# Congressional candidate Stephen Broden (TX-R) says revolution "on the table" if GOP loses **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [October 25, 2010, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/congressional-candidate-stephen-broden-tx-r-says-revolution-on-the-table-if-gop-loses/558296 "2010-10-25T16:28:15Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2010, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/congressional-candidate-stephen-broden-tx-r-says-revolution-on-the-table-if-gop-loses/558296/1 "2010-10-25T16:28:15Z")
[Story here:](http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/latestnews/stories/102210dnmetbroden.1b2338185.html) > [@](#): > > WASHINGTON – Republican congressional candidate Stephen Broden stunned his party Thursday, saying he would not rule out violent overthrow of the government if elections did not produce a change in leadership. > > In a rambling exchange during a TV interview, Broden, a South Dallas pastor, said a violent uprising “is not the first option,” but it is “on the table.” That drew a quick denunciation from the head of the Dallas County GOP, who called the remarks “inappropriate.” > > Broden, a first-time candidate, is challenging veteran incumbent Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson in Dallas’ heavily Democratic 30th Congressional District. Johnson’s campaign declined to comment on Broden. > > In the interview, Brad Watson, political reporter for WFAA-TV (Channel 8), asked Broden about a tea party event last year in Fort Worth in which he described the nation’s government as tyrannical. > > “We have a constitutional remedy,” Broden said then. “And the Framers say if that don’t work, revolution.” In reaction, the _Dallas Morning News_ has withdrawn its endorsement of Broden. ---
**Author:** ![joebuck20](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/74df32/32.png) [@joebuck20](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/joebuck20)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2010, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/congressional-candidate-stephen-broden-tx-r-says-revolution-on-the-table-if-gop-loses/558296/2 "2010-10-25T16:50:49Z")
Ah, so the GOP is welcoming traitors into its ranks now. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2010, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/congressional-candidate-stephen-broden-tx-r-says-revolution-on-the-table-if-gop-loses/558296/3 "2010-10-25T16:58:19Z")
> [@](#): > > Ah, so the GOP is welcoming traitors into its ranks now. “Now”? You mean you missed all the other ones? ---
**Author:** ![John\_D\_Adamo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ed8c4c/32.png) [@John\_D\_Adamo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_D_Adamo)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2010, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/congressional-candidate-stephen-broden-tx-r-says-revolution-on-the-table-if-gop-loses/558296/4 "2010-10-25T17:00:07Z")
I think one of the prevailing tenents of elements of the Tea Party movement is that if they can’t enact change through legislative channels and electing their people in, they’d stage violent revolts of the government. For better or for worse, Broden is channeling these feelings. It is just another indication that a Tea Party vs. GOP Establishment war is starting in many areas, Texas included. ---
**Author:** ![joebuck20](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/74df32/32.png) [@joebuck20](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/joebuck20)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2010, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/congressional-candidate-stephen-broden-tx-r-says-revolution-on-the-table-if-gop-loses/558296/5 "2010-10-25T17:01:34Z")
If these guys want Civil War so bad, stop talking and just do it. Get off your asses, stop acting like poseurs and let the fighting commence. Just let us know how that shootey, insurrectioney stuff works out for ya. ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2010, 5:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/congressional-candidate-stephen-broden-tx-r-says-revolution-on-the-table-if-gop-loses/558296/6 "2010-10-25T17:02:16Z")
As always, I would welcome the opportunity to watch these yahoos try to take on the US military. Bring it on, traitors. I’ve got five minutes to kill. That’s about how long your revolution would last. ---
**Author:** ![John\_D\_Adamo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ed8c4c/32.png) [@John\_D\_Adamo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_D_Adamo)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2010, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/congressional-candidate-stephen-broden-tx-r-says-revolution-on-the-table-if-gop-loses/558296/7 "2010-10-25T17:12:54Z")
And if there ever were to be a battle, despite all the talk of a revolution they espouse, I think you’d see Glenn Beck, Ann Coulter, Michelle Malkin, Rush Limbaugh, and Sarah Palin absent from the battlefield. But yeah, I think it’s safe to say these last two years have been a very interesting turn of events in the Republican Party. ---
