TOTAL BS!
Democratic Sen. Mark Warner made an unusual campaign stop in deep-red Rockingham County, Virginia, this week, visiting the local Buc-ee’s as part of an effort to reconnect with voters in parts of the state where Democrats have struggled.
Warner toured the sprawling travel center, spoke with customers and spent time browsing one of the chain’s best-known attractions: its extensive selection of beef jerky.
Campaign officials described the visit as part of a broader strategy to get Warner outside traditional Democratic strongholds and into communities where the party needs to improve its standing.
Aides familiar with the visit said Warner had been briefed beforehand on Buc-ee’s, its popularity with travelers and some of the products he might encounter inside.
The preparation appeared to pay off.
Warner successfully located the jerky section and began carefully examining several packages while cameras documented the senator’s interaction with the merchandise.
At one point, Warner appeared to read directly from a package before identifying what he had selected.
“Beef,” Warner reportedly confirmed.
Aides exchanged relieved glances.
The senator continued browsing and eventually selected several varieties without requesting assistance from Buc-ee’s employees. Warner emerged from the encounter unharmed.
Political strategists said the stop represented the kind of retail campaigning Democrats increasingly hope can help them reconnect with rural and working-class voters.
Whether Warner’s command of packaged meat translates into votes remains unclear.
Still, campaign officials were encouraged. “He found the jerky, read the jerky and bought the jerky,” one adviser said. “At some point you have to give the man credit.”
The successful visit has reportedly prompted discussions about expanding Warner’s exposure to other environments frequented by ordinary Americans.
Future stops under consideration include Tractor Supply, Bass Pro Shops and, if polling permits, a Waffle House.
Advisers cautioned that the senator will not be rushed.
A Waffle House presents substantially different conditions from Buc-ee’s, including laminated menus, hash-brown terminology and the possibility that somebody will call him “honey.”
Additional training may be required.
For now, Warner’s team is reportedly pleased with the results. The senator entered Buc-ee’s. He located the jerky. He purchased the jerky.
And he returned to Washington with a considerably better understanding of the people he represents.
This is satire. The news is real. The TOTAL BS is intentional.
For the real BS, read this — Mark Warner stops at Buc-ee’s to buy beef jerky — Twitchy
