And if the partisan salvo was truly aimed at Obama, could it be because of his race or just Batchelder’s view of the president being incompetent.

By IKE MGBATOGU

Contributing Writer

COLUMBUS – State Representative Vernon Sykes can perfectly live with Republican foes disagreeing with President Obama’s politicking. He can stomach them expressing disdain for Obama’s political brand.

For him, it is okay for Republicans to brickbat the president’s views on issues. It all comes with the territory. And, he understands that this is a highly charged political season in which their desperate party is leaving no stone unturned to regain control of the White House.

He understands all of that.

But he also knows when a political foe crosses the line of fundamental decency. And in his view, Ohio House Speaker Bill Batchelder did just that last week after he said President Obama should go to jail.

Batchelder made those deriding comments as he introduced Republican Presidential Candidate Rick Santorum at a Republican Lincoln Day event in Summit County.

“The liberals are asking us to give Obama more time.  And I think 25-to-life would be a good start,” said Batchelder.

Those in the audience of the speaker laughed, but Rep. Sykes doesn’t think it is funny.  Calling his remarks profoundly appalling, he wants Batchelder to make an apology.

“Speaker Batchelder’s recent comments are absolutely deplorable. I call on the Speaker to apologize for such distasteful remarks immediately,” said Sykes.  “The unprecedented disrespect we have seen for President Obama only serves to undermine and threaten our democracy.  I would expect my longtime friend, colleague and the Speaker of the Ohio House to respect the office of the President of the United States regardless of party affiliation.”

And that’s where it gets pretty interesting.  Because, for some, it’s hard to believe that Batchelder doesn’t respect the office of the President of the United States. He most likely does, which leaves us with the question:  what then could be fuelling that “unprecedented disrespect?”

Who knows, but one thing is clear in Syke’s protest:  using the word “unprecedented” to express his disdain for Batchelder’s comments opens up the speculation, as wild as it may appear to some, that the speaker was disrespecting the man occupying the office and not the office itself.

And if the partisan salvo was truly aimed at Obama, could it be because of his race or just Batchelder’s view of the president being incompetent.

In the same speech, Batchelder seems to be suggesting the later.

“I don’t want to say that he’s incompetent, but as you’ll recall, Jimmy Carter endorsed him early on,” said Batchelder. “The reason for that is so that Jimmy Carter wouldn’t be the worst president in the history of the United States.”

As for Sykes demand for immediate apology, that hasn’t happened yet.  And please, don’t hold your breath.

.  He can be reached by email at Onumbamedia@yahoo.com