Republicans are going after U.S. Rep. Alan Grayson, D-Fla., for comparing the Tea Party to the Ku Klux Klan.
On Monday, Grayson sent out a fundraising email to supporters in which a burning cross was used for the first t in tea party. In the email, Grayson highlighted a recent interview on Al Sharptons MSNBC show in which the Florida congressman said the Tea Party movement was just as popular as the Klan.
At this point, the Tea Party is no more popular than the Klan, Grayson said, before insisting the Tea Party is driven by religious motivations to bring about Armageddon. They simply want to bring about the End of Days, as quickly as possible. That is the ultimate Tea Party Republican desire, to bring about the End of Days. The Republican Party has become the largest suicide pact in history. And I hope they dont take us with them.
On Tuesday, Republicans hit back. Lenny Curry, the chairman of the Republican Party of Florida (RPOF), called on Democrats to condemn Grayson and took a shot at him as well as at U.S. Rep. Joe Garcia, D-Fla., who ranks as a top Republican target in 2014.
"Earlier this month, Congressman Joe Garcia made reprehensible remarks on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives, equating some of his colleagues to terrorists, Curry said on Tuesday. The Florida Democratic Party stood silent. Now, Congressman Alan Grayson is reaching back into his box of hate-filled rhetoric, bringing up the KKK and images of burning crosses for the purposes of partisan fundraising. This is unacceptable and deplorable. Allison Tant and her party should condemn Congressman Grayson immediately for these disgusting comments."
Curry wasnt alone from his party in condemning Grayson. Matt Gorman, a spokesman for the National Republican Campaign Committee (NRCC), also bashed Grayson for comparing the Tea Party to the Klan.
Theres no excuse for the hateful words and imagery used by Congressman Grayson, Gorman said on Tuesday. House Democrats should swiftly and strongly condemn him and return the money he has raised for them. This hate-filled rhetoric has Americans fed up with Washington.
Some of the Republicans looking to challenge Grayson in 2014 also went after the Democrat on Tuesday.
These are patriotic Americans and taxpayers who are dissatisfied with decisions, actions and inactions in D.C., said GOP congressional hopeful Carol Platt. American voices are to be heard, not labeled, denigrated, or belittled. I would rather build bridges than create walls, distrust and disrespect between people with different opinions. This type of sensational rhetoric does not reflect an ounce of statesmanship that all Americans deserve from their leaders.
Jorge Bonilla, another of the Republicans looking to run against Grayson in 2014, also piled on the congressman.
The depiction of burning crosses in Congressman Alan Graysons most recent fundraising ask is despicable and needlessly hurtful to the many millions of families that still deal with the wounds of racial prejudice, Bonilla said. Such times as these call for our elected officials to be uniters. Unfortunately, Mr. Grayson is only interested in dividing us, and has no qualms in doing so on the backs of those who suffered the horrors of racial persecution.Whats worse, he does so for no other reason than to troll for donations for his re-election campaign. I call on House Democratic leadership to condemn this vile and repulsive use of such imagery.
While Democrats remained silent about his comments, Grayson showed no signs of backing down on Tuesday. Grayson sent a statement to Emily Cahn from Roll Call in which he accused the Tea Party of using racist terms against prominent Democrats.
Tea party members have circulated countless altered pictures depicting President Obama and the first lady as monkeys. Tea Party members also called my fellow member of Congress, civil rights hero John Lewis, a n**ger, and Rep. Barney Frank a faggot, Grayson told Roll Call. One could go on and on, because there is overwhelming evidence that the Tea {arty is the home of bigotry and discrimination in America today, just as the KKK was for an earlier generation. If the shoe fits, wear it.
Grayson has had a history of making controversial statements regarding Republicans, insisting their health care plan was for people to die and attacking Republican foe Dan Websters Christian faith back in 2010. While Webster went on to defeat him, Grayson defeated Republican Todd Long for an open seat to return to Congress in 2012.
Reach Kevin Derby at kderby@sunshinestatenews.com.
