Hawley's Democratic challenger calls Josh "a fraud & a coward" - that was just a warm-up
Sen. Josh Hawley (R-MO) is notable for two things among his many faults. One is writing a book called, “Manhood: The Masculine Virtues America Needs”. The other is fleeing the mob he had egged on during the Jan 6 Capitol insurrection. I have not read his book, but it is either proof that Josh subscribes to the philosophy which demands, “Do as I write, not as I do”- or that he believes that real men run away to fight again another day. Neither seems particularly virile.
Unfortunately for Hawley, he will hear much about his manhood failures in the run-up to his 2024 re-election effort. Lucas Kunce is one of the four declared Democratic challengers for Josh’s seat. In his campaign launch ad, Kunce leaves no doubt about what he thinks of the man he would replace.
His well-produced video opens with a business-suited man of the same general build and coloration as Hawley, running on a stony rural road before falling on his face. In a voiceover, Kunce explains that, while he has run a lot in his life “to stay healthy,” “to fight for my country,” and “to defend democracy,” the running man on the screen is not him but his opponent.
He then says that the viewer may recognize Hawley as the man “running for his life” while a clip of Hawley fleeing the Capitol plays. He adds,
“I swear this coward is always running from something.” And, “Now this is the guy who is writing a book telling every single one of us how to be a man.”
Kunce then introduces himself over a picture showing him serving as a US Marine. He describes his upbringing.
“I wasn’t born with a silver spoon in my mouth — but I did have the support of my community, which made me who I am today. When things get tough Missourians deserve a US senator who will stand up for them. Not run away.
He goes on by dismissing Hawley’s everyman persona and highlighting their different career paths — one of remote privilege versus one of neighbors pulling together.
“When his banker daddy send Joshua to a fancy prep school, miles from his hometown, my family in Jeff City was relying on our neighbors to survive bankruptcy and medical bills. When he graduated from law school, he joined one of the world's most elite law firms. I joined the Marine Corps to pay back the community that took care of me.”
Kunce then adds some substance to his claim that the tassel-loafered Hawley has done shit for regular Missourians and kicked veterans in the teeth.
“When he was climbing the ladder to become another corrupt politician, I was serving my country and working to put an end to overseas wars. When giant corporations were stripping Missouri for parts, he attacked workers and shipped our jobs away. When I fought to take power back for American workers and small businesses. And when he voted against relief for vets like me who were exposed to toxic burn pits, I stood up with thousands of veterans to hold him accountable.”
He then brings it home with a brutal evisceration of the effete poseur. And closes with his version of the scornful British phrase “jog on.”
“I am Lucas Koontz. And I approve this message because Josh Hawley is a fraud and a coward. And by the time I'm done with him, the whole world's gonna know it. So keep on running, Josh. Keep on running.”
I know little about Kunce, except that he is a smart guy — with a bachelor's degree from Yale and a Master of Laws degree from Columbia. However, I suspect we will hear more of him.
We will have to see if Kunce wins the Democratic nomination. If he does, it will be a bloody campaign. One in which a Democrat is ready, willing, and able to fight tough. Missouri may be a red state, but before Hawley won the seat in 2018, Democrat Claire McCaskill was a Senator for two terms. So Kunce is not a long shot in a year where the GOP has a huge geographical advantage in the Senate. And he has the kind of eloquent in-your-face campaign style and compelling life story that inspires the voter and turns on donor spigots.
Oorah!
Here is the ad.