Rep. Louie Gohmert: GOP Leadership Warned Us Not To Attack Nancy Pelosi And Barack Obama

WASHINGTON -- Congressional Republicans haven't exactly minced words when when criticizing top Democrats in the federal government, with many of their attacks directed at President Obama and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.). Even though she's no longer speaker of the House, Pelosi continues to be one of the most unpopular figures among Republicans.

But according to Rep. Louie Gohmert (R-Texas), the attacks on Obama and Pelosi came in spite of advice given to rank-and-file members by the GOP leadership.

"[The GOP leadership] have the desire to defeat Obama. I have a profound disagreement with some of them on how we do that. They think that we do it by being nice," Gohmert told right-wing radio host Rush Limbaugh in an interview published in the January edition of "The Limbaugh Letter."

He continued, "In fact, after Nancy Pelosi became Speaker, we were told, 'She's the first female speaker of the House, so whether we like it or not, we've got to handle this with kid gloves. Don't go after Speaker Pelosi. You can go after other people, but you'll be branded as mean and evil if you go after the first female Speaker of the House.'"

Gohmert said despite those warnings, he and others "didn't let up." The same thing happened when Obama was elected.

"We were told behind the scenes, 'Look, if you go after the president you're going to be called a racist, you're going to be called everything in the book,'" he added.

Gohmert invoked the legacy of the Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr., to explain why Republican members were right to attack the first female speaker of the House and the first African-American president.

"I don't care what gender someone is, or what race they are. Those things don't matter to me," he said. "Whether you're president or speaker, if you're wrong, we need to stand up and point it out. That's what Martin Luther King had talked about: being judged by the content of our character and not the color of our skin. So some of us pounded away on some of the ridiculous policies of Pelosi -- and lo and behold, over time, the public began to see."

House Speaker John Boehner's (R-Ohio) did not return a request for comment.

Comments

[mirrorwrlds]

05:49 PM on 01/29/2012

So explain why when the GOP send e-mails and cartoons that are racists that is okay. You can oppose views and opinions but when you attack using innuendoes and name calling you are a racist.

[ShanaJuly]

01:47 PM on 01/24/2012

They really are a sleazy, despicable bunch those Rs...

[AshinoD]

08:39 AM on 01/18/2012

Hey genius, you don't attack Obama and Pelosi because Americans are sick of negative ads and attack politics. We want facts. We want to know what you are going to do to make this country great again. We want to know how you are better than them. Get a clue!!!

[eamitch430]

07:57 AM on 01/18/2012

Nancy was the most productive speaker in a couple of generations. Contrast that with the current House leadership that can't even count their own votes or even perform the basic functions of legislating. I don't understand the MSM double standard of high expectations for Democrats and personal attacks for Republicans.

[JTyroler]

07:56 AM on 01/18/2012

The problem with reporting on things that Louie Gohmert says is that you have to consider some of the things that Louie Gohmert has said. Like Obama calling up a private army that is allowed under Health Care reform or how a jobs bill was a boon for gay couples.

[openvisions55]

09:23 PM on 01/17/2012

Why didn't they help Bush when he was in trouble and had no VP to help him. Why start now? They know it is because of the color of President Obama's skin. The only reason. It's already been said. The damage is done and so are the rest of you.

[CJ40inWI]

03:56 PM on 01/17/2012

Gohmert, shut up. You had your moment to be nice, it's over. So the hand that reached out to shake yours is gonna give you guys a good ol' bitchslap.

[TN60]

08:33 AM on 01/17/2012

This is the biggest load of BS, I have ever heard.

They and their surrogates went after both with a big vengeance. The shepple followed.

No sooner had Pelosi attained the gavel, she was vilified by the FOX clowns and the Limbaugh crowd......starting with the plane to take her back to CA and continued on with false stories that made it into the MSM and the MSM never had the guts to say they were false. In fact, they led the charge.

As soon as Obama stepped into the Oval, they began the attacks of Socialist, Marxist, Kenyan, not borne in the US

Still today, the Republicans blame Obama for losing the jobs THEY LOST as handmaidens to Bush's free market and tax breaks for the rich. The sheeple still believe them. Or FOX OR Limbaugh.

