Sacramento GOP Calls for Waterboarding Obama

The official Web site of Sacramento County's Republican Party encouraged people to "Waterboard Barack Obama."

The Sacramento (California) Republican Party called for waterboarding Barack Obama.  (h/t: In One Ear … Out the Other) So many things come to mind on this.  First, I am absolutely appalled that this would come out of California.  I suppose it proves that hatred and racism — for that is what this is — exists everywhere.  But this really is beyond the pale.  We have people at McCain/Palin rallies shouting “Kill him,” and now this?  It’s been taken down, but it never should have been up in the first place.

Taking credit for the site (sacramentorepublicans.org) and its content was county party chairman Craig MacGlashan – husband of Sacramento County Supervisor Roberta MacGlashan.

The Bee asked MacGlashan about the content after seeking his reaction to hate-filled graffiti that was spray-painted over an Obama display on a fence at Fair Oaks Boulevard and Garfield Avenue.

In recent weeks, MacGlashan, an attorney, joined local Democratic party officials in condemning vandalism to political displays.

The vandalism to the Obama display appeared to have been done overnight Monday. A racial epithet, profanity, “KKK” and the words “white power” were clearly visible from the roadway. Six of the nine fence panels were defaced.

“What you are describing to me is not free speech, it’s vandalism. We don’t condone it,” MacGlashan said.

But he defended his Web site. “I’m aware of the content,” he said. “Some people find it offensive, others do not. I cannot comment on how people interpret things.”

MacGlashan said he would “consider people’s complaints” before taking any action.

By Tuesday night, much of the questionable material – which ranged from depicting Obama in a turban to attacking Michelle Obama – had been removed, replaced with political cartoons attacking Obama.

The flap comes as tensions in the presidential contest between McCain and Obama have heightened, and as race has been thrust into the forefront of the campaign. If elected, Obama would be the first non-white president.

The Sacramento GOP’s Web site is markedly different in tone from other GOP or Democratic Party sites in the region in its use of illustrations and cartoons attacking the presidential nominee.

Democratic party officials condemned the GOP site. “It’s exactly the kind of vile, repugnant politicking that has relegated the California GOP to an afterthought in California politics,” said Roger Salazar, spokesman for the state Democratic Party. “Even the top of their ticket would be disgusted by this display of dishonesty.”

GOP congressional candidate Rep. Dan Lungren’s photo appeared above the Osama and Obama illustration.

Tim Clark, a Lungren spokesman, said the congressman had no control over the site’s content.

“We think that the party Web site should focus on getting out the vote,” Clark said. “We don’t agree with the tone.”

The condemnation could be a little more strong, Mr. Clark.  This Republican site is endorsing the torture of a presidential candidate.  Even Arnold Schwarzenegger’s spokesperson called it “completely and totally inappropriate.”

An aside:  It’s the GOP who allowed and encouraging torture.  It’s something that is un-American and should never happen, no matter the circumstances.  Yet it happened under George W. Bush’s administration.  And now it’s a GOP site advocating torturing someone with whom they disagree politically.  Does anyone really need any more reasons NOT to vote for McCain?