Could this be a … Kaep-back?
Democratic nominee for Lieutenant Governor Mandela Barnes got into a Twitter spat with Governor Scott Walker and current Lieutenant Governor Rebecca Kleefisch today, culminating in the 31-year-old former State Rep posting a photo of himself sporting the jersey of former 49ers quarterback and current Nike spokesman Colin Kaepernick.
The feud dates to January, when Barnes tweeted “Take a knee” in response to a Yahoo News story that questioned whether or not Donald Trump knows the words to the national anthem. Trump has repeatedly berated NFL players who do not stand for the national anthem.
Earlier today, Walker tweeted, “Tony Evers’ running mate says ‘Take a knee.’ Does Evers share that belief or does he believe that everyone should STAND UP for the national anthem out of respect for our Veterans and service members?” Walker then tweeted, “With the NFL season opener tonight, I’m calling on all players to stand up, put their hands on their heart, and show some RESPECT to the brave men and women in uniform — it’s that simple and the least they can do!”
Tony Evers’ running mate says “Take a knee.” Does Evers share that belief or does he believe that everyone should STAND UP for the national anthem out of respect for our Veterans and service members? pic.twitter.com/0zT9X4tO7H
— Scott Walker (@ScottWalker) September 6, 2018
Barnes responded, “Feel free to @ me next time. Also, your president should learn the words. Also, shows you just don’t get it. Also, you could have served in THREE wars, why didn’t you stand up then?”
Feel free to @ me next time. Also, your president should learn the words. Also, shows you just don’t get it. Also, you could have served in THREE wars, why didn’t you stand up then? https://t.co/yTunbMWzmc
— Mandela Barnes (@TheOtherMandela) September 6, 2018
He then added a tweet with just the word “Also,” and a photo of himself wearing a 49ers jersey with the number 7 on the front.
Also pic.twitter.com/FDeMlyuEWt
— Mandela Barnes (@TheOtherMandela) September 6, 2018
Evers tweeted that he proudly stood for the anthem and accused Walker of using the issue as a distraction.
Later, Kleefisch alleged that she had heard that Barnes had knelt during the anthem himself, to which Barnes replied, “Now you’re just lying.”
The spat comes two days after Kaepernick was announced as the face of the 30th anniversary of Nike’s “Just Do It” campaign.
