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The Republican recorder of deeds in Jefferson County, Missouri is in full damage control mode after word got out that she called for President Obama to be overthrown by the military because was a “domestic enemy.”
Debbie Dunnegan is one of only two elected Republican county officials in Jefferson County, a mostly suburban county south of St. Louis. Last week, Progress Missouri noticed that Dunnegan took to Facebook and made this post:
“I have a question for all my friends who have served or are currently serving in our military ? having not put on a uniform nor taken any type military oath, there has to be something that I am just not aware of. But I cannot and do not understand why no action is being taken against our domestic enemy. I know he is supposedly the commander in chief, but the Constitution gives you the authority. What am I missing? Thank you for your bravery and may God keep you safe.”
I first found out about this via an email blast from the Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee, the campaign arm that works to elect more Democrats to state legislatures. I have to admit, I thought it was snark. I know that there is a certain element on the fringe that doesn’t think any Democratic president is legitimate. But to openly call for a coup? I thought that would be a bridge too far for a Republican elected official, no matter how much tea that he or she has swilled.
Dunnegan told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch that it was all a big misunderstanding–or as she put it, something “innocent and simple (that) got twisted into a disaster.” She said she bears “no ill intent toward the president,” and that she was merely asking her military friends about the oath they took when they joined the service. Apparently Dunnegan has a very short memory. Remember, she referred to Obama as “our domestic enemy,” and that the Constitution “gives you the authority” to overthrow him. If she seriously thinks anyone who read that rant will believe she bore “no ill intent” when she made that post, there’s a bridge in St. Louis I’d like to sell you.
Almost as telling is the deafening silence on this from prominent Missouri Republicans. I searched for any comment on this from Senator Roy Blunt, Lieutenant Governor Peter Kinder, and the five Republicans in Missouri’s House delegation. Absolutely nothing. And unless I’m very wrong, there has been no word from any Republican state legislators either. You’d have thought that somebody in the GOP would have spoken out against this outrageous statement. Unfortunately, no one has so far. I knew the level of civility had dropped to an all-time low in this country. But apparently it’s sunken even lower than even I suspected.
Dunnegan is running for reelection against Democrat Mike Bone. Unfortunately, I can’t find any Website for him, or information on how to donate to him. It’s too bad. Progress Missouri was making a serious understatement when it said that Jefferson County deserves better. If Dunnegan has anything left in her, she will resign and give up her bid for reelection. This kind of talk is simply not acceptable, regardless of party affiliation. And I’d be saying the same thing if it were a Democrat calling for the military overthrow of a Republican president.
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Darrell Lucus, also known as Christian Dem in NC at Daily Kos, is a radical-lefty Jesus-lover who has been blogging for change for a decade. Follow him on Twitter @DarrellLucus or connect with him on Facebook.
