Gabby Giffords, irreproachable figure of sympathy, has fashioned an improbable new role for herself this election year: ruthless attack dog.
The former Democratic congresswoman, whose recovery from a gunshot wound to the head captivated the country, has unleashed some of the nastiest ads of the campaign season, going after GOP candidates in Arizona and New Hampshire with attacks even some left-leaning commentators say go too far. And Republicans on the receiving end are largely helpless to hit back, knowing a fight with the much-admired survivor is not one they’re likely to win.
One take no prisoners ad targets Republican Martha McSally who is running for Giffords old congressional seat. The ad features a mother talking about the death of her daughter and husband, and ends by pointing out that McSally opposes laws making it harder for stalkers to get access to guns.
Here is the ad:
Ouch! that one is certain to leave a mark.
And it is no secret as to why Giffords is so aggressively going after McSally:
During her unsuccessful 2012 campaign, McSally ran TV commercials comparing herself to Giffords. The Giffords team fumed, and her husband, retired astronaut Mark Kelly, released a terse statement declaring, “Martha McSally is no Gabby Giffords.”
Another anti-McSally ad features a woman named Carol who says her daughter was killed by a criminal who bought a firearm at a gun show and didn’t receive a background check — a check, she states, that McSally would oppose.
“To McSally, it’s just politics,” Carol says as she clutches a picture of her deceased daughter. “To me, it’s personal.”
Okay maybe it's just me, but in my opinion if a woman gets shot point blank in the head, and battles back for years to relearn how to walk, how to speak, and how to function as a normal person, she can get just as angry, just as mean, and just as partisan, as she wants in working to make sure that what happened to her NEVER happens to another person in this country.
I think Gabby is a hero, and she is doing the hard job that most of our politicians are too cowardly to do themselves.
That ad seems okay to me. How is that going too far? That article must have been written by someone in the gop attempting to covertly attack her and garner sympathy for those being called out (not attacked) on their stance on no gun control.
ReplyDeleteWords have consequences....~GabbyGiffords
Delete(on Rachel maddows show talking about Sarah palins CROSSHAIRS)
This is a violent family! They all need to be arrested!
Gabby IS a hero, in the truest sense of the word. Had it been a weaker woman, she'd have daily facebook videos and screeds squalking about what a victim she is etc. etc.
ReplyDeleteGabby has to keep a schedule of physical therapy or she could lose everything she's re learned. Good for her AND her husband for showing the world what unconditional love truly is.
Go Gabby Go! I hope she campaigns for Begich.
ReplyDeleteIt's nasty enough up here already without it getting more so. Gabby can do what she wants but I'd not hope to see her campaign for Mark here in AK. His chances are looking slim enough as it it.
DeleteI am laughing, 6:51, that you think Giffords' ads are "nasty."
DeleteI am laughing, 6:51, that you think Mark Begich's chances are "slim."
DeleteI don't find the ad overdone and fully support Gabby's approach. Loved that photo of her too - she's looking cute as a button!
ReplyDeleteAny democrat that thinks Gifford has gone too far is a sniveling coward. I get so tired of the so easily offended bunch. They make me sick considering all the heinous shit republicans have said and done in the last six years. And I'm sure Gabby Giffords would tell them to kiss her ass.
ReplyDeletePolitico - enough said - no democrat thinks Gabby has "gone too far" - politico is talking about its own RW supporters - but likes to LIE about democrats.
DeleteNo Democrat will think Giffords has gone too far. If anything, she and others have been too reticent. Let 'er rip. She has nothing to lose.
DeleteLove angela's first sentence. YES! Like times 1,000.
DeleteThank you Angela!
DeleteI don't know what these fools think I'm going to do while they infringed on my rights and beliefs? Stand there and take it? Shit...I reciprocate like a mug. I'm not scared of them/kkk/racist/crazyass muthafuckers.
TS it pisses me off when they are considered viable. They are on tv like they are unbiased. I even seen them on msnbc. Disgusting.
DeleteMay Gabby Giffords be completely unleashed.
ReplyDeleteAnd may she be accompanied by the hounds of hell.
Those bastard Republicans deserve it. And much much more.
It is not EASY for Giffords to speak out. She does it because she is still thinking about the public good.
What an inspiration Gabby is and who better to tell it like it is about gun violence than Gabby! Bravo!!!
ReplyDeleteThe NRA is ruthless, tactical, unsympathetic and unapologetic. I see nothing wrong with Gabby's about face. Good on her, it's time to take democracy back from the uncouth Teapublicans.
ReplyDeletePolitico got a bit carried away calling Gifford's effort 'ruthless.'
ReplyDeleteDid Giffords misrepresent McSally's position? So what's wrong with an ad that points out a difference between tea party GOP and Democratic candidates?
ReplyDeleteA-FUCKING-MEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteGo Gabby! Call out the gun humpers for what they are -- murder-enablers!
