The reaction was hard and swift against Republican North Carolina Sen. Richard Burr, who was caught privately "joking" that a picture of Hillary Clinton on the cover of a gun magazine should "have a bullseye on it." As soon as those comments were made public, Burr apologized, but no apology could make up for the fact that he said it. Out loud. When he thought he was among friends. You can't walk that back, Burr.
Here are Gabby Giffords and Mark Kelly, co-founders of the gun violence prevention organization Americans for Responsible Solutions:
“Like Donald Trump’s previous reckless statements, Senator Burr’s comments cross the line from political speech to outright suggestions of violence. They are dangerous. Statements like these are a stain on our politics and an insult to responsible gun owners like us across our country. Along with his record of giving in to the Washington gun lobby, Senator Burr’s dangerous statements are further proof that Deborah Ross needs to be the next U.S. Senator from North Carolina.”
Via email, Emily's List responds: "This tape has women across North Carolina asking, as they have this entire election: Where is Richard Burr’s judgment?" NARAL says his "reprehensible statements are disqualifying for anyone seeking to represent North Carolina in the U.S. Senate." And the North Carolina chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America says "Senator Burr's inciting and violent language—much like what Donald Trump has said before—is unacceptable and simply not how we talk to people in the Carolinas."
Here's what his opponent Deborah Ross had to say:
Senator Burr joked about violence against another person. It was out of line and while he apologized, he should not have said it in the first place. Unfortunately, this is just the latest in a disturbing pattern of Senator Burr failing to represent North Carolina values.
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It's the judgment question being reiterated in all of these reactions that is key here. Marcy Wheeler points out that Burr has a history of making inappropriate jokes about violence and assassination, including in public hearings. So what is he saying in private, she asks?
And should this be the person at the head of the Senate committee that has oversight over the nation's intelligence agencies? Should someone who jokes about assassinations be overseeing the CIA? That's a problem.