It’s not uncommon in midterm election years to see members of the President’s own party distance themselves from the POTUS, especially when their approval ratings are in the basement.

But in Joe Biden’s case, some candidates are taking the unusual step of not just refusing to endorse him for reelection in 2024, but are also treating comparisons of themselves to Joe Biden as “dirty DC-style politics,” suggesting even the remotest similarities are absolutely toxic to their political campaigns.

Case in point, check out a new ad from South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem’s reelection campaign, which highlights Democrat gubernatorial nominee Jamie Smith’s record in comparison to Joe Biden’s, claiming that Smith, who is currently the Democrat minority leader in the state House of Representatives, is their “version of Joe Biden.” In a nutshell, the ad suggests there are no differences between the two on hot-button issues like gun rights and transgender “women” being allowed to participate in women’s sports.

“Joe and Jamie are double trouble,” the ad concludes. “Say no to Jamie Smith.”

Watch:

Jamie Smith said Joe Biden represented the “best of America.”

Now he wants to bring Biden’s liberal policies (the same policies crippling America) to South Dakota.

My response? “C’mon Man!” pic.twitter.com/vptCOFzgFN

— Kristi Noem (@KristiNoem) August 15, 2022

Smith’s response, posted to Twitter on Monday, spoke volumes about how far some Democratic candidates are willing to go to completely dissociate themselves from their party leader despite his recent so-called “string of wins” in Congress:

A video trying to compare me to Joe Biden is exactly the kind of dirty DC-style politics South Dakotans are tired of.

I’m happy to discuss my record any time, any place. So what do you say @KristiNoem? Will you agree to more than one debate?

The voters deserve more.

— Jamie Smith for SD Governor (@RepJamieSmith) August 15, 2022

Noem’s reaction to Smith’s outrage was to reiterate a Joe Biden quote that was repeatedly used in the video – and to post the video again:

Jamie, “ C’mon Man!” https://t.co/0kNIUV4QCL pic.twitter.com/w01yAueb7l

— Kristi Noem (@KristiNoem) August 16, 2022

On the “Jamie and Joe” website they created, a quote from Smith endorsing Biden in 2020 is prominently featured right at the top of the main page:

“As we navigate a global pandemic and constant chaos from the Trump Administration, we desperately need a candidate who can bring strong, steady leadership to the White House – that’s Joe Biden….Joe represents the best of America – resilience, empathy, and integrity. He can be a president our children can look up to and learn from his example. I know Joe will restore honor to the White House, and I look forward to voting for him in the South Dakota primary.” Smith said in the same Biden Campaign statement.

They also suggested that either comments Smith has made or votes he has cast in the state legislature indicate that he’s an open borders advocate who supports the teaching of Critical Race Theory in public schools and is someone who will “bow to leftist mobs.”

I haven’t seen any polls on this race, but judging by the state’s voting history, I think it’s safe to suggest Noem will be a shoo-in for reelection. That said, her campaign is clearly not going to take any chances and appears to be trying to bury Smith’s campaign before it can even get on solid footing.

In a state like South Dakota, trying him to Joe Biden is just the way to do it.

Flashback: ‘Dems in Disarray’ in Full Swing as Adam Schiff Goes Rogue on Joe Biden in a Very Public Way