Wednesday, September 04, 2024

Larry Hogan is the "un-Trump Republican," his 1st Maryland U.S. Senate TV ad of fall declares


"Never Backs Down" isn't the most original slogan to be employed by former Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan in his current campaign for U.S. Senate, as Ron DeSantis would likely agree. But Hogan's first TV spot for the fall campaign season does manage to come up with a more unique qualifier for an anti-Trump candidate like himself: "The un-Trump Republican." It's not all that new or original, either (the ad cites The Washington Post, and the phrase has been employed by outlets as diverse as Al Jazeera and The New York Times, among others), but is far less often invoked than "Never-Trump Republican." The latter term has failed to convert many mega-MAGA "irredeemables" back to the Bush Republican fold so far.

Using the phrase makes clear that voters in Hillary Clinton's fabled basket of deplorables are not the target audience for this ad. The spot plays up examples of "Hogan's radically normal model for the GOP," such as blocking tax increases every year he was the executive of Maryland, lowering tolls on state bridges, and leaving a large budget surplus for his successor Wes Moore. Major challenges Hogan faced while in office are also highlighted, ranging from the pandemic and Baltimore riots that followed the death of Freddy Gray, to his own personal cancer diagnosis and recovery.

"Now more than ever, we need strong independent leadership in Washington who will never back down to the extremes and the party bosses," Hogan tweeted in introducing the ad Tuesday. "That’s exactly what I did as your Governor, and that is exactly what I will do in the United States Senate." 

Hogan's Democratic opponent, Prince George's County Executive Angela Alsobrooks, has already begun an ad blitz worthy of the deep-pocketed primary opponent she vanquished earlier this year. Prior to his defeat, David Trone was an inescapable presence not only on TV screens, but in his relentless, un-skippable YouTube ads. Alsobrooks' ad focuses on her central message to juice turnout in a majority-Democrat state: that the winner of the Alsobrooks-Hogan contest may determine which party controls the U.S. Senate this coming January.

19 comments:

Anonymous said...

The right and far right nutjobs will indoctrinate him as soon as he is sworn in. He's just a patsy for the repubnates, a Trojan ho. Give up, you can't win here any longer.

Anonymous said...

Keeping the Senate Blue until the Supreme Court becomes balanced again should be a top priority of just about everyone. Any moderate who votes for Hogan simply hasn't thought through the ramifications.

Momo said...

Hogan is the poster boy for RINOsity despite being quite aesthetically challenged.

Anonymous said...

@7:46 AM What do you mean by Hogan being "quite aesthetically challenged"?

JAC said...

Better than Alsobrooks any day. Never Trumper is the only way a Republican can win in this one party state.

Anonymous said...

Hogan has never supported Trump politically, ideologically or publically. As an independent, I do not see any benefit in turning Maryland into PG County. I will vote for Hogan.

Anonymous said...

Hogan would be the Joe Manchin in the Republican caucus which isn't ideal but Alsobrooks has a documented 10-year record of failure to the citizens she represented in PG County.

Anonymous said...

The desperation with which you people are trying to use "PG County" as a slur is hilarious. Condolences on the loss.

Anonymous said...

7:34 is a good illustration of liberal worldview. The people in PG County, arguably some of the least influential in economics & public policy are subject to the harshest affects of liberal decision making get ignored with words like "hilarious" because you can't see them from where you live.

Anonymous said...

Angie or else Dude. Buh Bye!

Anonymous said...

Hogan is a good guy. If his election makes the Senate GOP, that’s a problem.

Anonymous said...

Because Schumer wants to let 11M illegals vote by giving them amnesty? Power is everything to the left regardless of the damage to the country. Truly sad.

Anonymous said...

9;32. You 'said the quiet part put loud:' Hogan is good for the State and we citizens but doesn't fit the otherwise merit free Democrat narrative. That's why everything is upside down, you know.

Anonymous said...

If Harris wins the Presidency, she says that she would have a Republican in her Cabinet. Why not Hogan as a cabinet member in a Harris administration? Maybe Education, HUD, Energy, Transportation?

Anonymous said...

How does anyone know what she would do? One softball interview where he explanation for flip-flopping is that her "values haven't changed"? The fact that anybody could support someone who expresses views depending on the audience indicates a person with no moral compass.

Momo said...

Dem’s election strategy is to tell each audience what they want to hear regardless of the truth. In other words, lie.

Anonymous said...

They mean "ugly."

Anonymous said...

Hogan is a POS who opposes women's rights. There is nothing good about him.

Anonymous said...

What rights have been taken away by Hogan? On the other hand plenty of people are direct victims of Alsobrooks policy & leadership in PG County