While others were gushing about future GOP Sen. Joni Ernst on Tuesday night, NBC Nightly News anchor Brian Williams thought they might have been overlooking one crucial factor.
For all of Ernst’s strengths as a candidate, Democrat Bruce Braley had nearly as many shortcomings.
Williams mentioned the communication flubs that came to characterize Braley’s campaign — namely First Lady Michelle Obama mispronouncing the candidate’s name several times at a rally. Throw in Braley’s awkward closing campaign ad, and it was all just too much for Williams.
“They dressed him up in a denim jacket for another spot, and just failed to add the detail of what to do with his arms while walking down a country road,” Williams said, his colleagues cracking up off camera.
“It’s like people have arms as add-ons and, um, it was incredible,” he added.
Williams pretty much nailed the ad, which featured a denim-clad Braley walking stiffly along a gravel road. And as Williams noted, Braley didn’t seem to know what to do with his arms.
How was the Braley campaign not on air constantly with the 5 craziest things Ernst had said lately? She gave them plenty of ammunition–they should have been able to define her as beyond the pale. Instead we now have the love child of Steve King and Sharron Angle in the Senate for at least six years.
jeez, you’d think tom harkin would have had a little more influence in who was selected – but it appears he’s checked out to his life after the senate. he apparently wasn’t willing to share his campaign booty; and his comment about ernst the day before the election destroyed any media coverage braley had planned on…
ernst is going to give palin a run for queen bee of the crazy; and she’ll get endless press coverage. they love her.
Joni Ernst - the new face of the Republican party. Yesterday sucked, but I can live with Joni Ernst being the face of the Republican party for the next six years. I can’t wait to hear what she says next and can’t wait to see what kind of legislation she signs onto.
Please proceed Republicans
Really?? You are trying attribute an ad where the candidate does not know what to do with his arms as the reason for his loss?
Ridiculous. Just look at the demo breakdown of the electorate this year. It was the largest GOP-leaning electorate in a decade.
If I hear little Luke Russert say “compelling personal narrative” one more time I’m going to break something.