Capitol Hill Democrats twisted up a humorous comment by Sen. David Perdue (R.-Ga.) to claim the Senator urges people to pray for the death of President Barack Obama — and their media allies quickly piled on.
“If Rs are still wondering why Trump is their nominee, look no further than Faith and Freedom conference where a sitting GOP Senator left the impression he was praying for the death of Pres Obama & then McConnell followed him on stage and did not condemn him.” tweeted Kristen Orthman, the communications director for Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid (R.-Nev.).
The Democrats’ media allies–most of whom were not at the Road to Majority forum held at Washington’s Omni Shoreham hotel– extrapolated the Senator’s remarks into virtual death threat.
So what did the Senator actually say?
DAVID PERDUE: I think we are called to pray. I think we’re called to pray for our country, for our leaders, and yes, even our President. In his role as president I think we should pray for Barack Obama. But I think we need to be very specific about how we pray. We should pray like Psalms 109:8 says. It says, “Let his days be few, and let another have his office.”
(LAUGHTER)
DAVID PERDUE: In all seriousness, I believe that America is at a moment of crisis.
Perdue’s communications director told Breitbart: “Senator Perdue said we are called to pray for our country, for our leaders, and for our president. He in no way wishes harm towards our president and everyone in the room understood that. However, we should add the media to our prayer list because they are pushing a narrative to create controversy and that is exactly what the American people are tired of.”
In fact, Christianity is widely known for its 10 commandments, including the Sixth Commandment, “You shall not kill,” which is also translated as “You shall not murder.” Those commandments are the basis of the entire religion, much of which is unknown, distorted or misunderstood by progressives who instead put their faith in government power to build a partial paradise on Earth.
The description of Christianity by Perdue’s aide was not enough for Adam Jentleson, Reid’s deputy chief of staff, who tweeted:
Meanwhile, the claim was magnified by the Associated Press;
WASHINGTON (AP) — A Republican senator told conservatives Friday they should pray for President Barack Obama and suggested a biblical passage that says, “Let his days be few.”
… Kristen Orthman, a spokeswoman for Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid, said Perdue’s comments “left the impression he was praying for the death of President Obama.”
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., followed Perdue on stage “and did not condemn him,” Orthman said. “If Republicans are still wondering why Donald Trump is their nominee, look no further than today’s Faith and Freedom conference,” she said.
The Daily Beast offered: GOP Senator David Perdue Jokes About Praying for Obama’s Death
Politico was all about leaving an impression: Sen. Perdue offers prayer for Obama: ‘Let his days be few’
The Washington Post: Georgia senator ‘prays’ for Obama to suffer
Also, a statement from the president’s spokesman exploited the claim of a death-threat to portray Obama as both pious and noble in his willingness to accept an apology; “As Sen. Perdue considers whether an apology is appropriate, there are a variety of other scriptures he might consult,” the statement said.
Jordan Fabian at The Hill brought this to the feast: GOP senator draws fire for prayer that President Obama’s ‘days be few’. The Fabian piece purported to cover the outrage Reid’s office was spinning up, but he threw in these nuggets:
That verse has long been used as a slogan by opponents of the president. Bumper stickers and T-shirts have been printed with the phrase “Pray for Obama: Psalm 109:8.”
But the psalm’s next lines are more sinister: “May his children be fatherless and his wife a widow! May his children wander about and beg, seeking food far from the ruins they inhabit!”
Fabian ended his article by adding that “Perdue has reportedly grown close to presumptive Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump.”
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