April 05, 2013 07:59 AM UTC

Meet The Face Of The Pro-Gun Recall Campaigns

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• by: Colorado Pols

UPDATE: The Denver Post's Lynn Bartels did, to her credit, extract a qualified apology from hirsute pro-gun recall organizer Nick Andrasik (see photo below), who says today he would "probably not" again use the "c-word" and other offensive language to describe Democratic legislators if given the choice. The "situation is different," says Andrasik, meaning exposure to a light source other than the fixture in his mother's basement.

As for confidence in the ability of the recalls Andrasik is in charge of to succeed, we're afraid the damage is done.

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As the Colorado Springs Independent's Chet Hardin reported late yesterday:

The Basic Freedom Defense Fund was formed specifically to lead recall efforts of gun-control-minded Colorado Democrats, such Colorado Springs' Sen. John Morse and his Westminster-based colleague, Sen. Evie Hudak.

The spokesman for the grassroots organization is Nick Andrasik. And this seems to be the way Andrasik presents himself online, at least on ar15.com:

When we reached him by phone this afternoon, we described the above photo to Andrasik. Though he couldn't be certain that it was one of his photos without actually seeing it, he said it was "probably me." Further, the avatar that Andrasik uses on his ar15.com profile is the same image that shows up on his Facebook page.

Lynn Bartels of the Denver Post writes today about the recall attempts now underway against several Colorado legislators, including Rep. Mike McLachlan of Durango and Senate President John Morse of Colorado Springs. Bartels reports that a recall attempt is about to get underway against Sen. Evie Hudak of Arvada as well, and quotes the same Nick Andrasik pictured above saying, "It seemed that recalling them would be a great way" to get legislators' attention. Most regrettably, Bartels did not include a photo of Mr. Andrasik for her story.

Or any mention, as the Springs Independent continues, of Andrasik's own statements about some of those Democratic legislators. Reader discretion strongly advised:

During the legislative debates surrounding high-capacity magazines, he had this to say about Rep. Rhonda Fields, D-Aurora: "Fields back up, being a vacuous cunt as usual."

On Rep. Brittany Pettersen, D-Lakewood: "Rep Pettersen asking about more limitations – she's a stunning cunt."

On Rep. Joe Salazar, D-Thornton: "Salazar is a fucking retard."

We haven't seen such gratuitous use of the "c-word" since Franklin Sain was arrested for threatening Rep. Rhonda Fields. To say this is questionable behavior for the spokesman for this "unprecedented" effort to recall sitting Colorado legislators, something which has never successfully been done before, is an understatement. It seems likely that either Mr. Andrasik's appearance or mannerism, or both, was a key part of the decision by recall organizers in Durango against Rep. McLachlan to part ways from Andrasik's group.

Folks, until we see evidence that this recall effort consists of more than marginal crackpots and foulmouthed online message-board trolls, we must ask that the media stop treating people like Andrasik as credible.

Or at least include that photo? We think that as soon as the public understands this repellent personality is the man organizing the recalls they're hearing so much about, they will be over that day.