Republican Colorado House Minority Leader Patrick Neville actually used the tragic shooting of his Republican colleague, Rep. Scalise, in Virginia Wednesday to raise funds. Here’s the email that Neville sent:
Unruly protesters trashing Civic Center Park and clashing with cops in the streets.
Mock beheadings of President Trump by Kathy Griffin.
And now an ASSASSINATION attempt on Republican lawmakers!
The hate-inspired violent rhetoric against conservatives and Republicans was already at an all-time fever pitch before today, but now it just got very real.
The left is out of control. Their violent actions are un-American, and it needs to stop!
Earlier today, a radical anti-trump protester opened fire on Republican staff and lawmakers at a practice for the congressional baseball game in Virginia…
Today’s attack is tantamount to political terrorism aimed at shutting up Conservatives, Republicans, and Americans like you. [my emphasis]
Frankly, I lay the blame squarely at the feet of “tolerance-preaching progressives” and their accomplices in the media who allowed violent rhetoric to get so out of control. [the original email’s emphasis]
I’m talking about so-called “journalists” like Kathy Griffin and other hollywood-elites who incentivize violence against Republicans by staging beheadings and celebrate fictitious assassinations as “artistic expression.”
No wonder why the socialist piece of trash who tried to kill Republican lawmakers today thought his deranged actions were justified…
Here’s what you can do to help:
First, join me in praying for a speedy recovery for Congressman Scalise and the staff and law enforcement who were wounded in today’s attack.
Second, join me in calling on the media to denounce horrific attacks like this and to call for an end to the violent political rhetoric on the left that they’ve inspired.
Finally, if you can, please show us that you’re not backing down by chipping-in $50 or $25 to Colorado Liberty PAC today so we can retake the State House in 2018. [the original email’s emphasis]
Your contribution today will help us advance our conservative values through passionate and peaceful civil discourse that makes our country great.
For Freedom,
Patrick Neville
Republican Leader
Colorado House of Representatives
Then Neville actually defending this later in the day yesterday on television. He identified himself as a Columbine Student, believe it or not, and said that the primary purpose of the email was not to get money, bold lettering and all.
“I wouldn’t consider it a pure fundraising email,” Neville said. “The main purpose was to encourage people not to be silenced by fear.”
“This issue is a difficult one for me. As a former Columbine student I have experienced a mass shooting and lost friends,” he added. “I also saw political terrorist acts, like this one, used in Iraq as a way to silence the citizens of that country. I never want to see that here in America. I think it is important to stand up against them immediately.”
The best analysis and conclusion on this topic was by a Twitter user and GOP donor, Dave Maney, who tweeted this: