We all know that appealing to the masses or at least a majority of the masses is the goal when seeking elective office. Most candidates recognize the need to put forth a positive image in order to connect with the electorate.

Remember Al Gore's manly, earth tone Dockers? Naomi Wolfe did what she could to re-invent the former VP as he desperately tried to become the alpha male. After being defeated, he switched gears and went with the Nobel Prize prerequisite, half-beard.  (for the liberals who have accidentally stumbled in and are about to scream something about the popular vote, I'm aware)

I reference the former VP purely as a means of comparing the ridiculous. Have you seen Darcy Burner's new ad?! The amount of tragedy she has squeezed into this 60-second spot rivals Shakespeare.


                 


To set the mood, she starts with the 'humble beginnings routine' and then goes on to exploit her recent house fire, charred images and all. The jist of it is, 'I have overcome life's challenges, therefore, I'm qualified.

*Maria Cantwell sent out an e-mail (Subject: Tragic Fire) pleading for campaign cash for Burner. The last paragraph sums it up:

"Please join me in supporting Darcy Burner's campaign with a contribution today. We may not be able to reverse the tragedy that has struck her family, but the help we offer now will give her the breathing room she needs to begin the process of recovery and rebuilding during this difficult period."

Contribute to her campaign to, "give her the breathing room she needs to begin the process of recovery and rebuilding?" We are talking about campaign funds, right?

Burner, who has called the surge in Iraq "irrelevant" and advocates a cut and run policy, uses the ad to score points with her brother, Tim Gibbon's military service. Tim served in Iraq and happens to be a Republican. He recently told the Seattle Times that he has not read his sister's plan for ending the war. He also stated that his sister's continued reference to his military service, "gives some kind of validity that she understands it, to an extend."

Her brother was also quoted as saying, "She knows the right clothes to wear, she knows the right words to say, she knows some people, but she's still the same person she ever was. She is us--with a lot of money." I get the impression he is not Darcy's chief doorknocker.

Darcy's handlers have given her an image makeover. It's a new, softer look. However, the overall ad message is rather shameful. Exploiting personal tragedy as a means of drumming up support and campaign cash is classless and unbecoming a U.S. representative.