Local GOP County Chair, Compares Obama Supporter To Someone 'Mentally Retarded'

www.huffingtonpost.com...

A long-time Pennsylvania GOP official reportedly earned a warm reception Tuesday for comparing a supporter of President Obama to someone who is "mentally retarded."

I think this is pretty disgusting if you ask me. I'm just curious what right leaning people on ATS think about comments like this.

"I was in this parking lot and there was a man looking for a space to park, and I found a space for him. And I felt badly -- he looked like he was sort of in distress. And I said, 'Sir, here's a place.' And he said, 'That's a handicapped space.' I said, 'Oh, I'm so sorry, I saw that Obama sticker and I thought you were mentally retarded.'"

Post-Gazette reporter Tim McNulty observed that the crowd "hollered and clapped" in response to the insensitive joke.

So he got laughs and applause from making a comment like this. What does this do for our country? Does this help to bring people together...or does it just give some GOP supporters an excuse to hate on other people because that is what the leaders of the party are doing themselves???

I know there are some here who probably think that this is no big deal, or that it doesn't incite others to be hateful to those who have different political ideologies than others, so I am interested to hear what people think about it.

Do we think we will hear Republicans condemn this type of rhetoric???

reply to post by OutKast Searcher


This is the part the I don't dig:

Post-Gazette reporter Tim McNulty observed that the crowd "hollered and clapped" in response to the insensitive joke.

One county chair guy saying something stupid that reflects poorly on his party is fairly common but, c'mon... the crowd? Reminds me of all the cheering for people dying during the early GOP debates.

I know there are good people in the GOP but we're getting beyond just "a few bad apples" and those apples are getting louder.

Originally posted by OutKast Searcher

Do we think we will hear Republicans condemn this type of rhetoric???

No...The New Republicans appeal to folks lesser selves...Hate, intolerance and always fear.

Like the crowd shouting "let em die!" at the gop debates when asked about the uninsured.

Like the crowd throwing dollar bills and shouting at the paralized vet at the Rally to stop healthcare reform.

It is folks who have a weak voice of conscience and instead give voice to thier basest thoughts....hate, racism, intolerance...they see lack of empathy as a strength.

Alas..I miss genuine conservatives.

Originally posted by OutKast Searcher
Do we think we will hear Republicans condemn this type of rhetoric???

Hasn't the left been smearing its opponents for years?

See post above...

It's not so much fun for the hand wringing liberals when it is done back to them.

Originally posted by ollncasino

Originally posted by OutKast Searcher
Do we think we will hear Republicans condemn this type of rhetoric???

Hasn't the left been smearing its opponents for years?

It's not so much fun for the hand wringing liberals when it is done back to them.

Cue the mock outrage...

That is hillarious...you didn't even realize that the OP was about the GOP crowd gleefully using the "Mentally Retarded" as the punchline of a joke in a political speech.

You just confirmed the OP...

Nothing wrong with mocking handi-capped folks?

Wonder if any in the crowd had any developmentally disabled kids? Or do only liberals have those children?

reply to post by Indigo5

That is hillarious...you didn't even realize that the OP was about the GOP crowd gleefully using the "Mentally Retarded" as the punchline of a joke in a public setting.

You just confirmed the OP...

Nothing wrong with mocking handi-capped folks.

As sick and wrong as this is, it really isnt much better than those on the left using the race card to divide and manipulate people...................Is it?

Oh, it's right down there with the Mitt Romney killed my wife crappy video. Neither side is guiltless. But after all that has happened since 2009/01/20 it does make you think those that still support Obama are suspect in the mental faculty department.

I think anyone who supports Obama, Romney Gingrich, Santorum, Clinton, Bush is mentally retarded, or at the very least mentally deficient. I hope I hurt enough peoples feelings, and I didn't just single one group out. If you want to pick sides and play partisan politics by all means go for it.Oh yeah, there was one group I did leave out. Silly me! The Paul supporters. Although I think they are a bit more informed on issues, they definitely are delusional. To think Paul ever had a chance is beyond me. He never had a chance from the very beginning. I just hope he holds a large rally in Tampa and goes out with a bang.

Do we think we will hear Republicans condemn this type of rhetoric???

Never heard the left ever condemn calling Gop women "sluts" and other names that can't be said on here.

