Democrat Dan Helmer, a candidate for Virginia's 10th congressional district, released a campaign ad Monday entitled "Helmer Zone" that is being ripped across the board by journalists as one of the "worst ever" political ads.
The ad became popular throughout Twitter after Mic reporter Emily Singer flagged it as potentially being "the worst" she's ever seen.
I've seen a lot of campaign ads. A lot. This might be the worst I've ever seen. https://t.co/gnqaKf5Aj0
— Emily C. Singer (@CahnEmily) September 18, 2017
It features candidate Helmer, wearing a shirt with "veteran" on it, and spotting current 10th District Rep. Barbara Comstock (R., Va.) at a bar. The scene is inspired by the classic 1986 Top Gun bar scene and is chock full of Goose/Maverick references, from The Righteous Brothers's "You've Lost That Loving Feeling" to "danger zone."
"Bet you can't get her to hold a town hall," a woman tells Helmer.
"Town hall? I'll do you one better than that. We've lost that loving feeling," Helmer replies.
"No, Dan," the woman pleads.
Helmer then sings, karaoke style, about Comstock's lack of town hall meetings, and her opposition to Obamacare and Planned Parenthood, all complete with intentionally bad singing.
The crowd joins in the singing until Comstock leaves.
"Nice work, Dan," the woman from the beginning tells Helmer.
"Thanks, Maverick!" he responds.
Journalists universally hated the ad.
She ain't kidding. https://t.co/Gdo9OqmZx7
— Ben Collins (@oneunderscore__) September 18, 2017
The Democrats are in danger https://t.co/vcwQ5mDn3Y
— Tina Nguyen (@tina_nguyen) September 18, 2017
With so many House Dem candidates vying for any scrap of attention, how low will the bar will go this cycle? https://t.co/4ZdlROBM8Q
— Alex Roarty (@Alex_Roarty) September 18, 2017
Congrats on your re-election, Barbara Comstock. https://t.co/yug47LLAWV
— Jim Swift (@JimSwiftDC) September 18, 2017
The Eighth Amendment forbids this https://t.co/ZwRbXL8WAf
— Matt Ford (@fordm) September 18, 2017
Donald Trump is president and this Democrat's pitch to voters is that Barbara Comstock doesn't hold town halls. https://t.co/EE41qYUAor
— Sahil Kapur (@sahilkapur) September 18, 2017