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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What an idiot!
Another rightwing racist nutcase from the south, this man should be disciplined in congress.
Three words..."Civilain National Security Force"....Whoa, I thought I was Joe Biden there for a second.
Well just goes to show that the vast majority of Republicans scorn intellectualism, because if this guy had one iota of intelligence he would have known that Hitler was an extreme conservative, just like the congressman and his redneck constituents.
It's all the inbreeding they practice down there on their farms. They really need to lay off that mother-son, father-daughter, brother-sister orgies they call "family time".
“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."
So why not say that instead?! I'll tell you. It's because the GOP has always talked down to their base, has always treated them like uneducated people that cannot grasp complex words or ideas, and cowers to only use scare tactics. Shameful. This guy is despicable.
Lets start a movement to kick this bum out period.
The GOP are a bunch of losers liars and idiots.
Nothing good to say just nag nag nag and putdown the President Elect call him names use smear and fear and maybe if your lucky some idiot will believe you .
Thank God most of us are not idiots but educated Americans and I say Americans.
Go away Congressman we do not want you in Washington D.C representing anybody your not fit for office .
What a stupid jerk! And this person is in office.
It's a new Presidency and a new era of progress has already begun in the United States. People need to wake up and face that fact.
just more desperate gop fear tactics, hopefully comments like this finally cross the line in mainstream american and the authors lose their credibility. by the way, you guys should see the ignorant outlooks/reactions to this guy on the foxnews messageboards under this story (its sad). i'm just glad more that 51% dont agree with the gop pessimism/negativity this time around.
Because I think this is just awesome I am glad he said it.
Obama:
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]
GOP mind filter reads:
He wants to create a police force to shut down Rush Limbaugh and spy on Newt Gingrich.
Non-right wing nut jobs Americans hear:
Obama thinks our National Guard is under funded and do not get adequate training or support and he wants to make sure that all our fighting men are ready to serve and defend, not just the ones we choose to send out this year.
Marx and Hitler were at the opposite ends of the ideological spectrum! He needs to pick one or the other – not both This congressman needs to educate himself instead of "sharing" nonsensical opinions. Political science 101 or just a primer on political history/theory would do the trick!
this has been on FOX for days......read the comments there......there is a group of people who believe this......I have been getting emails about it
He does not regret what he said. This is the GOP for you. Way to bring our country together. Why that party has a base is beyond me. Remember Liberal is not a bad word. GOP is.
Why do we listen to the ignorant. Whether they are members of Congress or not. Marxism and Fascism are diametrically opposed in philosophy if not actions. Give it a rest, Republicans.
GA for Obama wrote "RESPECT THE PRESIDENT!"
And liberals have respected President Bush the last 8 years?
Now for some substance.
The NAZI party was officialy the National Workers Socialist Party. So, yes, HItler and Marx had many similarities in their political views. He (Hitler) is probably more along the lines of Stalin, though. Stalin initiated genocide as well.
Hitler came to power during an economic crisis similar to the one we are experiencing now with a promise of 'change'. Nobody bothered to ask him what kind of change he was talking about. Germany DID change under his rule. Now, none of this makes President-elect Obama like Hitler. Only his actions will determine that.
There is nothing wrong with looking at the past and learning from it so mistakes are not repeated. I think that the Congressman's statements went a little overboard, but teh first amendment protects his Right to do so.
Rep. Brown is right. That IS what Hitler did. History is doomed to repeat itself.
So no comments on Obama's quote about the civilian force as powerful and as well funded as the military? What are your thoughts on that, people?
Give with one hand, take with the other. THIS is the type of politician who needs ousting.
We already are a nation of citizen soldiers, call them what you will. It is no more marxist or nazi than having a national guard in every state. And what's this convenient combination of Marxist and Nazi-ism? They're polar opposites. I fear a great deal more the religious right in this country, cloaked in religious clothing, wrapped in the flag. Many politicians have called for service groups made up of our young, as a way to participate as citizens.
people will just open there moutn and say anything if they do not agree with you,this guy is just an animal with a human skin
why are some Republicans and the far right appear to be so insensitive and full of hate? This is a time that no matter who you voted for or supported that our country needs to be united just like we all were behind Pres Bush right after 9/11. They say these stupid things and then come back with their tails between their legs and apologize. It's almost as bad as some of the haters that posts on these forums.
A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.
So now that "liberals" are promoting a militia, all of a sudden the conservative turns and decides its a bad thing?
If this guy would bother to look it up, he'd see that you can't accuse somebody of being a nazi and a socialist at the same time. Liberals are on the opposite side of nazis. Obama has now been accused of being a marxist, a terrorist, a socialist, and a Fascist. I'm just waiting for them to call him an anarchist and just bring this nonsense full circle.
Maybe if the congressman took a little time to open a history book, he would learn that Hitler despised Marxism. He was at war w/ a Marxist state (hint: it rhymes with Frussia).
Maybe if he made the slightest effort to allow Obama to clarify what he meant, he wouldn't have to jump to the extreme end of the spectrum and call him HItler.
This was hardly an apology. First he said that he was sorry, then he went on to reiterate what he had originally said.
Once again, the GOP is showing it's complete lack of substance.
Unacceptable. He is a member of the fascist Republican Cancer party. He hates America.
Make sure he does not prosper in Congress, then boot him out next election.