So when did it become popular for republicans to threaten to kill the President?

United States
August 29, 2009 9:43am CST
Since the election, many republicans have made comments or "jokes" about killing Barack Obama. The most recent threat came from a Idaho man running for govenor was at a rally where the discussion about hunting tag for wolfs came up and a man shout about hunting tags for Obama, and Rahhmell said ‘Obama tags? We’d buy some of those,’. The man said he didn't have to appologize because he said it was a "joke". President Obama recieves 30 death threats a day, that is four fold that of the most hated president the country had ever seen: George W. Bush (the numbers are from the secret service). So what does the offical GOP website have to say about these serious threats on the presidents life, by their supporters: "Hey Democrats, They’re Called The American People" (http://www.gop.com/News/NewsRead.aspx?Guid=5d79f62e-2c16-4b94-92ba-1e2d85033882). Do you think that it is fine for people to threaten the life of the president? As I recall republicans didn't like it when Bush's life was threatened, is it now different because there is a democrat in office?
3 people like this
17 responses
@dlr297 (5409)
• United States
29 Aug 09
It is not right to threaten any President, no matter what party that he is from. and doing it as a joke does not make it right.It just shows how ignorant that person is thinking that kind of joke is somehow funny. I do not think that it is right to threaten to kill anyone
4 people like this
• United States
29 Aug 09
dlr, you are 100% correct, and I agree that these people have show their intelligence by their actions, and statements. The sad part is many won't admit they are wrong, because their idols (Rush, Hannity) do the same thing, which gives volitity to someone who might do what they say.
1 person likes this
• United States
30 Aug 09
Carson, I have looked at the RNC website, and I don't see them say one word about all of these threats on the life of the president. So I your party doesn't support this, then why haven't they said anything about it. The silence of the RNC is deafning, and like in the case of George Tiller, one of these wackos is going to try to do something, and then we will have president Joe Biden. How does that sound to you?
@Carson11 (332)
• United States
29 Aug 09
thegreatdebater, You are a very partisan ultra left wing freak. You know 99.999999% of republicans do not support the assassination of Obama. There is always the one in a million nut jobs on both sides that say stupid things. To post the opinions that you do only shows your ignorance. Everyone knows about the horrible things said about Bush. I honestly believe you work for Acorn moveon.org. That's how radical you are. It doesn't matter what Obama does,you always back him up. Your a drone. Try thinking for yourself for once in your life. We already know the liberal talking points,we don't need you to constantly repeat them.
@sblossom (2168)
29 Aug 09
I really feel sad when I read the statement. Why some republican want to kill the president? I think Obama is a very good president. He’s young and active; he wants to improve poor people’s life. I think he’s a legend hero of USA. Without any background he became American president. He proved the American dream. I really like him. I know some people have different political opinions about the policy of American or they don’t like Obama. However Obama was elected by most of American people and is a legal president. So they should respect the result and do their best to support the work of Obama. They can discuss the policies Obama government has, but they have no reason to threaten his life.
4 people like this
• United States
29 Aug 09
He is someone that wants change, and people fear change. Many of the things people fear about his will never happen, but they were told by someone, who was told by someone...... The sad part is that no one from the opposition party has come out to discredit these people, so they feel like what they are saying, and hearing is right. They are talking a page from the Pro Life movement, which tells their followers how bad these people are, and that something needs to be done, and leaves it there. Then when one of their followers DOES THAT then they claim no responsibility for their actions, and try to distance themselves from that person.
1 person likes this
• United States
29 Aug 09
"The Obama admin was already in office a year before on July 2008 at the secret meetings they hold every year on how they will gain more control in the following year. Our vote has nothing to do with Obama getting in." Its, I guess that his is you opinion of what happened. Good luck with that idea.
• United States
29 Aug 09
Bull! Thats just a bunch of crap from an Obama or Democrat supporter. You are just the many deceived and enchanted by the political propaganda from all the politicians. I don't support any party, because they are the ones pitting the American people against each other. The two party system is nothing but a scam put up to push their ideals into the system. Republicans and Democrats are one and the same, just for your entertainment, and the lie of free choice. The Obama admin was already in office a year before on July 2008 at the secret meetings they hold every year on how they will gain more control in the following year. Our vote has nothing to do with Obama getting in.
1 person likes this
@flpoolbum (2978)
• United States
29 Aug 09
It is, of course, ILLEGAL to threaten the life of the President of the United States, no matter who it is. Those who do so, are, in my opinion, displaying a lack of class for even joking about it. As far as George Bush is concerned, the shoes has flown...George Bush will be America's worst president for many many years to come. Nothing can change that! A person would really have to work hard to be more unpopular a President than you were!
