Sharron Angle Defends Inflammatory Rhetoric In Face Of Criticism

Nevada Republican Sharron Angle came to her own defense on Wednesday in response to criticism of her use of inflammatory language that made headlines and raised eyebrows during her unsuccessful campaign to unseat Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid during the midterm election season.

Angle and her questionable choice of words -- such as floating "Second Amendment remedies" as a possible solution to use "when our government becomes tyrannical" -- landed back in the spotlight following the tragic shooting in Tucson, Ariz. last Saturday in which numerous victims were wounded or had their lives taken.

CNN reports that Angle released a statement on Wednesday condemning "all acts of violence," but dismissing criticism of her choice of words as dangerous.

"I condemn all acts of violence," said Angle. "The despicable act in Tucson is a horrifying and senseless tragedy, and should be condemned as a single act of violence, by a single unstable individual."

The conservative favorite went on to defend herself, as well as Sarah Palin and the Tea Party movement in response to recent criticism.

"Expanding the context of the attack to blame and to infringe upon the people's Constitutional liberties is both dangerous and ignorant," she said. "The irresponsible assignment of blame to me, Sarah Palin or the Tea Party movement by commentators and elected officials puts all who gather to redress grievances in danger."

HuffPost's Sam Stein reported last year on incendiary remarks made by Angle that came to light during her campaign:

Sharron Angle, the Tea Party candidate turned Republican primary winner in Nevada, has taken heat for a number of extreme affiliations and policy positions. One of the more outlandish was a statement she made during a radio interview last January in which she floated the idea that the public would bring down an out-of-control Congress with "Second Amendment remedies." ... In an interview she gave with conservative talk show host Bill Manders earlier in the campaign, Angle conspicuously floated, once again, "Second Amendment remedies" to deal not just with the supposedly ever-growing "tyrannical" U.S. government, but to replace her now general election opponent: Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.).

In the statement she issued on Wednesday, Angle said, "I have consistently called for reasonable political dialogue on policy issues to encourage civil political education and debate."

Comments

[JanetR]

11:16 AM on 01/14/2011

To finsih my last post, If Sharon Angle truly menas it when she says she "condemns all acts of violence," then she will starat by condmening her own words.

[greysells2]

10:35 AM on 01/14/2011

In the statement she issued on Wednesday, Angle said, "I have consistently called for reasonable political dialogue on policy issues to encourage civil political education and debate."

Angle called for reasonable dialogue but she did not practice what she preached.

[thegreenhornet]

09:51 AM on 01/14/2011

What a twit. These nuts believe they cn say whatever they want because when their speech is tied to an horrific event they can simply revise history.

[den1953]

09:43 AM on 01/14/2011

Funny anyone caught up with the running politician, would have been a considerate thought if Sharron Angle took the time to at least wish the families that lost loved ones in the tragic shootings that she at least had sorrow for what happened......... Of course it is all about them no isn't it?

[BlueFloyd]

11:06 AM on 01/14/2011

It is GLARING how she only defends herself and pays no mind whatsoever to the victims. Same tactics as palin. I would never blame these people for the shootings, but the fact that even a mention that they help foster the atmosphere, and that they don't help things with the incendiary rhetoric, is met with cries of accusations of blame......and then they become the victims, and it is all about them, and they pay no mind whatsoever to the real victims.

THAT is more telling than the original incendiary rhetoric.

[Ratu]

08:52 AM on 01/14/2011

Go away Sharon Angle. U and SP are a disgrace

[bogey1]

08:34 AM on 01/14/2011

"blah blah blah - I'm the real victim - blah blah blah "

[ginamarie101]

05:44 AM on 01/14/2011

"I have consistently called for reasonable political dialogue on policy issues to encourage civil political education and debate." and then as soon as someone asks me a question, I run for the door

[stagebandman]

10:01 PM on 01/13/2011

Didn't she lose? Why do we care what she has to say anymore? She's not very bright. Her political career is over. No more Sharon Angle please.

[realmystical]

09:54 PM on 01/13/2011

The headline should read: Defeated Tea Party Candidate, Irrelevant, But Unaware, Opens Her Mouth But No One Listening. (in fact, I refuse to read the article)

[Marla Thurman]

09:16 PM on 01/13/2011

So second grade. "Yeah, but." "Yeah, but."

[figure8]

09:15 PM on 01/13/2011

These politicians need to be on a map with Black Hearts.

[ginamarie101]

05:41 AM on 01/14/2011

why not crosshairs? Since they find it so acceptable and in a language they understand and agree with

[instarx]

07:08 PM on 01/13/2011

The common Republican/conservative argument seems to be that if they did not pull the trigger then they are blameless. But they do share in the responsibility and it isn't ignorant to say so - it is ignorant to deny it. By immersing the already unstable shooter in an environment of hate and aggression they contributed to his actions. Maybe it was only 1% or 0.01%, but contribute they did.

[greysells2]

11:14 AM on 01/14/2011

If we take out the word "blame" and substitute the words "may have inadvertanty influenced", would Ms Palin and/or Ms Angle agree with that statement? Blame gets them going, out of guilt or implying a cause and effect relationship that cannot be proven. Let's promote the 'inadvertant influence" theme and see if they can accept that.

[Mitzy]

06:43 PM on 01/13/2011

Arrest her for advocating armed overthrow of the duly elected U.S. government.

[srivers]

06:41 PM on 01/13/2011

You cannot defend the indefensible.

[SoutheastBeast]

06:17 PM on 01/13/2011

Haven't Republicans spent the last 10 years blaming isolated attacks by individuals on an entire religion?

[Heartlight3]

11:44 PM on 01/13/2011

Good point.

[BlueFloyd]

11:55 AM on 01/14/2011

yep, the last 10 years, thousands of lives and limbs, and trillions of $$. Great point!!