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Is Señor Mike Pape’s New Ad the Most Racist Political Ad of 2016?

Posted on
April 22, 2016
by Agree Staff
We have a new frontrunner for most offensive political ad of the 2016 cycle.

This latest entry comes from Republican Mike Pape who is running in Kentucky’s first congressional district. In it, three men run up to a chain-link fence labeled “U.S. Border Do Not Cross.” As they prepare to cut through the fence, they have a conversation about Republican politics. Although they are speaking English, the ad is subtitled.

“Once through, we’ll stop Donald Trump!” says the one wearing a shirt that says “Stop Trump.” The one wearing the shirt that says “Stop Ted Cruz” adds that they should stop Cruz as well. But the two seem genuinely shocked when the third, wearing a “Stop Pape” shirt, suggests, “and señor Mike Pape!”

After they confuse the name with a roll of duct tape, he explains to the others that Mike Pape is “the conservative running for Congress who will help Trump build the wall!” He also assures them that Pape will help Ted Cruz repeal Obamacare. The three decide, “We must stop Mike Pape!”

Pape himself then appears onscreen to deliver his “I approve this message” statement. As he speaks, the three climb through the fence and run directly behind him.

Kentucky’s first congressional district is more than 90% white, 1.5% Hispanic and does not share a border with Mexico.

Reactions to Mike Pape's Ad

Republican ads purporting to show immigrants crossing the border are not new. Pape’s ad echoes ads earlier this cycle from Donald Trump and Ted Cruz. It also calls to mind classics of the genre from candidates like Sharron Angle and David Vitter.

But the bad accents, lame humor and one terrible mustache seem to take this version to a new level. Criticism of the ad has been harsh.

Mother Jones called it “the worst ad of the 2016 campaign.”

The director of the University of Kentucky's Institute for Rural Journalism and Community Issues said, “He’s just going to the bottom of the barrel, appealing to people’s worst instincts, using crass stereotypes and, really, appealing to the ignorance that begets fear and ultimately hate."

And an editor for the Cook Political Report tweeted, “Ads like this one from an R candidate in Kentucky are why the GOP's demographic death spiral is real.”

Republican candidates around the country have attempted to distance themselves from Trump, including several who have already announced they will not be attending the GOP convention this summer. Meanwhile, Democrats are taking every opportunity they can to connect Republicans to Trump.

But Pape is willing to bring up Trump on his own, and make a strategic play that Trump’s controversial positions on immigration will appeal to conservative primary voters in his district.
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