That awkward message has been turned into a sun-dappled campaign spot, one of surprisingly few that Republicans are running in an effort to convince Democratic-leaning voters that they are separated from the presidential race. “Let's be honest,” says Ayotte. "Both Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton are far from perfect. And I'm not perfect, either."

In much of the country — including the suburban congressional districts and swing states that gave Republicans their majorities — Trump's favorable ratings are more toxic than any Republican candidate's since 1964. But so far, only two Republicans running for reelection. Sen. Mark Kirk (R-Ill.), has said he will not vote for Trump; Rep. Robert Dold (R-Ill.), who represents some Chicago suburbs near where Clinton grew up, is out with an ad that shows him shutting off a TV after it plays updates on the campaign.

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"That's what's wrong with politics, and both sides share the blame," says Dold.

Tellingly, the clips don't show Trump or Clinton fighting about any specific issue. The Clinton clip, from a video message to LIUNA that has produced an attack-ad-ready clip of her asking "why am I not 50 points ahead?" simply shows her saying "get Donald Trump's record out there" in a distractingly high volume.

The first of the cycle's Republican anti-Trump ads was similar, portraying Rep. Mike Coffman (R-Colo.) in a state of distress about both campaigns. "I don't care for him all that much, and I certainly don't trust Hillary," he says.