ADL Condemns “Ugly, Divisive” Pennsylvania GOP Email to Jewish Voters Comparing Rise of Obama to Third Reich
EmailRADNOR, PA. — More than 75,000 Jews throughout the Keystone state got an email Thursday from the “Republican Federal Committee of PA – Victory 2008” that compares a victory by Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., to Nazi victories before the Holocaust.
“Jewish Americans cannot afford to make the wrong decision” the email said, making a number of false or misleading assertions about Obama and adding that “Many of our ancestors ignored the warning signs in the 1930s and 1940s and made a tragic mistake. Let’s not make a similar one this year!"
Abraham H. Foxman, national director of the Anti-Defamation League and a Holocaust survivor, condemned the email.
“Ugly, divisive personal attacks against a candidate for any political office should never be acceptable, and using Holocaust analogies is completely beyond the pale," Foxman said. "Regardless of which candidate one supports, it is shocking and profoundly distressing that anyone would see fit to make such an odious, false and repugnant analogy. Not only does it further debase the level of our political discourse, but it also diminishes and trivializes the virulent anti-Semitism and Nazi aggression that led to the slaughter of six million Jews and millions of others.”
"The Republican Party of Pennsylvania did not authorize that e-mail," Michael Barley, communications director for the state party, asserted to The Associated Press.
But Political consultant Bryan Rudnick – hired by the PA GOP as a consultant to do outreach to Jewish voters – told the AP, however, that, "I had authorization from party officials" to send the e-mail.
Who authorized it?
"I’m not looking to drag anyone else through the mud, so I’m not naming names right now," Rudnick said
Yes, why drag anyone ELSE through the mud?
While we’re on the subject of Yiddische smears, our friend Jeffrey Goldberg looks at the Jewish extremists behind the film “Obsession,” a film “meant to suggest that Obama will provide aid and comfort to Islamism, or is an Islamist himself. There is not one shred of proof on this planet that Barack Obama is anything other than an Israel-supporting Christian.”
Oy!
– jpt
Rick Santorum Sweeps 3 States 
Pentagon to Open Additional Jobs to Women
Of course the GOP authorized the that email. It’s called Republican dirty tricks. This happens in EVERY election.
DISGUSTING!
Posted by: Stacey | October 28, 2008, 7:45 am 7:45 am
The Republicans are at it again, smearing the jewish people. Obviously they have little regard for the jewish, or they wouldnt continue to bring up troubling times, and try to relate them to recent candidates. Have you noticed that the democrats never do this? Cherished Jewish citizens of this country please take note of this and take the time to seperate yourselves from the republicans, just as they attempt to seperate you from your wisdom. Wisdom tells us that Barack Obama is a American who cares for all people no matter what your ancestry. He is a unique and caring man, and he will be the best person for our future! Vote Obama/Biden and show your support for peace and understanding, not divisivness and hatred.
Posted by: Fairfax | October 28, 2008, 7:47 am 7:47 am
My Jewish family proudly voted for Obama/Biden. Republicans have turned into the party of hate. smears, and lies.
Posted by: Philip | October 28, 2008, 7:53 am 7:53 am
Do the Pubs think their supporters are completetly stupid or just gullible lemmings who will believe anything?
It says alot for the complete lack of respect they have for their own.
How is anyone not insulted by this facist low-brow rheteoric?
Posted by: Bottom Feeders | October 28, 2008, 7:56 am 7:56 am
I have seen so many despicable actions by Republicans, John McCain, Sarah Palin, and Republican groups and representatives.
I am Republican, am so ashamed and disgusted by their actions am voting for Barack Obama. Once the election is over will be changing to Democrat.
Republicans Party and the two candidate do not represent what our great country is all about.
Posted by: Sharonklim | October 28, 2008, 8:00 am 8:00 am
thank your share
Posted by: sikiş | October 28, 2008, 8:09 am 8:09 am
This is just one more slime ball attempt by John McCain to fool the public and scare Jewish people into helping him achieve his Glorious Goal. McCain, once an honorable man, has sadly lost all sense of decency and should be ashamed of himself!
We do not need a McCain/Rove in the White House! Imagine what the world will think if we honor and elect McCain knowing how low he can stoop in insulting Americans and people of Jewish faith everywhere.
