Sheriff Andy's midterm debacle
In a rough year for Democrats, even comedian (and former TV sheriff) Andy Griffith, 84, is taking heat for backing Obama's agenda
The video: Backlash from a commercial that Andy Griffith, 84, filmed about Medicare for the federal government back in July is apparently diminishing his political influence. In the spot, the actor and once-powerful endorser of Democratic candidates and causes promised that Obama's health care law would yield "more good things." The ad, which reportedly cost taxpayers $700,000, angered Republicans — including Sen. Richard Burr from Griffith's home state, North Carolina — and the fallout has seemingly hurt Griffith's standing with his fellow North Carolinians, with his unfavorable rating jumping from 9 percent two years ago to 22 percent, according to a new survey from Raleigh-based Public Policy Polling.
The reaction: Boy, Sheriff Andy really blew it, says Jim Treacher at The Daily Caller. The beloved star of "The Andy Griffith Show" has thrown away 50 years of good faith with a 30-second ad. Not necessarily, says Christina Wilkie at The Hill. This may be less about Griffith and more about "rising anti-Democrat sentiment in North Carolina" — and a reflection of how much "political heat" Democrats are facing this fall. Watch the ad below:
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Today's political cartoons - May 4, 2024
Cartoons Saturday's cartoons - reflections in the pond, riding shotgun, and more
By The Week US Published
-
5 high-caliber cartoons about Kristi Noem shooting her puppy
Cartoons Artists take on the rainbow bridge, a farm upstate, and more
By The Week US Published
-
The Week Unwrapped: Why is the world running low on blood?
Podcast Scientists believe universal donor blood is within reach – plus, the row over an immersive D-Day simulation, and an Ozempic faux pas
By The Week Staff Published
-
Arizona court reinstates 1864 abortion ban
Speed Read The law makes all abortions illegal in the state except to save the mother's life
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Trump, billions richer, is selling Bibles
Speed Read The former president is hawking a $60 "God Bless the USA Bible"
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
The debate about Biden's age and mental fitness
In Depth Some critics argue Biden is too old to run again. Does the argument have merit?
By Grayson Quay Published
-
How would a second Trump presidency affect Britain?
Today's Big Question Re-election of Republican frontrunner could threaten UK security, warns former head of secret service
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
'Rwanda plan is less a deterrent and more a bluff'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By The Week UK Published
-
Henry Kissinger dies aged 100: a complicated legacy?
Talking Point Top US diplomat and Nobel Peace Prize winner remembered as both foreign policy genius and war criminal
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Last updated
-
Trump’s rhetoric: a shift to 'straight-up Nazi talk'
Why everyone's talking about Would-be president's sinister language is backed by an incendiary policy agenda, say commentators
By The Week UK Published
-
More covfefe: is the world ready for a second Donald Trump presidency?
Today's Big Question Republican's re-election would be a 'nightmare' scenario for Europe, Ukraine and the West
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published