U.S. Sen. Mike Crapo, U.S. Rep. Mike Simpson and former Idaho Gov. Phil Batt condemned Republican gubernatorial candidate Rex Rammell on Friday after he amplified his "joke" about wanting to buy a license to hunt President Barack Obama.
"Rex Rammell's comments are in very poor taste and should not have been said," said Crapo, a Republican. "Remarks like these should not even be made jokingly. We are engaged in a critical national debate over many major issues facing our country today. Remarks like these are not only unhelpful in that debate, but they undermine it. He should apologize for those remarks and for the perception they may have created."
Said Simpson, also a Republican: "It is absolutely irresponsible to say such inflammatory things, especially for someone who seeks to be a leader in Idaho. I know our great state is filled with people who do not share Rex Rammell's views and we should not let isolated situations dictate how our state is perceived. Our citizens are innovative, progressive, and charitable. Look at any community in Idaho and you will find people who help their neighbors without hesitation, regardless of race."
Rammell continued to press his "joke," originally made Tuesday in the context of Idaho issuing its first hunting tags for wolves this fall. On Friday morning, Rammell issued a statement in a press release and on Twitter: "Anyone who understands the law, knows I was just joking, because Idaho has no jurisdiction to issue hunting tags in Washington, D.C."
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