Billy Long was the subject of Clay Bowler's critical blog, LongIsWrong. (PolitiMo File Photo/Blake James)
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — Following the tragic events in Tucson last week which killed six people, and injuring more than a dozen, including a congresswoman, law enforcement leaders in Washington have advised members of Congress to report security concerns to appropriate authorities for investigation.
And with that, seventh district Congressman Billy Long reported his own.
Long reported Clay Bowler, a middle aged writer better known as “Bungalow Bill” in the blogosphere to local authorities. Bowler was one of “several people” who Greene County Sheriff Jim Arnott said were reported as “worrisome to Long,” reported KSPR.
Bowler says he thinks it is political retribution. “It’s political payback,” Bowler said to the Christian County Headliner.
Long and Bowler share a political history that goes back more than a year. During the campaign, Bowler published a blog called “Long is Wrong,” which, as its title suggests, was highly critical of the Springfield businessman during his campaign for public office. Bowler often engaged in hyperbole when addressing Long’s actions and statements, and would follow him at political events, sometimes even to his car, shouting tough questions at the candidate. But not once was there ever a physical threat made, Bowler said. He took down the blog following the November election.
While Bowler was not deemed threatening by authorities, it is unclear what (if any) other investigations are taking place. Sheriff Arnott was joined by the FBI during his probe, which actually took place outside of his jurisdiction. Arnott said his department originally thought Bowler lived in Greene County, but when it turned out he lived in Christian County, they continued, anyway. Christian County Sheriff Joey Kyle said he was unaware Greene County and Federal authorities were in his County.
Sheriff Arnott told PoliticMo he could not comment on whether or not other individuals have or will be under investigation in regards to Long’s security, but said the Bowler investigation originated from a report to his office.
Regarding any sort of motive, an individual with knowledge of the investigation emailed PoliticMo, the story is “not as big as some would like it to be.”
A Republican operative not directly connected to Long, but with strategic knowledge of his campaign, said, “As much as Clay or the media would like to say its politically motivated, I think Billy was honestly just a worried by his behavior coupled with Bowler’s past personal issues.”
UPDATED 11:23 AM: Bowler said, in an email to PoliticMo, “Personal issues really bothers me. When you look below the surface, there is really nothing there.”
Bowler says he finds it “funny” he would be considered as a threat.
“I find the whole thought very funny, because I’m such an advocate for constitutional rights that I would never do anything that would put in jeopardy those constitutional rights like the Second Amendment,” he told KOLR.
Long’s office has not issued a comment on the investigation, but he has commented on revamping security, generally.
“We gotta marshal on,” said Long, to the News-Leader. “We took an oath last week to represent the people in the people’s House. We can’t let one mentally deranged person change everything we do. We’re people of the people.”
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**Updated at 11:23 AM on January 14, 2011**
email: eli [at] politicmo.com | phone: 417.597.3873 | twitter: @eyokley 
A Republican operative not directly associated with Long said, “As much as Clay or the media would like to say its politically motivated, I think Billy was honestly just a worried by his behavior coupled with Bowler’s past personal issues.”
Nothing to see here, move along, move along.
OK billy Long hack, his ‘behavior’ is walking with billy asking questions that he wouldn’t answer because he didn’t know the answer. Coupled with the fact that Bowler has been a harsh critic of long. In the above story, Eli reports that Sheriff Arnott received a call from Longs office, but on ksgf this morning he said that it was he who called Long. So either he is lying to the public and protecting Long, or he lied to the FBI about the ‘threat’.
I challenge Clay Bowler to release the video of the interview with Sheriff Arnott and the FBI. Sheriff Arnott said on the radio this morning that Bowler has a history that gives cause for concern, but can’t violate Bowler’s privacy by airing that out in public and if the video were to be released, we would get the rest of the story.
Clay meanwhile is trying to play the victim.
Let’s find out ALL the facts before jumping to conclusions.
http://www.ksgf.com/podcasts/reedpodcast/113604609.html
Little did we know that when we sent Billy Long to Washington, the FIRST thing he would successfully accomplish: sending the FBI after one of us to try to take away our first amendment rights. He swore to UPHOLD the Constitution! Billy is an embarrassmet to S.W. MO already. He put on a show with his hat during office selection, he didn’t attend the reading of the Constitution, and now this! Again,Billy is an embarrassment to S.W. MO already.