The 'craziest' political speech ever
Phil Davidson really wants to be the treasurer of Stark County, Ohio

The video: And people said there was no passion in politics anymore. Phil Davidson, a candidate for treasurer of Ohio's Stark County gave one of the "craziest" campaign speeches in recent memory at a local Republican Party meeting last night. "Tell your friends, tell your neighbors," the candidate bellows at one point. "I'm coming! Both barrels, guns loaded!" Davidson, who appears to lose control of his emotions several times during the six-minute speech, failed to win his party's nomination — but has likely secured his place in viral video infamy.
The reaction: The obvious comparison here is to Chris Farley's "Saturday Night Live" motivational speaker, Matt Foley, says the Daily Caller. Wow, is this guy "intense." Davidson has watched too many movies, says Nate Jones at Time. His "impassioned six-minute plea" sounds like it "should have been coming from a villain in Act 2 of a Hollywood drama." Watch the speech 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.
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
-
Trump reportedly wants to take over US Postal Service
Speed Read President Trump is making plans to disband the leadership of USPS and absorb the agency into his administration
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
The week's best photos
A moment of balance, a daring leap, and more
By Anahi Valenzuela, The Week US Published
-
Today's political cartoons - February 21, 2025
Cartoons Friday's cartoons - sinking ship, loopholes, and more
By The Week US Published
-
'Seriously, not literally': how should the world take Donald Trump?
Today's big question White House rhetoric and reality look likely to become increasingly blurred
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Will Trump's 'madman' strategy pay off?
Today's Big Question Incoming US president likes to seem unpredictable but, this time round, world leaders could be wise to his playbook
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
US election: who the billionaires are backing
The Explainer More have endorsed Kamala Harris than Donald Trump, but among the 'ultra-rich' the split is more even
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
US election: where things stand with one week to go
The Explainer Harris' lead in the polls has been narrowing in Trump's favour, but her campaign remains 'cautiously optimistic'
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Is Trump okay?
Today's Big Question Former president's mental fitness and alleged cognitive decline firmly back in the spotlight after 'bizarre' town hall event
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
The life and times of Kamala Harris
The Explainer The vice-president is narrowly leading the race to become the next US president. How did she get to where she is now?
By The Week UK Published
-
Will 'weirdly civil' VP debate move dial in US election?
Today's Big Question 'Diametrically opposed' candidates showed 'a lot of commonality' on some issues, but offered competing visions for America's future and democracy
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
1 of 6 'Trump Train' drivers liable in Biden bus blockade
Speed Read Only one of the accused was found liable in the case concerning the deliberate slowing of a 2020 Biden campaign bus
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published