Sullivan regrets comment about "killing" senators

Oklahoma Republican Rep. John Sullivan has apologized for an "off the cuff" comment that he would have to kill senators in order to convince the Senate to pass the House budget.

TPM obtained audio (at left) of Sullivan telling constituents at what the outlet said was a town hall meeting in Bixby, Oklahoma on Wednesday about his frustrations that the budget passed by the GOP-led House did not have a chance of passage in the Senate, controlled by Democrats.

After saying he would "love" to get senators to listen to him and vote for the bill, Sullivan said this: "You know, but other than me going over there with a gun and holding it to their head and maybe killing a couple of them, I don't think they're going to listen unless they get beat."

Sullivan spokesperson Vaughn Jennings told Hotsheet that Sullivan "was speaking off the cuff and used a poor choice of words to make his point. He regrets saying it, and has sincerely apologized for doing so."

The official statement from Jennings is below:

"The congressman offers his sincere apologies to anyone he offended and for using a poor choice of words to make his point - which was that Senate Democrats are refusing to pass a budget or even vote on the 28 House passed jobs bills. Millions of American's are hurting - the Congressman feels their pain, and does not want his comments to deflect attention away the serious issues our country faces today, and he certainly does not condone any form of violence as a means to fix what is broken in Washington."

[karangell]

This guy is (embarassingly) the representative of my Congressional district and in my opinion, he has to RESIGN! He does NOT represent me nor my views in any way, shape or form. If any of us "normal" people threatened members of Congress as he did, we would be locked up and talking to Homeland Security along with our family and friends! Sullivan - RESIGN!

[lg144]

Oklahoma Republican Rep. John Sullivan is quite representative of of the cancer killing America which is the republicans and their party. They have shown brazen disregard and hatred for America and Americans. They don't deserve holding public office as it is clear they only want to be their to screw up government and protect big oil, corporations and the wealthy.

[AttyFAM]

Didn't this idiot just commit a federal crime? Where is the FBI in this?

[tsigili]

The problem is......Harry Reid stops all House legislation from even being brought up for discussion. Then the democrats accuse the GOP of being the problem in Congress.

The democrats ARE the problem in Congress, and Obama is personally telling Reid what to do. Reid is nothing but an Obama puppet, allowing Obama to control Congress, from the WH. A violation of the separation of the branches.

[reality_sanity]

Many Republican House proposals were voted down in the Senate. Meanwhile the Republicans in the Senate refuse Obama's nominees the same UP and Down vote they demanded for Bush's appointees.

[tvwatcher5345]

he should watch what he says, hasn't the Good Lord punished his state already with enough drought and pestilence (see US drought monitor on how the Good Lord makes red states really red, God love it)

[myth1958]

We are just a hop, skip and a jump from fascism, when right-wing fantasies like this are played out in real life. Oklahoma is 'OK' with what this representative of theirs just said? Political disagreements cannot fuel violence when one side loses a vote, or an election. Or we will descend to the level of our weakest neighbors.

[DebbieCorona]

Threats should be arrested. IF he was smart enough once called out to say what he meant then he should have said it that way the first time. An apology without restitution is pointless. An apology on a death threat is not enough to consider the matter complete.

[nearl451]

Censure him.

[reality_sanity]

Actually he deserves a day in court to explain his threats against elected federal officials.

[irreverentasever]

Sullivans and Santorums faces are much the same. They both talk so much crap I want to pin diapers on their mugs.

[js2212]

by parrots7 February 23, 2012 5:20 PM EST
You do realize this is about an ignorant republican rep. ?? Dumb Dumb Repugs !!
________________________________________________________________

And Democraps and Liberals have cornered the market on smarts? Don't make me laugh.

[lincoel]

js.. Looking at the field of Republican presidential candidates, does seem to confirm that the Democrats and Liberals have indeed "cornered the markets on smarts." I think you should cry. It's sad to see the Republican Party disintergrate.

[Ike75]

Maybe they have, maybe they haven't. But this year's crop of losers seem intent on guaranteeing Obama a second term. Romney's practically got the nomination with a boatload of money. Santorum's a doofus that says dumb things and lacks money. Nobody likes Newt.

The best part? Most conservatives don't like Romney! And democrats don't. And most independents don't. It's pretty clear which party has cornered the market on dumb.