Romney Supporters Display Anti-Gay / Racially-Charged Signs at Franklin County Voting Center

By On October 26, 2012 · 34 Comments

This afternoon I stopped by the Franklin County Early Voting Center to photograph the anti-gay and arguably-racist signs littering the lawn in front of the old Kohl’s Department Store on Morse Road in Columbus. (see pictures below)

My first thought, seeing the signs from a good two blocks away, was: what a really bad idea. Not because I was offended by the signs – which I was. But because the guy displaying them obviously doesn’t understand Franklin County.

Franklin County voters are moderates, especially on the Republican side. Just look at Party leadership to understand why these signs will not have the intended impact. Not only is the head of Franklin County’s Republican party gay, but Franklin County Republicans sent Auditor Clarence Mingo, an African American, to represent them at the Republican National Convention.

These signs most assuredly will backfire.

Morse road is a major East/West through way. A LOT of people drive past these signs during the day. And I predict they will have two possible impacts:

1. Franklin County Democrats seeing these signs will be offended, angered and motivated to vote.

2. Franklin County Independents (and maybe even some Republicans) seeing these signs will be offended and angered and may just change their mind about stopping to vote for Mitt Romney and other Republicans who they thought were moderates.

As I was leaving I had a short conversation with Richard, the man responsible for these signs.

Without any prompting at all, he began telling me how Muslims wanted to destroy America and how they killed, beheaded and sodomized our ambassador to Libya before dragging his body through the street (his source was Newsmax – I asked) and also how Muslims would kill gay people (which he laughingly referred to as “shit hole fuckers”) instead of just putting up offensive signs about them.

I didn’t bother telling him that he and his sworn enemy seem to have a lot in common – at least when it comes to hating “teh gays”. I also didn’t ask about the character/color sign. I don’t think I could have handled the answer.


Evangelize!
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  • http://twitter.com/Nick3BP Nick Mascari

    And Romney has what to do with this fool? Nothing. You’re better than this, Joseph.

  • xx

    He has a lot to do with this buddy, every Republican who fails to call out this shit does.

  • http://twitter.com/Nick3BP Nick Mascari

    And yet you failed to explain how Romney is connected to this guy in any way.

  • http://plunderbund.com Joseph

    I think you missed the point of the post, Nick.

    Franklin County Republicans are pretty reasonable folks. Which is why the ORP sliced our county up into tiny little chunks stretching miles and miles and miles down and up and every-which-way into tons of rural Ohio counties.

    This guy does not represent Franklin County voters. But he does Represent a lot of Republicans.

    Here in Franklin County, his plan is going to backfire.

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Carrie-Preston/100000765994211 Carrie Preston

    Anyone who endorses the beliefs of the extreme Republicans has everything to do with Romney and all Republicans. They started this shit and they have encouraged it in how they talk about gays–women– and people of color. Sorry if you want to be a president and you do not denounce those who are publicly supporting views which you also support that puts down the rights of ALL PEOPLE who do not have the same religious views as you , then you are responsible for these signs because you are encouraging it! Like Republican Governor Sinunu said Republican party is made up of racists!

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Carrie-Preston/100000765994211 Carrie Preston

    Anyone who endorses the beliefs of the extreme Republicans has everything to do with Romney and all Republicans. They started this shit and they have encouraged it in how they talk about gays–women– and people of color. Sorry if you want to be a president and you do not denounce those who are publicly supporting views which you also support that puts down the rights of ALL PEOPLE who do not have the same religious views as you , then you are responsible for these signs because you are encouraging it! Like Republican Governor Sinunu said Republican party is made up of racists!

  • Doctor Claw

    It seems like you’re attacking a strawman. I don’t see any suggestion that this person/these signs are connected to Romney or the Romney Campaign in the piece above.

    It does say that these signs are in poor taste and not in line with the moderate Republican voters of Franklin County. It says that these signs are the handiwork of one who is a rather passionate Romney/Ryan fan.

    That’s about as far as it goes. No one suggests that Mitt Romney himself is connected to these signs.

    However, one has to note the irony in the “Vote Character not Color” sign being used by someone who is stoking the fires of homophobia and is likely being racially motivated in his rather zealous effort to get Romney elected.

  • Doctor Claw

    It seems like you’re attacking a strawman. I don’t see any suggestion that this person/these signs are connected to Romney or the Romney Campaign in the piece above.

