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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The ridiculous and disturbing thing here is the complete lack of a sense of history displayed by this guy. Germany's Marxists were rabidly AGAINST Hitler and the fascists. Somehow, however, Broun manages to conflate the two.
Broun (and others like him) conveniently overlooks the fact that many of our closest allies (and neighbors) have substantial socialist (and thus Marxist) representation in their governments. Some of them are, in fact, outright socialist! I so often want to shake a Republican and say, "Get over it! The Cold War is done!"
None of this is very surprising, however, since the GOP has been mis-applying the term "fascist" for a few years now - somehow equating radical Islam with fascism. The only fascism I've seen in a while is that which much of the Republican party has tried to visit upon the American people!
Can we just move on already?
Sure he was wrong in the name he picked, but not on his overall thesis. He should should have avowed instead Stalin and Marxism!
Those who think his redistrion of wealth was a slip of the tongue, have never heard his radio interview on a Chicago radio station in 2001. Obama is not a socialist he is a marxist!
This is the kind of talk that you get when a party is lost in the woods. None of the leaders in the Republican party have had an idea other than war or tax cuts for twelve years. Fortunately for those of us that find humor in the meltdown of a party, there's plenty more to come. Last night Sean Hannity actually said this, "Look, it's been a week since the election; isn't about time people start calling this the Obama recession?" The longer it takes the right wing to figure out that the citizens of this country want ideas and solutions, not ideology and blame, the longer they will watch the country run from the sidelines.
Mr. Broun you are an idiot!!!!!!! Do you even know anything about world history in order to do this kind of comparisons? Your party is just throwing names and terms to scare the ignorant part of this population with the hope of latching on somewhere. Mrs. Palin tried doing it and it did not work for the majority of the people.
Obama compared to Hitler??? I can't imagine two leaders with more opposite philosophies. Pretty amazing the spin politicians can put on things, and have people actually convinced... actually, Hitler was a master at that sort of thing.
Some people can be so mean spirited. Why not put this crap behind us so we can move forward. President elect Obama is NOT a marxist or socialist. Just keep it up republicans and continuing to drive a wedge between your stinky base and the rest of America. Whether you like it or not, Obama will be POTUS come January. The conservatives are always so quick to point out God in everything, well God and the people of the US have spoken. Why don't you do the Christiany thing and PRAY for OUR LEADER instead of tearing him down. He deserves better than what he is getting from the right wing. It is funny how the repubs want Obama to be a prez who governs down the middle and include them in on everything, but they have never respected the left side at all on any issues. All I can say is the more hate spewed at Obama the higher he rises. He has exceeded expectations up until now and will continue to do so. Stop underestimating this guy. He has a lot to offer not only US, but the world and we are ready for it.
this is a non apology – like saying, I'm sorry if you got offended. Please. And he wouldn't have given this non apology or any kind of apology if Obama lost.
Congressman Broun:
You make Joe McCarthy and Lee Atwater very proud. Let's hope you end up on the same trash bin of history. Shame on you.
If figures. We are talking about Georgia and a Republican/right wing thinking majority of them. Here is a bitter Republican running his mouth. His nothing more than a bitter white man that cannot stand the sight of an African American about to occupy the most powerful chair in the land. Deal with it! Chew on that and shame on you for such anti-American comments.
Another republican saying something stupid and small-minded. Why is this news? Sounds like par for the course! The me-me-me party is getting to see what this country turns into when greed and special interest are allowed to run free without oversight. Now we finally elected a LEADER!
I do not believe him, period.
Dee, you really need to think before you speak. Re-distribution of wealth is nothing but socialism. And I would lilkely compare Obama to Lenin, not Hitler. Bush is more like Hitler than Obama.
More proof (if any is needed) that the GOP is populated and supported by the absolute worst type of people. IMO no republican should be allowed to hold any elected office, ever again. Scum.
What a moron. It's statements like this that will push republicanism to the margins. I think the country is beyond this type of nonsense.
Obama hasn't even started his presidency and people like Mr. Brown, O'Reilly, Hannity and Rush are already calling him names and labeling him this and that. These types of people are the people that divide this country. The Republicans lost this election because they forgot who they work for and now all the right wing sore losers have nothing left but to continue name calling. Sad.
It really does sound off-base, but I (a supporter of Obama) watched a show called "The Nazi Chronicles" on the History channel. I swear, if you watch that show, and put in the word 'Obama' every time the narrator says 'Hitler', you'll be astounded by the similarities. I'm not trying to start a fire here, but we as Americans must not go through life without asking questions. It got even spookier when I was reminded that the Z in Nazi is the German word for 'socialist.' The show was made well before Obama started his run for president, so there was no political agenda.
our politicians should be made to study world history and logic if not we are at risk of collapse because of the stupidity of our politicians who hardly propose positive agendas but try to tear down each other and consequently the american people.
The depth of terror that some Republicans feel for Mr. Obama is astounding to me, when a Republican president has taken this country as close to dictatorship as it has been since the Civil War.
Why have I lived in one nation most of my life, and Mr. Broun in another. How and when did this happen? Live in the light of the
facts Mr. Broun: he two most monsterous political systems in recent history (Marxism and Nazism) were created and supported by
WHITE MEN. These systems completely ignored human values, and it is sad that you would suggest Mr. Obama is capable of that. Why can't you just say it: Your still not cool with a black man in charge.
Come to think of it, the South still has alot of human rights issues to work through, maybe you should focus on that?
Heck'uva job Brounie.
This is what has become of the Republican party. All you devoted repubs should be so proud of what you have become and what you have done for our country.
Do us all a favor, Republicans – Dig a huge hole, get all of your Republican friends (I'm sure you have a phone tree of some sort lying around), and all of you get inside, bury yourselves, and in four years we will let you come out and see how much nicer things have become.
Funny, the Republicans and the Christian Right share more in common philosophically with Nazis than the Democrats. Both groups are intolerant of diversity, strongly nationalistic to the point of religiosity, and willing to accept doctrine without questioning its validity.
How hypocritical of you people???
Let me get this straight? You're calling someone disrespectful and a disgrace for saying what he believes and disagreeing with Obama's policies. (Albeit in a stupid way)
But when you have vehemently disagreed and lambasted President Bush for the past 4 years likening him to the Devil and Hitler it's ok????? It sure sounds logical to me......Get a grip!
I just feel sorry for the people this idiot represents. However, I have no doubt this fool won't representing American public again. Be it Georgia or Alaska.
Newark. DE
Another Michael Savage soldier. When will people start using their heads instead of being radio talk show sponges?
It's alarming how easily some people are convinced.
Give me a break. You did this because Obama won and you feel he will put pressure on the Republicans to do better than they have in the past. You now have a true leader than what Bush was in the last 8 years. Republicans you can't just sit and think you can screw things us for the Democrats now. Let's work together to get this country back together.