After criticizing Kentucky Secretary of State Alison Lundergan Grimes (D) for not wearing proper protective gear when shooting a rifle, National Republican Senatorial Campaign Committee Communications Director Brad Dayspring did the exact same thing.
Here’s what happened: In November, Grimes, who’s running against Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell tweeted a picture of herself shooting a rifle and inviting the Kentucky Republican to go shooting with her.
Dayspring, over Twitter, responded “No eyes & ears? Poor gun safety display. Yikes!” Other Republican strategists joined in on critiquing Grimes as well.
But then a month later, Dayspring tweeted a photo of himself shooting a gun without the headgear he was criticizing Grimes for not wearing. The Huffington Post screencapped the tweet:
According to the gun safety rules from the National Rifle Association, when shooting a gun “shooting glasses and hearing protectors” are recommended for both the shooter and anyone watching.
“I am wearing ear protection, and both Alison Lundergan Grimes and I should have been wearing eyes,” Dayspring told The Huffington Post in an email. “Everyone should wear protection when shooting, especially elected officials and public figures who serve as examples for the greater public. Hopefully Alison Lundergan Grimes can admit and acknowledge the same.”
Dayspring also responded to The Huffington Post report over Twitter.
Dem operative brilliance: OMG, you did the same thing as our #KYsen candidate! Let’s tweet about it! http://t.co/o35heoRPUo
— Brad Dayspring (@BDayspring) January 7, 2014
The Grimes campaign did not respond to an email from TPM.
Add this episode to a banner year for the NRSC. The committee had a habit of making a number of notable goofs in 2013. Maybe they’ll hit the mark in 2014.
