A Democratic challenger to Rep. Barbara Comstock, R-Va., channeled his inner Tom Cruise in a new campaign ad that put a political spin on the 1980s film “Top Gun.”
In the ad, titled “Helmer Zone,” Democrat Dan Helmer attempts to knock Comstock for failing to hold any town halls with constituents and moving away from her centrist political positions.
The nearly two-minute long campaign spot begins with Helmer, wearing aviators and a military jacket, pulling up to the sidewalk as the words “Helmer Zone” flash on the screen.
Helmer, now wearing a t-shirt that says “Veteran,” is then seen inside a restaurant where his wife, sitting at a table, tells him Comstock is at the bar.
Helmer’s wife challenges him to try to get Comstock to hold a town hall, but the Democrat says he will “do you one better than that.”
“We’ve lost that loving feeling,” Helmer says, much to his wife’s dismay.
The Democrat then grabs a microphone and approaches Comstock, played by an actress.
“You never hold town halls anymore with constituents. Planned Parenthood and Obamacare you voted against,” Helmer sings to the tune of the Righteous Brothers’ “You’ve Lost That Loving Feelin.”
“You’re trying hard not to show it, but Barbara, Barbara you know it. You’ve lost that centrist feeling, cause you’ve been right-wing appealing. We’ve lost that loving feel now it’s gone, gone, gone. You’ve got to go,” he continues, as fellow diners join in.
Comstock, meanwhile, walks out the restaurant door.
“I’m Dan Helmer. I approve of town halls, bad singing and this message,” Helmer says at the end of the ad.
Helmer, an Army veteran and Rhodes Scholar, is one of several Democrats who is challenging Comstock for her seat.