Now the MSM are letting Romney get away with all kinds of ludicrous statements and they are all LIEs. Witness CNN and Candy Crawley on Sunday. Who has called either one out for these LIEs.

NO ONE ! Just like Pelosi and Obama..............The press even helped the tea loons out for two damn years and now 87 of those SOB's sit in the House, doing nothing except fighting.

[Laryssa]

03:29 PM on 01/17/2012

S L O W --- C L A P!!!!!!!

[TN60]

10:55 AM on 01/18/2012

I take a bow :-)

[jmac44]

06:32 PM on 01/17/2012

Soooo many panty waist men afraid of One Little Lady.... They are so afraid that when she hammers that gavel its bigger than theirs... Boehner will be happy to return it someone who actually knows what owning it, is all about...

Poor Boehner, he will be relieved to only have to deal with his lobbyists, the country club, his ciggies and a real big stiff drink....

[JudgeCCrater]

08:17 AM on 01/17/2012

So the past two years have been the R's playing 'nice' with Obama? True, they didn't draw and quarter him so maybe that's considered to be showing restraint.

[AniMakom]

06:55 AM on 01/17/2012

The obama plan is to destroy america. The actions, the results can point to no other direction. Open your eyes and you will see it. Look at the actions. Look at the actions. Everything obama is doing hurts america in one way or another. obama can only destroy America if you let him and you are just sitting there watching him destroy America.

[centsable]

07:26 AM on 01/17/2012

In your comment you didn't mention one thing Obama has done or will do that would destroy america...can you name one? On the other hand the republicans have defended the rich and wants to destroy the middle class, give more tax cuts to corporations and the rich, gut civil rights, and keep the president from creating jobs by blocking his jobs bill with awful amendments to the bills that would harm the jobs market, only reason...to make him a one termer....your turn.

[miketothad]

10:00 AM on 01/17/2012

"Look at the actions."
WHAT ACTIONS?

[jmac44]

06:40 PM on 01/17/2012

Fox doesnt give "details"... they use the "repeat" BS.. like in his comment he used "destroy America" 3 times... but of course Fox didnt explain how, so Anti is short on words...

Anti is waiting for the Frank Luntz.... flash cards... to complete his vocabulary....

[rdrover]

03:03 AM on 01/17/2012

OMG! OYG?

[ILoveMyCoffee]

02:20 AM on 01/17/2012

Speaker Boehner is probably so pissed off at Gohmert and the other extremists in his caucus right now because this makes the party's image look even more disagreeable. I don't know about you but Gohmert's remarks reflect his lack of courtesy towards everyone who doesn't agree with him. Where was his "criticisms" during the Bush years? After all, George W. Bush was no Gohmert-King-Bachmann conservative.

[Cintimcmomma]

01:01 AM on 01/17/2012

Critics can say all they want about the legislation that went through the House, but Nancy was a beast. Nancy knew how many votes were on any legislation before they hit the floor for a vote (unlike Boehner); she took a lot of heat from the right with grace; and she got a lot of legislation passed. Leaders lead...and Nancy did it well (in high heels).

[SEXYLEO]

02:09 AM on 01/17/2012

Now now...whatever are you trying to do.... inject truth and common-sense into the conversation!!! (LOL)

[SEXYLEO]

02:21 AM on 01/17/2012

Sort of like Linda Ellerbee said about Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers...he got most of the acclaim...but she did the same things...... only backwards and in heels!!

[fromdnorth]

10:20 AM on 01/17/2012

Good reference and in context... shows clarity of mind...

[DemsNRepubsSame]

12:31 AM on 01/17/2012

At least Republicans are honest about their hate and contempt towards Americans. The Democrats skin you with a smile!!!!

Vote Obama to keep the status quo alive. Hope Shmo is so 2008 Bi tches

[SEXYLEO]

02:10 AM on 01/17/2012

Gee, no doubt your brain is akin to your avatar..poor thing!

[DemsNRepubsSame]

12:27 AM on 01/17/2012

Vote President Obama 2012 if you hate the constitution and love to imprison American indefinitely; God! you can even kill them without process. Better yet! Just just keep them in prison without due process FOR EVER AND EVER.

Vote Obama 2012

This message is brought to you by the Military Complex! Enjoy whatever left in your freedom because your kids will only study in school if it's permissible.