**Author:** ![Rhythmdvl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/85f322/32.png) [@Rhythmdvl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhythmdvl)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2010, 5:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/congressional-candidate-stephen-broden-tx-r-says-revolution-on-the-table-if-gop-loses/558296/8 "2010-10-25T17:13:19Z")
> [@John\_D\_Adamo](#): > > I think one of the prevailing tenents of elements of the Tea Party movement is that if they can’t enact change through legislative channels and electing their people in, they’d stage violent revolts of the government. For better or for worse, Broden is channeling these feelings. It is just another indication that a Tea Party vs. GOP Establishment war is starting in many areas, Texas included. It’s something of an extension of the shout-down strategy of the health care debate. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2010, 5:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/congressional-candidate-stephen-broden-tx-r-says-revolution-on-the-table-if-gop-loses/558296/9 "2010-10-25T17:13:42Z")
> [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > As always, I would welcome the opportunity to watch these yahoos try to take on the US military. Bring it on, traitors. I’ve got five minutes to kill. That’s about how long your revolution would last. Based on discussions I’ve read on other boards, they seem to think the soldiers would be on **their** side. ---
**Author:** ![Spiff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spiff/32/9852_2.png) [@Spiff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiff)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2010, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/congressional-candidate-stephen-broden-tx-r-says-revolution-on-the-table-if-gop-loses/558296/10 "2010-10-25T17:21:15Z")
> [@joebuck20](#): > > If these guys want Civil War so bad, stop talking and just do it. Get off your asses, stop acting like poseurs and let the fighting commence. Just let us know how that shootey, insurrectioney stuff works out for ya. You have a wonderful way with words. And the snark, too. Bravo. ---
**Author:** ![Face\_Intentionally\_Left\_Blank](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/face_intentionally_left_blank/32/288_2.png) [@Face\_Intentionally\_Left\_Blank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Face_Intentionally_Left_Blank)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2010, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/congressional-candidate-stephen-broden-tx-r-says-revolution-on-the-table-if-gop-loses/558296/11 "2010-10-25T17:39:31Z")
> [@joebuck20](#): > > Ah, so the GOP is welcoming traitors into its ranks now. To be fair, the head of the Dallas County Republican Election Committee, and Ken Emanuelson, a leading tea party organizer in Dallas do not agree with his statement. The first called the comment ‘disappointing’, and that he will be discussing the matter with the campaign staff. The other said that he did not disagree with the “philosophical point” that people had the right to resist a tyrannical government, but that the situation is not anywhere near that point. That’s about as sensible as I could have hoped for, particularly in this climate. Sadly, things have gotten to the point where I was a little surprised at the push-back from his end of the political spectrum. ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2010, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/congressional-candidate-stephen-broden-tx-r-says-revolution-on-the-table-if-gop-loses/558296/12 "2010-10-25T17:47:58Z")
> [@BrainGlutton](#): > > Based on discussions I’ve read on other boards, they seem to think the soldiers would be on **their** side. I know, but this is as absurd a fantasy as can be imagined. ---
**Author:** ![Euphonious\_Polemic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/euphonious_polemic/32/3002_2.png) [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2010, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/congressional-candidate-stephen-broden-tx-r-says-revolution-on-the-table-if-gop-loses/558296/13 "2010-10-25T17:53:06Z")
> [@Spiff](#): > > You have a wonderful way with words. > > And the snark, too. > > Bravo. So what do you think the proper response to Broden’s statement should be? > [@](#): > > “We have a constitutional remedy,” Broden said then. “And the Framers say if that don’t work, revolution.” Do you agree with Broden’s statement? Or do you think that **joebuck20** should just shut up and say nothing? ---
