Vermont Republicans can’t seem to get enough of national GOP figures with a propensity to drop — um, there’s no other way to say this — Nazi references on a fairly regular basis.
First came Maine Gov. Paul LePage, who touched down in Vermont two weeks ago to bring in the dough for Republican gubernatorial candidate Randy Brock. During his time in the Green Mountain State, the Maine gov managed to reignite and escalate a national uproar over comments he made comparing the IRS to the Gestapo.
Next up? Florida Congressman Allen West, a rising star in the national Republican scene with a reputation for politically incorrect zingers. The Vermont Republican Party on Friday announced in an email that West will host a fundraiser for his campaign August 5 at Waterbury’s Country Club of Vermont. Vermont GOP chairman Jack Lindley said that while his party is helping to spread the word about the event, it’s being hosted by “a conglomeration of Tea Party activists and people who are concerned about the direction of the world.”
Not familiar with Rep. West? Here’s a quick highlight reel of some of his more controversial utterances:
- “Well, you know what, it is about time that we end this Gestapo-like intimidation tactics that we see coming from Nancy Pelosi and also from the president as well,” West told Sirius/XM radio in August 2010.
- “If Joseph Goebbels was around, he’d be very proud of the Democrat Party, because they have an incredible propaganda machine,” West told reporters in the U.S. Capitol in December 2011, according to Politico.
- “You have this 21st century plantation that has been out there where the Democrat Party has forever taken the black vote for granted. And you have established certain black leaders who are nothing more than the overseers of that plantation, and now the people on that plantation are upset because they’ve been disregarded, disrespected and their concerns are not cared about,” he told Fox News in August 2011. “So I’m here as the modern-day Harriet Tubman to kinda lead people on the underground railroad away from that plantation and to a sense of sensibility.”
- In an e-mail to Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz, who also chairs the Democratic National Committee, West wrote in July 2011, “You are the most vile, unprofessional and despicable member of the US House of Representatives. If you have something to say to me, stop being a coward and say it to my face, otherwise shut the heck up,” according to the Palm Beach Post. “You have proven repeatedly that you are not a Lady, therefore, shall not be afforded due respect from me!”
- And, lastly, West said during an April town hall meeting that there are “78 to 81 [U.S. House] members of the Democrat party that are members of the communist party.”
If you can’t get enough of this stuff, be sure to check out “What West Said,” a website set up by West’s Democratic opponent, Patrick Murphy.
So who exactly is bringing West to town? The invitation comes from a group called “Grass Roots Families of Vermont” and lists as hosts Diane Tardif, Pat and Roger Crocker, Ellie and Glenn Martin, Linda Kirker, Sue and Doug Santerre, and Lenore Broughton.
A phone number listed on the invite belongs to True North Reports, the right-wing propaganda machine that bills itself as a media organization. A phone message left at the number was returned by Broughton — a major donor to such GOP candidates as Michele Bachmann, Sarah Palin and West — who referred Seven Days to True North Reports’ online editor Robert Maynard. He did not immediately respond to a phone call for comment.
As for Lindley, he calls West, “one of the many up and coming Republican leaders, there’s no question about it. He’s part of the big Republican tent.”
Does he agree with West’s more controversial remarks?
“Well, you know, I think he’s speaking his mind. I wouldn’t necessarily agree with all of them, but he certainly has a point of view of how he sees the world,” Lindley says, adding that he would not equate Democrats with the Gestapo.
Vermont Dems seem none too pleased with West’s coming trip to Vermont.
“We feel this is another example of the Vermont Republican Party embracing the national Republican agenda, which doesn’t even reflect most Vermont Republicans,” says party spokeswoman Ari Wengroff. “We’re curious to hear the Vermont Republican Party’s explanation for why they’re embracing Allen West’s extremist agenda.”
This article appears in Jul 25-31, 2012.
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I support Allen West because I believe if he were Commander in Chief, he would have faced the truth concerning the Fort Hood shooter and confronted the situation long before the killings took place…
Not all “republicans” are good people, and certainly not all “democrats” are good people. Just because a person comes to VT to fundraise doesn’t mean all of that party supports them or their ideals. Because the republican party welcomes a member that shares PARTS of their agenda does not mean “they’re embracing Allen West’s extremist agenda.”
It would be so nice if politics could just be about the facts of a person and not distorted half truths. Lindley states “I wouldn’t necessarily agree with all of them” yet then we have Ari saying that the republicans embrace his extremist agenda. The republican party does the same think, neither one is guilt free. But it’s really sickening. Just simply let a candidate state his position and let the voters decide, we don’t need the lies and half truths….
I have to say that I knew very little about Alan West before I heard about this event. So, I went to see what I could find out about him, and I very much like what I have seen. I have to say Mr. Heintz, that your characterization is way off.
I’ve also observed that nothing makes our media howl like a conservative with an effective message. Thanks again, Mr Heintz, for playing the part.
