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Colorado Republican Representative Lauren Boebert claimed during an appearance on the right-wing talk show Huckabee that Representative Eric Swalwell, who is a California Democrat, avoids her because he is intimidated by her.
Boebert openly mocked her Democratic colleague, saying that she has "tried to have conversations with Eric Smells Not So Well" but that he "bee-lines away from me" because she is "intimidating."
You can hear what Boebert said in the video below.
\u201cBoebert on Eric Swalwell: \u201cHe only acts tough on twitter. I\u2019ve actually tried to have conversations with Eric Smells Not So Well, and he bee-lines away from me. Maybe I\u2019m intimidating.\u201d\u201d— Ron Filipkowski \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\udde6 (@Ron Filipkowski \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\udde6) 1658017864
Boebert said:
"Well, unfortunately, he [Swalwell] only acts tough on Twitter. I've actually tried to have conversations with Eric Smells Not So Well, and he bee-lines away from me."
"Maybe I’m intimidating, I'm not sure."
Boebert then referenced a tweet Swalwell posted in the aftermath of a July 4 mass shooting at a parade in Highland Park, Illinois, that killed seven people. She noted that Swalwell had posted an image of her side-by-side with an image of the shooter and said, "Let's start drawing straight lines."
At the time of the shooting, Swalwell also told his followers to "stop blaming the NRA" for mass shootings, arguing that the organization has worked to shield Republican lawmakers from facing accountability for votes that have hindered Congress from enacting comprehensive gun control. Seems Boebert still holds a bit of a grudge.
Swalwell brushed Boebert's petty comments off with a snarky tweet featuring a GIF of a scene from the 2009 film He's Just Not That into You with the pointed message:
"Don’t call him. He doesn’t like you.”
\u201chttps://t.co/a6MXLvMcje\u201d— Rep. Eric Swalwell (@Rep. Eric Swalwell) 1658019249
Many found Swalwell's response hilarious and joined in on criticizing Boebert for her remarks.
\u201cPoor, foolish @RepBoebert she wishes @repswalwell is intimidated by her. I wonder if poorly educated, blind @repboebert's hidden thoughts might include a crush on him since she wastes so much of her time on worrying about what he thinks of her.\u201d— alcmtr8387 (@alcmtr8387) 1658105802
\u201cWhy should he talk to a traitor???\u201d— Agnes and Silvio (@Agnes and Silvio) 1658073949
\u201cSometimes you just know it is imperative to avoid engaging with LUNATICS!!!\u201d— Marie Bat'el (@Marie Bat'el) 1658085779
\u201cSwalwell\u2019s on fire this week.\u201d— Beatrice Neilson (@Beatrice Neilson) 1658089340
\u201cRep. Eric Swalwell is awesome.\u201d— Nancy Dafoe (@Nancy Dafoe) 1658092307
\u201cSounds like Swalwell has a stalker. \n\nOnly @laurenboebert would go public whining about something that confirms what a needy, pathetic exhibitionist she is.\u201d— suzie62o \ud83d\udc99\ud83c\udff4\udb40\udc67\udb40\udc62\udb40\udc73\udb40\udc63\udb40\udc74\udb40\udc7f\ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8\ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\udde6\ud83d\udc99 (@suzie62o \ud83d\udc99\ud83c\udff4\udb40\udc67\udb40\udc62\udb40\udc73\udb40\udc63\udb40\udc74\udb40\udc7f\ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8\ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\udde6\ud83d\udc99) 1658092724
\u201cMaybe it's because she oozes hate and stupidity from every pore.\u201d— Old Kentucky Crone (@Old Kentucky Crone) 1658099386
\u201cUnbelievably IGNORANT and childish! Although I know 3 year olds with a higher IQ than @laurenboebert\u201d— Karen (@Karen) 1658102770
Later in the interview, Boebert predictably tried to push a tired rightwing conspiracy theory about Swalwell's alleged involvement with a Chinese spy.
Conservatives have often fixated on Swalwell's connection to Christine Fang, a Chinese spy who had been cultivating contacts with California politicians the Chinese government believed had promising futures in politics. Fang had gotten close with Swalwell, at one point placing an intern inside his office.
However, Swalwell cut ties with Fang in 2015 after U.S. intelligence briefed him and other members of Congress about concerns the Chinese were attempting to infiltrate the United States government.
Swalwell was never accused of wrongdoing and officials determined Fang did not obtain any classified information from her contacts.