**Author:** ![ShibbOleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/848f3c/32.png) [@ShibbOleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShibbOleth)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2010, 5:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/congressional-candidate-stephen-broden-tx-r-says-revolution-on-the-table-if-gop-loses/558296/14 "2010-10-26T05:05:48Z")
> [@](#): > > WASHINGTON – Republican congressional candidate Stephen Broden stunned his party Thursday, saying he would not rule out violent overthrow of the government if elections did not produce a change in leadership. > > In a rambling exchange during a TV interview, Broden, a **South Dallas pastor** , said a violent uprising “is not the first option,” but it is “on the table.” That drew a quick denunciation from the head of the Dallas County GOP, who called the remarks “inappropriate.” I haven’t been to church since I was a kid, so I’m a bit rusty, but I’m wondering which part of the New Testament allows for violent revolution? ---
**Author:** ![Measure\_for\_Measure](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/measure_for_measure/32/557_2.png) [@Measure\_for\_Measure](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Measure_for_Measure)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2010, 5:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/congressional-candidate-stephen-broden-tx-r-says-revolution-on-the-table-if-gop-loses/558296/15 "2010-10-26T05:15:10Z")
> [@Euphonious\_Polemic](#): > > So what do you think the proper response to Broden’s statement should be? You are playing with fire, sir. The whole point of democracy is not to eliminate conflict or disagreement but to manage it peacefully. This is not Iraq. This is not Afghanistan. This is not the former Yugoslavia. This is America. Such incendiary talk is highly irresponsible. You have shamed your party, your religion and your country. If you refuse to apologize, then your party and laity should do it for you. Shame: have you any? ---
**Author:** ![foolsguinea](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foolsguinea/32/14751_2.png) [@foolsguinea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/foolsguinea)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2010, 9:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/congressional-candidate-stephen-broden-tx-r-says-revolution-on-the-table-if-gop-loses/558296/16 "2010-10-26T09:56:15Z")
> [@ShibbOleth](#): > > I haven’t been to church since I was a kid, so I’m a bit rusty, but I’m wondering which part of the New Testament allows for violent revolution? Well, there are some lines in the gospels that can be read that way. Not that Jesus was republican, capitalist, or conservative. ---
**Author:** ![appleciders](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/85f322/32.png) [@appleciders](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/appleciders)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2010, 11:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/congressional-candidate-stephen-broden-tx-r-says-revolution-on-the-table-if-gop-loses/558296/17 "2010-10-26T11:19:42Z")
> [@ShibbOleth](#): > > I haven’t been to church since I was a kid, so I’m a bit rusty, but I’m wondering which part of the New Testament allows for violent revolution? Usually, people point to [this](http://bible.cc/luke/22-36.htm) quote. I think this is cherry-picking one violent quote out of context to contradict a peaceful message, but for some people, confirmation of their existing beliefs is what they’re looking for, not actual spiritual guidance. > [@Luke 22:36](#): > > and if you don’t have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one. ---
**Author:** ![BobLibDem](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boblibdem/32/3149_2.png) [@BobLibDem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobLibDem)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2010, 12:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/congressional-candidate-stephen-broden-tx-r-says-revolution-on-the-table-if-gop-loses/558296/18 "2010-10-26T12:44:43Z")
Who would trade a sword for a cloak? Sounds like a lousy deal to me. ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2010, 1:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/congressional-candidate-stephen-broden-tx-r-says-revolution-on-the-table-if-gop-loses/558296/19 "2010-10-26T13:19:08Z")
> [@BobLibDem](#): > > Who would trade a sword for a cloak? Sounds like a lousy deal to me. Not if you stab the guy and take your cloak back. ---
**Author:** ![BobLibDem](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boblibdem/32/3149_2.png) [@BobLibDem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobLibDem)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2010, 1:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/congressional-candidate-stephen-broden-tx-r-says-revolution-on-the-table-if-gop-loses/558296/20 "2010-10-26T13:23:05Z")
> [@Robot\_Arm](#): > > Not if you stab the guy and take your cloak back. No I meant the guy with the sword. Why would he trade it for a lousy cloak? I say throw in a horse if you want my sword. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/congressional-candidate-stephen-broden-tx-r-says-revolution-on-the-table-if-gop-loses/558296.md?page=2)