The following is a transcript of Todd’s morning commentary – heard on hundreds of radio stations around the nation. Listen to Todd’s national show Monday – Friday from 12 p.m. until 3 p.m. eastern.
Hello Americans, I’m Todd Starnes. Stand by for news and commentary next.
Former Missouri Governor Eric Greitens made national news the other day. He’s running for the U.S. Senate.
He’s armed with a weapon in his latest campaign ad. Surrounded by men wearing camo — busting into a house looking for RINO’s – Republicans in Name Only.
“I’m Eric Greitens, Navy SEAL, and today we’re going RINO hunting,” he said in an ad released Monday.
Here’s how the Washington Post summed up the political commercial:
There is, as The Post’s Philip Bump wrote, “nothing subtle” about the ad. It hits you over the head, featuring Mr. Greitens and armed, camouflage-clad men breaking into a house, throwing what look like stun grenades, in search of Republicans who don’t sufficiently support the former president. “Join the MAGA crew,” Mr. Greitens says. “Get a RINO-hunting permit. There’s no bagging limit, no tagging limit, and it doesn’t expire until we save our country.”
Washington Post
The imagery was jolting — much like the scene played out in homes across the nation when FBI agents, with guns drawn, raided the homes of school board critics — and Trump supporters. It was very unsettling.
As you might expect, the critics pounced — both Republicans and Democrats.
Click here to join Todd and 2 million other Americans fighting for our freedom in AMAC!
There’s no doubt that in the heat of the moment politicians and pundits will say things we regret. My concern is that Mr. Greitens did not regret what he said.
Words matter. Even in politics.
And when you are running around with guns saying you want to bag and tag your political enemies — that’s a problem.
Now some of you are probably thinking, “Come on Starnes. Don’t be a wuss. This is cut-throat politics.”
Well, conservatives exploded in anger when Maxine Waters told her supporters to harass Trump supporters in restaurants and supermarkets.
We were furious when President Obama said if Republicans bring a knife to the fight, Democrats should bring a gun.
And we were indignant when Attorney General Eric Holder said if they go low, we go lower.
Click here to join Todd and 2 million other Americans fighting for our freedom in AMAC!
And we were right to be angry and indignant.
One of the lessons we learned from President Ronald Reagan, the Great Communicator, was to embrace a cheery optimism about our nation. He inspired us not with angry rhetoric, but with hope for a better future. He called us to be happy warriors.
Both sides need to tone down the rhetoric.
Happy Warriors, America. Be Happy Warriors.