Candidate's Facebook post shows gun, tells Obama, 'Welcome to Tennessee'

[spanone]

?pubId=35553607001

A candidate who’s seeking to represent Nashville in Congress posted a photo of his gun and a pointed message for President Barack Obama on his campaign Facebook page.

Brad Staats, the Republican nominee challenging U.S. Rep. Jim Cooper in the 5th Congressional District election, posted the picture of the silver and black Colt 911 semi-automatic pistol on Friday. Under it he wrote:

“Many people in Tennessee keep asking me about my opinion on Second Amendment rights. Apparently Tennesseans are part of that crazy crowd that Obama says ‘cling to (their) religion and guns.’ Well, then I must be part of that crazy crowd. Here is something that I usually have with me. Welcome to Tennessee Mr. Obama.”

In remarks at a California fund-raiser in 2008 that he didn’t know were being recorded, Obama offered the opinion that frustrated voters in towns struggling to recover from losing jobs a generation ago often “get bitter, and they cling to guns or religion.”

http://www.tennessean.com/article/20121002/NEWS02/310020036/Candidate-s-Facebook-post-shows-gun-tells-Obama-Welcome-Tennessee-?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|FRONTPAGE

[rfranklin]

1. The Secret Service needs to school this good ol' boy....

Are you listening Agent Rick?

[GreenPartyVoter]

3. I thought our agent was Mike? Or is Rick his partner?

[rfranklin]

6. He used to be Ranger Rick...

but he was recruited by the SS and works with Mike.

[Buns_of_Fire]

9. Mike's on vacation this week.

( Hi, Mike! I hope the kids are enjoying Disney World. Don't miss the Haunted Mansion -- I understand the interior looks just like the offices of Bain Capital! )

[Whovian]

2. I really have trouble trying to understand the mindset that leads to stuff like this.

Pride in hardware? As if it makes one a better person because of the ability to kill indiscriminately?

[spanone]

4. ss knows about it....

Max Milien, a spokesman for the United States Secret Service, which is responsible for the president’s security, had little to say about the post.

“We’re aware of it, and we will conduct any appropriate follow-up if necessary,” Milien said.

[southernyankeebelle]

5. I live in TN and I would welcome President Obama and offer him a good Italian meal.

Not all of us think like that. Heck I don't even own a gun and I live in rural area.

[rfranklin]

7. How do you protect yourself from all those home invasions that I read about in RKBA?

It seems a daily occurence in their world.

[southernyankeebelle]

8. I am not afraid. I mind my own business and I have 3 little dogs that let me know if something

is out there. Usually a coyoto or deer. I am surrounded by nursery country and I only have my house on this road. My son and his wife live next door. But if anything happened they wouldn't notice. They have a big dog so nothing to be afraid of. The day I fear something is the day I need to leave. I am by myself at night. My husband works and my little dogs sleep with me. It is very peaceful and extremely quiet. Just the way I like it.

[rfranklin]

10. I was only teasing...

but it is nice to live with that peace of mind and not be tortured by scarey thoughts whileclutching your gun.

[southernyankeebelle]

12. oh, I don't realize that. You know you reach a certain age and finally you say screw it.

You can be afraid or live. I'm a happy person unless my son gets me going.

[nc4bo]

11. He is responding to comments on his FB page. Perhaps more should engage Mr. Staats. nm