Paul Broun condemns town hall question, ‘Who’s going to shoot Obama?’
U.S. Rep. Paul Broun, R-Athens, just issued a sharp condemnation of a constituent who, at a town hall meeting this week, raised the prospect of violence against President Barack Obama.
A spokesman for Broun also confirmed that his office contacted the Secret Service to report incident.
Broun’s relatively quick reaction is an indication of a changed climate since last month’s shooting of U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords in Arizona. The incident happened on Tuesday night, but didn’t get widespread play until Thursday.
A Broun staffer, as reported by the Athens Banner-Herald, almost immediately called the question “inappropriate.” Broun himself weighed in once it became clear that — this morning — the incident was developing national legs.
From Broun:
“Tuesday night at a town hall meeting in Oglethorpe County, Georgia an elderly man asked the abhorrent question, “Who’s going to shoot Obama?” I was stunned by the question and chose not to dignify it with a response; therefore, at that moment I moved on to the next person with a question.
After the event, my office took action with the appropriate authorities. I deeply regret that this incident happened at all. Furthermore, I condemn all statements—made in sincerity or jest—that threaten or suggest the use of violence against the President of the United States or any other public official. Such rhetoric cannot and will not be tolerated.”
The Washington Post has dipped in with this:
According to Ed Donovan, a Secret Service spokesman, the situation has been looked into.
“We’re aware of the incident and the appropriate steps were taken,” Donovan told me. “At this point it’s a closed matter.”
A law enforcement source confirmed that the Secret Service interviewed the constituent and determined that he or she was an “elderly person” who now regrets making a bad joke.
Here’s the original post on the incident, first recounted by Blake Aued of the Athens Banner-Herald. The remark, Aued wrote, got a big laugh from the crowd.
Aued also captured what he said was Broun’s immediate response:
“The thing is, I know there’s a lot of frustration with this president. We’re going to have an election next year. Hopefully, we’ll elect somebody that’s going to be a conservative, limited-government president that will take a smaller, who will sign a bill to repeal and replace Obamacare.”
Broun spokesman Austin Carson disputes that. “[Broun] made no response to the original question except to say, ‘Next question,’” Carson said. The words above that Aued reported, the spokesman said, was Broun’s answer to the next question. Which was also apparently critical of the president.
Clearly, many people will question whether Broun’s response was swift or strong enough. Among them are Senate Minority Leader Robert Brown, D-Macon:
“Congressman Broun showed no leadership, no tact, and no courage. No elected official should tacitly agree that shooting the president is an acceptable act. He should apologize for his stunning lack of moral courage to the citizens of Georgia, and to the president himself.”
- By Jim Galloway, Political Insider
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202 comments Add your comment
maddie
February 25th, 2011
1:31 pm
It never ceases to amaze me the lies that liberals will tell. Dunwoody Mom, shame on your lies and shame on YOU. Broun is not my favorite congressman, but he did not laugh after the remark.
Dekalb Cop
February 25th, 2011
1:36 pm
This.. and Bobby Franklin? And Oxendine’s last minute appointment of himself.. Stay classy Georgia Repubs..
joe
February 25th, 2011
1:37 pm
@ Vick–as if those who support #7 aren’t in a class all by themselves. Hello, Pot calling Kettle…no pun intended…
Jill
February 25th, 2011
1:39 pm
The media reports on threats from both sides. That’s how you find out about them, silly. If the news of threats to Clarence Thomas are known to you, it’s because they were reported by the media.
hotlanta
February 25th, 2011
1:41 pm
Wow white man makes a comment about shooting a black man, the President of all people. Said it was a joke and no arrest. Black man gets mad at white man for cutting him off in traffic and said he’s gonna shoot him, cops meets black man at home and he is jailed for terroristic threats and attempted murder. PRICELESS
Bob
February 25th, 2011
1:41 pm
@Proud Liberal:
Really? You mean to tell me that when Vernon said “Yes I’m being sarcastic. That should be obvious.” you didn’t take that as perhaps the mildest hint that he was being sarcastic?
But thanks for the factoids.
