“Fat Shaming” becomes big issue in key congressional race (#NY23)
Political analyst: “a lot of folks” will say “this is an outrageous depiction of Tom Reed when he was a lot heavier.”
Martha Robertson is the Democratic challenger to Republican Tom Reed in the key NY-23 swing congressional district in upstate New York. Robertson is a “Red-to-Blue” DCCC designee, meaning that they rate her as one of the top prospects to flip a Republican seat.
But the campaign has not been going well for her, with all independent analysts giving her little hope of winning. Her campaign also has been plagued by a fundraising scandal, and questions about her strong support for single-payer healthcare.
But there is a new scandal brewing for Robertson, one first exposed here at Legal Insurrection: Robertson’s campaign repeatedly and prominently uses old photos of Reed showing Reed to be very heavy, and emphasizing photo angles making him look obese. Those old photos, however, no longer represent what Reed looks like, since he had gastric bypass surgery in early 2013.
Here’s just one of many examples of how the Robertson campaign focuses on Reed’s prior weight problems:
That’s doesn’t look anything like Tom Reed looks now, and makes him look heavier even than many other pre-surgery photos.
Now the issue of “Fat Shaming” has broken into the mainstream upstate and national media. Local station WETM reports:
Martha Robertson’s first television ad of the election season has raised some controversy. Republicans have cried foul over Robertson’s use of older pictures of Congressman Tom Reed from before he got gastric bypass surgery.
Since the surgery, Reed has dropped more than 100 pounds.
18 News Political Analyst Dr. Stephen Coleman said he feels this is all part of the political game. “There’s a lot of folks who have gotten that surgery for health reasons and I think they’re going to identify with Tom Reed, and say this is outrageous, this is an outrageous depiction of Tom Reed when he was a lot heavier,” said Dr. Coleman. “The Robertson campaign is trying to make him look his worst, and that’s just not right.”
The story also has been picked up by Fox News:
And Buzzfeed Politics:
Reed recently was interviewed on the subject:
The Robertson campaign is saying a lot to mainstream media about the issue, but the one thing it’s not saying is “Sorry.”
(Video added) In fact, Robertson is laughing at the complaint of her use of “Fat Shaming”:
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Comments
Dumbocrats’/lefties’ motto: Red herrings are very useful – if you can’t campaign on substance, resort to ad hominem.
We can now assume that Martha Robertson hates heavy people. Considering that a lot of people deal with this problem is another reason why this is a bone-headed tactic on her part.
I am guessing Jerrold Nadler is not one of her campaign consultants.
Of course not Jerry Nadler is a democrat.
She was just following the media.
I guess Gov Christie was unavailable for comment as he is the FAT guy for all political jokes and is a Republican and thus eligible for such attention.
“Holier Than Thou” Witch-Coven Media, oh and same for the Democrats! LOL
Whereas Martha Robertson has lard where she should have brain cells.
According to the CDC, about 33% of all Americans are obese, but a critical Democrat voter demographic – blacks – run an almost 48% obesity rate. Middle aged adults (40-59) are at 45%.
So, Robertson has insulted at least half her base with this ‘fat-shaming’ tactic.
This is like declaring all BBQ eaters in Texas are stupid.
Well, if a person lives in Texas AND eats BBQ, they can’t be all that dumb.
Robertson needs to turn her “fat-shaming” attention to her lard-assed welfare gibs me mo’ supporters.
Oh the butt-hurt. New rule:
No one *conservatives* hate may ever use a picture of someone *conservatives* like, unless said picture is up-to-date to the hour. Otherwise *conservatives* will accuse people they don’t like of doing things they routinely do all the time.
Taking one subject at a time…
Sorry about your butt. Ask D’oderant about the best product for that.
Second, we will put your rule up where you are hurting. Sideways.
Now, run along. They have your meds ready.
Yes, we mustn’t disturb your collective’s group-think, must we, Clownselor?
Again, more proof that both the Nitwit Left and the Dumbbell Right engage in the same kind of activities to undermine this country, and when you’re a partisan for one slap-happy side, like you are Jacobson, you only wax indignantly when it’s someone representing your views.
Or doesn’t the unending uncomplimentary photos of Hillary on Fox and all other conservative media strike a chord of self-hypocrisy on your chant of complaint for another Republican?