2 people like this
• United States
30 Aug 09
I agree that Bush was unliked by many people, including myself. But, I wouldn't threaten to kill him, nor would I sit by and let other people be manipulated into doing it.
• United States
31 Aug 09
If the Secret Service put any stock in any of these comments and/or threats, don't you think they'd do something about it? A lot of idiotic people on both sides of the aisle make thoughtless comments regarding the President. Neither party as a monopoly in this area; and no matter which party is doing it, it's neither funny or acceptable.
2 people like this
• United States
1 Sep 09
6 the difference here is the pure number of threats. The number of threats agains Obama is 400 times more than Bush, and he was about as popular as Karl Rove at a DNC meeting. I don't know if the secret service has investigated this, but I think they should, and I think that the national party should stand up and say something about this. This is part of the reason republicans lost in 2006 - 08
@trisha27 (3494)
• United States
29 Aug 09
Honestly, I figured there would be people threatening the presidents life from the moment that he stepped in office as our president. So, I'm not shocked to hear that his life has been threatened so many times. I believe that it isn't right for anyone I don't care who they are to threaten the presidents life and it shouldn't even be a joke. There are some people that are out there that would take such threats and jokes seriously. Especially when it is directed towards the president. It shouldn't matter whether they like the person or not. So I believe although it was meant as a joke that they should apologize. Its only for the best and the thing is well, if you don't like who is in office now, then when elections come around again, well just don't vote for him and vote for someone else. And until then they will have to deal with him being president for 4 yrs.
@piasabird (1737)
• United States
30 Aug 09
OK, the guy said a stupid thing. Stupid! In fact I can't believe how stupid. It just enforces the idea that both political parties are bad.
• United States
30 Aug 09
I am amazed that the republican party hasn't offically said a word about this. It amazes me that the head of a party would allow members to say things like this, and do nothing abou it. I just shows how lost they are, and their leadership.
• United States
30 Aug 09
Piasa, this is a man that is a proud REPUBLICAN. He said something that was not approprate, and he should have appologized for that, but he hasn't and won't (his words not mine). The RNC should come out and either defend the man, or distance themselfs from it. If they say nothing, then they are showing support for these acts by their members, and it will hurt their part like it did in the last election.
@jonakyl (493)
• United States
29 Aug 09
It shouldn't be acceptable. This is another case of 'if it was okay for the last party to do it, it must be okay for me to do it.' Both parties are guilty of this, and we really need to get both parties to stop it. I fully support free speech. But just like you shouldn't yell fire in a crowded theater, you shouldn't advocate the murder of any individual (regardless of the rank of their office.)
3 people like this
• United States
29 Aug 09
jon, I agree with you 100%, I personally didn't like Bush at all, but I would never say that killing him was a good idea (and not just because Cheney would be president). I am sure that there were many threats on Bush Jr.'s life, but I don't recall this many, and by members of the Democratic party. I was surprised to see the lack of response by the RNC.
1 person likes this
@piasabird (1737)
• United States
29 Aug 09
OMG! The comment about Cheney becoming president if something had happened to Bush just made me think. If something happens to Obama that idiot Biden will become president and that just can't happen!!!
1 person likes this
@xfahctor (14118)
• Lancaster, New Hampshire
29 Aug 09
and if that happens, for the loev of god put Biden in a heavily protected and guarded steel and concrete bunker for the rest of his term because PELOSI is next in line.
2 people like this
@missybal (4490)
• United States
30 Aug 09
OH PLEASE!!!! There are an equal number of nut jobs on both sides! As much as I don't like Obama I would not wish him to be killed, I want him to live to see the horrible consequences of his actions as president, and feel the stress and pain he's inflicting on the American Citizens.
1 person likes this
@missybal (4490)
• United States
30 Aug 09
The Similarities between Lee Harvey Oswald and Obama is truly worry some... The abandonment issues with both of their mother and father, the Marxist beliefs that each adopted from reading, the Socialist ideology they both share. Lets just hope that the nut job in the presidency doesn't succeed in changing America!
• United States
30 Aug 09
Missy, you are correct that there are a lot of "nut jobs" out there. But, it only takes one to change the world, remember Lee Harvey Oswald?
@Carson11 (332)
• United States
30 Aug 09
JFK believed in a strong defense and cutting taxes. I have no problem with him.