Bo U
February 25th, 2011
1:42 pm
What do you expect from an elderly white man who has not gotten over his racism? The world has changed folks and will continue to there is no going backwards.
gm
February 25th, 2011
1:42 pm
This is why I dispise the bigot channel of Fox News, not one time have they mention this story.
President Obama life have been threaten more then any President ever, I wonder Why?
As long as you have fat garbage like like Rush who continue to exploit middle low class uneducated whites with his lies, this is the kind of crap that will continue.
Obama is respected around the wold and some of these back wood southerners have a problems with him, whie these rich Rep conservatives are laughing at these idiots.
kkong
February 25th, 2011
1:42 pm
Hey, Broun…you’re a little late, pal. You should have condemmed it when it happened, not two days later.
joe
February 25th, 2011
1:44 pm
@ aamom—when you say Obama is “bringing us back” do you mean other AA’s or the USA in general. If you answer the USA in general, please enlighten us on what he is doing to bring the USA back…would it be …bowing to foreign heads of state, or doing nothing about pirates who kill Americans, or strongly condemn dictators who shoot at their own…or continually not enforcing the federal laws on immigration…or spending your kids future’s right down the toilet? Well, considering all that, I guess you didn’t really mean he was bringing back the USA at all, just the aa part where he continues to spread the wealth around via entitlements to people who do next to nothing to provide for our county…extend your hand, palm up saying gimme gimme gimme.
Vick Supporter
February 25th, 2011
1:48 pm
I know one thing…there never been one black person that has asassinated a public official. Whites are obviously capable of that. Call me racist..i really don’t give a F.
Vick is alot better than the person wanting to shoot the POTUS
Chuck
February 25th, 2011
1:48 pm
What ever happened to “Respect the Office?” That’s what Sean Hannity used to preach when George W. Bush was the President.
The hatred that the Right has for President Obama has no bounds. The fact that someone could stand in front of a Congressman of any party at a Town Hall meeting and suggest assassinating the head of our country, and he didn’t draw an immediate rebuke from said Congressman is shameful.
If I was a Democratic Congressman and someone at one of my meetings suggested shooting a standing Republican President, I would shut him up immediately.
any video....
February 25th, 2011
1:50 pm
would be great if someone has video of the event. then we could see the “real” reaction to the question. isn’t broun the one who compared obama to hitler or something along those lines.
still amazed that this quack got elected, and from athens of all places. he had trouble getting people to help with a campaign when he lived here in south ga.
Dusty Bottoms
February 25th, 2011
1:56 pm
Where is the original report stating that Rep. Broun laughed in response to the question?
If this is true, he should resign.
kd
February 25th, 2011
1:58 pm
why are you showing so much frustration for OBAMA when it should have been shown for the BUSH era.
Dusty Bottoms
February 25th, 2011
2:02 pm
Undereducated, underemployed, slow-witted, easily manipulated minions suddenly becoming fervently politically active because Americans elected a President whose skin is a couple of shades too dark to suit their taste.
In other words, a Republican Renaissance.
Never have I been more proud to be a Democrat than in these difficult days.
No one should be surprised that Boeing decided not to send their $35 billion contract to Alabama. I am sure it is apparent from the new crop of talent that Georgia and Alabama are sending to Washington recently that there are no workers here intelligent enough to build an aircraft. Georgia and Alabama: Dumb and Dumber.
Bmipp
February 25th, 2011
2:02 pm
The comment by the elderly man was at best grossly tacky. Don’t know Broun’s politics that well, but his response at the event (at least as reported) wasn’t really that bad in the circumstance. Would have been better for him to denounce the comment, but to basically ignore it and/or recognize that it was hyperbole isn’t really that outstanding. This story and the majority of comments is another example of the extremes of both parties being…extremists, fueled by an irresponsible media.
As far as this being typical of Republicans or tea partiers, well, I have to agree with the posts that it is typical fanfare for liberals too, and the vitriol and unwillingness to have a legitimate conversation about real issues that we are seeing on placards and hearing from podiums in Wisconsin is a perfect example of that.
hotlanta
February 25th, 2011
2:02 pm
All right Vick supporter. White folks kill people everyday and my bag he did. But if a black person commits a crime the whole race pays for it. I ain’t never known no black person that give a group of people red Kool-aid in a bucket and a spoon and wipes out whole families.
