Republican candidate caught on tape explaining how he's banking on terrorist attack to help him win

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20. He is upset that someone " secretly recorded a private conversation"

LISTEN: Neal Tapio talks about impact terrorist attack would have on campaign

http://kelo.com/news/articles/2018/apr/07/listen-neal-tapio-talks-about-impact-terrorist-attack-would-have-on-campaign/#.WspYNAoaGIA.twitter


Saturday, April 07, 2018 6:22 p.m. CDT by Todd Epp
State Sen. Neal Tapio, 1/30/18. KELO.com News photo by Todd Epp.


Audio of Republican Congressional candidate Neal Tapio talking about his campaign strategy.

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO.com) – KELO.com News has obtained a recording of Republican Congressional candidate Neal Tapio where he suggests that an Islamic terrorist attack on the United States prior to the June South Dakota primary could assist his candidacy.

In the recording, he says, “And then all that has to happen is that there will be one more terrorist attack between now and then and I will be the, just by the Trump effect, I will be the candidate. That’s the way I look at it.”

Before writing this story, KELO.com News asked Tapio about the provenience of the tape, whether it was taken out of context, and any other reaction he might have. Rather than responding directly to KELO.com News, Tapio posted his reply—and the audio—to his Facebook campaign page Saturday afternoon.

In his response on Facebook, Tapio said. “First, I would like to thank the person who secretly recorded a private conversation with me and sent it to the press.” Tapio also noted, “Where the hell do you think this hateful and deadly ideology comes from? Does it come simply by accident? Or from a few extremists who “misinterpret” the true Islam?”

KELO.com News asked Tapio if he thought a terrorist attack would help his campaign.

He responded: “To suggest I am advocating for a terror attack is a disgusting smear and you should be ashamed of yourself. Anyone that would even suggest that is a vile and disgusting individual not worthy of being taken seriously. I would caution you that questions like that prove that you do not take journalism or this issue seriously.”

Tapio said he also disagreed with the approach to fighting Islamic terrorists under both the George W. Bush and Barack Obama administrations.

“While you thought you would hurt me, you actually helped me,” Tapio wrote. “KELO IS DOING ONE MORE STORY ON ISLAMIC TERRORISM. (Emphsis Tapio's.) More importantly, it gives me one more opportunity to prove I am the most prepared person in South Dakota to discuss Islamic terrorism.”