Republican National committee Chairman refuses to sign joint civility statement which includes condemnation of threats made to congress members

The Democratic National Committee says that Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele has declined to sign on to a joint statement that condemns threats made to members of Congress from both parties. 

The draft text of the statement says that while Steele and Kaine disagree on the health care bill, they would together call on elected officials of both parties to set an example of the civility we want to see in our citizenry; and ask all Americans to respect differences of opinion, to refrain from inappropriate forms of intimidation, to reject violence and vandalism, and to scale back rhetoric that might reasonably be misinterpreted by those prone to such behavior."

A DNC spokesman told reporters that Kaine sent the letter to Steele on Friday and then phoned him asking the RNC chairman to release a joint bipartisan statement "condemning the threats and acts of vandalism over the past week, calling for an end to such tactics and urging a more civil tone in our politics." "This afternoon, Chairman Steele, through staff, declined Chairman Kaine's offer," the DNC spokesman said.

The Democratic National Committee proposed statement that the Republicans refused be a part of reads as follows:

“As leaders of our respective national parties, we want to speak to all Americans about the importance of conducting our political debates in a manner and tone that respects our political system and demonstrates to the world the strength of our democracy.

We have a system of government that allows the great issues of our day to be resolved peacefully and civilly and that serves as a beacon of hope to those around the world who yearn for political freedom, political stability, and governing without the threat of violence.

We have a system that allows people to express approval of their government or change the party in power peaceably through the ballot box.
Our Constitution affords Americans the right to assemble and petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

Clearly, we have different positions on the merits of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. However, we together call on elected officials of both parties to set an example of the civility we want to see in our citizenry. 


We also call on all Americans to respect differences of opinion, to refrain from inappropriate forms of intimidation, to reject violence and vandalism, and to scale back rhetoric that might reasonably be misinterpreted by those prone to such behavior.”