North Dakota Democrats attack anti-Obama posters

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BISMARCK, N.D. — North Dakota’s public service commissioners acknowledge an employee had an anti-Obama poster hanging in his office of a little girl giving the finger.

All three commissioners said Wednesday they were previously unaware of the poster.

“He was wrong (to hang the poster),” Commissioner Brian Kalk said. “That’s not what we’re all about.”

In photos released by the state Democratic-NPL party, the poster reads, “Thanks, Obama. You’ve spent my lunch money, my allowance, my inheritance, 35 years of future paychecks, and my retirement. You (expletive).”

Somebody on a tour of the Public Service Commission office took and shared the photos, said Meredith Pickett, a spokeswoman for the state Democratic-NPL party.

Another photo shows a nearby poster of a smiling Obama with the words, “Peace Prize. Just like welfare and socialized medicine. You don’t have to work to get it.”

Democratic-NPL Chairman Mark Schneider called the posters “beyond outrageous.”

“These offices belong to the people of North Dakota, not the Republican Party,” he said in a statement. “Using an image of a little girl in a profane gesture in a public office is obscene.”

The employee who hung the posters was not in the office late Wednesday and was not immediately available for comment.

Commissioner Tony Clark said it is common sense to not hang something like that in a public office.

Commissioner Kevin Cramer said he agrees the posters were “distasteful” and “inappropriate” to have in clear view of the hallway. However, he also supports freedom of speech.

“I think of all the places in North Dakota that stand as a symbol of free expression, the state Capitol is the best,” he said.

All three commissioners said the issue is a personnel matter that will be discussed.

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