Ron Lawrence
Wow, I have read this article and it motivated me to get to know this Allen West. I remember a story my father once shared with me when I was a little girl. He was a boy, in the 40s, living on a farm in Grand Isle. Every Sunday, he and his family would get ready to go to the Methodist Church. On the way there, they passed a poor farmer with a large family that were getting ready to attend the Catholic Church. To his childlike perception, despite their poverty, they were happy. Sitting in the pews of the Methodist Church, they would listen to the minister negatively speak of Catholics. To my father, it sparked curious questions as to why one Church could be so threatened by another Church that it would speak so badly of one to the other…..It began a journey of investigation that has been lifelong. This article has done that for me. I will go straight to Youtube and hear him for myself. The question I have for you is why direct people to hear snippets onto a Dem website instead of hearing it straight from the “horse’s mouth”, sort of speak? …I opened a new tab and have listened to the first one…what I hear is an American speaking that just happens to have a label “R” after his name. He shares the vision of an America that is a land of opportunity for all. He shares the vision of a government infrastructure that lays the ground work for ALL Americans to prosper, not a government that provides the prosperity. But a government that allows it people to prosper themselves…….Thank you for this article. You have convinced me to go hear him as an American.
Allen West is awesome. His quotes that are supposed to outrage us, are funny- he’s a great speaker. Also using Democrat standards, this article is clearly RACIST. And Democrat propaganda. Racist, Democrat, Propaganda.
There are a number of loosely organized groups in Vermont like the 9/12 group and various Tea Party related groups that see in him a courageous voice for the anger and frustration that they feel in regard to an arrogant and out of touch political leadership. While some of his comments may be a bit over the top, the media is ignoring the real story. Obama and the Democratic leadership are not yesterday’s John F. Kennedy variety Democrats. They are a far more radical and arrogant breed and Allen West is trying to make that point. The fact that they have not set up gas chambers like the Nazis, or gulags like the communists is not the issue. Noble Prize winning economist Friedrich Hayek argued in his 1944 piece “Road to Serfdom” that the path, which led Germany toward Nazism was political collectivism and the centralization of political power. He also argued that the welfare states of the west were following the same path only a little more slowly. Well, we’ve picked up the pace since then and Obama and the current Democratic leadership represent a rapid acceleration of that pace. That was the message of the 2010 Tea Party revolt, but neither the media, nor the political class seem to be getting it. Millions of people from all walks of life did not suddenly become politically active for the first time simply because they decided to take up political activism as a hobby! In addition, there is a reason why the Obama campaign is having trouble with fundraising this time. Numerous non-ideological business leaders who donated to him in 2008 have woke up to the fact that he is far more radical than they had thought. Maybe if the media and political class would stop “whistling past the graveyard”, people like Allen West would not have to engage in such heated rhetoric to make a point.
As for who is putting this on, there is a loose coalition of people who meet once and a while to discuss how to address these concerns. Many of them have multiple associations, but often engage in loosely coordinated efforts that have nothing to do with the groups they may be associated with. I used to be a Product Engineer at IBM, does that mean that IBM was behind my political activity at the time? Just because some of those involved have associations with True North Reports, does not mean that this is a True North event. Focussing on such issues only gets the whole discussion side tracked by an irrelevant line of inquiry. The point is that numerous Americans/Vermonters are unhappy with the direction that we are headed in and are grateful when a political figure has the courage to give voice to those concerns. Again, if these concerns were not being so widely ignored, they might not have to be expressed in over the top rhetoric to gain some attention.
This event is not a Republican Party Event! Allen West just happens to be a Republican! There are many of us Libertarians that, although we may not agree with everything Allen West says, respect his straight talk. This event is about giving voice to a large population in Vermont who are closet conservatives or Libertarians. We have been quiet and intimidated, fearing retribution, by the far-left liberals and progressives who, though they claim to be open-minded and tolerant of all, are intolerant of anyone whose politics are different than their own. I like the idea that Allen West is coming here to Vermont. Maybe it will help people feel less isolated in their views. Bring him on!
“A phone number listed on the invite belongs to True North Reports, the right-wing propaganda machine that bills itself as a media organization”
Should we then consider Seven Days “the far-left propaganda machine that bills itself as a media organization”?
This article is just another example of the elite, enlightened crowd, who is so intolerant of ideas contrary to their own and who think that they know what’s best for all “the little people”. You should be ashamed of yourself Mr. Heintz!
And one other thing…you “far-left propagandists can’t stand someone who doesn’t fit your narrative. A black conservative who takes responsibility for his own fate, who doesn’t use the race card, and doesn’t demand entitlements is probably the most discriminated group in this country. Imagine that, he’s coming to the most socialist state in the country. What an irony!
Vermont Dems seem none too pleased with West’s coming trip to Vermont.
