Buncombe GOP chairman Chad Nesbitt questioned by Secret Service over satirical Twitter account

Buncombe County GOP chairman Chad Nesbitt was reportedly interviewed by the U.S. Secret Service last night ahead of today’s Oct. 21 visit by President Bill Clinton.

According to a press release sent out by the local party, the interview was prompted by concerns over statements made via a satirical Twitter handle bearing his name. Messages sent out in the days leading up to the rally included:

Brainstorming ways 2 disrupt #Shuler event on Saturday. Doing so will make crowd vote #Republican & get me a lot of attention.

Oops – my informant tells me the #Clinton visit to #Asheville is on Thursday! :-O My bad! I’m going to have to think fast! :-O

What are good ways for #Avl #Republicans to make themselves known during Thursday’s #Clinton visit? #avlteaparty #bcgop

It appears that an unknown person has been using the social networking site to parody Nesbitt for several weeks. In a statement, Nesbitt denied any involvement with the Twitter account and said he’s reported it to local authorities.

“I do not have and have never had a Twitter account,” he asserts. “I reported this false account several weeks ago to the Buncombe County Sheriff’s Department.  They consulted with Buncombe County District Attorney Ron Moore, who I understand refused to take action.  Per that lack of accountability, this situation reached a point of seriousness requiring Secret Service action.  I hope the Buncombe County Sheriff Department and Mr. Moore will now realize the seriousness of this matter and act on my complaint.  I will, again, make a formal request for action.”

Nesbitt also explained that although he considers Clinton a “scoundrel,” he wished him no physical harm.

“I think he’s a scoundrel, but I am delighted that the Democratic power structure thinks he’s the proper voice to represent their Party’s understanding of our mountain values,” he said.  “I certainly wish him no physical harm, in fact I am delighted he is coming – it could only be better if Nancy Pelosi or Harry Reid were coming to prop up Shuler.” 

In response to the GOP press release and a WLOS story on the issue, the satirical Chad Nesbitt tweeted:


Note to media: 1) This account didn’t trigger anything. The Secret Service interviewed Chad as part of it’s normal routine.@WLOS_ABC13

Note to medi: 2) II you’re going to claim this account threatened anyone, you should at least link to the tweet. @WLOS_ABC13

Note to media: 3) Feel free to DM me directly. You should have done that first, frankly. @WLOS_ABC13

Note to media: 4) If the authorities are concerned, they are also free to DM me. @WLOS_ABC13 #avlpolice

Note to media: 5) If SS really thought I was a threat, I would have gotten a visit by now. (I didn’t.) @WLOS_ABC13

Note to media: 6) I’ve been very careful to make clear this is a satire account. Even added a few more hints recently. @WLOS_ABC13

Note to media: 7) You believed a press release from the real Chad? Seriously? Have you learned nothing about him lately? @WLOS_ABC13

Note to media: 8) Considering Chad’s tough-guy persona, I’m genuinely surprised at his sensitivity. @WLOS_ABC13

Note to real Chad: 1) Do you not like being mocked? How is this making you feel? Ponder that, and reflect on your own shenanigans.

Note to real Chad: 2) If I’m hurting your feelings – just say so. Perhaps we can work something out.

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18 thoughts on “Buncombe GOP chairman Chad Nesbitt questioned by Secret Service over satirical Twitter account

  1. This guy also spoofs me. He has photoshopped two photos I have used as avatars and put a black eye-patch on them and then makes comments on the Mountain Xpress and the Asheville Citizen-Times using a name that sounds like mine.
    …………………………….

  2. shadmarsh

    Thank for making this story about Tom Peck. Tom Peck is much more interesting than Tim Peck or Chad Nesbitt.

  3. bobaloo

    What whiny children you are. You put yourself in the public spotlight, are confrontational and divisive. What do you expect?

  4. Chad Nesbitt and Tim Peck are just so easy to mock. Pomposity combined with willful neglect of reality is such a large target. Bobaloo also makes an excellent point.

    Those two are not the only targets of mockery of late. The moderators or lack there of, of the Xpress have been under a most obvious campaign to expose the big giant holes in your commenting policies and standards. If I have to explain the obvious to you, then the Xpress is in worse shape than I want to think.

    There is a simple coding fix I am quite certain. Ask around.

  5. I only point out this fact to highlight that this is what progressives do when they run out of arguments — which is quite often, actually.
    …………………………

  6. bobaloo

    Actually, it’s because you have no sense of humor.
    Are you claiming that Nesbitt’s actions aren’t worthy of mockery? Do you support his stances and actions?

  7. Ken Hanke

    Translation: I enjoy making sweeping statements that I never back up.

    As in the leaping to the conclusion that the eyepatch adopted by Tom Peck on a public forum where anybody can see it proves that this is the same guy masquerading as Nesbitt. Genius!

  8. Dionysis

    “I only point out this fact to highlight that this is what progressives do when they run out of arguments—which is quite often, actually.”
    …………………………

    While you’re pointing things out, how about pointing out where you have ever made anything remotely resembling a cogent argument. That would exclude links to the same website over and over, or links to listen to someone blather on (i.e. Dickie Green). All you do is criticize and complain and whine and snivel about taxes. And when your back’s against the wall, throw out the usual half-baked ‘philosophy’ cooked up by a greedy Russian fiction writer as somehow a legititmate alternative.

  9. Annie Napalm

    I find it intriguing that Twitter is the news, becomes the news, and expands on the news. At least in this case.

  10. Piffy!

    Seems odd the ‘Secret Service” would visit someone based on a parody account. Are they unfamiliar with how to trace IP’s?

    OR, is this story merely a fabrication of Chad’s ill-though-out ‘Guerilla Marketing” campaign?

  11. Ken Hanke

    So, back to the “story”: Has anyone actually contacted the Secret Service and confirmed this visit and/or the details of the visit?

    Are you suggesting — and I find this hard to believe — that Chad would stoop to hi-jinks employing mendacious trickery?

  12. shadmarsh

    So, back to the “story”: Has anyone actually contacted the Secret Service and confirmed this visit and/or the details of the visit?

    anyone confirm this?

    Also, the BCGOP will have to report to the state election board by the 25th the amount of money they pulled in from their telethon. I’m curious to see what that amount is. I’m putting the over under at 1k. Much less than the targeted 300k Chad boasted about.

  13. Barry Summers

    I’m putting the over under at 1k.

    After Dapper Dan Hair Product and bronzing gel costs, I’m putting my money on ‘under’.

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