She's entitled. I'm impressed she's left the sweet, brave victim role in the dust and has come out strong and smart. Classy lady.
ReplyDeleteWay to go Gabby. And please continue. No one could understand the problem we face with firearms more than you.
ReplyDeleteGabby a hero? A pawn is more like it.
ReplyDeleteThanks, @5:59 down two comments.
DeleteHi, Sarah, you old ho, blood libel asshole! Maybe you will one day be able to experience what Gabby has gone through. Now that would be just desserts.
Anon, 5:36. And you know what a pawn feels like, right? Suck Koch much?
DeleteHey, @ 5:36
DeleteGabrielle Giffords is a walking miracle, and a great example of a strong woman to recover from a point blank shot.
You are either a nasty troll, or just plain stupid
Take your puerile bullshit feckless self to Breitfart or C4pee.
Really? A pawn to whom? No one. She is fighting because of what happened to her and the several others who didn't make it. Pull your head out of your Tea Party/NRA ass. Oh yeah, and fuck the NRA.
DeleteSTFU. Your heroes are crooks, liars and thieves otherwise called the gop.
DeleteGabby is a hero, you fool. A pawn is what you are. A token dumbass gop up in a very liberal blog. Go twirl you shameless, ignorant bitch.
No kidding, A J Billings! I did my daily scumming through the pee puddle. Those people are nucking futs and in for a very rude awakening.
Delete"Anonymous5:36 PM
DeleteGabby a hero? A pawn is more like it."
-----------------------------------
What a colossally stupid thing to say. An intelligent woman speaking her mind is a "pawn"?
Sounds like you're running scared, but then, gunnuts prove their cowardice every day, cowering in fear of everyone around them. Gotta have a gun! Every moment of every day! Gotta make sure everybody knows I Have a Gun! Every minute of every day!
What a worthless, shitty existence.
Ruthless, yes. Mean or nasty, not at all; too bad the rurth hurts (your election chances)
ReplyDeleteO/T Hi to Wasilla in the house!
ReplyDeleteHowdy bitches ;-)
DeleteGO Gabby! You can be as "mean" as possible on this important point, until we are as gun-free and gunshot-murder-free as other civilized countries. I support you all the way, and even further.
ReplyDeleteGabby's got way more courage then someone who hides behind "Anon" and calls her a pawn. She's a fighter, and nobody's pawn.
ReplyDeletePolitics is ugly, both sides know it and both sides engage in the mud slinging. Why should Giffords not engage?
ReplyDeleteThis is not mud slinging. And your statement that both sides engage in mudslinging is patently false.
DeleteThank you Liz.
DeleteWhen gop start with sharing their bad behaviors (false equivalence) with the dems they become desperate and scared because they know they are known as truly the party of corruption and sneaky politics who are out to destroy the US (see mcconnell et al)
No gop it's all you. Take responsibility for your messes.
I would like to see Martha McSally tell this grieving mother IN PERSON that the ad she's in is too mean and hurt Martha's feelings.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure she wouldn't have the courage to face the woman in person and tell her that increased gun laws are a bad idea.
Sorry naysayers, Gabby Giffords has MORE than earned the right to say whatever the &^%#! she wants about GOPers and their gun nut sycophants.
ReplyDeleteYa you betcha.
~Canuck~
Gryphen, I totally disagree with your choice of words. There is nothing at all mean spirited in these ads. They merely tell it like it is: in fact, they gloss over the actual stories. Remember what Harry Truman said: "I never give them hell; I just tell the truth and they THINK it's hell." No difference here. These are true stories. In fact, the ads are de minimus in emotional content compared to what it would really be like to be one of those people: truthfully, these ads are an understatement of the emotional and visceral truth. Not only because they can't begin to portray the sorrow, anger, and frustration that these people have needlessly suffered, but because they do. not. reveal. even one drop of the blood that was actually shed or show the full gruesomeness of the death photos. Showing the crime-scene photos, all of them – now that would be far more truthful. And even THAT would not be mean: it would merely be factual. Since when in your book is telling the truth 'mean'???? Why is showing non-stop violence, with pretend blood, 24/7, on television, just fine and dandy, but discussing the actual blood, violence, and crime-scene gruesomeness of actual innocent victims 'mean-spirited'???? Only in Fox News-world and other alternate reality scenarios. People who think discussing gun violence is too gory for them have no business purchasing firearms. Because the odds just might be that they will be forced to come face-to-face with such gore someday: on either the trigger end or victim end of the gun barrel.
ReplyDeleteI was simply restating the Politico headline.
DeleteOf course I do not find anything mean or ruthless about anything in the ad either.
Yeah, and I think Politico meant 'mean' as in 'completely factual'.
DeleteIs she lying? No.
Thank you, 7:41.
ReplyDeleteFinally the Democrats are getting spine and throwing it back at the rethugs. Their ads have been too "nice".
ReplyDeleteObviously rethugs have to intention of raising the bar, the nastier the better is their motto. Thank you Rove and Palin.
