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House GOP No. 2: Someone shot at my office
[Updated 1:49 p.m.] A Richmond police spokeswoman confirmed to CNN that a bullet was fired at Rep. Eric Cantor's campaign office.
"We are investigating the circumstance surrounding it," police spokeswoman Karla Peters said. Cantor disclosed the incident to reporters Thursday.
Cantor also accused Democrats of "fanning the flames" of violence by using threats that have been made against Democratic members "as political weapons." Democrats immediately hit back against Cantor's accusation, repeating their allegations that Republicans are at fault.
"We disagree with the charge made by Rep. Cantor today that Democrats are using acts of violence for political gain," said Brad Woodhouse, a spokesman for the Democratic National Committee.
"Let's be clear: calling on Republican leaders who have contributed in part to this anger by wildly mischaracterizing the substance and motives of health reform to condemn these acts is entirely appropriate. Instead distracting from the issue with more attacks, we would again ask Mr. Cantor and other Republicans ... to ratchet down the rhetoric, condemn deplorable behavior and find ways to disagree on these issues without the charged rhetoric that we've been hearing from Republican leaders."
[Posted at 12:33 p.m.] Rep. Eric Cantor, the number two Republican in the House of Representatives, said Thursday that a bullet had been shot through a window at his district office in Richmond, Virginia. He also said he had received threatening messages.
He said he would not publicly release the messages out of concern that doing so would only incite further violence.
He also accused Democratic National Committee Chairman Tim Kaine and Rep. Chris Van Hollen of Maryland - a member of the Democratic House leadership - of "fanning the flames" of violence by using threats that have been made against Democratic members "as political weapons."
"Legitimate threats should be treated as security issues, and they should be dealt with by the appropriate law enforcement officials," Cantor told reporters on Capitol Hill. "It is reckless to use these incidents as media vehicles for political gain. ... Enough is enough. It has to stop."
Cantor, who is Jewish, said he had received numerous threats throughout his career both on account of his religion and his position in the GOP leadership.
More than 10 Democrats have reported trouble since the weekend health care vote, House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, D-Maryland, told reporters on Wednesday.
Windows have been smashed at Democratic offices in at least three states, and federal agents are investigating whether a cut gas line at the home of a Virginia congressman's brother was related to the lawmaker's yes vote.
Democratic congressional leaders have demanded Republicans join them in condemning a spate of threats and vandalism that has followed Sunday's vote on a sweeping overhaul of the U.S. health care system.
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How dare he? I'm sorry "if" that actually happend to Mr. Cantor, but how the hell do you figure this is somehow the Democrates fault? I'm not even saying it's the republicans. But I have heard for months now the likes of Limbaugh and Hannity and Beck screaming revolution. Not to mention the Tea Party Crack Pots. Mr. Cantor is a dispicable person. Both Political parties need to stand together here and condem all acts of violence in relation to this bill. We are supposed to be a civilized society, maybe it's high time we started to act like one!
The Republicans think they can dish it out but when it happens to them they cry like babies. They are the ones who are promoting the violence and should be ashamed at the actions of Palin and Limbaugh who are really the worst instigaters. Besides, why hasn't Rush kept his word and left the country yet? I guess he was just blowing hot air as usual.
I cannot condone violence, but I also can't help but think maybe it's a positive thing that our "representatives" (Democrat and Republican equally) are becoming afraid of the American people. Maybe they will think more before they cast votes...
"When the people fear their government, there is tyranny; when the government fears the people, there is liberty." - Thomas Jefferson
This is what happens when you use extreme, inciteful rhetoric nonstop for so long. The politicians are bringing this onto themselves. Instead of acting like children, maybe they should act like leaders.
As you sow, so shall you reap.
hahahah hahahah i knew, i knew these racists on the right like this moron will come up with some lie, i knew it. i was telling my wife last night, i bet you the republicans will say they too were threaten. hahahahahaha this guy is a liar. lets hear the tape you liar. man . man i wish . how i wish god knows it
Yes, this will solve everything. Lets resort to violence to get a point across. After 8 years of Bush you would think people would have learned by now that that doesn't work! Stupid, irresponsible, and childish. *shakes head*
this is the days of our lives. who said soap opras where done.
Hmmmmmmmm.... sounds a bit politically convenient to me.
Someone tell Cantor and his buddies that you reap what you sow. The Republicans tried to co-opt and use these teabagging idiots for their own purposes but were willfully blind to a "movement" that was often racist in overtone, openly anti-government and often delusional in its beliefs. Cantor and his ilk thought it was a big game, it was fun to them to rile up this rabble and then think they could turn off the spigot when it got too hot. Now they are learning what it means.
This doesn't mean that I believe Cantor because I don't. He reminds me of the kid in school who is resentful of the classmate who has a cast on his arm getting all the attention so he comes in the next day limping as if he's got a problem, too. Pathetic.
You're right Mr. Cantor.."Enough is Enough and it does have to stop." So you and your Republican pals stop your extremist and ridiculous ranting on the passage of the healthcare bill and get on with the business of of the people. You are the ones stirring the pot!
No one should be shot at but I think Mr. Cantor has an obligation to make the threats available to at least law enforcement. The republican party has been home to such a plethora of lies I would not believe a single one of them.
People throwing bricks through the Dems windows, shooting holes in Reps offices, the people that talked about harming Bush, and now Obama, it seems we are very close to the edge.
It reminds me of the ancient Chinese curse, "May you live in interesting times.".
So when a Republican office gets shot at, it's the Democrats fault because the Democratic party member had a threat made against them too?
Are these people on drugs? Seriously, that's not snark. Someone in the Republican party is high on something, prescription or not.
He is lying. Why would he not release the calls so they can be investigated.