October 31, 2022 02:41 PM UTC

"Mad Mom" -- From Imaginary Insult To Rallying Cry

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• by: Colorado Pols

As some of the more online among our readers may be aware and we’ll forgive them if not, an exchange between Gov. Jared Polis and Republican challenger Hiedi Heidi Ganahl at their debate last week in Grand Junction has enjoyed a curious afterlife, becoming by far the most-discussed moment of the series of debates between Colorado’s gubernatorial candidates. As Colorado Public Radio reported from the scene:

“I am mad,” said Ganahl. “I am a mad mom. We have skyrocketing crime, out of control inflation, a huge fentanyl problem that’s killing our kids, and our kids can’t read, write or do math at grade level. I have a right to be angry and I represent a lot of parents.”

Polis responded, “my opponent identified herself as a mad mom. I identify myself as a happy dad of two great kids, 11 and eight, raising my kids in the best state of all the states, great outdoors. We love our freedom. I will always protect our freedom.”

After some contemplation, Ganahl apparently realized that “mad mom” is not a positive branding experience, at least not to a majority of Colorado voters:

NEW: @heidiganahl tells KOA that she never called herself a mad mom before @jaredpolis said Ganahl identified as such. She calls it offensive. Here’s Ganahl earlier in the same debate: “I’m a mom on a mission that’s pretty darn mad.” #cogov #copolitics pic.twitter.com/VeiC6ovnzg

— Kyle Clark (@KyleClark) October 27, 2022

But by this morning’s in-kind contribution guest column at Fox News, Ganahl was over her offense:

Our current governor mocked me in a debate last week for being a “mad mom.” Yes, I am indeed a mad mom. I wear that badge proudly. [Pols emphasis]

No really, she’s over it, to the extent that “Mad Mom” is now the Ganahl campaign’s rallying cry:

And that, gentle readers, marks the most whiplash-inducing turnabout from “how dare you” to “you’re damn right” since Jack Nicholson in A Few Good Men! When you’re down by an average of fifteen points in the polls one week from Election Day, you’re obliged to grasp at whatever straws are available. The main problem here is that few voters know anything about the origin story of the “Mad Mom” tagline from last week’s debate, even Ganahl’s embellished version. They’re just going to see the words “Mad Mom,” without the vital context that makes it…

Slightly less offensive to moms everywhere, we guess? It’s too late to poll test.