Is there such a thing as "free money"? There just might be, if a 2007 infomercial starring Arizona senatorial candidate J.D. Hayworth is to be believed. The former congressman, challenging Sen. John McCain from the right in Arizona's GOP primary, appeared in a talk show-style ad format and testified to the veracity of "scam" claims made by National Grants Conferences, a company purporting to teach people the secrets of getting oodles of no-strings-attached grant money from the government. While Hayworth's campaign claims he was ignorant of the company's history, commentators are wondering how the revelation will affect his standing among voters. "He’ll dip a few points in the polls and almost certainly lose to McCain in August," says Allahpundit in Hot Air, "but reports of his political death are... greatly exaggerated." Hayworth is "basically advocating pork barrel welfare," says E.D. Kain in True/Slant. For a candidate that's supposed to take a hard stand "against government spending," that's pretty much a disaster. Watch Hayworth's infomercial pitch 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.
-
Trinidadian doubles recipeThe Week Recommends 'Dangerously addictive', this traditional Caribbean street food is the height of finger-licking goodness
-
Labour and the so-called 'banter ban'Talking Point Critics are claiming that a clause in the new Employment Rights Bill will spell the end of free-flowing pub conversation
-
Andor series two: a 'perfect' Star Wars showThe Week Recommends Second instalment of Tony Gilroy's 'compelling' spin-off is a triumph
-
The JFK files: the truth at last?In The Spotlight More than 64,000 previously classified documents relating the 1963 assassination of John F. Kennedy have been released by the Trump administration
-
'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
-
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
-
Democrats vs. Republicans: who are the billionaires backing?The Explainer Younger tech titans join 'boys' club throwing money and support' behind President Trump, while older plutocrats quietly rebuke new administration
-
US election: where things stand with one week to goThe Explainer Harris' lead in the polls has been narrowing in Trump's favour, but her campaign remains 'cautiously optimistic'
-
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
-
The life and times of Kamala HarrisThe Explainer The vice-president is narrowly leading the race to become the next US president. How did she get to where she is now?
-
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
