Rep. Tom Perriello (D-VA) is one of the Democratic lawmakers who has been targeted after the health care vote — and one Republican group suggests he has only himself to blame for the situation.
National Republican Congressional Committee spokesman Andy Sere said that while his organization doesn’t condone the actions of the person or people who cut a gas line at Perriello’s brother’s house (apparently under the impression that the home was the congressman’s), Perriello is not the victim.
“Central and Southside Virginians are the ones who are going to have the bear the burden of increased taxes,” Sere told The Roanoke Times. “What you’re seeing is a frustration among his constituents who believe he’s not listening to them.”
Meanwhile, Perriello’s potential opponent, Laurence Verga, released a statement today condemning ‘any acts of violence.’
“If you disagree with him then don’t vote for him in November,” Verga said. “But promoting and/or committing any act of violence toward him or his family should not and will not be tolerated.”
Late Update: Sere told Ben Smith he was referring to marches, demonstrations and letters — not physical threats. Still, Sere, continued “we’re not going to allow Tom Perriello to use one isolated incident as a cynical ploy to distract Virginians from the higher taxes and Medicare cuts he just imposed on them.”
DCCC spokesman Ryan Rudominer told Smith that “House Republicans and Right Wing extremists are completely out of control and are now justifying and validating dangerous new levels of violence.”
