Eric Greitens was the former Missouri governor. Many on the right are worried that his past baggage — including allegations of sexual violence, blackmail, and spousal and child abuse — might hurt the GOP’s chances of holding onto the seat opening up this midterm cycle.
But a new ad, along with commentary on Twitter, has people on the left and right concerned that the former governor’s campaign might be crossing a line.
Touting his time as a Navy SEAL, Greitens is going on the attack against “RINOs” who are betraying the party on issues like gun control.
We are sick and tired of the Republicans in Name Only surrendering to Joe Biden & the radical Left.
Buy your RINO Hunting Permit Today! pic.twitter.com/XLMdJnAzSK
— Eric Greitens (@EricGreitens) June 20, 2022
The Republicans in name only who plague the GOP “feed on corruption and are marked by the stripes of cowards,” Greitens says in the ad. After a military-style raid on an empty home, he then tells viewers to “join the MAGA crew” and “get a RINO-hunting permit.”
Jake Tapper and other mainstream media members have commented on the tweet and the ad. Our sister site Twitchy has documented a rise in right-leaning backlash.
This ad isn’t exactly a radical departure for Greitens, who has drawn from the gun rights well before.
After winning the Republican nomination, Greitens busted out the “Big Guns” in his bid to take the Governor’s mansion in the General Election.
Some were horrified. Some viewed it as a cynical ploy to woo conservative Second Amendment supporters (who might otherwise be skeptical of this relative unknown who’d only recently transitioned from Democrat to Republican). Some loved it and happily embraced this newcomer/”outsider” with the idea that if he ruffled liberal /lefty feathers, he was the guy for them.
Greitens probably is timing this advertisement poorly. Recent high-profile shootings, and the accompanying mental health crisis have clearly shown that rhetoric is being taken to mean a call for action. What’s more, the allegations against Greitens make it clear that perhaps he should be trying to soften his image rather than double down on extremely aggressive rhetoric.
There’s also the fact that his ad is a bit misleading. He opens by saying “I’m Eric Greitens, NAVY Seal.” But, while he used to be, he wasn’t allowed to rejoin the SEALs after the allegations about his private life surfaced.
Former Missouri Governor Eric Greitens will not be returning to the Navy SEAL rank. Eric Greitens is returning to the Navy, it will not be as an elite Navy SEAL — the cornerstone of his public image as an author, philanthropist and politician. The Navy’s Special Warfare community did not approve Greitens to rejoin their community, meaning he is not returning to active status to serve as a SEAL, The Kansas City Star has learned. Why? It is not common for the Navy to disclose personnel deliberations, so it did not give an explanation Thursday.
He is not a SEAL but a Navy Operational Support Center officer in St. Louis. Greitens’ new designation, general unrestricted line officer, identifies reservists who do not possess a warfare qualification. “They are usually assigned to general office jobs,” Navy Personnel Command spokeswoman Cmdr. Karin Burzynski said.
Current polling shows Greitens average a few points more than Eric Schmitt, the Missouri Attorney General. Missouri Republicans face an uncertain choice as many key Republicans in Missouri (such as Schmitt or U.S. Senator Josh Hawley publicly attacked Greitens.
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