There is a definitive difference between 'free speech' and what this guy said.
I recall that, after Obama was elected, many on our side were quoting a particular Scripture, Psalm 109:8, as a prayer for Obama..."May his days be few; may another take his place of leadership" (NIV).
Contrast that with (from Inquisitr.com)...
“‘I’m going to kill the president. Elect,’ Harrigan declared on Facebook. When someone cautioned him about making comments that could attract the attention of the FBI or Secret Service, Harrigan said, ‘Bring it secret service.’ When one of his buddies said ‘you just need to get high,’ he went into disturbing detail about his plans.” “‘Nope, getting a sniper rifle and perching myself where it counts. Find a bedroom in the White House that suits you, motherf***er. I’ll find you.’"
Quite the difference there. Free speech versus open threat.
If they ever make me carry a rifle the first man I want to get in my sights is L. B. J.Compare that to this political hyperbole that you'd like to see no longer protected by the 1st Amendment:
I’m going to kill the president. Elect. Bring it secret service. Nope, getting a sniper rifle and perching myself where it counts.While Harrigan's statement is clearly provocative, it is very similar to Watts' provocative statement.
In the end, it doesn't matter. Prosecutors and the courts will never take this case. The 1st Amendment still matters to them to some degree.