Facebook image of Obama in noose has lawmaker in trouble

PORTLAND – Oregon House Republicans are calling on one of their legislative candidates to withdraw from the November election because of an image posted on his Facebook page showing President Barack Obama with a noose around his neck.

The Oregonian/OregonLive reported a spokesman for the Republicans called the post “absolutely abhorrent” and said George “Sonny” Yellott should apologize for the image. Yellott is running for House District 48.

The post featured an edited photo showing Obama’s head on former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein in an image from the dictator’s 2006 hanging. The photo also showed a hooded figure placing a noose around Obama’s neck and the words, “The Making of a National Holiday.”

Yellott, a member of the Mt. Hood Community College’s board of directors, didn’t immediately return calls seeking comment.