Topeka — Kansas House Speaker Mike O'Neal says he will not resign because of criticism he's received since forwarding two emails critical of President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama.
Faithful America, a nondenominational online forum based in Washington, D.C., had collected nearly 25,000 signatures by Tuesday for online petitions seeking O'Neal's resignation.
The controversy started after O'Neal forwarded the two emails this month. One quoted a Bible verse that says "May his days be few; may another take his place of leadership." The second email called Mrs. Obama "YoMama."
O'Neal, a Republican from Hutchinson, apologized last week, saying he did not intend to offend anyone. He said the Bible verse was meant to call for Obama to be defeated in the upcoming election. Critics, however, cite the next verse in the Psalm: "May his children be fatherless and his wife a widow."
"I understand the debate over the verse interpretation, about which I have explained and for which I have repeatedly apologized to the extent anyone misconstrued my intent or was otherwise offended," O'Neal said in an email Monday. "I respect both the president and the office."
Michael Sherrard of Faithful America said he questioned O'Neal's understanding of the verse.
"This is without question a passage calling for the death of a leader," Sherrard told The Wichita Eagle. "It shows a lack of judgment from someone in leadership."
Faithful America on Tuesday had collected more than 22,000 signatures on its website and about 2,800 on Sign-On.org.
Rep. Melody McCray-Miller, D-Wichita, a member of the African-American legislative caucus, said she will push for the House to take collective action against O'Neal for the two emails. She did not specify what she would seek and said the caucus is working on a formal response.
O'Neal said he has support in the House and will not resign.
"I've been humbled by the support and understanding expressed by House members and look forward to getting back to work and staying focused on the many issues we have to consider here in Kansas," he said.
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DRsmith (anonymous) says…
So he doesn't like Obama, I don't think he is alone.
just_another_bozo_on_this_bus (anonymous) replies…
Yea, but should he really be telling Obama to drop dead?
DRsmith (anonymous) replies…
Not sure what country you think this is, but yeah, he can do that. But back to the point, when did he say that? I must have missed that quote. I wouldn't vote for him but let's be reasonable, he is doing nothing but firing up his base, which isn't liberal Lawrence.
kochmoney (anonymous) replies…
He forwarded an email asking people to pray on a passage that called for the death of a leader. Either he didn't read the Bible with understanding, or he wants his "base" to pray for Obama's death.
Easy_Does_It (anonymous) says…
Maybe it they asked him nicely instead of all mean and stuff.
ivalueamerica (anonymous) says…
Why would we not hold a public servant to a standard of decorum, especially one who is supposed to be in a leadership role to the state and behaving inappropriately on taxpayer time and using taxpayer computer resources?
He works for us, he misbehaved...at the very least he should be censured and fined.
Alceste (anonymous) replies…
Were he a state employee....as in state Civil Service, he would have been summarily discharged.
appleaday (anonymous) replies…
Or, were he a high school student tweeting about the governor, he would have been ordered to apologize.
oldvet (anonymous) replies…
And he could promptly refuse to apologize, with no further consequences.
Alceste (anonymous) replies…
....but he couldn't/wouldn't be re-hired by the state of Kansas.....
yourworstnightmare (anonymous) says…
"I've been humbled by the support and understanding expressed by House members and look forward to getting back to work and staying focused on the many issues we have to consider here in Kansas," he said.
Should have had this thought instead of sending the stupid, racist emails.
50YearResident (anonymous) says…
If every politition that did or said something inappropiate was forced to resigh, there would be none left to run for office. Sociaty is getting way too critical of any errors in speach or judgement..
Fretster (anonymous) replies…
Forward that email in the private sector and see what happens.
Fired, period.
JayhawkFan1985 (anonymous) replies…
That depends on the private sector firm.
Fretster (anonymous) replies…
Very few wouldn't can someone over this.
bad_dog (anonymous) replies…
"Sociaty is getting way too critical of any errors in speach or judgement.."
Posting Irony Hall of Fame candidate, here.
beatrice (anonymous) says…
Of course he isn't stepping down, nor should he. I've said it elsewhere, but if people want him out of office then they should support a qualified candidate that can beat him in the next election.
If a law isn't broken, acting stupidly is not grounds for removing someone from office. It is grounds for questioning his judgment and putting his feet to the fire, but not for recalling him or asking him to resign.
ibroke (anonymous) says…
they need another beer summit
beatrice (anonymous) says…
Speaker O'Neal won't resign, but I'll bet we don't hear from "E-Mailer O'Neal" any time soon.
Beer summits should be mandatory among politicians today.
KEITHMILES05 (anonymous) says…
He brings shame to the office and himself. If he wishes to fight for this disgrace to continue then stay in office.
Fidogump (anonymous) says…
He only apologized because he got caught just like the hog guy, etc. This guy is a disgrace and of course sam the sham must agree with him because he has said nothing. This guy is no different than newt was the other night and people on this site- prejudiced.
4getabouit (anonymous) says…
O'Neal is too stupid to know how dumb he is......
rvjayhawk (anonymous) says…
O"Neil sure isn't very smart. But libs calling for his resignation are hypocrites. Many of them have made far worse remarks about the Koch brothers and President Bush. So you libs need to deal with it, it wasn't illegal, just stupid.
Fretster (anonymous) replies…
You apparently don't get it, see, the public is this guys boss. If I did this at work, HR would can me for sure.
See the parallel?
Nah, doubt it.
tanzer (anonymous) replies…
If I did this at work I would be canned and arrested.
fearthetaliban (anonymous) says…
Just like the hog guy nothing will happen. It's a sad new day in Kansas
realisticvoter (anonymous) says…
Sad thing is, the rest of the world sees this idiot as representing all Kansans, and this clown does "NOT" represent me.
consumer1 (anonymous) says…
Good for you. Don't let the political correctness of the far left control you.
BlackVelvet (anonymous) says…
For all of you who want this guy fired/resigned, what about all the times Obama has made stupid remarks? Is he following a different set of rules? Where is the call for Obama's ouster because of some of the things he has said?
overplayedhistory (anonymous) replies…
Please site what Obama has said that compares.
matthew2600 (anonymous) says…
For all the people here defending O'Neal and all the people with stupid anti-Obama bumper stickers and for the lady who put up that stupid anti-Obama billboard in the middle of Kansas, he is our president whether you like it or not. This is America, we elect our leaders, love the country (and the elected president) or leave it. I disagreed with Bush on policy but wouldn't try to quote scripture to try to make some political point. and I accepted that he was elected.