Deborah Johns: “terminated last year by the Tea Party Express for cause”
October 5th, 2010 5:49 am ET
A handful of newspapers had quite the field day shouting from the rooftops that Deborah Johns, former Vice Chair of the Tea Party Express, has not only endorsed Mike McIntyre’s run for his eighth term in Congress, but she has also attacked the GOP challenger, Ilario Pantano, with statements such as “That is not a war hero,” and”It is people like that that give all our military a bad name.”
Just for the record, Pantano not once ever claimed to be a “war hero.” Only his detractors state that. Pantano simply states that he is a two war veteran.
But nonetheless, The Tea Party Express has just sent the following Press Release to me for publication;
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 4, 2010
CONTACT: Levi Russell at (509) 979-6615 (509) 979-6615 or via email at: Levi@FrontLineStrat.com
Tea Party Express Clarifies Role of Former Vice Chair, Deborah Johns
Several news media outlets today reported on Deborah Johns’ decision to oppose the candidacy of Republican congressional candidate (and Iraq war veteran) Ilario Pantano and cited Ms. Johns former role as Vice Chair of the Tea Party Express.
Ms. Johns was terminated last year by the Tea Party Express for cause. We do not agree with her views regarding Mr. Pantano one bit. We wish to make it clear that she has absolutely no involvement with the tea party activities of the Tea Party Express, nor will she ever in the future.
It is our understanding that Ms. Johns was similarly terminated from her position with Combat Veterans for Congress and no longer is associated with their organization as well.
We find Ms. Johns’ comments towards a proud Iraq war veteran abhorrent and reprehensible. They do not speak for our organization nor reflect our views in any way, shape or form.
-Thank You-