ATHENS, Ga., Feb. 25 (UPI) -- U.S. Rep. Paul Broun, facing heat for not challenging a constituent's question about shooting the president, Friday belatedly condemned such "rhetoric."
Broun, R-Ga., held a town-hall meeting Tuesday during which an unidentified constituent who had traveled the farthest to get there was tapped to ask the first question.
What the man asked in the wake of the Tucson shootings drew a laugh from the assembled crowd and a lack of immediate repudiation from the congressman, ABC News reported.
"Who is going to shoot Obama?" the constituent asked.
Rather than remind the questioner of the protocol and respect associated with talking about the president of the United States, the lack of civility associated with his question and the possible legalities connected with threats made against the leader of the free world, Broun pulled a "veronica" -- a bullfighting move where the matador allows the animal to pass by under his cape.
"The thing is, I know there's a lot of frustration with this president. We're going to have an election next year," he said before taking the next question. "Hopefully, we'll elect somebody that's going to be a conservative."
ABC News said Broun received criticism concerning his handling of the exchange and Friday his office backpedaled and released a statement calling the question "abhorrent."
"I was stunned by the question and chose not to dignify it with a response," he said. "Therefore, at that moment I moved on to the next person with a question. After the event, my office took action with the appropriate authorities.
"I deeply regret that this incident happened at all. Furthermore, I condemn all statements -- made in sincerity or jest -- that threaten or suggest the use of violence against the president of the United States or any other public official. Such rhetoric cannot and will not be tolerated."
In October, Broun, who enjoys Tea Party support, criticized the Centers for Disease Control for advocating a diet higher in fruits and vegetables, calling the nutritional initiatives "socialism of the highest order." After the 2008 election, Broun compared President-elect Obama to Adolf Hitler and Karl Marx.
