Republican Candidate in Virginia Debates AI Version of Dem
By: Ahmad Austin Jr. (Mediaite)
S E E D E D C O N T E N T
The Republican candidate for Virginia lieutenant governor used artificial intelligence to debate a digital version of his Democratic opponent.
On Tuesday, John Reid (R) posted a video on his campaign YouTube channel titled "The 2025 Virginia Lieutenant Governor "Debate." The video opened with text explaining Sen. Ghazala Hashmi, Reid's opponent, had declined multiple offers to hold a debate.
"In lieu of a formal debate," the text continued, "what you are about to see is the best-possible alternative — whereby John Reid will react/respond to Senator Hashmi's publicized policy positions, as mined from a variety of available sources, with AI used to replicate Senator Hashmi's voice. Now, without further ado…"
Following an introduction from a moderator, the candidates then delivered their own introductory remarks. Reid was seen standing at a podium speaking. When it was time for the AI Hashmi to speak, the video switched to a static image of the senator as the digital voice began speaking.
From there, the debate followed a familiar format, with the moderator introducing topics and the candidates expressing their respective views. This went on for over 40 minutes.
In a statement published before the released of the video, Reid said he had to "force the issue" due to Hashmi's alleged refusal to debate:
"This is the only time this debate occurred. There were no rehearsals, no second takes, and no advance prep beyond my own notes," said Reid. "I was shown the final structure and format just minutes before we taped. Every answer from Senator Hashmi is taken directly from her own words, cited and publicly available through her website and interviews. Virginians deserve to see a side-by-side contrast, and since my opponent won't show up, I had to force the issue myself."
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It must be nice to "debate" someone who can't respond to what you say to them. Isnt a back and forth exactly what political debates are all about?
By some miracle John Reid (R) managed to get the last word on every topic.
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Yes, he certainly did show her his cowardice.
So, the person that showed up to the scheduled debate was the coward.
I guess you think the real coward is a hero for not showing.
The person who faux-debated a straw-woman, putting words in her mouth and not letting her have any actual rebuttal and calling it a "debate" is the coward.
Parts of thread 1.1 have been removed for no value.
Then maybe she should have shown up. No one put words in her mouth. He used actual video of her SAYING the things he rebutted.
Face it...This woman knows she sucks and continues to be a coward, ie, a silent spokesperson for the democratic party.
It's insane, but not surprising. There simply is no low that Republicans won't stoop to in order to cling to power so they can force their rightwing conservative Christian garbage down Americans throats.
It's bad form
I don't like any of the candidates in VA election. I will vote for the least bad and annoying ones
Abigail Spanberger is an outstanding candidate. Among other things she is smart as heck, has a B.A. from the University of Virginia and an MBA from Purdue, served as a CIA operations officer, did a great job in Congress as a moderate representative. Virginia couldn't have a better choice for Governor.
Of course, you can always listen to reactionary propagandists who lie, distort the truth and make shit up. There are enough of them around fouling the air.
Can you give examples of each of what you claim?
Virginia Democrats, too afraid to debate. And who can really blame them ? Exposing their batshit crazy candidates to people who aren't reality denying bloodthirsty progressives can only hurt them. Impossible to defend a freak open borders loving gubernatorial candidate who wants boys to shower with girls in schools and is so partisan she can't even denounce her party's AG candidate who wants to kill kids, shoot police officers and is likely going to jail for fraud after illegally claiming 500 community service hours for work he did at his own PAC to avoid jail for almost 80 mph over the speed limit.
It's too bad Democrats have lost all touch with moderation. A normie Democrat could push Jones out of the race, much like Republicans dropped that nominee when his offensive texts came public last week. But Democrats have rallied around their psychotic nominee, probably because their bloodthirsty electorate loves the thought of killing anyone, even kids, if their deaths would help the Democratic party achieve its goals. So Jones stays, and Spanberger afraid of the wacko fringe who control the party won't lift a finger against him.