Indiana GOP Party takes down Obama punching bag

This punching bag depicting President Barack Obama was on display at the Republican tent Wednesday, July 18, 2012 at the Delaware County Fair in Muncie, Ind. The punching bag will not be displayed any longer after members of the public, including some there for Democrat Night at the fair and at least one Republican, raised concerns with Republicans manning the GOP tent. / Keith Roysdon,AP Photo/The Star Press

(CBS/AP) MUNCIE, Ind. - A punching bag depicting President Barack Obama as a boxer with a black eye has been removed from the Republican Party tent at an Indiana fair after some fairgoers complained.

Delaware County GOP spokesman Tom Bennington tells The Star Press he thinks the bag was placed outside the tent by party leaders. It was displayed at various times Monday through Wednesday at the fair in Muncie, about 50 miles northeast of Indianapolis.

He says the bag was "meant in fun" to illustrate that Republicans hope to defeat Obama in November, but he found it "mildly offensive" because of how it portrayed the military's commander in chief. It was removed after fair visitors — including at least one Republican — voiced concerns.

It's not the first time people have complained about political spirit crossing the line. In May, Republican South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley became a similar target for a game when a picture of her face was taped to a pinata at a picnic. South Carolina AFL-CIO president Debbie Dewitt was videotaped bashing the pinata with a baseball bat in a clip that was posted on YouTube and reposted by the governor on her Facebook page.

Dewitt then told the National Journal it was "all in fun." The labor organization has long struggled with Gov. Haley, who has likened unions to thugs.

[intonews]

DOLTS..........The dumbing down of America. A divided America is a lost America. Respect has faultered.

[jwilsonte5]

Now you gotta remeber Study shows that republicians have lowest IQ's and get around Ala. tenn. Ind. education system is worst in country so this is childish to most of us but the W.Va. mind is alive and well in rep.party . Little kids know this is just wrong in the real world of right and wrong !! Grow up losers

[sdberrym]

You want to talk about Republicans in Indiana not being very smart. This is really funny coming from someone who can't write proper english or even freaking spell it. You need to grow up and I am sure it was just done in fun, but you also need to understand the your Dem. president will be gone in November.

[mbsfca]

ANOTHER CRAZY VIOLENT RIGHT-WING EXTREMIST!!

Mocking and trashing someone is one thing, but when a person relates to ANY type of violent connotation, that is crossing the line!

Irregardless of the supporting or opposing views, violence is never the answer, unless of course, intelligence is non-existent.

[realpatriot1776]

what a childish display of mature adults to think someone so thin skinned as to say this punching bag is an attack on Obama, and that they took it down to appease some group ? where is the spirit of humor, is Obama so out of touch he believes that is funny item is to Conservative I think I would like to clobber the thing just to see it bounce, vote for freedom in November not "Political Correctness", ***>Romney-2012<******>Romney-2012<******>Romney-2012<******>Romney-2012<******>Romney-2012<******>Romney-2012<******>Romney-2012<******>Romney-2012<******>Romney-2012<******>Romney-2012<******>Romney-2012<******>Romney-2012<******>Romney-2012<******>Romney-2012<******>Romney-2012<******>Romney-2012<******>Romney-2012<******>Romney-2012<******>Romney-2012<******>Romney-2012<***

[jwilsonte5]

realpatroit 1776 OMG name you must be a upstanding person HAHAHAHA just kidding ,Just cries of over the hill gang LOL

[maJag]

Anyone mature enough to vote isn't really affected in either direction by this punching bag thing.

[BigMykul]

I don't give a rodents posterior whose fault it is. What is with this kindergarten game, it's his fault, he started it...blah, blah blah...sheesh. Can we be mature for a bit and try to get the problems that are currently ripping our country apart fixed? Please!

[tvwatcher5345]

i'm not a big fan of it, but i don't think it is that bad, i mean after bush got a shoes thrown at him, people were outside the white house throwing shoes at a bush figure, so i think obama can take this in stride on his way to re-election

[mmaxwell1979]

I am absolutely appalled to learn that the leadership of MY local republican party authorized and sanctioned the use of a punching bag depicting the President of the United States during the Delaware County Fair. As a life-long Republican it disappoints me and upsets me that the current leadership made such a serious lapse in judgment.?

Regardless whether it was an image of me, Osama Bin Laden, the President of the United States or Jesus Christ...never should it be acceptable to put the image of any human being on a punching bag, bulls-eye or any other target. This type of side-show exhibit invites and endorses violence, hatred, intolerance and is simply wrong. Not to say what this teaches our young people about acceptance and understanding of those we disagree with.?

This type of behavior does NOT reflect the conservative values that make up who and what I am and the Republican Party of this city, county and our country. In light of how our immediate past Mayor was treated publicly, verbally and physically threatened, booed in public...it is reprehensible that the party chair would endorse this type of behavior. I have always been a vocal advocate of civility, regardless of my political affiliation. A basic foundation of our democratic system is exercising the right to disagree. There are a number of issues of which I disagree with the President on as there are with my own party. However, never should it be acceptable for me to disrespect the office of an elected official and certainly not simulate punching him in the face!!

The individuals that came up with this idea should be ashamed of themselves. The leaders that authorized this embarrassing and appalling exhibit should immediately issue a public apology. Additionally they should seriously consider their role as a leader and ability to represent and lead the local party. I want to make it clear that this behavior does NOT represent the values of the Republican Party rather that of a few individuals lacking a functioning moral filter.

Respectfully submitted,

Micah A Maxwell
Committeeman,?Precinct 12
Resident, City Of Muncie

[Eco99]

Great post Maxwell. We may disagree on policy but decency should be a value held high by everyone. I wish more people no matter what their political affiliation were like you.

[simon1549]

Not to worry that dummy is covered by Obama care. In fact because of his income level iI think he's getting a 100% subsidy to buy his insurance.

[simon1549]

Wish I could have kicked it in the balls. That's what he really deserves.