Former Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney joined a growing chorus of Americans calling for the state of South Carolina to take down the Confederate flag, calling it a symbol of hatred and divisiveness, only to have conservative followers of his turn on him.

Attention has once again returned to the flag flown at the state capital of South Carolina, home of the birthplace of the confederacy, following the shooting of nine black churchgoers by Dylann Roof, who sported Confederate flags on his car.

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Friday night, South Carolina state Rep. Norman “Doug” Brannon (R) said he plans on introducing a bill to remove the Confederate flag near his state’s capitol building, adding, “I’m not a politician tonight. But I do have access, and I will introduce that bill in December,”

Saturday morning on Twitter, Romney wrote, “Take down the # ConfederateFlag at the SC Capitol. To many, it is a symbol of racial hatred. Remove it now to honor # Charleston victims.”

See also:

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‘I know where he got his news’: Bill Maher links Charleston terrorist to right-wing media

Romney’s position on the Confederate flag isn’t new — he criticized it during the 2008 presidential campaign and drew fire and attack ads over it then

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While many praised Romney for taking a bold stand, others harshly criticized the conservative Republican with one writing, “With respect, if you want to define the confederacy, does that mean I get to define Mormonism”

Romney’s tweet and some responses below:

Take down the #ConfederateFlag at the SC Capitol. To many, it is a symbol of racial hatred. Remove it now to honor #Charleston victims. — Mitt Romney (@MittRomney) June 20, 2015

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@MittRomney if that flag offends someone, they need a history lesson — Hunter Ansley (@theHunterAnsley) June 20, 2015

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@MittRomney @Thomasismyuncle with respect, if you want to define the confederacy, does that mean I get to define Mormonism — Karon Adams (@MilitaryRosary) June 20, 2015

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@MittRomney Think that will help the murder rate in Chicago and Baltimore ? — STRONG (@6Strong8) June 20, 2015

@MittRomney I disagree. Let it stay, it is not a symbol of hatred. It is history, it has nothing to do with hate. — Kyle nChell (@Kylenchell98) June 20, 2015

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@MittRomney @EricaGrieder The Battle Flag hasn’t killed anyone since 1865. Please sirs go to Hades. — Charles Mangerian (@Civitas2012) June 20, 2015

@MittRomney Yes, because caving in to race-baiters who are only trying to exploit a tragedy is what won you the Presidency, right? — Dan (@Maverick_SS_49) June 20, 2015

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One tweet in particular was appreciative of Romney, complimenting him while taking a slap at the GOP in general:

. @MittRomney Wow! Has someone in the gop figured out that catering to the batsht crazies is a losing proposition? — T (@mgtilford) June 20, 2015

See also:

‘I know where he got his news’: Bill Maher links Charleston terrorist to right-wing media