Grayson in Hot Water Over Deceptive Ad

Rep. Alan Grayson (D), running for re-election in Florida’s 8th Congressional District, is taking fire for a manipulative and untruthful advertisement about his challenger, Daniel Webster. In the ad, Grayson calls Webster a “religious fanatic” and equates him with the Taliban because he encourages wives to “submit” to their husbands. However, a quick fact check shows that Grayson intentionally manipulated the video clip.

The clip in Grayson’s ad shows Webster saying that “wives should submit to their husbands.” In fact, the unedited clip shows Webster cautioning men not to use Bible verses like that. Grayson has been reprimanded in the Orlando Sentinel, who said that this ad may have cost him support among independent voters. Grayson’s campaign has not wholly retreated from the ad, arguing that Webster’s support for social conservative groups in the past means that he supports an anti-woman agenda. Webster’s wife defended her husband and said Grayson “should be ashamed of his nasty smears.”

This seat is one of Liberty Central’s Top Races. This ad is not out of character for the fiery freshman incumbent. Grayson is notorious for extreme statements, including accusing Republicans of spying on him, and saying that the GOP health care plan was to “die quickly.”