Kenneth Dixon
February 25th, 2011
2:02 pm
@Joe, that was an ignorant statemtent because there are more whites on Food Stamps and government aide than blacks. So who has there hand out more?…..U can sit down and shut up now, thanks.
AsMyGuitarGentlyWeeps
February 25th, 2011
2:05 pm
Well…after reading these comments its now wonder that America has been falling and will continue to fall as a super power. Kudos Americans. Kudos.
Young Buck
February 25th, 2011
2:08 pm
VickSupporter, don’t forget son, when you make a stupid comment like that, you are offended your own president, as he is half white. Think before you speak/type you moron.
Peter
February 25th, 2011
2:08 pm
Interesting that during the Bush administration; “patriotism” was blind, unquestioning obedience.
AsMyGuitarGentlyWeeps
February 25th, 2011
2:08 pm
How about we just let metro Atlanta secede as it’s own state, and let the rest of Georgia have the leftovers.
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February 25th, 2011
2:09 pm
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AsMyGuitarGentlyWeeps
February 25th, 2011
2:09 pm
@YoungBook: Most of us African Americans are mixed to some extent, so in essence he is still a black man.
Jerry
February 25th, 2011
2:10 pm
what is the big deal? gas prices thru the roof and you are concerned about a “joke” ????????????????????????????????????
AsMyGuitarGentlyWeeps
February 25th, 2011
2:12 pm
@Jerry: It’s the secret security’s job to deal with “jokes” like these, let them handle this stuff, and the politicians will handle dealing with the gas prices.
markie mark
February 25th, 2011
2:16 pm
@Dusty Bottoms….even though we are loosing freedoms on a regular basis in this country, you are still free to leave Atlanta, GA, the South, etc if you are unhappy at anytime. 75 goes north and south, I-20 goes east and west, and Delta will take you in any direction you choose.
Marc
February 25th, 2011
2:17 pm
Broun laughed….nothing else needs to be said.
Larry
February 25th, 2011
2:22 pm
Vick Supporter,
At the cost of hundreds of thousand of their lives white people died fro your freedom to live and prosper. Otherwise, you’d still be in Africa wiping your rear with your hand and eating one another.
Just keeping it in perspective…
OedipusTax
February 25th, 2011
2:24 pm
Jim Galloway had his agenda before this news, and was compelled by liberal addictions to tie the tragic shooting of Gabrielle Giffords to this event. Jim wants to assert that Giffords was shot by a violent Tea Party member, and he’s still trying to prove that violence comes from the right, despite the ugly, violent union thugs goose-stepping their way to leftist tyranny this month. Galloway is just one of the AJC hacks that show us why the traditional newspaper business is shrinking, and why the AJC will survive only if it gets money from taxpayers, much like liberal NPR. You can bet the given a choice, Galloway would lead the union thugs to violence against their enemies. But that would be the correct kind of violence, which would be more than justified in his eyes. Liberals are becoming uglier, nastier, and more angry simply because their future of sucking off the American taxpayer may be in jeopardy, and as addicts, they don’t give a damn about anybody else but themselves.
AsMyGuitarGentlyWeeps
February 25th, 2011
2:24 pm
@Larry: Um…no hundreds of thousands of white people died to preserve the union. Also, if you “good white folk” hadn’t so graciously stolen us from our families, whipped us, raped us, and treated us like animals, Africa wouldn’t have suffered from brain drain, and remnants from kingdoms such as The Songhai, The Ghanaian Kingdom, etc would have survived.
AsMyGuitarGentlyWeeps
February 25th, 2011
2:25 pm
Can we please get past this Liberal v. Conservative BS? We’re all on the same sinking ship, either we come together and do something or sink.
Brock
February 25th, 2011
2:26 pm
What can Broun do for you?
