Friday, February 25, 2011

The Next Target: Obama

Posted By on Fri, Feb 25, 2011 at 1:39 PM

TPM reports the latest from Congressman Paul Broun of Georgia, who apparently couldn't find it in him to condemn the idea of gunning down the president of the United States when a constituent asked him "Who's going to shot Obama?" at a town hall this week:

Rep. Paul Broun (R-GA) said in a statement Friday that he was "stunned" when an elderly man asked what he called the "abhorrent question 'Who's going to shoot Obama?'"

"I deeply regret that this incident happened at all," Broun said in a statement. "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."

Broun also said his office "took action with the appropriate authorities."

Broun said that he "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."

But two witnesses told TPM that Broun chuckled along with the crowd when the elderly man asked the question. And a report said that Broun didn't immediately move on but rather responded to the question by stating that "there's a lot of frustration with this president."

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