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Today, Breitbart News — the leading platform of white nationalism — effectively endorsed Ed Gillespie’s toxic, divisive campaign for governor. In an article that ran this morning, Breitbart praised Gillespie as a “culture warrior” who has centered his campaign around toxic far right identity issues.
The endorsement is just the latest sign that Gillespie’s fearmongering and racially divisive campaign is resonating with the far right — including the President himself. Just yesterday, The Daily Caller — another pro-Trump outlet — noted that Gillespie is “running as a Trumpist” and praised him as “a culture warrior.”
Meanwhile, just yesterday, the Washington Post Editorial Board condemned Gillespie’s ads as “poisonous” to both Virginia and the nation. The editorial accused Gillespie of being “determined to inflame and distract voters,” and lamented the fact that Gillespie has embraced President Trump’s brand of “divisive, scaremongering politics.”
Prominent Republicans, and even Gillespie’s personal friends, seem to agree.Last night, conservative scholar Norm Ornstein tweeted “I knew Ed when he was a college student. Man, how he has fallen! Right into the gutter.” Former Romney staffer and Hudson Institute senior fellow Gabe Schonfeld tweeted that “I worked with @EdWGillespie on the Romney campaign; a great guy, now covering himself in filth.” In an article on Crooked Media, former RNC official and Jeb Bush communications director Tim Millercriticized Gillespie for running “a general-election campaign centered on how the South will rise again.” And this morning, Rand Paul’s chief strategist Doug Stafford railed against Gillespie’s ads, saying “I am a conservative Republican in Virginia and I know Ed personally. And his TV ad campaign is gross.”
“Today, Ed Gillespie’s toxic campaign for governor won the Steve Bannon seal of approval,”said DPVA spokesperson Kevin Donohoe. “Make no mistake: the Alt Right is impressed with Ed Gillespie’s race-baiting and they are hoping for a Gillespie victory onNovember 7. Breitbart is merely recognizing what Virginians have known for months: Ed Gillespie is running a toxic, racially divisive campaign that is poisoning Virginia and our country. Now we are just waiting for the announcement of Donald Trump to endorse these tactics in person in Virginia.”
Republicans call out Ed Gillespie’s campaign:
DOUG STAFFORD — CHIEF STRATEGIST FOR KENTUCKY SENATOR RAND PAUL
Doug Stafford @dougstafford: I am a conservative Republican in Virginia and I know Ed personally. And his TV ad campaign is gross. [10/27/17, 10:44 AM]
Doug Stafford @dougstafford: I am quite sure Ed is nothing of the sort. But his ads are terrible and he knows better. Some days I’m not sure which is worse. RT: Ron Christie @Ron_Christie: I have known @EdWGillespie for 25 years. He has been my friend for 25 years. D attacks branding him as racist make me sick. Enough. #tcot [10/27/17, 10:40 AM]
Doug Stafford @dougstafford: Come ON. This campaign is gross. RT: Dave Weigel@daveweigel: New Gillespie ad mangles Northam quote about felon rights restoration to make it looks like he loves sex offenders. [10/27/17, 10:43 AM]
DAVID RAMADAN — FORMER REPUBLICAN DELEGATE
David I. Ramadan @DavidIRamadan: Yep, known him for 15+ years & consider him a friend —he is much better than a statues & sanctuary cities focused campaign & I told him so [10/27/17, 11:03 AM]
GABE SCHOENFELD — FORMER ROMNEY STAFFER AND SENIOR FELLOW AT THE HUDSON INSTITUTE
Gabe Schoenfeld @gabeschoenfeld: I worked with @EdWGillespie on the Romney campaign; a great guy, now covering himself in filth. [ 10/26/17, 11:09 AM]
Gabe Schoenfeld @gabeschoenfeld: Those of you who think that I think of Gillespie as a “great guy” lack any sense of irony. Sad. [10/26/17, 5:35 PM]
NORM ORNSTEIN — RESIDENT SCHOLAR AT THE AMERICAN ENTERPRISE INSTITUTE
Norm Ornstein @NormOrnstein: I knew Ed when he was a college student. Man, how he has fallen! Right into the gutter [10/26/17 6:40 PM]
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