[Source.](https://thenationalpulse.com/2023/07/05/the-campaign-trail-cias-will-hurd-gives-a-masterclass-in-how-not-to-campaign/) > In the first episode of The National Pulse’s exclusive new podcast, The Campaign Trail, editor-in-chief Raheem Kassam covered a range of key moments from the ongoing fight for the Republican nomination, picking out Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) alumnus Will Hurd’s pitch to the Faith and Freedom Coalition as a masterclass – in how not to do it. > Hurd began his speech by quipping about being Jason Bourne, before descending into a list of his negative attributes, including being “a Momma’s boy”, growing up with a speech impediment, giant head, and big feet, being relentlessly bullied, and having a last name that rhymes with “nerd”. While the CIA man evidently hoped to win over a crowd that had mostly never heard of him by being self-deprecating, Kassam explained why the strategy was unwise. > “That, I think, is probably a misguided way to get up on stage and assert yourself as somebody who could be the leader of the free world, especially as World War III is looming,” said Kassam, a veteran of many high-profile campaigns, including the Brexit referendum and breakthrough election performances by Nigel Farage.