This is to follow up on the McJoan’s detailed piece yesterday on the outrageous conduct at a Republican Party function in Idaho by Republican candidate fro Governor, Rex Rammel. http://www.dailykos.com/...
On August 28, 2009 in the Idaho Statesman political blog, it is stated that Rammell’s Twitter states the following further outrageous comment about Obama "hunting tags":
This is from the August 28 blog of the political reporter of the Statesman:
Boise Statesman Submitted by Kevin Richert on Fri, 08/28/2009 - 9:37am.
UPDATED, 9:55 a.m., with Rammell's most recent statement.
In case you're wondering, the Rex Rammell story isn't going away. Or at least Rammell isn't.
The rogue gubernatorial candidate issued a press release this morning — copied on his Twitter feed — following up on his "Obama tags" remark from Tuesday. Here it is.
"Anyone who understands the law, knows I was just joking, because Idaho has no jurisdiction to issue hunting tags in Washington D.C."
Here is more background from the AP and papers in Idaho:
Idaho GOP hopeful jokes about 'Obama Tags' - Associated Press
By John Miller
BOISE, Idaho — An Idaho Republican gubernatorial hopeful insists he was only joking when he said he'd buy a license to hunt President Barack Obama.
Rex Rammell, a long-shot candidate slated to run against incumbent C.L. "Butch" Otter in the May 2010 GOP primary, made the comment at a Republican rally Tuesday in Twin Falls where talk turned to the state's planned wolf hunt, for which hunters must purchase an $11.50 wolf tag. The hunt is due to begin on Tuesday.
When an audience member shouted a question about "Obama tags," Rammell responded, "The Obama tags? We'd buy some of those."
Rammell told The Associated Press Thursday he sees no reason to apologize for the comment because it was just a joke.
"What I would say to all my Democrat Idahoans: Take a deep breath and relax," he said. "We're not going to go out and hunt Obama."
He also told the Times-News newspaper, "I would never support him being assassinated."
After Rammell's comment was published in the Times-News, he said one person sent him an e-mail indicating he would ask the FBI for an investigation.
The August 28 Editorial of the Idaho Statesman (Boise) notes Republican elected officials are silent:
Rex Rammell's rabble-rousing - Idaho Statesman (editorial)
Rex Rammell was already a fringe candidate for governor - before he began pandering to the lunatic fringe.
But on Tuesday, when a woman at a Republican meeting in Twin Falls remarked about buying a hunting permit and shooting a president, Rammell had the bad taste and horrific judgment to play along.
"The Obama tags?" said Rammell. "We'd buy some of those."
This deplorable rabble-rousing has no place in civil public discourse. And if that seems to state the obvious, consider this. On Thursday, Rammell told the Associated Press that he was only being sarcastic and sees no need to apologize.
He might be alone on that count.
Idaho voters got a taste of Rammell in 2008, when he ran an independent protest campaign for Senate. Now, he is running on the GOP ticket, which leaves Idaho Republicans a choice. Will they renounce Rammell's comments - or will their silence be deafening?
More background on Rammell: http://www.newwest.net/...
And more: http://wyominghuntingtoday.com/...
update: See McJoan for her update: http://www.dailykos.com/...
Further update from Dan Popkey of the Idaho Statesman (he did the Larry Craig stories)
Idaho GOP leaders condemn Rammell as Rammell continues hunt Obama 'joke'
By Dan Popkey - dpopkey@idahostatesman.com
Top Idaho Republicans — Gov. Butch Otter, U.S. Sens. Mike Crapo and Jim Risch, U.S. Rep. Mike Simpson and former Idaho Gov. Phil Batt — all condemned fellow Republican Rex Rammell on Friday after he amplified his "joke" about wanting to buy a license to hunt President Barack Obama.
Otter, whom Rammell is challenging in the 2010 GOP primary, said, "Reckless and inflammatory statements like these gravely damage confidence in the political process and the good citizens who serve the public. As Governor, as an Idaho Republican and as a citizen of our state, I reject and condemn this kind of rhetoric. There is no place for it in Idaho."
"Rex Rammell’s comments are in very poor taste and should not have been said," said Crapo. "Remarks like these should not even be made jokingly. We are engaged in a critical national debate over many major issues facing our country today. Remarks like these are not only unhelpful in that debate, but they undermine it. He should apologize for those remarks and for the perception they may have created."
Said Simpson: "It is absolutely irresponsible to say such inflammatory things, especially for someone who seeks to be a leader in Idaho. I know our great state is filled with people who do not share Rex Rammell’s views and we should not let isolated situations dictate how our state is perceived. Our citizens are innovative, progressive, and charitable. Look at any community in Idaho and you will find people who help their neighbors without hesitation, regardless of race."
Added Risch: "I disgree often with the President and his policies. But the comment was totally unacceptable and should not have been made. The comment does not accurately reflect the respect the people of Idaho have for the Office of President and our constitutional form of government."
. . . . .
As for whether Rammell may be hearing from law enforcement, an FBI spokeswoman in Salt Lake City declined comment Friday morning, saying the agency neither confirms or denies investigations.
Asked whether he had been contacted by law enforcement, Rammell e-mailed the Statesman, writing, "Yes; the CIA contacted me. They said the FBI was getting a lot of chatter about the incident and it appeared the spin was getting out of control."
http://www.idahostatesman.com/...