Leave it to the Republicans to whine "oh she is being mean".
While they consider their swift boating and smear campaigns to be patriotic.
There was absolutely nothing mean in that ad. It was straight forward, polite, and painfully honest. I don't see anything wrong with that. I will take an ad like that to any of McCain's, Cruz's, Ryan's, Boehner's, et all.
ReplyDeleteCNN host defends Palin over brawl.
ReplyDeleteBrian Stelter: Sarah Palin Deserves Benefit of Doubt Over ‘Brawl’ Reports
http://www.mediaite.com/tv/brian-stelter-sarah-palin-deserves-benefit-of-doubt-over-brawl-reports/
Palin has received so many benefits of the doubt over the years that she is now an entirely mythical creature.
DeleteAhahahaaa, comeonpeople, I love your post! May I steal your line?
DeleteThanks again for the much-needed laugh.
Interestingly enough - the Anchorage newspaper - Alaska Dispatch News - ran an article on a 'house party' in the B section of the paper, on Page, 3 this morning (9/22/14 - Monday).
DeleteThere was a shooting at this particular house party (non threatening injuries).
The Anchorage Police Department provided a 'release' that numerous 911 calls were received just after midnight reporting a 'large disturbance' in the area of O'Brien Street near a particular intersection in Anchorage.
Police are asking for the public's help in gathering further information on the shooting/party.
It should be noted that this is an immediate report release by the Anchorage Police Department as the shooting took place on Sunday morning at the party!
Why wasn't the Palin Brawl handled in the same manner by the Anchorage Police Department? They still have not released anything on the brawl!!! Proof again that they are covering for the Palins!
No, Gabby did not go to far. I think she did not go far enough.
ReplyDeleteGO GABBY!
Gabby Giffords 2014 interview with TED:
ReplyDeletehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M6TMSQWI9m4
I hope she crucifies yo,u Sarah. You deserve nothing less than death.
ReplyDeleteAgree with your article completely -- well stated.
ReplyDeleteYou're right -- she deserves to be as pissed off as she wants to be.
I do not think it is mean either.
ReplyDeleteIt is her right. I hope she is effective!
ReplyDeleteI hope Gabby knows she has touched so many in all walks of life. I use her musical therapy as a way to recover/retrain her brain to speak in a nursing lecture I give to new hires at my hospital. She is my example. So far, she has helped about 500 new nurses learn!!
Gabby Giffords didn't go too far, all reasonable Americans should be saying exactly what she said. As expected, Sarah and her followers don't like any positive things that Gabby says or does because Sarah "is the victim". Sarah is jealous of Gabby Giffords.
ReplyDeleteWe all know Sarah reads IM constantly so I'm including this link for Sarah. It was written two days after Gabby was shot. Sarah is a stochastic terrorist. I was reminded of this Daily Kos post when I read of Sarah showing Track's t-shirt about 2nd Amendment Rights as well as Sarah commenting that Bristol is a "straight shooter". Same old, same old Sarah, she doesn't learn. Maybe one of her "consultants" can explain the following to her.
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2011/01/10/934890/-Stochastic-Terrorism-160-Triggering-the-shooters#
I just posted the link to the Daily Kos post. That article doesn't straight out blame Sarah Palin but there's no doubt in my mind that since Loughner was reported to be obsessed with Gabby Giffords, he had to have seen the clips that endlessly played showing Palin's crosshairs map and Gabby's response to those maps. Sarah's crosshairs map was stochastic terrorism. Sarah triggered a crazy person into killing innocent people.
ReplyDeleteWhat is mean about calling people out and making them face the real life consequences of their stated beliefs?
ReplyDeleteI don't think Gabby Giffords is being mean.
I think she has every right to speak out about her reliefs. If someone gets their feefees hurt, tough shit. She is not obligated to be some heroic, noble, smiling martyr figure. She is a real live person with thoughts and opinions of her own who has suffered tremendously due to the demagogic posturing of the insane gunhumpers in this country.
You ALWAYS nail it, Nefer!
DeleteThe Gabby Giffords shooting is one thing (of many) that I really, really hate Sarah Palin for. She didn't actually pull the trigger, but she unleashed the crazy people and put a target on Gabby.
ReplyDeleteJust like a Jihad, no different.
The American press never held Sarah Palin accountable for her ugly words, and crosshair map. To think Sarah had been a Vice Presidential candidate in the United States and did this just blows my mind. She is the ugliest candidate this country has ever seen.
My hope is that one day Gabby goes after Sarah and her stupid family. They disgust me. Sarah is not "cute" or "funny", she is a dangerous woman who got 9 innocent people in Tucson shot because of her words. I hope Karma comes her way soon.
You mean like a fatwa? Yeah.
DeleteGabby and her husband are far smarter and far better people than Sarah and Todd Palin ever thought of being. There is no comparison!
DeleteThe Palins are idiots, uneducated and white trash!