Congressman sorry for likening Obama to Hitler
[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2008/images/11/12/art.broun.ap.jpg caption="Rep. Paul Broun is sorry for seemingly comparing Obama to Adolf Hitler."]
(CNN) - Republican Paul Broun is sorry for calling President-elect Barack Obama a 'Marxist' and comparing him to Adolf Hitler, the Georgia Congressman said Tuesday.
“I regret putting it that way,” he told WGAC radio in Augusta, according to the Atlanta Journal Constitution. “I apologize to anyone who has taken offense at that.”
In an interview with the Associated Press earlier this week, Broun admitted to calling the future commander-in-chief a 'Marxist' at a recent Rotary club meeting, and said Obama has expressed support for policies similar to those of Hitler.
"It may sound a bit crazy and off base, but the thing is, he's the one who proposed this national security force," Broun told the AP. "I'm just trying to bring attention to the fact that we may– may not, I hope not - but we may have a problem with that type of philosophy of radical socialism or Marxism."
Broun was specifically referring to a July speech by Obama, where the then-Democratic presidential nominee said he supports a civilian force helping the military when it comes to national security: "We've got to have a civilian national security force that's just as powerful, just as strong, just as well funded [as the military]," Obama said in the speech that was largely a call to national service.
Responding to those comments, Broun told the AP Monday: "That's exactly what Hitler did in Nazi Germany and it's exactly what the Soviet Union did. When he's proposing to have a national security force that's answering to him, that is as strong as the U.S. military, he's showing me signs of being Marxist."
"We can't be lulled into complacency," Broun added. "You have to remember that Adolf Hitler was elected in a democratic Germany. I'm not comparing him to Adolf Hitler. What I'm saying is there is the potential."
The Obama transition office did not respond to Broun's comments, and in his interview Tuesday to WGAC, the first term congressman said, “The point I tried to make is that he is extremely liberal, he has promoted a lot of socialistic ideas, and it just makes me concerned."
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Some of those darn Republicans, like Rep. Paul Broun, will say anything. Ridiculous!
Ironically, Rep. Broun looks like he belongs in one of those brown shirts standing next to Hitler. Same Big Lie mentality.
He was comparing the fact both of these nutjobs, regardless of conservative fascism or marxist socialism built a domestic army. Quit looking at all the spin against a Republican.
Bush and know Obama continue to do things under the guise of protection. How long until the protection turns on the people? Freedom is being pulled right out from under us.
the rep. still dont under stand why they lost the election. people are tired of fear mongering. if you have to run aperson down to make youre self look good how sad and shallow is the gop.
its aweek after the election and palin is still campaining. one would think some onein the gop would inform palin an mccain the election is over. palin has not only made alaska the lauging stock of the u.s.
ted stevens an palin two people that alaska can be proud .
nothing surprices me with the Republican Party , the are hatefull .racist .an the havent learn there Lession jet . get this old Grumbys aut of Washington ,anaff allready we got a Smart Men now , that will run this Country , Auer Democrat President Orak Obama
At any other time these comments could have been taken seriously.
Not now when the republicans are holding a $700 billion goody bag and handing the contents out to the CEOs left and right. Talk about redistribution.
Augusta is a city of hicks. Go to Savannah instead; it's a world city with diversity and education. Augusta is like a big truck stop. Paul Broun is considered an intellectual there.
He seems to be confusing political ideologies.
What a moron.
Kick him out and all of his other
hate-spewing buddies!
you should be sorry.
How did this redneck clan member get elected ,oh I forgot be is from Georgia.
Why can't he be concerned?? After all, he has socialist ideas. "Spread the wealth around!"
Gosh people! read about socialism, Marxism, capitalism!
So, what? We cannot say anything about "The One?"
Here's an example of how America is changing!
IN America, we cannot express our concerns or questions anymore. I am concerned !
And time will give the answers. I fel so bad for the people who are just blinded! go as sheep just "hoping" that "someone will change everything"
These are the kind of people who have depress this country for decades. What a maroon.
I think he doesn't know the difference between Hitler and Marx
Yes, Representative Brown, I am offended. No, Mr. Brown, I do not accept apologies from closet KKKers. You are only a partisan hack and disgrace from Georgia who does not deserve to serve the people of the United States.
Even in a GOP "stronghold" regrets are coming out over choice of words. That in its' own right is a huge statement of the need for the GOP to rethink their rhetoric. Fear is no longer working as a platform in politics and they are finding Americans funding candidates that are running against these members who use fear like this. Look into the funding candidates received after fear statements made. Dole's opponent received a huge boost in funding after the "godless" attack. Take the time, GOP members, to look at all of the recent races where fear attacks or fear statements have been made in the media. Races are broadcast nationwide on the internet and I can send money to another race that is not in my State when I see these attacks. Rove/Atwater style campaigns need to end- if you do not understand that from the latest election, you will see more of the out of state funding increase.
Paul Broun seems to be the last gasp of such hateful politics. It's such a bummer that he represents Athens, a very cool and progressive town. They deserve much better.
Stephen Colbert would have a field day with this guy. Georgia should be ashamed.
For the uneducated liberals on here who think Nazism was a right-wing movement, step away from the Zinn and Chomsky and read a real history book. Or if you want just google the meaning of the word Nazi. They were a Socialist movement with closer ideological tiew to Marxism than anything remoptely right-wing.
This guy's just cranky his party got clobbered. It's kinda funny how stupid people don't know that Hitler and Marx were polar opposites. How can you be extremely left and extremely right at the same time?
It is very interesting how some people have the smarts for books but not for common sense.
Hitler wasn't a Marxist. Get your history straight buddy.
if the GOP wonders what some of the reasons were for loosing this election – they can thank morons like Broun for a start –
Sounds just like a Republican not at all very bright
This guy Broun is really lost, can't differentiate the ideas of Marx from those of Hitler. Perhaps if he did a bit of reading he would realize the ideas of Marxism and Hitler were opposite poles. He should be sorry tof making offensive remarks, and of making public his total ignorance. Geez!