Threats and vandalism against Democrats who vote for health reform

Mar 26 2010

USA Today: "The FBI is investigating acts of vandalism and a death threat aimed at Democrats who voted for the health care legislation."  One incident involved Rep. Louise Slaughter, D-N.Y., "who had a prominent role in passing the historic legislation as chairwoman of the House Rules Committee, [and] said a window in a district office was shattered by a brick and a voicemail 'referencing snipers' was left on a campaign office phone." Meanwhile, "Earlier this week, a 'Tea Party' activist posted [Virginia Rep. Tom] Perriello's brother's address on a blog, mistakenly identifying it as the congressman's home and urging readers to 'drop by ... and express their thanks regarding his vote for health care.' ... In Arizona early Monday morning — shortly after the health care bill passed the House — vandals smashed the glass door at the Tucson office of Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, D-Ariz., her office said" (Kelley and Johnson, 3/25).

The Washington Post: "More than 100 House Democrats met behind closed doors Wednesday afternoon with representatives of the FBI and the U.S. Capitol Police. ... Usually only the congressional leadership has regular personal protection from the Capitol Police. But at least 10 lawmakers have been offered increased protection by law enforcement agencies, said House Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer (D-Md.)."

"In Wichita, someone broke the window of a county Democratic Party headquarters with a brick that had 'No to Obama' and 'No ObamyCare' written on it. ... Over the next 24 hours, thrown bricks shattered the glass doors and windows of party headquarters from Rochester, N.Y., to Cincinnati" (Rucker, 3/25).

Politico: "Incidents are sprouting up all over the country. ... Rep. Steve Driehaus (D-Ohio) had his address posted on the Internet, with a message from a right-wing blogger asking people to show up at Driehaus's Cincinnati 'mansion' to protest his health care vote" (Sherman, 3/25).

Politico, in a separate story: "Rep. Russ Carnahan (D-Mo.) had a coffin placed 'near his home,' a spokesman said Wednesday evening. The coffin was from a prayer vigil" (Sherman, 3/25).

Bloomberg BusinessWeek: "Emotions have run high in Washington during debate on the health-care plan. On March 20, lawmakers said Tea Party protesters, who oppose the plan, shouted racial epithets at black House members outside the Capitol. On the House floor, a Republican lawmaker shouted 'baby killer' on March 21 as anti-abortion Michigan Democrat Bart Stupak explained why he decided to vote for the bill" (Rowley, Woellert and Blum, 3/24).

The Miami Herald: "Congressional leaders are usually reluctant to discuss security publicly, but Hoyer spoke out after five days of reported incidents against supporters of the bill House Democrats approved Sunday night. ... Democrats maintain that Republican leaders encouraged the protesters. On Tuesday, GOP Chairman Michael Steele told Fox News, 'so let's start getting (House Speaker) Nancy (Pelosi) ready for the firing line this November!' ... In Florida, that state's Tea Party movement issued a statement saying its leaders 'stand in stark opposition to any person using derogatory characterizations, threats of violence, or disparaging terms towards members of Congress or the president. We do not believe such actions have actually occurred, but nevertheless, we stand united in opposition to such behavior'" (Lightman and Douglas, 3/24).

Roll Call: "GOP leaders defended their record as they offered fresh denunciations of violent threats. 'It is not the American way,' Minority Leader John Boehner (R-Ohio) told Fox News. 'Yes, I know there is anger, but let's take that anger and go out and register people to vote, go volunteer on a political campaign, and let's do it the right way.' And his deputy, Minority Whip Eric Cantor (R-Va.) said party leaders have acted responsibly to disavow extreme reactions to the health care reform overhaul. 'I've already said that no one defends that kind of behavior, and we should not have that kind of behavior,' Cantor told Roll Call. 'We are a civil country, expecting civil discourse. When you engage in racial epithets, when you engage in violence, no one defends that'" (Newmyer and Dennis, 3/25).