Tommy Thompson’s Son Apologizes for Back-to-Kenya Obama Comment
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Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call(WASHINGTON) — The son of Senate candidate and former Wisconsin Gov. Tommy Thompson has reportedly apologized for his back-to-Kenya reference to President Obama that drew laughter and light applause during a brunch attended by Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus in Rep. Paul Ryan’s district.
In a video from Sunday’s Republican Party brunch posted by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Jason Thompson said, “We have the opportunity to send President Obama back to Chicago, or Kenya.”
One woman in the video can be heard saying, “We’re taking donations for that Kenya trip.”
The former governor later spoke to his son about the remarks and Jason Thompson apologized, according to Politico.
The Thompson campaign has not responded to a request for comment.
Priebus was in the audience Sunday, according to the Journal Sentinel and the Kenosha County GOP website.
He released a statement, saying, “I agree with Governor Thompson, the comment was out of line and his son rightfully apologized.”
The remark alluded to some conservatives’ belief that the president’s birth certificate is a forgery and that he was in born in Kenya, where his father grew up. Despite overwhelming evidence that Obama was born in Hawaii and the release of his birth certificate last year, some conspiracy theorists remain.
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