LCRC’s Bullet-holed Obama Zombie Irks Some in GOP

UPDATE: COMMENTS CONTINUE

UPDATE: CHAIRMAN YORK WEIGHS IN [See additions in italics.]

The Loudoun County Republican Committee recently distributed an animated image of President Barack Obama in which he looks like a zombie with a bullet wound in his forehead that has offended members local Republicans as well as the state GOP.

Certainly the Republican Party of Virginia does not support Obama or most of his policies, but the image irked the state organization, according a story in The Washington Post's Virginia Politics blog today. Local blogger Loudoun Insider first raised concerns on the blog Too Conservative, calling the image “DISGUSTING AND SHAMEFUL” and questioning whether it should be sent to the U.S. Secret Service.

According to the Washington Post story, RPV Chairman Pat Mullins called the image “disgusting,” while Gov. Bob McDonnell, through a spokesman, said it was  “shameful and offensive.”

Loudoun County Chairman Scott K. York – elected as an Independent, but running this year as a Republican – offered the following response on Nov. 1.

“I am appalled by and condemn the offensive image of President Obama that was used in a satirical piece of political campaign literature.  This violates the boundaries of propriety and civility that thoughtful and respectful public and political discourse demand.  All of us—Republicans, Democrats, and Independents—must hold ourselves to the high standards of deportment and decency that our society expects.”  

The image was part of a collage, which also included a digitized and unflattering image of Nancy Pelosi, was part of an email about the GOP committee’s participation in a local Halloween parade. The message was distributed at 1:40 a.m. Oct. 31.

“We are going to vanquish the zombies with clear thinking conservative principles and a truckload of Republican candy,” the email read, in part.

At 4:16 p.m., LCRC Chairman Mark Sell released the following statement: "The Loudoun County Republican Committee yesterday sent an email to its members that represented a light-hearted attempt to inject satire humor into the Halloween holiday.  Apparently, some individuals have interpreted an image of Barack Obama that appeared within the email as intending to portray the President as a victim of a violent crime.  Nothing could be further from the truth, and we deeply and sincerely apologize to the President and anyone who viewed the image if that was the impression that was left. The LCRC deplores any effort to display, suggest or promote violence against the President or any other political figure."

Latest to comment:

Sheriff's candidate Mike Chapman (R):

Yesterday, the Loudoun County Republican Committee (LCRC) sent out an e-mail that was totally inappropriate and offensive to advertise the annual Halloween Parade in Leesburg. I do not support that and it has no place in politics, ever. I was disapppointed to see this type of message from the LCRC and believe it was not acceptable in any way. Those involved need to offer a sincere apology and regret, and give an explanantion to our community about the reckless and inappropriate message put out.  This was clearly the wrong message, and one I hope to never see again from any political party, elected official or candidate in the future.