A “Hail Mary” pro-Redskins ad from underdog Virginia Senate candidate Ed Gillespie might have helped his chances in Northern Virginia, where NFL fans Tuesday are cheering the shocking upset by Washington over the dominant Dallas Cowboys on Monday Night Football.
During the game, Republican Gillespie ran an ad endorsing the Redskins name and vowing to bat down Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid’s bill to force a name change. Reid believes the name is offensive and has the backing of many Democratic leaders and the Washington Post.
“I’ll oppose the anti-Redskins bill. Let’s focus on creating jobs, raising take-home pay and making our nation safer, and let the Redskins handle what to call their team,” Gillespie cheered.
Opponent Mark Warner, the Democratic senator, has taken a knee on the issue and hasn’t said what he’d do. Democratic Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe agrees with Gillespie, saying it’s up to owner Daniel Snyder what to do with the Redskins name. Snyder has vowed to keep it.
Gillespie is likely hoping to get the same pop the Redskins received in their 20-17 victory led by third-string quarterback Colt McCoy.
It was an easy toss by Gillespie. Some 71 percent of all Virginians support the Redskins name, including majorities of Democrats, blacks and women.
Paul Bedard, the Washington Examiner’s “Washington Secrets” columnist, can be contacted at [email protected].