@anniepa (27955)
• United States
29 Aug 09
It's a new world we're living in today, debater. During the campaign I go taken to task BIG TIME for writing that we didn't like to use "the A-word". You know how it goes - I'm so PC and we're all supposed to be so sensitive now that we may have a black President, ya-da-ya-da. Please forgive me but I don't like to say it, I don't like to think it! I was young but I remember the JFK, RFK and MLK assassinations very clearly and I don't want to repeat those memories in any way. It really makes me laugh in these types of discussions when the very same people who complain if anyone brings up Bush or the GOP when they're posting their attack pieces on the current Administration and Congress immediately mention the attacks and threats on Bush. By the way, have you heard of the California Congressman who told a man at his town hall meeting who proudly identified himself as a "terrorist" that he's a "great American"? Annie
1 person likes this
@anniepa (27955)
• United States
29 Aug 09
Of course you're referring to the report prepared under the Bush Administration, right? I'm sorry, "terrorist" isn't a word that should be bandied about lightly. I think everyone here who has commented on this issue knows the report didn't accuse all veterans of being extremists, they pointed out that according to their intelligence it was possible recently returning veterans could be targeted by terror groups for recruitment. There was also a report warning of "left-wing extremists". Annie
1 person likes this
@xfahctor (14118)
• Lancaster, New Hampshire
29 Aug 09
Hey...I'm a terrorist and IM proud too.....well, I am at least according to the department of homeland security.....which was why the congressman made that statement, it was sarcasm based on that whole deal, oh, according to the department of homeland security, another sitting congressman, one named specificly, Ron Paul, is one too.
2 people like this
@piasabird (1737)
• United States
29 Aug 09
"By the way, have you heard of the California Congressman who told a man at his town hall meeting who proudly identified himself as a "terrorist" that he's a "great American"?" Department of Homeland Security Calls Military Veterans "terrorist!" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-KbwiMJ74Bw U.S. Homeland Security's "Bizarre" Warning http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oaqarQ78ZSs&feature=related And this is one is a really good one! A must see. Government and Liberty - Right Wing Extremism http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cUERAfO-P6g&feature=related The man who proudly identified himself as a terrorist could have meant that he is a veteran. In that case he probably is a great American.
1 person likes this
@xfahctor (14118)
• Lancaster, New Hampshire
29 Aug 09
Stretching things a bit aren't you? I didn't see a single reference in the link you gave to assasination jokes, not one. Taking a page from the main stream media I see and spinning the krap out of and extrapolating things to make a point out of something that isn't a point. "jokes" about assasination are anything but jokes, I don't care how much I disagrea with a president, senator or dog catcher, it isn't funny and it isn't helpfull to the larger cause. It is pathetic and boorish. I am now however going to pull a tactic that seems to be popualar with the current ruling crowd......where were YOU debator, when people were joking about assasinating bush? Show me ONE thread where you critisized such "jokes" when they were made by YOUR side.
1 person likes this
• United States
29 Aug 09
X, you know better than that, why do you get a hunting licence or "tag" in this case? Are you trying to meet the wolf, and say hi, maybe buy him a drink at the bar? The man said that he would buy a tag to hunt the president of the Untied States. Could you imagine if this comment was by Ahmadinejad? Would you still think it was funny, and laugh about it. How about Bin Laden? X, I didn't hear anyone talking about that because that would put Cheney in charge, and NO ONE WANTED THAT. Everytime I hear anyone even going that route I reminded them of this, and they shut up real quick. I was far from a supporter of Bush, and I didn't agree with him 99.8% of the time. But I disagreed with Cheney 100% of the time, and knew the world would never survive Cheney being in charge. I don't ever remember anyone posting anything on here where they talked about killing Bush, and I don't recall ever responding to any. The question I have for you X is, would it be ok for someone in your community to joke about buying a tag to hunt you? Would you fear for your families life, and your own? By taking the stance you are right now, you are opening yourself up for that, which I don't think is in anyones best interest. I have told you many times, that I think that you are very intelligent, and would be a great leader, but would people threating your life, or your families life make you think twice about running for office?
1 person likes this
• United States
29 Aug 09
It goes with the territory, with every President that there will always be threats. The CIA and FBI will take out anyone who goes against the Illuminati and the plan they are hatching including the President. JFK was just one of them, because the Kennedy Clan was getting to big for their positions. Read my other blogs and you will find other news that you never heard about.
