Georgia congressman says he's received death threats

Rep. David Scott, a supporter of the just-passed health care reform bill, says he's received death threats from some opponents of the legislation.

"I've gotten death threats ... mail that says things like, 'David Scott, you're nothing but a [n-word]' and 'None of your colored constituents are going to be able to save you because we don't want this socialized Obamacare you're pushing because you Negroes are too lazy to take care of yourselves,' " Scott, who represents Georgia's 13th District, told Essence.com.

A swastika was painted outside the congressman's Smyrna office last August, less than two weeks after a town hall confrontation with a protester went viral. Scott's chief of staff, Michael Andel, told the AJC that the culprit was never found.

Though the threatening correspondences had subsided, Andel said they picked up again as Congress voted on the historic health care bill. Many of the letters and e-mails have been racially tinged, with most coming from "Republican-leaning districts in the state," Andel said.

The congressman's office sent the AJC a copy of a letter received Monday, addressed to "David Scott & Family":

"Ya'll don't need to worry about getting re-elected on November. But you'd better be moving out of GA (whole and all) before November because ya'll getting what's coming for ya. SIC SEMPER TYRANNIS."

"A lot of this is not about health care -- a lot of people don't want to see this African-American president succeed," Scott told Essence. "We've got to expose this and not allow them to rule the day. This is not America."

Scott said he has been in touch with law enforcement regarding the threats, adding that the Secret Service also is involved in the investigation.

"We have security and will do everything we can to make sure that we are protected and our families are protected," he told Essence.

At least 10 other Democratic lawmakers have reported similar threats, and Monday federal authorities charged a Philadelphia man with threatening to kill House Minority Whip Eric Cantor (R-Va.) and his family. Meanwhile, 5th District congressman John Lewis said he was showered with epithets the day before House members voted on the health care legislation.

"They were shouting, sort of harassing," Lewis told McClatchy Newpapers. "But, it's OK, I've faced this before. It reminded me of the '60s. It was a lot of downright hate and anger and people being downright mean."

Scott was walking in the same group with Lewis that day.