Bmipp
February 25th, 2011
2:27 pm
To say people oppose Obama policies because of the shade of his skin is really just a cop-out for someone who doesn’t have a real argument. Do SOME people not like the president because of his skin…I am sure there are some. Others have legitimate gripes with his policies (irrespective of the man behind them). Throwing epithets from both sides of the aisle rather than considering the real issues at hand, however, is not productive.
AsMyGuitarGentlyWeeps
February 25th, 2011
2:29 pm
@Bmipp: How many other presidents who supported a womans right to chose were called baby killers? And why weren’t Bush Sr/Reagan called “Sympathizes of radical islam” when they were supporting Saddam, Iran, etc?
middler and so tired of all the rhetoric :
February 25th, 2011
2:30 pm
Any public office holder must condemn any and all suggestions, hints, or words of any kind about violence against other office holders and any and all fellow citizens. To ignore is to condone. To laugh is to encourage. If anyone had treated George Bush in the manner Obama has been treated a lot of americans would have federal charges, universal criticism, and probably prison sentences. Nixon was hated as was Roosevelt. This is the first president to be so disrespected as a person and as a president. It must stop now. Disagree, vote against him, work against him but let’s get back on track to behaving as Americans.
Aquagirl
February 25th, 2011
2:31 pm
Why do some people take apparent pride our State sucks so bad others are fleeing? If someone leaves your place because it’s filthy, it’s a reflection on you, not them. Standing in the door taunting them saves you embarrassment? Is that the latest rage in the trailer parks nowadays?
BTW, an ancient Lewis Grizzard remark that’s been repeated 10 million times is only a brilliantly witty retort in your own mind.
AsMyGuitarGentlyWeeps
February 25th, 2011
2:32 pm
@Aquagirl: Well said.
Mike
February 25th, 2011
2:33 pm
Who really cares? Why waste time on Obuma anyway! We have more important issues at hand like who is gonna win American Idol and what flavor dog food my dog likes!!
American
February 25th, 2011
2:36 pm
It is just an embarrassment to be from and live in Georgia. I feel like I live in a third world country. We continue to humiliate ourselves and put roadblocks in front of anything that would help anyone outside the Republican/Tea Party base that dominates this state. So sad.
Gunny
February 25th, 2011
2:36 pm
we’re not gonna vote him out of office. Paul Broun has good support from tax paying conservative Americans. obamas support comes from inner city welfare rcvr’s . look at the break down of the election and you’ll see what i mean.If it wasnt for the dems going into jails to sign up people obama would have never gotten elected
I Know You Are But What Am I
February 25th, 2011
2:38 pm
This is how the Tea Party aka Republican Party behave themselves in a closed group. They listen to Rush and Neal and Sean and Mark Levin and Ann Coulter and the rest of their ilk repeating the hate over and over and over again. They hear the same crap uttered by their neighbors, their friends, and most everyone else living nearby. Then they get in a private venue surrounded by their peers, and they forget that their remarks will be heard by the faithful opposition.
I don’t think every Tea Partier is a hateful racist. Nor do I think the liberals are immune to their own brand of hate. But this is SO typical of rural Georgia. It’s wonderful it gets exposed every now and then.
Dan
February 25th, 2011
2:39 pm
“Relatively quick reaction”?
Angry old man asks when Obama is going to be shot and Congressman laughs
Several days later after this blows up Congressman feigns horror
Another emabrassment
John K
February 25th, 2011
2:47 pm
Did he have to get approval from the GOP that it was ok to condemn calls for presidential assassination?
Gman
February 25th, 2011
2:50 pm
After reading some of these post excusing the representative from Athens, it’s rather obvious that Georgia is near the bottom in education.
Gannon, Haggard, & Mehlman
February 25th, 2011
2:50 pm
Actually this was a plot by the Obama Administration to get sympathy.
Mr Law
February 25th, 2011
2:58 pm
What a bunch of peckerwoods here
AU Liberal in ATL
February 25th, 2011
2:58 pm
Broun is a lousy excuse for a person and an even worse excuse for a servant of the people. He’s horrible. Judging many of the things he’s said, he’s also stupid.
JOJO
February 25th, 2011
3:01 pm
Only in “JAW-JUH” can you find such yahoos