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Canton, Where Kirk Schuring Says We Might Be Shot At
- Filed under: Local
- Date: Jun 10,2008
"I was telling people earlier, where I come from, we could never have a rally like this in the center of Canton. If we did, we might be shot at." - Republican Congressional Candidate Kirk Schuring
The video clip above shows the opening remarks from a June 5th event where Republican Congressional Candidate Kirk Schuring addressed a crowd at Ashland Corner Park in Ashland, OH. The event was billed as a "John McCain for President Rally" and Schuring served as the keynote speaker. Ashland is on the opposite side of Ohio's 16th Congressional District from Canton, where Kirk Schuring says we might be shot at. Schuring, though he has not served in the military or as a law enforcement officer, I guess deserves credit for braving gun fire as he goes to his Congressional Campaign office, which is located in downtown Canton.
Part of what a Congressman should do is to serve as an advocate for the people in his district. Ohio's 16th Congressional District is going to need someone to help develop the economy of the district. Canton is a city that has been hit hard by the loss of manufacturing jobs, the housing foreclosure crisis, and a variety of other factors. The people of Canton need elected officials who will work to turn things around and not kick them when they are down. This is more than just a bad joke at a picnic. Scaring citizens from going to Canton is the exact opposite of the kind of advocacy the city needs to get things back on track.
10 Responses for "Canton, Where Kirk Schuring Says We Might Be Shot At"
This GOP hopeful is only playing the same old Republican game of baiting white voters with fear…and in this case, the implication is racist.
You know, the old Willie Horton, blacks should be feared because they are criminal…kind of thing.
Same old.
Shame on this Republican for sticking to the "old politics".
That's what the GOP must resort to…..because their policies have failed so miserably.
Especially with the failed policies of the last 2 years that the democrats have been in control.
Canton is awful, what does military or police service have to do with this, oh but michelle obama said barack was so brave because he could get shot just going to the gas station because he was black i must have forgotten about his military time
AT LEAST HE LIVES IN THE DISTRICT
A poor choice of words, and probably off the cuff. He was referring to a sense of safety I guess, which downtown Canton may not have.
http://www.indeonline.com/local_news/x1872701950/Schuring-campaign-defends-shot-at-remark-Dems-locally-and-statewide-not-letting-it-slide
I am pretty sure that he meant this in jest, because Ashland is obviously much more Republican that Canton, which he was likely alluding to. That said, this day in time, you shouldn't say things like that because someone is always going to be around filming everything you say. Just ask George Allen.
George Allen is the first example I can remember of this sort of thing too. It is interesting how YouTube changes political campaigns. Even a few cycles ago, this kind of story would never get out because no one is going to bother buying TV for this. Now, it is out there.
John Bocieiri / Ted Strickland
team not living in their district
Kirk Schuring is unbelievable. His comments were offensive and his explanation was incoherent.
http://www.cantonrep.com/index.php?ID=415924&Category=9&fromSearch=yes&subCategoryID=31
http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2008/6/10/0832/39540
Democratic Party takes exception to Schuring's remarks
BY ROBERT WANG
REPOSITORY STAFF WRITER
State Sen. Kirk Schuring and the state's Democratic Party traded barbs Monday over remarks he made at a recent rally.
Schuring, R-Jackson Township, said in an interview that he was joking when he said last week in Ashland that if Republicans held a rally in downtown Canton they might be shot.
He spoke after the Ohio Democratic Party posted a grainy video of his remarks on YouTube. The party then issued a statement criticizing his remarks as highly partisan and a disservice to Canton residents.
Schuring, who's running for Congress from the 16th District, was in Ashland on Thursday to speak at a rally for Republican presidential candidate John McCain. The district includes Stark and Wayne counties and most of Medina and Ashland counties. During his speech, Schuring praised Ashland Republicans.
RALLY REMARK
"The other thing I know is that Ashland County has a rich history and tradition of rallying around Republicans," he told the crowd. "Where I come from, we could never have a rally like this in the center of Canton. If we did, we might be shot at."
"But not in Ashland," said Schuring. "And that's what makes you so great, and that's why this election cycle you're going to play a very critical role."
The state Democratic Party said in its statement e-mailed to The Repository:
"It is appalling to witness Kirk Schuring speaking with such venom and disdain toward the very individuals he is seeking to represent."
The party e-mail had a link to the video on YouTube.
Alex Goepfert, a spokesman for Ohio Democrats, said the state party received the video from someone who was at the rally. He declined to identify the person or elaborate on how the video came into the party's possession.
REACTION
Schuring's opponent, State Sen. John Boccieri, D-New Middletown, called Schuring's remarks "most unfortunate."
Boccieri said that his campaign did not arrange to have a supporter at the McCain rally and that he didn't know how the state party got the video.
Schuring said that his remarks were not about crime in Canton, but that he was referring to the city's predominantly Democratic makeup. His remark, he said, was meant as a joke that "Democrats aren't too fond of Republicans in Canton."
The senator said he was born and raised in Canton, his insurance business has an office in Canton and his campaign headquarters is in downtown Canton. He said he has taken leadership roles in many Canton civic organizations.
"My affinity for Canton is beyond reproach," Schuring said. "I've worked real hard for Canton. I've lived in Canton. I believe in Canton."
Schuring added: "People are getting tired of the petty bickering. Shame on the Democrats for trying to make this into an issue."
Canton Councilman Thomas West, D-2, who represents downtown Canton, acknowledged that the city has had shootings in some neighborhoods. But downtown is safe, he said.
"The remarks by Senator Schuring were very offensive, if not demeaning," West said. "These aren't the type of jokes you make about our community especially at a time when there is violence in our community."
Reach Repository writer Robert Wang at (330) 580-8327 or e-mail robert.wang@cantonrep.com.
***Sen. Kirk Schuring attacked more than Canton, he attacked Civil Liberties***
As Ralph Regula’s tenure in serving the 16th Congressional District (Ohio)draws to an end, the race has been marked as the second most important Congressional in the nation.
Consequently, making an informed decision is of the up-most importance this year. And like many folks, I time-to-time turn YouTube for videos that may not necessary break into the mainstream media, but provides a realistic, in-depth view of things.
Sometime in mid-June, I typed in both John Bocieri’s and Kurt Schuring’s name. Most of John’s vedios were of his announcement that he was a candidate for the 16th. Kurt Schuring’s were of “Kurt Schuring attacks the residents of Canton.”
I am sure Schuring’s shooting comments were in jest and not in any way vindictive. But as I watched the full video, I was shocked by other statements he made.
About half-way into his “Ashland Speech,” Schuring said, “Barack Obama believes that our Constitution is a living document that evolves over time” and that John McCain believes “it [the Constitution ] should be interpreted as it is written.” Need I remind Sen. Kirk Schuring that if the Constitution was interpreted “as written,” Obama would not be considered as a citizen, and separate-but-equal would still be the norm. Oh, and let’s not forget, women would not be allowed to vote.
Granted, I am sure Sen. Schuring did not intend to offend anyone with his Canton comment, but we cannot condone his statement about Barack Obama and the U.S. Constitution.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wKGe34qlHUA
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