Ohio Dem Seeks Apology For GOP Leader's Obama Quip

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- A Democratic state lawmaker is asking the Ohio House speaker to apologize for a joke suggesting President Obama should be jailed.

State Rep. Vernon Sykes, of Akron, blasted the remark made by Republican William Batchelder during a Lincoln Day dinner hosted by the Summit County Republican Party on Saturday. Sykes called the quip "absolutely deplorable."

Batchelder, of Medina near Cleveland, addressed an audience of about 1,200 people. In introducing presidential candidate Rick Santorum, Batchelder suggested Obama shouldn't be elected to a second term.

He said, "The liberals are asking us to give Obama more time. And I think 25-to-life would be a good start."

A message seeking comment was left with Batchelder's spokesman.

Sykes said Batchelder's statement was disrespectful to Obama and his office.

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