Could Krystal Ball pivot off a minor scandal and pull off an upset win in Virginia's first congressional district?
She's been a decent fundraiser and an interesting candidate, but name recognition has been an uphill climb ... at least it was until a blog released old photos of her at a college costume party.
If results of an online poll (and the only local poll I could find of any sort for this race) in the daily paper of Newsport News is any indication, there's a possiblity that this photo scandal may turn out to be a blessing in disguise:
- Only 17% of respondents in the local paper's poll thought the photos reflected negatively of Krystal's character
- 42% said it was no big deal
- 30% thought the blogger who posted them was shameful, and
- 11% said they actually liked the photos
Now with all eyes on Krystal Ball in the district, she's taking the opportunity to bring voters a simple message in a new ad: "My dad named me Krystal Ball, so I know what it’s like to be made fun of. But there’s nothing funny about the way those in Washington have been spending our money."
Here's Krystal Ball's first TV ad:
In this introductory ad she says that with a name like Krystal Ball, she's used to people making fun, but she's serious about fighting for Virginia, cutting congressional pay, and making sure that all of the money from the bank bailout is repaid.
This district was close in 2008. McCain edged out Obama, 51-48%.