And pretty badly too--every major political figure in the state.
McJoan's front page diary yesterday about Rammell's "Obama tag" comments generated a large amount of discussion and cries of anger directed at the Idaho GOP.
Well, it didn't take the Idaho GOP to respond.
From the Idaho Statesman
Idaho GOP leaders condemn Rammell
Some more detail from KTVB (News station out of Boise)
KTVB
Senator Mike Crapo
Rex Rammell's comments are in very poor taste and should not have been said. Remarks like these should not even be made jokingly.
Governor C.L. "Butch" Otter
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.
Senator Jim 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
Representative Mike 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.
Former Republican governor Phil Batt (who spent a great deal of time and energy in getting rid of the racists in northern Idaho).
I think those are absolutely irresponsible statements. Totally irresponsible, maybe criminal. You’re not allowed to threaten the president, with good reason.
And finally, Jonathan Parker (Director of the Idaho GOP)
The Idaho Republican Party does not condone Rex Rammell's comments, whether in jest or not.
Rammell's response?
Anyone who understands the law knows I was just joking, because Idaho has no jurisdiction to issue hunting tags in Washington D.C.
He further compounded his idiocy by saying that Phil Batt should go to jail for allowing the reintroduction of wolves to Idaho, and that Crapo should join him for voting for the Omnibus Public Lands Act of 2009.
It's nice to see this kind of unanimous response to this criminal behavior. If other states' GOP officials responded as quickly to lunacy like this. The backlash against Rammell is truly profound.