Thread: Office of Republican Rep. Eric Cantor Shot At in Virginia

Updated March 25, 2010
Cantor Says Campaign Office Was Shot At, Accuses Dems of Exploiting Threats

FOXNews.com

Republican Rep. Eric Cantor said Thursday that his Richmond campaign office has been shot at and that he's received "threatening e-mails" -- but at the same time accused top Democrats of trying to exploit the threats they've been receiving for "political gain."

Cantor said "a bullet was shot through the window" of his campaign office. The incident happened Monday, Fox News has learned, the latest in a rash of apparent threats and acts of intimidation against members of Congress. Most of the threats so far have been reported by Democrats, but Cantor -- the No. 2 Republican in the House -- is one of about 10 lawmakers who has asked for increased security protection, Fox News has learned.

But in brief and pointed remarks, Cantor said he would not be releasing any information about the other threats he's received, as some lawmakers have done, out of concern that it would "encourage more to be sent."

And he admonished his colleagues -- specifically Rep. Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., and Democratic National Committee Chairman Tim Kaine -- for "dangerously fanning the flames by suggesting these incidents be used as a political weapon."

"Any suggestion that a leader in this body would incite threats or acts against other members, is akin to saying that I would endanger myself, my wife or my children," Cantor said. "It is reckless to use these incidents as media vehicles for political gain."

As House Republican whip, Cantor is the highest elected Jewish politician in the country.

The Department of Homeland Security is involved in the Cantor case because he is a member of the House leadership. U.S. Capitol Police already provide Cantor with a security detail around the clock because of his leadership position, but he has asked for more security.

Fox News has also obtained a threatening message left Friday on the voicemail of Rep. Jean Schmidt, R-Ohio.

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2010/03 ... overnight/

The sad thing is that we talked about this in our household in August, when all of the Town Hall meetings were happening, and you could see how angry people were, we feared this might bring out the worst in people and we would see threats and potential attacks if they voted it in.

My husband worried that someone would do something really awful, hurt a lawmaker, and that kind of thing could start tearing at the fabric of our nation.

But, why Cantor, a Republican?