Of all people, the Arizona Republicans want to stop Democrat Mark Kelly "dead in his tracks."

[DFW]

The state party chairman stated that as the state party's goal--and I doubt it was a careless use of words. Let me rephrase that: you will NEVER convince me it was a careless use of words.

As we all know, Mark Kelly's wife, Gabby Giffords, native daughter of Tucson and former dynamic member of the House of Representatives, was shot in the head and permanently disabled by a gunman at an open meeting in January, 2011. So, now the head of the Arizona Republicans uses a phrase undoubtedly meant to inspire another gun nut to finish off the as-yet-unwounded half of the couple ("oh, no, I only meant it figuratively, wink wink" ). Not coincidentally, Mark is running for John McCain's Senate seat as a Democrat, and his chances look good. It is up for election next year. As a former astronaut, as well as Gabby's husband, he is hardly unknown in Arizona.

Mark must be scaring the living shit out of the Arizona Republicans for their chair to be coming out with not-so-subtle calls for someone to do to Mark what was done to Gabby. That no Republican has yet made any kind of public call for the State party to use different language is indication enough that they sympathize with the sentiments of their party chair--not exactly comforting, but at least leaving no doubt where their true sentiments ( and, conceivably, intentions) lie.

[Cirque du So-What]

1. A bald-faced appeal to deplorables and their murderous fantasies

I believe the only thing that will turn the tide is an increasing number of lengthy prison terms for those who make threats or otherwise act out in a terroristic manner.

[DFW]

4. One would have thought incitement to murder was already a crime

But of course, after the fact, the Republicans will claim, "oh, we never meant it literally!" It would probably come before a Trump-appointed judge who would agree completely.

[Zambero]

6. It will be taken literally by many. That's what matters.

In this day and age, plausible deniability has its limits, given the heavily armed crazies who are ready, willing, and eager to obey commands actual or perceived.

[DFW]

7. If this was as carefully as thought-out as I think it was

The Arizona Republicans will have had their legal counsel consider all consequences before using it in their public mailer. They would never have used it if they thought they could be held legally liable if some nut case takes their exhortion literally (as several are probably contemplating already, thus fulfilling their true thoughts and prayers).

[Takket]

2. When a dog whistle is actually a bullhorn

[dchill]

10. Exactly.

[dalton99a]

3. And it was in an official fundraising email.

Not any kind of verbal gaffe

[DFW]

5. The words were carefully chosen.

They were appealing to people who would take it figuratively, as well as to those few (they no doubt hope) that would take it as literally as it was meant (i.e. completely).

That way, they can claim to be as horrified as we are when someone makes the attempt, and still be as pleased as they will really be when it happens. They know as well as we do what they are up to.

[grantcart]

12. Kelli Ward has never carefully chosen her words with care

When McSally gently criticized Trump Ward on Tariffs Ward told her to "be quiet" and never publicly disagree with Trump on anything (a particularly stupid thing to say in AZ where voters want independent representatives).

Ward didn't intend to send a message of violence, just too stupid to see that it would be hurtful and could trigger the same type of lunatic that attacked Giffords.

Ward is nuts and has never chosen her words with any type of rational process or care.

[usaf-vet]

14. Frank Luntz?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frank_Luntz

[DFW]

16. I happen to have met Luntz quite a few times. This is not his style.

He is slimy, but he is also wicked smart. He would NEVER leave himself open to anything like this.

This is baser instincts at work. Luntz has made himself an absolute fortune as a Republican propagandist. He wouldn't come close to risking being an accomplice to a murder attempt, and after Gabby, he wouldn't have touched this.

[usaf-vet]

18. His fingerprints might not be on this exact phrase.

But his teachings by example of bending (wordsmithing) the truth to win at any cost has IMO led to this.

[DFW]

24. Well, I have never known him to ever have been burdened by a conscience

But I haven't seen him in a few years, either, and don't know 1.) how he feels about the current situation or 2.) to what extent he feels it is his doing.

[democrank]

8. A despicable choice of words

representing a political party that willingly supports fascists and betrays its country.

[cstanleytech]

9. Assuming you are right and its not a case simply of a poor choice of words my guess is

that if it should happen they will offer "thoughts and prayers" while popping the corks off bottles of champagne.

[DFW]

17. My assessment exactly. n/t

[grantcart]

11. Background

Kelli Ward ( who made the remarks) is head of the crazy like Trump wing of the AZ GOP.

She lost in tbe primary to McSally in part because of her insane conspiracy theories (she sponsored a public hearing on chem trails)

That primary drained McSally's funds and left her low for the general.

A couple of months ago Ward took over the party structure and the first thing she said is that McSally should just shut up and follow whatever Trump says.

McSally is deeply unpopular and has a firm 45% ceiling on her support and that is why an openly bisexual candidate with film of her radical anti war student days was able to win in AZ.

Ward and that wing of the GOP hatred of McSally is so great that they are looking to challenge her in the primary with a young wealthy businessman.

Mark Kelly is widely admired in AZ.

Kelly could have run and won 2018 but stepped aside for Sinema in a strategy to win 2 races not just one.

If we tetakevthe Senate with 2 Democratic Senators from AZ then a large amount of the credit will go to Kelly/Giffords and the wisdom of running moderate Dems in a red state.

[SCVDem]

15. You said the magic word.

MODERATE.

Mr. Kelley represents old school NRA, the one many of the older members signed up for.

They know he will do what's necessary without crossing the line. No total bans, just common sense legislation and I believe he supports buy backs.

He won't win the majority of the gun humpers, just the sane ones who have a weapon and not a phallic symbol. See the pic of Melania on the airplane wing. 2nd amendment soft porn.

The tRump worshipers must be driven out. The glorification of military style designs ended and mags over 4 banned. Are you really a hunter? How bad a shot are you?

I would allow a licensed shooting range to rent exotics. Extended mags, 50 Cal rifles, flame throwers and even machine guns. All that ammo would be expensive. Let people get their jollies on a legal facility where they can indulge their fantasies. Everything stays in the armory.

Moderate.

[Cracklin Charlie]

13. Disturbing statement.

Something wrong with some people.

[Mc Mike]

19. Repugs always murder mouth threats of civil war. And always rile up their loonier gun nut fanbase

members with violent rhetoric. Always claim that violent rhetoric has no influence on their members, unlike violent video games or movies or tv or rap music, which are all causes for violence.

Also, any critique of their violent rhetoric is something they angrily claim could trigger violence against them. Critique of them is very influential and dangerous 'violence inducing rhetoric'.

And they scream and cry about 'blood libel' if someone points those facts out to them.

[keithbvadu2]

20. Sarah Palin had an ad about Gabby Giffords

?w=800&h

[Harker]

21. +1...

The Brownshirts are getting desperate.

[SansACause]

22. I send him $25/month

I don't live in Arizona, but I want him to win so badly that I donate monthly to his campaign.

[DFW]

23. I gave him a big lump sum.

I was on the phone with him for about half an hour, and I knew he would ask for a contribution sooner or later. We have known each other for years, so he didn't bother with a hard sell. But he timidly (not his usual nature!) asked for a sum so modest, I doubled it. Like you, I consider his race one of the most important of the whole 2020 Senate races. To flip the seats of both Flake and McCain in such a short time would be a powerful national message.