• United States
29 Aug 09
SecretSocieties.net suppressedminds.com/?p=482
@Rollo1 (16679)
• Boston, Massachusetts
29 Aug 09
Anybody who jokes about killing the president is just inviting a visit from the Secret Service. I don't think people who kill presidents are persuaded to do so because they heard a joke about it but it's still wrong to joke about killing anyone, most assuredly about killing the president. As piasabird pointed out, they made a whole movie about killing George Bush, the only time anyone has ever named a real president in an assassination movie unless it was historical. I think that's more likely to influence a crazy than a joke. Still, neither is acceptable in my view. But as usual, you don't stick to the incident in question but expand to suddenly include all republicans and even suggest that killing the president is on the party platform with nothing to back that up. There's nothing on your link that supports the idea that the GOP is encouraging threats against the president's life. "Since the election, many republicans have made comments or "jokes" about killing Barack Obama." Name five.
1 person likes this
@Taskr36 (13963)
• United States
30 Aug 09
Don't be ridiculous, to liberals 1 can be many. Of course 53% is a minority if they oppose the health care bill. It's all in the book of liberal math.
@Rollo1 (16679)
• Boston, Massachusetts
30 Aug 09
Debater, if you know how many have said ON HERE that they didn't support Bush then you tell me. I don't actually keep a count of things like that, perhaps you do. But more importantly, what has that got to do with your original post or my response to it? That's the same reason I won't discuss Tiller here, because it is another topic. It has nothing to do with your original contention that many Republicans are making jokes about killing the president or commenting that they would welcome his assassination in a positive light. Basically, I know how this works. You make outrageous claims, they are shown to be without support in truth or fact, so you go on to some other outrageous claim - ever leading us through twisted paths of unrelated and illogical arguments. I t keeps things lively, and it keeps tempers flared, but it's completely unproductive. If you want to post discussions about Tiller, the number of Republicans who did or did not support Bush, talk radio or Bill O'Reilly, I will respond to each of those separately. You said "Since the election, many republicans have made comments or "jokes" about killing Barack Obama." You have not proved that assertion.
@quinnkl (1667)
• United States
8 Sep 09
Again, this attests to the shameful prejudice we still have in this country. It really angers me that people can say these things aloud and say it was just a joke. It isn't funny, guy! And I would think because of the threats the President and his family (for not reason than the fact that he is in the white house) receive would be reason enough for the Secret Service to be talking to anyone who made these types of comments. And anyone who states things like this publically should be taken to task for it. If ANY of us would have publically threatened Bush we would be in jail!!!!
1 person likes this
@cupkitties (7421)
• United States
30 Aug 09
That threat does not surprise me coming from Republicans.
1 person likes this
@xfahctor (14118)
• Lancaster, New Hampshire
30 Aug 09
And again Debator, the programming successfully working. See what I have been talking about?
• United States
29 Aug 09
Well all the hype about Democrats and Republicans are just a game that the secret societies are telling you. What makes the SUPER rich so high above the people, that we can't live in this world without them running it. They set up this monetary system, that promotes debt and borrowing, not being smart and paying for only what you can afford. They have been sending secret messages in all the commercials, that put subliminal thoughts to buy,buy,buy,borrow,borrow,borrow. Don't you see what they are doing to you? There is no We the people anymore, and we continue to believe it anyway, why? Because sublimely we are being bombarded with commercials on every media they can think of. Get your neighbors and family together and start a think tank, and ask yourselves the questions that mean something to all of you, and I'll bet everything that the government does, is against what you all see as the problems of the government. Learn for yourselves the truth.
@tdemex (3540)
• United States
29 Aug 09
wow!
• United States
30 Aug 09
I know right? and if you play Dairy Queen commercials back wards, theres some magical hidden secret message from hell.
1 person likes this
• Canada
29 Aug 09
Speaking of secret societies ... http://www.mylot.com/w/discussions/2117981.aspx
• United States
29 Aug 09
I feel it is not ok. Bitter republicans are just a bunch of haters. Whether you like it or not Barack Obama is our president. Deal with it!
2 people like this
@xfahctor (14118)
• Lancaster, New Hampshire
29 Aug 09
and see, debator? some of that programming I am always talking about in full brilliant display here.
1 person likes this
• United States
30 Aug 09
I do not find a joke about killing any human being funny regardless of who he is or what he does with the exception of murderers they deserve to die.
@aerous (13434)
• Philippines
30 Aug 09
That is not joke for the President. Because we talk about life here. This is a new thing for me my friend. I didn't hear that from T.V. or any news media organization? I think the republican should shut up in telling that funny things. Because were talking about life. Most especially the life of the President. We all know that there are people disapprove Obama's being the President of the United State of America but that is politics. Have a nice day!
@andy77e (5156)
• United States
30 Aug 09
Likely about the same time that Democrats did the same thing. Funny how when Democrats tie a noose around a picture of Palin, that is just a joke. But when Republicans do it... oh that's horrible! Hypocrite.