Eric Cantor blames Democrats for 'fanning the flames' on threats. Cantor: Republicans threatened, too

House Minority Whip Eric Cantor blamed top Democrats for “fanning the flames” regarding threats to members of Congress — and says his office in Richmond was shot at earlier this week.

Cantor, a Virginia Republican, said the heads of the Democratic National Committee and the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee are using allegations of harassment and threats to Democrats nationwide for political purposes.


Cantor said he doesn’t release information about the incidents of threats against himself to the media because it would only ratchet up violence. But he did say a bullet shot through the window in his campaign office in Richmond on Monday evening, and he has received threats because he is Jewish.

According to a statement by the Richmond Police department, the bullet struck the window in a "downward direction" and broke the window, but did not penetrate the window blinds – suggesting that it was not a point blank shot at Cantor’s office window.

"There was no other damage to the room, which is used occasionally for meetings by the congressman," the statement reads.

“[I] have deep concerns that some, DCCC Chairman Chris Van Hollen and DNC Chairman Tim Kaine in particular, are dangerously fanning the flames by suggesting that these incidents be used as a political weapon,” Cantor said.

Democrats and Republicans today moved to distance themselves from the violence. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) said “we all reject” any derisive language used by protestors Sunday in the lead up to the health care vote. The top House Democrat said protesters and those engaging in violence and threats should not be lumped together.

Meanwhile, House Minority Leader John Boehner of Ohio said that the “violence and the threats are unacceptable.” Tea party organizers across the country have also condemned the threats and vandalism.

Republicans and Democrats have joint statement ready that would condemn the violence and threats directed at members, a Democratic aide said.

DNC Spokesman Brad Woodhouse said their response has been “entirely appropriate.”

“Instead of trying to distract from the issue with more attacks, we would ask Mr. Cantor and other Republicans to join Chairman Kaine in working to ratchet down the rhetoric, condemn deplorable behavior and disagree on these issues without being disagreeable,” Woodhouse wrote in an e-mailed response.

Cantor, the highest ranking Jew in Congress, said that security threats are not a partisan issue and they should be handled by law enforcement officials.

“I’m not naïve enough to think that letters, statements or press releases will prevent anyone disturbed enough to commit violence from acting,” Cantor said. “But I do know that such letters statements and press releases can very easily fan the flames by ratcheting up the rhetoric, some would only inflame these situations to dangerous levels. Enough is enough it has to stop.”

Another Republican, Jean Schmidt of Ohio, received a profanity laced voice mail this week in which the caller wished that the congresswoman had broken her back in a recent accident.

Boehner said rancorous debate on the floor of the House has been present over the past several months from both political parties. He said “threats and violence should not be part of a political debate” and denied seeing his members holding “Kill the Bill” signs on a balcony outside the Capitol — Democrats have said this ginned up anger.

He also dismissed calling Rep. Steve Driehaus (D-Ohio) a “dead man,” saying he meant it in a political sense. Few noticed the quote before Driehaus himself brought it up, Boehner said.

When asked if Democratic members should be concerned about their safety — as House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer said Wednesday — Boehner didn’t disagree.

“They’re in the middle of this and I have no reason to discount what they said,” he said.