Quick Note: Does Todd Staples' Anti-Obama Campaign Ad Go Too Far?

Yesterday, on the eve of Texas' 2014 primary election, the New York Times ran an article highlighting some of the tactics Republican candidates are using to make themselves stand out in their crowded field.  Conservative election strategist Mark McKinnon was quoted as saying, "In a Republican primary, most candidates are trying to convince voters they are the most conservative. And the easiest way to do that is to broadcast that you hate Obama more than anyone else."

Several strongly worded anti-Obama/Pro-me ads were cited in the article; but one of them literally took my breath away.  Todd Staples, candidate for lieutenant governor, is running an ad that shows him standing in a gun store.  He looks directly into the camera and says "You're not a king, and Texans bow to no one."  He then picks up a rifle, aims it over the counter and vows to "fight Obama's liberal agenda."  He ends the ad by listing his conservative credentials and challenges the President:  "So, Mr. President, if you still want to mess with Texas, we've got a saying for you: Come and take it."

The imagery of that ad scares the be-jeezus out of me.  All it takes is one nut-case with a firearm to take that ad literally, and we have our next Kennedy.  

I realize this is only one ad in a political setting; but why should that make it acceptable? When did we lose the ability to disagree without being virulent?   I look at my country today and I wonder: What happened to respect? To civility? And with all the conservative focus on religion, why is there so much hate in their public rhetoric?  

And, Mr. Staples, what happened to common sense?