Tea Party radio host: Rep. Steve Stockman not a 'rude jacka**' for disrespecting dictator Obama

Former Rep. Joe Walsh (R-IL) doesn't think his Tea Party colleague Rep. Steve Stockman (R-TX) is a "rude jackass" for walking out of President Barack Obama's State of the Union address.

In an interview on Walsh's radio show last week, Stockman said his Republican colleagues were amused to see him get up and walk out of Obama's speech.

"Our nation's in dire straits and to give platitude speeches like he is giving and issue executive orders without having Congress or the Senate involved is a huge mistake," he explained.

"Well, I'll tell you Congressman Steve Stockman, I don't care what they say, you're a patriot," Walsh said. "I was leaving as you were coming last year. They thought I was crazy as well, the Republicans. You keep fighting for what you believe in, and I know you've got a big old primary down there in Texas, just quickly, how is that looking?"

"Everybody believes I can't win except for [Texas Sen.] John Cornyn," Stockman replied, "because he is spending millions of dollars trashing me, which is a sign he is fearful. He can't talk about his own voting record, so that is a common practice of liberals. They avoid their voting record and try to make it personal. And that is to be expected."

Following the interview, Walsh reiterated that Stockman was a true patriot and not a "jackass."

"A rude jackass or a patriot?" he remarked. "Congressman Steve Stockman of Texas had enough with that dictator up there burning -- I mean, think about it -- that is what Obama did last night, he took a copy of the United States Constitution and he lit a match to it. And Congressman Steve Stockman said, 'I've had enough, he is a dictator, we don't have dictators,' and Congressman Stockman got up and walked out. The media has gone after him all day, 'He's a rude jackass.' I think he is a patriot."

Backed by the Tea Party movement, Walsh was elected to represent Illinois' 8th Congressional District in 2010. He was defeated by Democratic candidate Tammy Duckworth in 2012.

Listen to audio below.

[Image via Gage Skidmore, Creative Commons licensed]