GOP lawmakers apoplectic over Secret Service protection for Hillary Clinton at State House
“‘Take your stinking paws off me you damn dirty ape’ is what SOS Bill Gardner should of said.”
That was how state Rep. John Burt (R-Goffstown) responded to the Secret Service requiring Secretary of State Bill Gardner to submit to a security screening prior to an appearance by Hillary Clinton, who was there to file for the state’s first-in-the-nation presidential primary. (Burt was referencing a scene in the movie, Planet of the Apes.)
It was a typical reaction from Republican lawmakers who flocked to social media to complain after WMUR Political Director Josh McElveen tweeted a photo of Gardner with the Secret Service officials. They condemned Clinton, of course.
New Hampshire Republican Party chair Jennifer Horn demanded an apology from the campaign. “Secretary Clinton’s treatment of Secretary Gardner is embarrassing and is the latest example of the arrogant campaign that she is running in New Hampshire,” she said in a statement.
Horn’s reaction was measured and civil compared to the responses from lawmakers.
“When an authoritarian criminal cartel come’s ‘a visitin’, this is what you get,” wrote Rep. Eric Eastman (R-Nashua).
“How do you spell, BITCH, well HILLARY!! Just wondering what her Federal Prison ID Number is going to be ? ? ? ? ?” asked Rep. John Potucek (R-Derry). “She is NOT a Federal office holder, just another candidate,” he added, “she has NO "standing” for all of the Federal Security “SHE” demands!!!!! [poop emoticon]”
“Hillary is the DIRT BAG,” former Rep. Joe Osgood (R-Claremont) wrote. “I cant even come close to believing this.”
“Joe don’t insult Dirt Bags,” answered former Rep. Patrick Bick (R-Salem), “next to Hillary a Dirt Bag is a class act.”