“We feel this is another example of the Vermont Republican Party embracing the national Republican agenda, which doesn’t even reflect most Vermont Republicans,” says party spokeswoman Ari Wengroff. “We’re curious to hear the Vermont Republican Party’s explanation for why they’re embracing Allen West’s extremist agenda.”
As has been pointed out elsewhere, this is not a Republican event. Still, that is not the issue here. What we have here is an lack of balance in expressing “concern” about the use of national political figures in Vermont politics. Where was all the media concern when Barney Frank was here in Vermont to support a fundraiser for the Democratic Party. A good argument could be made that the people of Vermont were far more effected by the Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac scandal than any over the top comments Allen West may have used in describing leading Democrats.http://http://www.vermontpressbureau.com/fra... When he showed up in New Hampshire, a local media there expressed concern over having a political figure hip deep in the Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac scandal: http://americaswatchtower.com/…
“One month from tomorrow, U.S. Rep. Barney Frank, D-Mass., will be the keynote speaker at the New Hampshire Democratic Party’s annual Jefferson-Jackson dinner. It is a coveted and high-profile role previously filled by such notables as Hillary Clinton and Al Gore. The Democrats’ choice of House Financial Services Committee Chairman Barney Frank is, therefore, very revealing.
The party announced Frank as the keynote speaker on Sept. 11 — three days after the U.S. government took control of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, costing taxpayers untold billions. That takeover probably could have been prevented had Frank not worked to thwart every attempt to limit the risks taken on by the two government-sponsored mortgage giants.”
I embrace Allen West because of the way he serves our great country…first as a Military Man, second as a congressional representative in the US Congress…its people like him who make the world a better place for everyone…Our country needs more like him in Washington..West: Stop the Tax Hike! Town hall events will focus on tax !Washington) — Congressman Allen West (R-FL) is joining House Republicans today by hosting two town hall meetings on “Stop the Tax Hike Day” to emphasize the need for the United States Congress to block the largest tax increase in our nation’s history scheduled to go into effect January 1, 2013.
I embrace Allen West because of the way he serves our great country…first as a Military Man, second as a congressional representative in the US Congress…its people like him who make the world a better place for everyone…Our country needs more like him in Washington..
West: Stop the Tax Hike!
Town hall events will focus on tax !Washington) — Congressman Allen West (R-FL) is joining House Republicans today by hosting two town hall meetings on “Stop the Tax Hike Day” to emphasize the need for the United States Congress to block the largest tax increase in our nation’s history scheduled to go into effect January 1, 2013.
West released this statement today:
“President Barack Obama’s plan for tax hikes will devastate our already fragile economy. The United States Congress must act now to Stop the Tax Hike on all Americans and pass the Job Protection and Recession Prevention Act, extending current income tax rates for one year.
The United States unemployment rate has remained at or above eight percent for 41 months and nearly 13 million Americans are currently looking for work. Failure to extend the tax cuts will raise taxes on small businesses and Americans by $232 billion in 2013 and by $4.6 trillion over 10 years.
The Democrats want to use class warfare to divide our nation by calling this a tax break for millionaires and billionaires. The facts are that 75 percent of small businesses with a net revenue of $250,000 or more pay their taxes as individuals and will therefore be subject to this tax hike.
Over and over, small businesses say taxes are the most important problem they face today. These scheduled tax increases on small businesses will destroy job creation during the worst employment crisis since the Great Depression.”Rep. West has scheduled two town hall events today to focus on the effects President Obama’s tax hike could have on ordinary Americans:
Ok, so one of the Republican Party’s whackjobs is coming to Vermont. Are the Dems saying that their party is whackjob-free? Really?
Message to BOTH organized political parties: your need to vilify your adversaries sucks. Your need to engage in guilt by association sucks. Your need to engage in propaganda and spin sucks.
As a native Vermonter, it’s hard for me to witness the liberal agenda taking over in the hearts and minds of a people I knew to be independent, hard working, conservative folks. I was taught at home and in school, “this is America, the land of the free and home of the brave.” “Life is what you make of it.” Christian values and practices was a way of life that governed my thoughts and behavior….Is it any wonder that I support Allen West visit to Vermont? I am looking forward to hearing what words of wisdom he has to impart to Vermont’s voters….
it is my right, so far, to express my opinion. You guys (and dolls) over
here at 7Days (which I love) are just as “Super Biased” and unkind as
those you criticize. The extremity with which you disagree, belittle and
insult lend a certain amount of validity to what Mr West and his
supporters say. It is the (my turn to be insulted, I know, but screw it.
I can’t live in fear of bullies like you guys for ever) socialist,
communist, fascist kind of folks, who freak out when someone says
something that they disagree with. Right? “Though liberals do a great
deal of talking about hearing other points of view, it sometimes shocks
them to learn that there are other points of view.”- William F. Buckley
I abso-fricken-lutely agree with you 98.79%