An NRSC ad, shot with professional actors in Philadelphia, attacks Gov. Joe Manchin. | Screengrab from NRSC ad GOP ad casting call: 'hicky' W.Va. look

A Republican ad that shows a couple of regular-looking guys commiserating in a diner about West Virginia Gov. Joe Manchin (D) turns out to have been shot with actors, from a script, in Philadelphia.

But not just any actors: “We are going for a ‘Hicky’ Blue Collar look,” read the casting call for the ad, being aired by the National Republican Senatorial Committee. “These characters are from West Virginia so think coal miner/trucker looks.”


“Clothing Suggestions” included jeans, work boots, flannel shirt, denim shirt, “Dickie’s type jacket with t-shirt underneath,” down-filled vest, “John Deer [sic] hats (not brand new, preferably beat up),” “trucker hats (not brand new, preferably beat up).”

The NRSC began airing the ad this week in the West Virginia Senate race, in which Manchin is facing a sudden scare from Republican businessman John Raese (pronounced “racy”) in the contest to replace the late Sen. Robert Byrd.

The casting material was provided to POLITICO by Democrats. It's not unusual for political ads to use "fake" actors to stand in for real people — but a Democratic official said the wardrobe advice played right into the case against Manchin’s opponent. “Our whole frame on Raese is that he doesn’t understand working people,” this official said.

In a statement Thursday morning, Manchin said: “John Raese and his special interest friends have insulted the people of West Virginia and need to immediately apologize. Not only have they been spending millions to try and buy this election with lies and distortions, we can now see once and for all what he and his friends really think of West Virginia and our people. It’s offensive and it only proves that John Raese has spent too much time in the state of Florida, living in his Palm Beach mansion and doesn’t know, understand or respect the great people of this state, and what we stand for.”

The casting language did not come from the NRSC. An NRSC vendor told the talent agency, in an e-mail provided to POLITICO: "So here’s what we need for casting ... 2 featured characters that will be talking to each other at a diner, conversation back and forth. ... One male- Age about 55.- Looking for someone to represent the middle of the country… Ohio, Pittsburgh, West Virginia area- Middle class ... One male- Age about 45- Middle class- Again, should represent the Ohio, Pittsburgh, West Virginia area of the country."

Brian Walsh, the NRSC's communications director, said: “West Virginians understand that most commercials on television are produced by outside professionals with actors in studios. While it is one thing for actors to impersonate someone they’re not because it’s their job, it is entirely different when a governor is doing that so he can get promoted.”

The 30-second, independent-expenditure ad — called “ Stop Obama” — is here.

In a back-and-forth in the ad, two men at the counter of a diner say to a third: “Obama’s messin’ things up. … Spending money we don’t have. … Stimulus. Obamacare. … And Joe Manchin supported it all. … Joe’s not bad as Governor, but when he’s with Obama, … he turns into ‘Washington Joe.’ … And ‘Washington Joe’ does whatever Obama wants. … Yeah, well, we’d better keep Joe Manchin right here in West Virginia. … Away from Washington. … Yep. It’s the only way we’re gonna stop Obama.”

At the end, a slogan on the screen says, “A vote for Manchin is a vote for Obama.”

One of the actors, Damian Muziani, is based in Philadelphia and describes himself on his website as “Actor, Filmmaker, Broadcaster, Host.”

Here is a copy of the script from Jamestown Associates, a Republican consulting firm.

The diner has posted a slide show about itself.

Here is the casting call:

Below please find booking information for your actor(s) for the Political Spot. Please ask them to read over copy (it is confidential). Please confirm this email.

Call Time: 2pm

Location: The Oregon Diner

3rd & Oregon Sts

Phila PA 19148

Wardrobe:

- We are going for a ‘Hicky’ Blue Collar look. These characters are from West Virginia so think coal miner/trucker looks

- Each character should bring a several options and stay away from all black or all white or thin stripes (thicker stripes and plaid are good)

- Clothing Suggestions:

• Jeans

• Work boots

• Flannel shirt

• Denim shirt

• Dickie's type jacket with t-shirt underneath

• Down filled vest

• John Deer hats (not brand new, preferably beat up)

• Trucker hats (not brand new, preferably beat up)

• No Thin Stripes

- As far as the script goes, the dialect should be very plain – no accent, but animated actions. These guys are upset about these politics.

- SCRIPT is confidential, but please make sure everyone is willing to read it before agreeing to the part.