Wasserman-Schultz opponent takes shots (really) at her

How much does Republican challenger Robert Lowry want to unseat Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (R-Fla.)? Last night, at a Republican gathering at a local rifle range, Lowry took shots at a human silhouette target with the letters "DWS" next to it.

Whoops.

According to the Sun-Sentinel, the Wasserman-Schultz likeness wasn't the only controversial target at the range. Local Republicans also fired at "a menacing figure, adorned in a kaffiyeh, the kind of headdress worn by the late Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat. The person in the picture was holding a rocket-propelled grenade."

More from the Sun Sentinel:

Lowry said he didn't know who wrote Wasserman Schultz' initials on his target, but said he knew they were there before he started shooting. He initially described it as a "joke," but after answering several questions he said it "was a mistake" to use a target labeled "DWS."

Jonathan Beeton, communications director for Wasserman Schultz, declined to comment. But Lowry's action was condemned by Ryan Rudominer, press secretary for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee.

"It's exactly this extremist and sexist behavior from the Republican Party of No that has redefined what it means to be outdated and out-of-touch," he said.

Charles Zelden, a history and legal studies professor specializing in politics and voting at Nova Southeastern University, said Lowry's action would undoubtedly help Wasserman Schultz raise campaign money and make some Republicans question his judgment.

"Politically, it was foolish," he said.