OUR VIEW: A decision not to prosecute would be an open invitation for a right wing college kid to pie face Barry Obama the next time he rolls through town. Do we really want to go down this road?

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The Colorado Senate Democrat aide who assaulted Mitt Romney at his campaign event on Tuesday needs to be prosecuted, says a growing chorus of liberal voices in Colorado. But not all liberals agree. Some herald him as a "hero."

As a Secret Service protectee, throwing an unidentified substance at Mitt Romney is a serious offense that needs not to be taken lightly, says one camp.

The night that the Democrat aide, Peter Smith, was arrested for attempting to throw glitter at Mitt Romney the Colorado Democrat Party Communications Director Matt Inzeo, said: "Anyone throwing something at or on a Secret Service protectee deserves the book thrown at them."

At the time Inzeo did not know that Smith was an aide to Senate Democrats.

Since Smith's political affiliation has been revealed there has been a raging debate going on in liberal circles over how to view Smith's actions.

Some, like Nancy Cronk, the founder of Progressive Outreach Colorado, think that Smith's actions were justified and will be cheered by liberals across the country. 

"But millions of people all over this country want to buy the kid a beer or a latte. I hope someone hires him soon — if nothing else, for his chutzpah," said Cronk.

Liberal activist David Thielen, disagreed, saying: "First off I agree that something like this has to be treated at the moment as a potentially life threatening attack. And even if you know what it is, it is still a physical attack."

"But it also degrades the political environment. Everyone calling that idiot a "hero" would be incredibly indignant if something like that was done to Obama. Throwing things at each other is taking politics down to the pre-school level."

The Senate Democrat press office, where Smith worked, did not respond to our request seeking comment. 

Now that the Democrats have fired the aide, the question being asked at the Capitol is what happens next. How do we stop this behavior from occurring again?

Denver District Attorney Mitch Morrissey is notoriously tough on crime. Will he live up to that reputation in this case?

A decision not to prosecute would be an open invitation for a right wing college kid to pie face Barry Obama the next time he rolls through town. Do we really want to go down this road?

(Photo Credit: Associated Press/Chris Carlson)