Casting call for GOP ad in W.Va. Senate race sought actors with a ‘hicky blue collar’ look

‘Hicky look’ sought for GOP’s W.Va. Senate ad

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The GOP candidate in West Virginia’s Senate race is distancing himself from an ad paid for by national Republicans that portrays state residents as hicks.

Democrats released a copy of the casting call for the National Republican Senatorial Committee ad, which was filmed in Philadelphia.

It shows men in flannel shirts and baseball caps talking about a key GOP theme, the contention that Democratic Gov. Joe Manchin will side with President Barack Obama if elected to the Senate.

The casting call, first reported by the website Politico, sought actors with what it called a “hicky blue collar” look.

The GOP says an outside firm was responsible for the ad. Republican candidate John Raese called the ad ridiculous Thursday. He and Manchin are competing to finish the late Robert C. Byrd’s Senate term.

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Online:

NRSC Manchin ad: tinyurl.com/25ssqpv