Never heard the left ever condemn calling the GOP racists,stupid,redkneck,.bigots and everything else they come up with.

Pot calling the kettle but wait the left never ever says "anything bad or denigrate people".

Guess people forgot Obams comments on Leno about mentally handicapped people.

Who are we talking about? Jim Roddey? Shouldn't that be in the title as it is in the source material? Let's look a little further. Also from today:

Roddey Apologizes, Democrats Call for Him to Step Down after Controversial Remark

"I was a little surprised,” said Nate Locklin, president of the Ross Township Republican Committee. “Jim likes to tell jokes. That one was a little off. I was a little disappointed. I did not think it was appropriate. Disabilities aren't funny."

On Wednesday afternoon Roddey issued an apology for the remarks.

"I regret my comments," he said. "I have a long record of supporting people with disabilities and should have remembered that before I spoke. My remarks were inappropriate and I apologize."

peters.patch.com...

Sad that a joke can make national attention.

Originally posted by ollncasino

Originally posted by OutKast Searcher
Do we think we will hear Republicans condemn this type of rhetoric???

Hasn't the left been smearing its opponents for years?

It's not so much fun for the hand wringing liberals when it is done back to them.

See post above...

edit on 8-8-2012 by ollncasino because: (no reason given)

Yup, wasn't too long ago that the left was saying Republicans were something to the effect of gun loving racist, red-necks.

Originally posted by Indigo5
That is hillarious...you didn't even realize that the OP was about the GOP crowd gleefully using the "Mentally Retarded" as the punchline of a joke in a political speech.

Did you miss the post above mine in which Republicans were branded as hateful, racist, intolerant, lacking empathy and fearful?

Introspection obviously isn't a liberal virtue.

reply to post by ollncasino

Did you miss the post above mine in which Republicans were branded as hateful, racist, intolerant, lacking empathy and fearful?

If someone says a hateful, racist and intolerant statement...is it wrong to call them out about it???

Are you telling me that if Person A makes a racist statement, and then Person B calls them out for being a racists...that those two people are equally wrong???

Originally posted by Bramble Iceshimmer
Oh, it's right down there with the Mitt Romney killed my wife crappy video. Neither side is guiltless. But after all that has happened since 2009/01/20 it does make you think those that still support Obama are suspect in the mental faculty department.

And what all has happened that you would find it necessary to say Obama supporters are mentally impaired???

I'd love to know...since I support Obama.

Originally posted by Indigo5
That is hillarious...you didn't even realize that the OP was about the GOP crowd gleefully using the "Mentally Retarded" as the punchline of a joke in a political speech.

You just confirmed the OP...

Nothing wrong with mocking handi-capped folks?

Wonder if any in the crowd had any developmentally disabled kids? Or do only liberals have those children?

edit on 8-8-2012 by Indigo5 because: (no reason given)

edit on 8-8-2012 by Indigo5 because: (no reason given)

So then I take it you were just as outraged when obama mocked the Special Olympics on the Jay Leno show, right? Or was that ok and the PC outrage is aimed only at Republicans?

This comment may have been in poor taste, but both sides of the political spectrum are not immune to saying dumb things.

What's important is that we protect this man''s right to say what he did and let public opinion take care of the rest.

reply to post by Chance321

So then I take it you were just as outraged when obama mocked the Special Olympics on the Jay Leno show, right? Or was that ok and the PC outrage is aimed only at Republicans?

Obama mocked himself...not the other parties supporters.

And yes, people were outraged...and Obama apologized.


But do you honestly not see the difference between Obama making fun of himself and a Republican party leader calling the opposition retarded???

Originally posted by OutKast Searcher
If someone says a hateful, racist and intolerant statement...is it wrong to call them out about it???

Are you telling me that if Person A makes a racist statement, and then Person B calls them out for being a racists...that those two people are equally wrong???

Anyone who calls Republicans hateful, racist, intolerant, lacking empathy and fearful and yet fails to see the irony of accusing Republicans of smearing their opponents is, well, arguably somewhat mentally challenged.

Originally posted by OutKast Searcher
And yes, people were outraged...and Obama apologized.

So did Roddey. Did you miss my post?

ETA: This was just a local guy. Not the POTUS.