From Amanda Terkel at Think Progress:
Colorado Democratic headquarters vandalized. A "vandalism spree" hit the Colorado Democratic Party headquarters in Denver today, where the "vandal allegedly used a hammer to smash" 11 windows. Party Chairwoman Pat Waak attributed the violence to the intensity surrounding the health care debate, saying, "Clearly there's been an effort on the other side to stir up hate. I think this is the consequence of it." Waak estimated the damage at approximately $11,000. The Denver Police Department reportedly has a man in custody regarding the incident. ThinkProgress obtained some pictures of the damage:
It turns out that the vandalism was designed to "stir up hate" -- not against Democrats but Obamacare opponents. The Denver Post updates its article:
A 24-year-old arrested this morning on suspicion of smashing 11 windows at Colorado Democratic Party headquarters tried to conceal his identity while allegedly committing the crime, according to police descriptions. Maurice Schwenkler wore a shirt over his face, a hooded sweat shirt and latex gloves before he and another man fled the scene on bicycles, police said. Schwenkler was apprehended after a short chase. The other suspect remains at large. While Schwenkler does not appear in the state's voter registration database, a person by that name in November 2008 received $500 from a political 527 committee called Colorado Citizens Coalition for "communications," according to campaign finance disclosures. The accountant for the 527 appears to be the same woman who handles the books for many other Democratic-leaning political committees. A Maurice Schwenkler also signed an online 2005 petition to free anti-war Christian protesters who were captured in Iraq. State Democratic Party Chairwoman Pat Waak initially blamed the vandalism on animosity surrounding the health care debate, though Denver police declined to comment on possible motives.
As noted earlier this month, there have been a surprising number of prominent self-inflicted "hate crimes" committed by those on the left and the right.