Calif. Democratic official apologizes for wishing death on Cruz staffer’s children

The communications chair of the Sacramento County Democratic Party apologized Friday after directing vitriol at a staffer for Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) over the defunding of ObamaCare.

Amanda Carpenter, a speechwriter and senior communications adviser to Cruz, tweeted her optimism that the GOP could succeed in stripping funding for the healthcare law in the fight over a continuing resolution.

GOP beat gun control, changed Obama’s mind on Syria, is holding the line on amnesty. We can defund Obamacare, too!

— Amanda Carpenter (@amandacarpenter) September 20, 2013

Allan Brauer, who works as the communications chair for the Democratic Party of Sacramento County, according to the group’s website, responded by saying he hopes her children “all die from debilitating, painful and incurable diseases.”

@amandacarpenter May your children all die from debilitating, painful and incurable diseases.

— allanbrauer (@allanbrauer) September 20, 2013

Under criticism for the tweet, Brauer was defiant, posting several more attacks on Carpenter.

I’m being attacked on Twitter for wishing one of Ted Cruz’s pubic lice to experience the pain her boss is inflicting on Americans.

— allanbrauer (@allanbrauer) September 20, 2013

Yes, your party takes bread from the mouths of starving children and medicine from the sick, and I’m the problem. Got it.

— allanbrauer (@allanbrauer) September 20, 2013

More than an hour after the original tweet, Brauer continued to lash out at those criticizing him for the original remark.
 

And then the entire universe of hateful, child-starving, health-care deniers determines that I’m what’s wrong with America.

— allanbrauer (@allanbrauer) September 20, 2013

 
The tweets soon drew some notice from conservative writers and organizations. Jonah Goldberg of National Review quipped that Brauer’s remarks reflected poorly on Democratic values:

Government is just another word for the things we do together, like wish horrible deaths on opponents’ children, right @allanbrauer?

— Jonah Goldberg (@JonahNRO) September 20, 2013

Following his initial defiance and a brief hiatus from Twitter, Brauer returned with an apology.

Hi @amandacarpenter I am truly sorry for my tweet. I was very upset and lashed out. Your kids are not fair game either. My apologies.

— allanbrauer (@allanbrauer) September 20, 2013

Carpenter quickly accepted.

@allanbrauer Thank you. I appreciate it.

— Amanda Carpenter (@amandacarpenter) September 20, 2013

— This story was first posted at 1:50 p.m. and has been updated.