    It does say that these signs are in poor taste and not in line with the moderate Republican voters of Franklin County. It says that these signs are the handiwork of one who is a rather passionate Romney/Ryan fan.

    That’s about as far as it goes. No one suggests that Mitt Romney himself is connected to these signs.

    However, one has to note the irony in the “Vote Character not Color” sign being used by someone who is stoking the fires of homophobia and is likely being racially motivated in his rather zealous effort to get Romney elected.

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1291420010 Aaron Civil War

    The point of this article all but slaps you in the ass. Missing it is a real feat.

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1569127742 Gail Anderson

    Where’s a can of black spray paint when you need it?

  • Ann Smith

    What does this have to do with Romney? People aren’t going to change their vote because of extremists. People are allowed to think what they think. Do I find the sign offensive? Yes. But I know the Republican party isn’t behind things like this and Republicans don’t think this way. Ignorant people do and they are found in BOTH parties.

  • Ann Smith

    What are you talking about? How does this link any Republican to this man? He is one person, he does not represent the entire party. Gov. Romney has shown nothing but the utmost respect for women. The race war only reared back up again once Obama came into office and started telling people there was a race war. Government has NO place in deciding who should marry whom, contraception issues or what I should eat. They are there to protect & defend the U.S. and that is all. Liberals don’t understand by trying to constantly force THEIR wishes down the throats of others is no different from their claims that conservatives are doing it. The government needs to be hands off and let people live their own lives.

  • Ann Smith

    Please, go ahead. It’s a 6 month jail sentence and a hefty fine because Obama supporters are vandalizing, stealing and spray painting anything they don’t agree with and the police are getting sick of it. Freedom of speech is what allows you to have an Obama sticker on your car and make hateful comments about Ann Romney, Mitt Romney, Josh Mandel and others online just because you don’t agree with them. People will hang themselves with their own rope, ignore stuff like this. This man is doing this to get attention and that’s exactly what he’s getting. Smart people vote based on foreign policy, economics, etc. Not based on a bigot’s sign or free phones.

  • http://www.facebook.com/blaise.zarco Blaise Zarco

    “”1. Franklin County Democrats seeing these signs will be offended, angered and motivated to vote?”" You assume that all democrats support gays? Joseph you just labeled all democrats in this way. Is that what you mean>

  • westparkguy

    Actually, since the Teapublician party has chased most of the moderates away, the racists and bigots are the ones in charge now. So more than likely the Teapublicans support these signs and their messages.

  • westparkguy

    If smart people vote on foreign policy then they are not going to vote for Romney who basically has endorsed everything President Obama did in last 4 years.

    Second, I have no idea where you live, but I have yet to one instance of spray painting defacing a Romney sign. You wouldn’t have pictures would you. Nah, because it’s not happening.

    Third, the cops really don’t care about political signs being stolen off PUBLIC property. Yeah, they will take your report but to them it’s a waste of time and that’s what they are getting sick of. They have plenty of other things to do, then listen to some woman complain that her political sign was stolen when there are much more serious problems to deal with.

  • westparkguy

    Romney has shown nothing for disrespect for women. If he cared about women then his pick for VP would not have been Paul Ryan.

    If you thought that Government should have no place in deciding who should marry then why are REPUBLICAN State legislatures trying to pass laws prevent same sex couples from getting married? Why are these same state legislatures passing “personhood laws” that would make using most forms of contraception illegal?

    The Federal government is there to more than protect & defend the US. If you think that all it does, then I suggest you pick up the Constitution and ACTUALLY read it instead of listening to the FOX news Cliff note version of it.

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=575493950 facebook-575493950

    Free phones, still bringing up that little piece from bullsh*t mountain. As for this supposed vandalizing of GOP signs by democrats, prove it happens anymore to one parties signs than another. As for hateful comments what do you call hateful, that Josh has a chronic attendance problem at his current job? That Mitt can’t seem to keep his policy stances in line minute to minute, or that Ann is just your typical rich clueless stepford wife?

  • xx

    “It does say that these signs are in poor taste and not in line with the moderate Republican voters of Franklin County.”

    So they are in line with everyone else in the Republican party?

  • http://www.facebook.com/julkurz Julie Rearick Kurzenberger

    The signs are leaning on a Romney truck every day in the parking lot. Sorry, Ann, but all too many do. The other sign that I don’t see here says “Vote moral values” – in the exact same blue & red style. Always 3-4 feet high, leaning on the grill of the Romney truck. Nobody’s being unfair to the Romney campaign here.

