Say It Ain't So Already

David Balmer (R) “Accosts” Fellow Democratic State Senator — “Isolated Incident” #6

January 29, 2011 at 2:30 AM Leave a comment

Are there any grown-ups in the Republican party?

Colorado State Senator Gail Schwartz, a Snowmass Democrat whose narrow win in November saw what some deemed the “most tasteless” mailers of the campaign, now finds herself in the middle of the ugliest incident of the young legislative session. State Rep. David Balmer,

(Colorado Republican David Balmer.  (Image via Westword.))

R-Centennial, was banned Friday from the Senate chamber for accosting Schwartz there on Wednesday.

“This morning Rep. Balmer came to my office to apologize for his conduct on the Senate floor when he confronted Sen. Schwartz,” Senate President Brandon Shaffer, D-Longmont, said in a prepared statement Friday. “Mr. Balmer’s behavior was unacceptable, and for that reason I have revoked his privilege to enter the Senate chamber for the remainder of the legislative session.

“At my request Rep. Balmer will apologize publicly in the House chamber at his first convenience. The Senate chamber must be a sanctuary for the exchange of ideas in an atmosphere free of intimidation. I will not tolerate a breech in decorum. We have real work to do for the people of Colorado.”

Schwartz has decried the increasing lack of civility in state elections and has called for stiffer penalties against outside groups seeking to unduly influence voters with questionable campaign materials. She called imposing stiffer penalties one of her top legislative priorities this session.

Here are “isolated incidents” No. 1 – 5 of documented or threatened violence against Democrats in the last three+ weeks.

Republicans want to bring guns to the floor of statehouses across the country.  That said, I can only imagine what will happen next.

Entry filed under: 2010 Election, Fascist America, Fear, Republicans, Including Wingers & "Moderates", Teabaggers, WingNutO'Sphere. Tags: .