Another day, another example of a GOP candidate condoning racist imagery of President Barack Obama:
Republican Mike Prendergast, a retired Army officer, is challenging Democratic incumbent Kathy Castor in Florida’s 11th Congressional District. A quick glance of Prendergast’s campaign website shows a seemingly straight-laced ex-military officer looking to make a difference through political service. But a review of Prendergast’s Facebook page reveals a troubling aspect of his campaign — the support of Tea Party activists using racially charged imagery.
Posted on Prendergast’s Facebook page is a graphic of a cartoon caricature of President Barack Obama next to the headline “We’re Down with the Pimps & Hos” along with several other incendiary statements.
Mind you, Prendergast did not post this picture, one of his “fans” did — but that’s exactly the point. The kind of people who think a cartoon caricature of President Obama dressed as a pimp is funny are the kind of people supporting right-wing candidates like Prendergast.
And I don’t buy the argument that Prendergast will attempt to use: that he isn’t responsible for everything posted on his Facebook page. Um, actually, candidates running for office ARE RESPONSIBLE for everything posted on their Facebook pages! This photo has been on Prendergast’s Facebook page for weeks, so certainly he’s seen it by now.
So Colonel Prendergast, what say you? Do you support this kind of racism? And if not, why the hell is this disgusting photo on your Facebook page?