  • Doctor Claw

    I can only hope. Because today’s (G)ang (O)f (P)rivilege sucks.

  • Doctor Claw

    Well, we know where this little dillweed gets her news. “Free Phones”?

  • Cowtown Girl

    Interesting thread of comments. For those who ask how this man is connected to Romney, I would say the following: The Republican Party platform specifically states that it is opposed to gay marriage and specifically states it wants to outlaw abortion and specifically states that it believes that life begins at conception and that said “life” has 14th Amendment rights. As the official Republican Party nominee for President, Mr. Romney is the de-facto head of the Republican Party. Therefore, he is tied to these beliefs and pronouncements. He has done nothing to condemn this platform and hence can be construed to condone it.
    I was at the early voting site yesterday and there were many people handing out yard signs and bumper stickers for candidates as well as people handing out “official” ballot recommendations for both the Republican and Democrat tickets. The only people who were espousing an extremist agenda were those on the far right end of the political spectrum. While it may seem unfair to assume these people are going to vote for Mitt Romney, I think it is probably an informed conclusion. Aren’t we all pretty certain they are not going to vote for President Obama?

  • disqus_fxC5AhUEoE

    The Republican nominated candidate doesn’t represent the entire party? Wow.

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Carrie-Preston/100000765994211 Carrie Preston

    unfortunately the Republican party and Mitt Romney believe that they can tell us who can marry who–what women do with their health and well being.. if they will get equal pay and tell me when with exact quotes that Obama said this was a race war? You are right about the government needs to be hands off but the trouble with you is that you have the political parties mixed up. Obama will give you the choice allowing these freedoms Mitt Romney and the Republican party will make laws forbidding the choices we should be able to make for ourselves.

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Carrie-Preston/100000765994211 Carrie Preston

    I got an idea Ann if you don’t like what we are saying on this post then get off!

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Carrie-Preston/100000765994211 Carrie Preston

    Wonder why it has been stolen? Usually it has more to do with how people feel about the home owner then the politics when these things happen.

  • Palli Holubar

    Everyone? Apparently you don’t count the hearts of those of us in favor of marraige equality.

  • Guest

    Why are you not criticizing Obama for not having a woman VP? Republicans are not trying to eliminate birth control, they are trying to keep religious institutions, who do not believe in birth control, from being forced to supply it!

  • I Care

    The only way signs are being removed is because they’ve been posted in the wrong place. They are required by City Code to be only so close to the street, if they’re too close they will be picked up & hauled off. At least something works right here… Honestly though with everything that’s happening & what Romney is willing to do or accept does not give me any desire whatsoever to have him in charge of the country I live in. I find it frightening there are people that are ok with so much negativity.

  • westparkguy

    Then explain the personhood amendment that both the Ohio House and Paul Ryan are pushing. Both would eliminate the most effective forms of birth control for women.

    Religious institutions don’t have to supply ANY birth control. Their insurance companies have to provide it to their workers and students. Just become some out-of-touch bishops are pissed that President Obama is cutting money to faith-based organizations does not mean their ideas are mainstream in their faith.

  • http://www.facebook.com/MarkJCB Mark Benzer

    Interesting…I am voting for character not color. Obama far exceeds Romney in that area.

  • Fred Davis

    How do you know it’s not a Virgil Goode supporter?

  • http://www.facebook.com/james.trepanier.37 James Trepanier

    How is tied to Romney? How about through Ryan? Who has stood up and stated that a blanket ban on female contraception, abortion, women’s rights, same sex marriage, and LBGT rights should have no place in modern America? Why do you think Ryan has been kept low key in the last months of the campaign? Because Romney has flip flopped to the moderate Republican stance now in a desperate plea to earn the votes he needs to get elected. Romney HIMSELF has stated that Roe vs. Wade should be overturned and that women should have no say over thier own reproductive rights. But why is it that he supports insurance companies paying for things that boost MALE reproduction? Viagra, pumps, etc. No one else will say it, so I will Mitt Romney, is a lying, sexist, racist, classist, draft-dodging faer and war mongering greedy pig who is allowing his personal religious beliefs to form his national and forgien policies, and is trying to make all of us live by his religious code.

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