Todd Akin Jokes About Dem Lawmakers Getting "Lynched" (VIDEO)

Rep. Todd Akin (R-Mo.), at a town hall Tuesday, crowed that Democratic lawmakers returning to their home districts "almost got lynched," by angry town hall protesters. His remark got applause from the crowd. Of course, he added, the GOP doesn't "approve of lynchings" -- and made a choking gesture that prompted laughter from the audience.

Watch, via Fired Up Missouri:

While lynchings are never funny, Akin's joke seems particularly odd given the actual violence surrounding these events. At least one Democrat has, in fact, been physically assaulted by an anti-reform crowd member. Another has received a death threat, and a third has been hung in effigy.

Get HuffPost Politics On Facebook and Twitter!

Comments

[mccain51]

Here is what President Reagan really did. He succeeded Barack Obama 1 (aka Jimmy Carter) which when Obama 1 left office we had 21% interest rates, 14% unemployment, and 12% inflation. Ronald Reagan reversed all that.* He brought interest rates down, reduced inflation to 1%, and also brought unemployment down to 6-7%. This led to one of the longest peace-time expansions in our nation's history. His foreign policies led to the end of the cold war and made us the only super power in the world. And he did all this without infringing on the freedoms of all Americans! We now have a President, Obama 2, that is doing the same stuff that Obama 1 did! The only difference with this President is that he is trampling all over the Constituttion, infringing on rights and freedoms of Americans, and "Baby you ain't seen nothing yet!"

* My numbers might not be exact but they are very close.

[research]

Raygun borrowed all the money.

Raygun, Bush and Bush quadruples the debt.

deregulated, and crashed the economy,

Well done.

not to mention treasonously undermined Carters efforts to get the hostages released.

[bighat]

Amen

[mikerobjohn]

I WANT BY COUNTRY BACKKK!

This Black President is Succeeding. His family is a role model for Americans.

The Stimulus Bill is WORKING. Cars for Clunkers money is spent at American car dealerships. Does not matter what brand of car it is.

Americans with Pre-existing illnesses are about to get Health insurance for the first time EVER.

More and More States are approving same sex marriage.

Minorities are inspired now. They are becoming educated.

The First Lady is planting vegetables in a garden on the White House.

Republicans are showing themselves to be HYPOCRITS!!

I WANT MY COUNTRY BACKKK!!!! Please bring BACKKK Jim Crow!!!

[sunnyjane]

It would be sweet revenge to take the names of these people and then deny them coverage when a health care reform program becomes law.

If these people are true Christians, how can they ignore one of Christianity's first principles: Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.

In other words, treat others as you want to be treated. If you have good health care, do not deny it to others.

[OlongapoEd]

Those on the right had better remember that what goes around comes around, or, paybacks are a mother....

[mccain51]

I didn't hear any racial remarks made by the rep. However I did hear a racial remark from obama when he called the cambridge police stupid for doing there job. What do you people think was on his mind?

[Oonagh]

This guy is inciting anger.... where is Crowley to hand cuff him and take him off to jail.

[catinca]

Just disgusting.

[JeffE]

Time has come for democrats to shut these morons out of the health care debate. Just shut the door and pass health care reform through the reconciliation procedure. Enough of this circus! Enough of these clowns!

[citizen of the universe]

Where is Homeland Security?

[TheSpecter]

The time has come for Liberals and Progressives to arm themselves. Protect your family first, then your neighborhood; we must prove to these goons that we are not afraid of them.

[Dr Scott]

Now, let's not get out of hand. I am doing my level best to be a good person. Believe me, guns and violence to not solve anything. True, it makes you feel better, but its never right. We can solve all our problems with words alone. We just have to ask the other side to please listen and have an emotionless back and forth discussion about the issues.

[chlllfactor]

Baird (D) from Washington State was just on Rachel's show. He is holding telephone town hall meetings in his state. Baird said that up to 5000 people can connect to the town hall meetings without fear of "mod- lynch mentality." Makes sense to me!

[TheSpecter]

Guns and violence created America.

[TheSpecter]

Delusional.

[TheSpecter]

Guns and violence are the only things these goons respect.

[HJF1968]

You're about guns and violence. Asking them to please listen is not working. It's up to progressives to counter organize against these protesters. I will be doing so.

[PhilipTaylor]

ANOTHER FAILED REAGAN EXPERIMENT: FOR-PROFIT HEALTH CARE!

Like TRICKLE DOWN!

LIKE V00D00 Economics!

Like Deregulation producing a Bankrupt Wall Street!

Ship Jobs Overseas!

All FAILED REAGAN EXPERIMENTS that have MADE AMERICA the #1 DEBTOR NATION!

[PhilipTaylor]

Akin Received $367,001 from Health Care Industry and $440,108 from Insurance, Finance, and RE plus $540,181 from Business!

Akin's Total = $951,200 from Corporatists!
[0pensecrets.0RG]

More specifically to Health Care Related:

#2 Health Professionals $273,677
#9 Lawyers/Law Firms $84,718
#15 Insurance $63,050

[Bongborg]

The very fact that Republicans think lynchings are hilarious should tell anyone everything they need to know about them.

[marc1antony]

The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience,
kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
There is no law against such things.
~ Gal 5:22-23

Too bad these Bible-Thumpers don't open up their bibles and read it... it's just a prop for them... and given a choice, they would probably keep the guns over the bibles.

[intpseeker]

Amen

[intpseeker]

A men

[Oonagh]

They just like to stand on their Bibles and profess to be "Christians"...

[Gladys1963]

Very well said.

My sainted grandmothers are turning in their graves over this.

[jnutlfam2]

So where are the police when you need them to arrest these people who disturb the peace or physically harm another? Are the republicans now encouraging people to break the law?