GOP campaign ads have demonized Pelosi for years


Republicans and allied teams nationwide pumped about $50 million into marketing campaign advertisements this cycle invoking, condemning or demonizing Home Speaker Nancy Pelosi, based on an evaluation from AdImpact, an ad-tracking agency.

That eclipsed 2020’s complete of $45 million for advertisements that includes anti-Pelosi references in Home races, the agency mentioned.

Democrats say Republicans’ lengthy historical past of singling out probably the most highly effective lady in Congress, coupled with the GOP’s embrace of election denialism and conspiracy theories, contributed to the brutal assault that hospitalized Pelosi’s husband, Paul, after the alleged assailant broke into their San Francisco house on Friday.

On Monday, the Justice Division charged the person, David DePape, with assault and tried kidnapping. Authorities mentioned DePape struck Paul Pelosi within the head with a hammer earlier than being restrained by officers. Officers recovered tape, a rope, a second hammer, rubber and fabric gloves and zip ties from the crime scene.

DePape advised San Francisco police he deliberate to carry Nancy Pelosi hostage, and would let her go if she advised the reality and break her kneecaps if she lied.

“The assault on Paul Pelosi reveals the actual and violent penalties of conspiracy theories and the thousands and thousands of {dollars} Republicans have spent focusing on Speaker Pelosi,” Rep. Sara Jacobs (D-San Diego) mentioned. “Elected officers signal as much as be within the public eye, however that doesn’t imply we signed up for demise threats, harassment and violence — and it definitely doesn’t imply that for our family members.”

Republican Nationwide Committee Chair Ronna McDaniel rejected the notion that Republican advertisements are accountable in any manner for the assault on Paul Pelosi.

“You possibly can’t say individuals saying, ‘Let’s hearth Pelosi,’ or, ‘Let’s take again the Home,’ is saying, ‘Go do violence,’” she mentioned on “Fox Information Sunday.” “It’s simply unfair.”

On Oct. 28, the day her husband was assaulted, Pelosi was featured in practically $1.3 million value of advertisements, together with 97 spots that collectively aired on televisions greater than 3,000 instances that day.

Whereas the advertisements don’t condone violence, many use battle rhetoric that portrays Pelosi as an enemy in a battle over the nation’s future.

In keeping with transcripts of the GOP advertisements, Pelosi’s “failed insurance policies are destroying the American dream,” Pelosi has “declared battle on working Individuals,” and her agenda is “radical.” Some advertisements name for “energy to battle Biden, Pelosi and the woke mob,” whereas many tout Republican candidates’ energy to battle again.

The McCarthy Victory Fund, operated by Home Minority Chief Kevin McCarthy (R-Bakersfield) to assist GOP races, has additionally run advertisements invoking Pelosi.

“What has one 12 months of Democrat-controlled Washington given us? Shortages, inflation, crime, chaos, division and failure,” McCarthy says in an advert. “We are able to finish one-party rule, hearth Nancy Pelosi and take our nation again.”

McCarthy has come beneath hearth for failing to challenge a powerful public assertion condemning the assault on Paul Pelosi. A spokesperson launched an announcement to reporters who requested one, saying, “Chief McCarthy reached out to the Speaker to verify in on Paul and mentioned he’s praying for a full restoration and is grateful they caught the assailant.”

Final 12 months McCarthy joked at a Tennessee fundraiser that if he succeeds Pelosi as Home speaker and he or she turns over the ceremonial gavel to him, it “will be hard not to hit her with it.”

Drew Hammill, a Pelosi spokesperson, responded on the time that “[a] menace of violence to somebody who was a goal of a #January6th assassination try out of your fellow Trump supporters is irresponsible and disgusting.”

By admin