Back in March 2010, Sarah Palin created a campaign push through her Facebook page against Democrats from conservative districts who had voted for the health care bill — among them, Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-AZ), who was shot today.
The page used a picture of a map of the United States, with crosshair targets located over 20 districts that were carried by the McCain-Palin ticket in 2008, and whose representatives voted for the health care bill. The picture did not use photos of the members themselves, but instead placed the crosshairs over their geographic districts and included a list of their names below.
The page was promoted through Palin’s Twitter account with the slogans, “Take Back the 20!” and, “Don’t Retreat, Instead - RELOAD!”
[TPM SLIDESHOW: Dem Rep. Gabrielle Giffords Shot In Arizona]
In the wake of today’s shooting, Palin has posted this statement on Facebook:
My sincere condolences are offered to the family of Rep. Gabrielle Giffords and the other victims of today’s tragic shooting in Arizona.
On behalf of Todd and my family, we all pray for the victims and their families, and for peace and justice.
Eric Kleefeld
Eric Kleefeld joined TPM as an intern for the final months of the 2006 midterm elections, and then kept showing up for work. His other interests include guitars, old comic books and the politics of various English-speaking countries.
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