Repub: Violent Overthrow of the Gov't is 'On the Table

On Thursday, Texas Republican congressional candidate Stephen Broden said he would not rule out violent overthrow of the government if America continues down its current path.

In an interview with WFAA-TV, the Dallas Morning News reports, Broden said that a violent uprising "is not the first option," but it is "on the table."

According to both reports, the sentiment expressed in the interview is similar to ideas expressed in the past.

In 2009, Broden said that there is a solution to tyranny: "We have a constitutional remedy. And the Framers say if that don't work, revolution."

It was in response to a question regarding that statement that he said revolution is a viable option: "Our nation was founded on violence; the option is on the table. I don't think that we should ever remove anything from the table as it relates to our liberties and our freedoms. However, it is not the first option."

"If the government is not producing the results or has become destructive to the ends of our liberties, we have a right to get rid of that government and to get rid of it by any means necessary," Broden added.

Broden has caught the media's eye before. In 2009 he said that the financial crises was "contrived" and "set up" by the Obama administration, and compared America's complacency today to the Jews under Hitler. In yesterday's interview, however, he backpedaled on both statements.

But he didn't back down on his statements about revolution. Consequently, those comments have drawn criticism from local GOP leaders. The Morning News reports that Jonathan Neerman, head of the Dallas County Republican Party, called Broden's comments a "disappointing, isolated incident." He said he will be discussing the matter with Broden's campaign.

Broden, a pastor, faces Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson in Texas's 30th district near Dallas.

Editor's note: this story has been updated.