Democrats in Pennsylvania are resurrecting an old play from the Barack Obama playbook in hopes of seeming more “authentic” to voters in the critical swing state.
Unfortunately for them, the move has already backfired after a new video surfaced exposing the ploy as a lame attempt to woo voters.
Back in 2012, Obama was running for re-election against Republican Mitt Romney. Obama famously touted a campaign pitch of “Which candidate would you rather have a beer with?” as a way to seem more likable for the Average Joe.
Democratic Pennsylvania candidate Bob Brooks attempted to pull off that same move, but accidentally exposed that one of the party’s rising stars needs to be “coached” on every move.
Brooks inadvertently posted a video online, giving a look at their 2026 midterm strategy and how they’re preparing to appear more authentic and win back voters who felt “left behind.”
The clip, which has gone viral, shows Bob Brooks in a conversation with Biden-era Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg.
However, Buttigieg couldn’t even remember what district he was campaigning in.
The pair then received coaching from an off-screen staffer, urging them to stay on message.
“Think about your audience,” the staffer prompted.
“Why is this race so important? We need to win the House [of Representatives] — all of that. Winning over people who feel like they’re left behind by the party, flipping the district. All of that, I think, is really strong, showing up for working people, affordability.”
The clip, originally filmed by Democratic campaign arm The Bench, highlights the efforts the party is taking to appeal to everyday voters and come across as naturally as possible after losing large chunks of their base in the 2024 election.
“We are going to have a really normal conversation with three cameras pointing at you,” the staffer joked.
“Everybody act normal,” Buttigieg chuckled.
“And remind me the district number we’re in?” he asked the staffer before the conversation commenced.
The staffer also gave Buttigieg and Brooks guidance on a pair of beer cans set out as “props.”
Take a look —
Pennsylvania Democrat Congressional candidate Bob Brooks and Pete Buttigieg caught being coached on how to be authentic when interviewing about his race.
Buttigieg: "Remind me the district number again? 7?" pic.twitter.com/4TTYlHm0mk
— RNC Research (@RNCResearch) May 13, 2026
Despite their coaching, the off-screen staffer told Brooks they would try to avoid directing the interview too much.
“Bob, feel free to prompt Pete with a question: Why this race, why here in the Lehigh Valley, and we will interject if needed to do a little directing, but we’re going to be mostly hands-off,” the staffer said.
Brooks, who faces a tight primary race next week, has attracted the support of a wide swath of Democratic Party figures, securing endorsements from Buttigieg; Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt.; and Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, according to Fox News.
Brooks’ background as a firefighter has also drawn the support of the Bench, a campaign group that consists of several veteran Democratic operatives.
The group describes its ideal candidates as “community-rooted, values-driven and ready to connect with voters across party lines.”
Brooks faces a four-way primary for a chance to unseat Republican incumbent Rep. Ryan Mackenzie, R-Pa.
Pennsylvania’s 7th District is among the most competitive in the country.
The nonpartisan Cook Political Report places the race as a “toss-up,” just one of 18 seats to receive that designation this year.