. https://t.co/JTx0po1z5t
— Kimberley Johnson 🇺🇦 (@AuthorKimberley) October 4, 2022
I did not know there were Renaissance Fair biker gangs
— Noble Prize in Sarcasm (@rewegreatyet) October 3, 2022
This Reno 911 episode where they go under cover to infiltrate a QAnon motorcycle gang and out fascist MagaT candidate Tudor Dixon.
The Roseanne Barr cameo is hilarious!!!! https://t.co/wYMBr10GQu
— Vote Blue No Matter Who (@VoteBlueBaby) October 4, 2022
I didn't think it was possible to outdo the rapping Republican grandma from Utah, but then Tudor Dixon sharted this out.
These people almost make Scott Baio look like a serious actor. https://t.co/y4ePpKnEeT— Real Republican (@JohnBar00589422) October 3, 2022
Tudor Dixon is such a trainwreck of a candidate, you’d think she was satire.
Case in point: the campaign ad she’s amplifying. https://t.co/jLNuojyjzg
— The Hoarse Whisperer (@TheRealHoarse) October 3, 2022
Is she getting the kidnap crew back together for a reunion? https://t.co/z1DCXcFg5M
— Josh Marshall (@joshtpm) October 4, 2022
Tudor Dixon: The No. 1 Choice For Michigan Bikers Who Don't Mind Publicly Embarrassing Themselves https://t.co/2Eaf7onPwt
— Rex Huppke (@RexHuppke) October 3, 2022
This is beyond fucking parody!!! Omfg. 😂
— Jo 🌻 (@JoJoFromJerz) October 3, 2022
I have no idea what consultant came up with this but please keep them. They’re a huge help for us!
— David Hogg ☮️ (@davidhogg111) October 3, 2022
I can't stop watching this.
— The Lincoln Project (@ProjectLincoln) October 3, 2022
