June 16, 2011 08:41 PM UTC

Most Horrible Campaign Ad Ever? Probably

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• by: Colorado Pols

“Janice Hahn hired hardcore gang members with taxpayer money to be ‘gang intervention specialists.’ She even helped them get out of jail so they could rape and kill…again.”

That’s part of the opening line of an online ad that might possibly be the most offensive and disgusting political ad ever. Janice Hahn is a Democrat running in a July 12 special election for Congress in California to replace retiring Rep. Jane Harman, and she’s gaining national attention as the victim of this absurd (and completely false) attack ad.

From The Associated Press:

A crudely produced video depicting gun-toting black gang members spanking a white, bikini-clad California congressional candidate set off a bipartisan furor Wednesday and illustrated how the power of the anything-goes Internet is influencing political campaigns.

Democrat Janice Hahn, who is portrayed in the ad as a gyrating pole dancer, called the 90-second spot vulgar, racist and sexist. Her Republican rival in the 36th Congressional District, Craig Huey issued a statement saying “our district deserves better.”

“The ad was not authorized and not affiliated with my campaign,” Huey said. “Whether people agree with my politics or not, anyone who knows me can attest to the fact that I would not participate in something of this nature.”

The ad was funded by Turn Right USA, which according to government filings is based in suburban Los Angeles. The group is a fundraising arm for conservative filmmaker Ladd Ehlinger Jr., who posted the ad on his website has a track record of producing provocative political ads.

The irony in all of this is that “conservative filmmaker” Ladd Ehlinger Jr. is doing more harm to Republican candidate Craig Huey than it is to Hahn, who is getting huge national support and raising big money because of the video. Huey has denounced the ad, of course, but that won’t slow the anger.

You can watch the video after the jump (fast-forward to the 1:00 mark). We chose not to embed the video of the ad from Ehlinger’s account so as not to assist in driving any more views to his page.

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