Eric Cantor accused Democrats of using threats of violence against lawmakers for political gain. The Minority Whip singled out party leaders Chris Van Hollen and Tim Kaine for "fanning the flames" of violence by suggesting that their actions on health reform have made Democrats targets, reports Politico. Cantor said he, too, receives threats—and even had a bullet shot through his office window in Richmond this week—but does not make them public.
"Legitimate threats should be treated as security issues, and they should be dealt with by the appropriate law enforcement officials. It is reckless to use these incidents as media vehicles for political gain," Cantor said. A DNC spokesman shot back at Cantor: “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."
(More Eric Cantor stories.)