Idaho billboard compares Obama to shooting suspect James Holmes

An electronic billboard in Idaho comparing President Barack Obama to Colorado shooting suspect James Holmes is drawing sharp criticism nationwide.

The sign in Caldwell displays a picture of Obama and Holmes side by side.

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Above the picture of Holmes, the billboard says: "Kills 12 in movie theater with assault rifle" and then underneath: "Everyone freaks out."

Above Obama's photo, it reads: "Kills thousands with his foreign policy" and then below: "Wins Nobel Peace Prize."

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Maurice Clements, a spokesman for the Ralph Smeed Foundation — the ultra-libertarian group that owns the billboard boasting the slogan, "Making Statism Unpopular" — told the Idaho Statesman he wasn't trying to connect Obama and Holmes, but compare society's reactions.

He did acknowledge the provocative content was "a technique of trying to make a point, and maybe it was poorly done."

"Repulsive," "disgusting," and "bypassing tasteless," are just some opinions of the billboard left in the comments section of local news reports, CBS News reported.

However, others backed the group's right to free speech, and some even supported the sentiment. One commenter wrote there is "zero wrong with the board," according to CBS.