I Agree to See

The Web's Largest Political Ad Library

I Agree to See

Sign up for our weekly newsletter

I agree to follow
  • Watch
    • Latest Political Ads Happening Now
    • Hilarious Political Late Night Clips
    • WWI and WWII Propaganda
    • Ads From the Past
    • Speeches
  • Latest Elections
    • 2018 Elections
    • 2017 Elections
    • 2016 Presidential Election
    • 2016 Congressional Elections
    • Browse All
  • PSA’s
  • Blog
    • Blog: I Approve This Message
    • Political Blogroll
  • FAQ
    • The Campaign Brain
    • 2016 Presidential Election
    • Political Trivia
    • Campaign and Election Terms
  • Submit Your Ad
    • Candidate Connect
    • California Candidates
    • Build Your Profile
  • About Us
    • FAQ About Us
    • I Agree to See: Internship
  • Subscribe

This Is How Far Virginia Republicans Went To Produce an Attack Ad on Ralph Northam

Posted on
August 31, 2017
by Agree Staff
At first glance, the ad from Virginia Republican gubernatorial candidate Ed Gillespie is a cookie-cutter attack lifted from the Republican political consultant's playbook. It charges Democrat Ralph Northam with casting "the deciding vote in favor of sanctuary cities that let illegal immigrants who commit crimes back on the street" after rhetorically asking "who will keep your family safe?" The swipe is followed by heartwarming images of Gillespie being endorsed by sheriffs and police officers.

Ed Gillespie Hits Ralph Northam on Sanctuary Cities...

But Gillespie's media team needed some extra help, and some long-range planning, to be able to make that ad.

Back in February 2017, the legislature in Virginia voted on legislation that would prevent cities from declaring themselves sanctuary cities, where local officials refuse to cooperate with federal immigration authorities. (Virginia currently does not have any sanctuary cities.)

Republicans have a narrow 21-19 edge in the state Senate, and Northam, as Lieutenant Governor, votes to break ties. While Republicans had the numbers to pass their sanctuary city ban (but not override a veto) along party lines, the Republican state Senate Majority Leader Thomas Norment initially voted against bill, creating a 20-20 tie and forcing Northam to, as Gillespie's ad in August would later note, "cast the deciding vote."

...After State Senate Leader Trapped Northam Months Ago

After getting Northam on record, Republicans held a second vote, on which Norment voted "yes." That bill was predictably vetoed by the Democratic governor. The Washington Post reported at the time, "Asked if he had switched his vote in a deliberate effort to force Northam to vote on the contentious issue, Senate Majority Leader Thomas K. Norment (R-James City) simply walked away from reporters."

Machiavellian? No doubt. But still, it is a vote that Northam took and he can't excuse it by saying someone else made him do it.
  • Previous
  • |
  • Next
I agree to follow

Trending

  • Kirsten Gillibrand Anti-Trump
    Kirsten Gillibrand Launches First Anti-Trump Ad of 2020 Campaign

    Desperate for a boost as she lags in the polls, presidential candidate...

    More
  • State Senate sarah mcbride video
    Transgender Activist Sarah McBride Announces Run for State Senate Focusing on Issues, Not Identity

    Transgender activist Sarah McBride, who rose to national prominence af...

    More
  • astronaut mark kelly arizona senate gabby giffords mark kelly us senate arizona
    Astronaut Mark Kelly Launches Bid for Arizona Senate, With Help from Gabby Giffords

    Mark Kelly entered the Arizona Senate race against incumbent Martha Mc...

    More
  • tulsi gabbard 2020 presidential campaign announcement tulsi gabbard official presidential campaign
    Tulsi Gabbard Brings “Love and Aloha” to the 2020 Presidential Campaign

    In the run-up to her 2020 presidential campaign entry, Hawaii Rep. Tul...

    More
  • kamala harris 2020 campaign announcement kamala harris for president
    Kamala Harris Makes It Official

    Sen. Kamala Harris entered the 2020 Democratic presidential primary wi...

    More
  • larry hogan 2020 presidential campaign republican challengers to trump 2020 republican candidates
    Is This Inauguration Video from Larry Hogan a Step Towards Running Against Trump in the GOP Primary?

    Politico’s report that Republican Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan is c...

    More
  • kamala harris mood mix stephen colbert kamala harris 2020 presidential campaign
    Kamala Harris Offers Her “Mood Mix” to Stephen Colbert

    The “Colbert Primary” is off and running, as several Democ...

    More
  • cory booker 2020 presidential campaign announcement video nike cory booker 2020
    Cory Booker Starts 2020 Race With Gangbusters Video

    Sen. Cory Booker jumped into the 2020 Democratic presidential primary ...

    More
  • lizzie fletcher voted for nancy pelosi republicans attack democrats who voted for nancy pelosi
    Republicans Slam Democratic Frosh Who Voted For Nancy Pelosi

    The House GOP-affiliated Super PAC Congressional Leadership Fund waste...

    More
  • Who is happy that donald trump is president
    Liberal Group Asks: Who’s Happy That Trump is President?

    A little known liberal group called Future Forward USA Action is airin...

    More
  • barack obama eric holder redistricting barack obama redistricting barack obama gerrymandering eric holder gerrymandering barack obama is back
    Obama is Back … and Ready To Tackle Partisan Gerrymandering

    Former President Barack Obama is putting his considerable prestige beh...

    More
  • the koch brothers tax reform bill donald trump tax reform koch brothers how the koch brothers sell tax reform gop tax bill charles koch david koch paul ryan tax reform donald trump
    How the Koch Brothers Sell Tax Reform: A Guide

    It was a balmy August afternoon in 2015, when Jeb Bush, Scott Walker, ...

    More
  Speakeasy Digital Ads I agree to see

Recent posts

  • Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam Makes Star Turn on “The Bachelorette”
  • Speedos: Which Maine Senate Nominee Wore Them Best?
  • The Top 10 Senate Races to Watch in 2018
  • The Top 10 House Races to Watch in 2018
  • Wikileaks Slid into Don Jr.’s DMs and Tried to Finesse Donald Trump’s Tax Returns

Comments Below

Recent Posts

  • Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam Makes Star Turn on “The Bachelorette”
  • Speedos: Which Maine Senate Nominee Wore Them Best?
  • The Top 10 Senate Races to Watch in 2018
  • Home
  • Subscribe
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Our Staff
  • Advertise
  • Privacy
  • Terms
© 2018 I Agree to See is a project by Storefront Political Media
  • Privacy
  • Terms
  • Contact Us
  • Advertise on the Campaign Exchange
  • Our Staff