Memo to Charles Taylor -- you're missing the point
We sent a memo to Rep. Taylor (R-Liberia) a few months ago, complaining of his lack of help. Well, he is finally stepping up. He has finally created a campaign website (oops, we mean this link), has sent out a mailer, and released the first attack ad (albeit on the radio).
First off, we have to confess that we love political attack ads. We love the scary music and unflattering photos they use -- not to mention the usual semi-baseless claims. Lots o' fun. But Taylor's attack ad completely missed the point, and skirted the main issue in the campaign (if you haven't heard it -- listen and come back).
It starts off promising -- crowd noises and talk of the "rookie Heath Shuler." But then it goes into this whole thing about Nancy Pelosi and we think accuses Shuler of supporting gay, illegal immigrant weddings/flag burnings (which we're actually in favor of, by the way). It, however, completely fails to mention that SHULER WAS A TERRIBLE NFL QUARTERBACK.
Nothing about how the Redskins have finally turned a corner after years of stinkitude and that this relic of the dark years wants to come back. Nothing about his 15 to 33 TD to INT ratio, or his 4-15 record as a Redskin QB. I mean, if you wanted to tie him to someone negative, how about someone whom he actually has had a relationship with, like Norv Turner?
So once again, Mr. Taylor, we are not pleased. We keep reading that this race is a toss-up, or that Shuler is winning in the polls. You are an incumbent! Incumbents don't lose unless they kiss the President! (Well, at least in Connecticut) We feel like Dustin Hoffman's character in Wag the Dog -- we're trying to help you out of your crisis, and you are using the equivalent of "Don't change horses in midstream."
Try to pick it up a bit, will ya?
