What the Heck is Going on With the Patricia Phillips Campaign?

See update below the story.

Patricia Phillips is a very nice person, and she always had an uphill battle against Mark Herring in her senate race. She hasn’t done herself any favors, though, with a couple of funny/curious/weird (choose your adjective) campaign pieces.

In a robocall (listen to it here) apparently intended for Democratic voters, a “concerned citizen” calls Herring a “traitor” and more for voting WITH Governor McDonnell on transportation issues, then signs off with “Paid for and authorized by Patricia Phillips for Senate.” Huh? Vote for the Republican because the Democrat is too Republican?

Then, in a recent mailer, she calls out Herring for not thanking veterans –using a picture of a SOVIET officer. Look closely and you’ll even see the “CCCP” in one of the medals on his chest.

(Hat Tip to Peter Fedders for the flyer and pictures)

I’m no Karl Rove Donny Ferguson, but these are probably not winning strategies.

UPDATE 11/11: This from Patricia Phillips:

“As to the entry titled What the Heck is going on With the Patricia Phillips Campaign? the Robo call released in my name was also not authorized and should never have been released. When I learned of it, I took steps to immediately stop further dissemination of the call and I called Senator Herring to personally apologize and denounce it. Again, I deeply regret its unauthorized release and believe it unfairly mischaracterized Senator Herring and thereby reflected poorly on myself and my campaign.”