Apparently it's "Hail Mary" time in the 2014 election cycle.
Less than one week after Wendy Davis (D) shook up the Texas gubernatorial race with a controversial wheelchair ad against Attorney General Greg Abbott (R), who is partially paralyzed, another candidate for governor is making a similarly risky play.
Neel Kashkari, the Republican former George W. Bush Treasury official who is currently running 20 points behind California Gov. Jerry Brown (D), released a new ad this week that criticizes Brown's record on schools and shows a drowning child.
"When kids in failing schools begged Jerry Brown for rescue, he betrayed them," the ad says, as a life-and-death struggle takes place in a small pool.
The 30-second spot cites an Orange County Register editorial slamming Brown for appealing a district judge’s ruling earlier this year that struck down teacher job protections on the ground that they deprived students of their constitutional rights. The 76-year-old governor explained that he felt such a significant decision ought to be "reviewed" by a higher court.
Kashkari is likely hoping that the jarring ad will win him some much-needed attention in the Golden State. But then again, when you’re using a drowning kid to make a point, maybe your campaign is is too far underwater to be saved.
Watch the ad above.
H/T Vox
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