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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Broun is a typical Republican idiot with no connection between his brain and his mouth. Mixing ideological metaphors by calling someone a Marxist and comparing him to Hitler shows, as clearly as anything could, the shoe-sized intellectual capacities of these right wing airheads and the electorate that put them in office. The next few years could teach Broun a hard lesson in what happens when members of a polarized society go at each others's throats from the lunatic extremes of the political spectrum, one of which his party represents. Maybe he should read some history in that regard: viz, that of Germany in the early '30s.
Has the good (?) Representative ever heard of a guy named Franklin Delano Roosevelt? The WPA? I didn't know FDR was a Marxist! Get a grip.
This troubled, divisive, and deranged man has no business being in the United States House of Representatives. If his constituents have any ethics, they'll force him out.
jerk!!
Basically, this reads, 'I'm sorry for comparing Obama to Hitler, but I think Obama could be the next Hitler.' Apology? NO.. Rep. Paul Broun possesses far more Hitler-like traits than Obama. He would have been one of the first in line to lead the Jews into the gas chambers.
This is just another fine example of how the republican machine is succeeding in flushing itself down the toilet. Perhaps they can marinade in their partisan cesspool for (at least) the next eight years while a REAL leader fixes and re-unifies our nation.
What a moron, no wonder Republicanism and Conservatism is on it's way out. With idiots like this one on the Repubs side we liberals have little to worry about Our country is finally coming out of the dark ages and back into the light.
Count on it...
Many people will be apologizing for "slips" and "gaffes" made that may have offended some people...
it's just ridiculous to think that the GOP reps can say anything ungodly and just apologize for it and think that it's magically erased from memory.
Rep. Broun, sounds like a Hannity clone. HOW SAD.
They guy is an idiot: if he thinks Obama is a Marxist, then he has not idea what marxism really is!
The Hitler thing is stupid AND offensive. That's like saying anyone who has a mustache is "like Hitler."
I laughed when I heard this the first time. As my wife said, "So, he's a Marxist AND a Fascist. Wouldn't that make him a Centrist?" Why do people have to keep putting (ignorant) labels on others? And, regarding the (civilian) national security force, my interpretation of Obama's comments – in the context of the speech in which they appeared – is that he was calling for national service, including volunteerism. Anyway, don't we have a national security force? It's call the National Guard. Sure, it technically belongs to the individual states but it can be called upon by the Commander-in-Chief.
While I disagree with Obama's statement of needing a *civilian* military force, where has this republican congressman Broun been? Shouldn't Broun have been fuming at Bush's hired mercenaries... I mean civilian military forces... over in Iraq? Bush has had mercenaries in Iraq for several years. Where was this Rebulican congressman then?
Why wasn't Broun comparing Bush to Hitler years ago, you know, when "the Decider" was laying out all of his fascist policies using Goebels-like propaganda? The PATRIOT Act quickly comes to mind, as well as warantless domestic spying. Where was Paul Broun then? I swear, I can't stand the current GOP, and I'm an ACTUAL conservative (you know, small efficient government and responsible government spending). I sure hope Obama will help our country out of the Bush quagmire and that my vote for Obama was well spent.
Well ... he did bring up a good point:
What does obama mean when he talks about "a civilian national security force that's just as powerful, just as strong, just as well funded [as the military]" ... using women as prostitutes as a means to negotiate with terrorists? Is he considering bringing back the draft? For those who voted for obama, you better sign up for this civilian militia he's calling for.
He should go on Rush Limbaugh or Sean Hannity's show, they love this stuff, maybe he can co-write an article with Ann Coulter, she likes comparing Pres. Elect Obama to Hitler too. And Republicans wonder why they lost? Losing with dignity is not an option for them, what a shame, no wonder they disliked Sen. McCain, too dignified for them.
Thank God the electorate showed more intelligence than that, although I guess not in Georgia!
So, how does President-Elect Obama's liberalism now equals fascism? Get over it repubs, you lost.
This guy is an alarmist. He should be censored for crying fire in a crowded theater. What a loser. So off base.
Everyone is entitled to his or her opinion.
Why should I respect the President Elect ? Just because he holds
the title of President? IF this is the case, then why do most all Democrats not respect President Bush. I will respect the office, but
not the man, Obama. I do not agree with his policies, or his ideas.
Having a Civilian National Security is akin to creating a police force to do his bidding, with no checks and balances. This is what Obama wants. He is just trying to hide his words, the same as he did throughout his two years of running for office. Not all Americans voted for Obama, but those that did, can"t seem to get it through your thick heads that maybe someone else has a different opinion of the guy – Time will tell, and I hope that for all of our sakes, the President Elect is a sensible man, and not a radical left winger that almost half of Americans think that he is
name someone right now ??????????????? name someone. i'm waiting. lets go????? hello???? got any names. maybe this comparsion wasn't so daft after all. i'm not hearing anything from anyone . hello ?
He may apologize for saying it and apologize if he offended anyone, but he has not rescinded his words. Without rescinding his words his statements remain intact. Clearly he meant what he said and stands by it. What a POS. Is this how the GOP proposes to reconstitute itself?
Obviosuly this moron doesn't know the difference between fascism and communism – not that Obama is even close to being either.
What a maroon.
This is the kind of ignorance that we see with racist people like this guy. So foolish that when they try to explain themselves they go further low than their previous statements . Grow up its the 21st century not the 60's
yep, the black guy must be a nazi.
Thanks for the insightful analysis, Mr. Broun.
Obviously this moron doesn't know the difference between fascism and communism – not that Obama is even close to being either.
Yea...I mean Hitler was a writer and talented public speaker who rose to power in a democratic society based on his ability to link everyone's problems to one specific group. He really wasn't qualified to lead, but because he got people excited at his rallies and promised change people gave him the authority he so desparately desired. Then once he got into power, all the promises he made went out the window and he began policies which erased human and social rights.
I mean, Obama has NOTHING compared to that story, right?
Wake up. The Congressman wasn't saying Obama will kill millions of people, but his rise to power mirrors that of Hitler. We have an uncertain and dangerous road ahead unless Obama is kept in check by the other two government branches. That's the only point being made here.
The action of politicizing the Justice Department by the Bush Administration was getting close to Nazi Germany. Obama's suggestion was nothing close.
The leadership of the Republican party has become a very disgusting group of people. Even if I agreed with them on things, I don't think I could morally bring myself to vote for them.