State Republican leaders (finally) denounce Dean

by: ctblogger

Thu Jan 17, 2013 at 17:36:54 PM EST

(Hartford, Connecticut)  Today, the Connecticut Democratic Party strongly condemns the actions of former Republican nominee for Attorney General, Martha Dean.  Dean has been directing people to a controversial YouTube video claiming the horrific shooting in Newtown is actually just a conspiracy. [Link]

"Someone who purported to be qualified to be the attorney for the State of Connecticut should know better," said Nancy DiNardo, chair of the Connecticut Democratic Party.

Dean's actions come just weeks after Republican State Representative DebraLee Hovey took to Facebook to criticize former U.S. Representative and gunshot victim Gabrielle Giffords for visiting Newtown and privately meeting with families of victims of the shooting. [Link]

"First we had a State Rep. chastising a gunshot victim for offering aid and comfort.   Now we have a former GOP nominee for a statewide office directing her followers to a conspiracy video about the shooting," said DiNardo. "Chairman Labirola, Minority Leader McKinney, and Minority Leader Cafero, should condemn her actions, and do so immediately. Another non-apology apology will not going to cut it this time."

Well, it took Republicans forever to finally do the right thing...better late than never I guess.

PRESS RELEASE FROM HOUSE AND SENATE REPUBLICAN LEADERS CAFERO AND MCKINNEY:

HARTFORD - House and Senate Republican Leaders Larry Cafero of Norwalk and John McKinney of Fairfield today denounced the posting of a video by former Republican Attorney General candidate Martha Dean that promotes "vile" conspiracy theories surrounding the Sandy Hook School shootings.

Dean, on her Facebook page, linked to a video composite which involves conspiracy theories, including the allegation that the tragedy was staged by actors.

"The victims and families of Newtown and Connecticut as a whole have been devastated by this horrible tragedy, many of whom may never recover. We do not need to hear these vile conspiracy claims," Cafero said. "I have no idea why she would call attention to this by posting it on her social media page, but it would be best if she takes it down."

"The information put out by so-called 'Newtown Truthers' and other conspiracy theorists is disgusting and despicable. Their conduct and actions are not only an insult to our intelligence, but also hurtful to the people of Newtown and disrespectful to the families of the victims and the memories of their children. Reposting, or in any way furthering the legitimacy of these groups, is grossly irresponsible and equally wrong. Anyone who engages in such behavior owes the families of the victims and the people of Newtown an apology," McKinney said.

"While it is certainly the right of all Americans to express any view they may hold and while Connecticut and the nation continue to struggle for answers regarding the Newtown tragedy, the posting of the conspiracy video by Martha Dean was, in my opinion, ill-thought and highly insensitive."