Please vote your conscious on November 4th, let’s take a higher road for the next four years. We can no longer afford an angry warmongering John McCain whose only message is “Fight, Fight, Fight!”
We need a peaceful, reasonable diplomatic human being to get America out of the many messes Bush has gotten us into!
Posted by: Barbara Coleman | October 28, 2008, 8:10 am 8:10 am
What do you expect. The Republican party was taken over in the 1990′s by the Moral Majority -Jerry Falwell, Pat Robertson etal. Since then the party has slowly become the party of hate. These people think that they are so morally superior to everyone else and yet they do things like this. This weekend I overheard two women I attend church with discussing how no Christian would ever vote for Obama. I immediately went to the Democratic headquarters and got myself an Obama bumpersticker. I have already voted for him. I drove my car to church Sunday and parked right next to the McCain/Palin girls with pride. Some of the looks I got after church were priceless. HATE IS NOT AN OPTION>
Posted by: Jenny Rome Ga | October 28, 2008, 8:12 am 8:12 am
This news is disgusting. The republicans have no morals. They should be arrested for preaching hate. Mccain is an angry hateful man and Palin is an airhead windbag whose good looks have blinded her followers. She has no substance except to preach hateful slurs at anyone that gets in her way. You may not care for Obama’s views and policies but you cannot deny he has chosen the higher ethical groung in this campaign.
Posted by: US American voter | October 28, 2008, 8:26 am 8:26 am
People need to be angry at a media in the tank for obama. When this country is ruined, I hope the media will accept the responsibility.
Posted by: me | October 28, 2008, 8:31 am 8:31 am
Dirty tricks is a sure sign that a party has lost it’s grip on reality. Kitchen sink strategy with mudslinging politics will sink a party faster that a snow ball in a furnace.
It would appear that this mudslinging stategy is deliberately sabotaging John McCain’s campaign.
There are more substantial issues out there than mudslinging politics.Errol Smythe.
Posted by: Errol Smythe | October 28, 2008, 8:32 am 8:32 am
Wow! and this comes as a surprise to many. This is what Republincans ar very good at, preaching hate. Yet Cindy Mc Cain and the Republican party had tha audacity to say Obama is running the dirtiest campaign they have seen in years. At every Mc Cain rally all he preaches is hate and fearmongering. Just look at the commentents of Minnesota congresswoman Michelle Bachmann. This is all about race plain and simple. Why is it that for years blacks and bring themselves to voite for a white person, yet may whites cannot see themselves voting for a black person. If most of you think that the counttry is going in the right direction, then you choice will be for Mc Cain, if you believe that we are heading in the wrong direction then I guess Obama will be your choice. Apparently Joe the plumber is not a very well educated individual. Oh I forgot Joe is not really a plumber, and he really does not have 250,000.00 to buy any business. Maybe he doesn’t need a tax cut. If getting a tax cut is considered spreading the wealth around and welfare then let me stand in line. Americans are loosing jobs by the thousands, millions of homes in foreclosure, 401k are being drained. Uncertainty about whether you will continue to have a jod, many without health care, we cannot affford to send our children to college due to the high cost of college tution. 10 billion being spent a month on a war based on lies. How ironic that when Obama said we need to sit down and negotiate a timed withdrawl Republicans especially Mc Cain and Lindsey Grahm said we are implementing a defeatist attitude, yet we are currently negoiating to to the exact thing. We are holding low level talks with Iran. Obama has been saying we need to concentrate more on Afganhistan. Now we see that is exactly whet this administration is begining to realize. America’s standing in the world is at an all tile low. Was it not Bush who said that he wanted to unite the nation, yet we are more divided than ever. We are working harder, yet our salary buys us less each day. I truly hope that Americans see the vast difference between these two candidates.
Posted by: Wulfgang | October 28, 2008, 8:36 am 8:36 am
“I’m not looking to drag anyone else through the mud, so I’m not naming names right now.” Huh?
McCain thinks that comparing Obama to Hitler and pushing a demented story about a racially motivated assualt on one of his volunteers are going to help him win Pennsylvania?
These people are crazier than I thought.
Posted by: Brooklyn Democrat | October 28, 2008, 9:07 am 9:07 am
McCain / Palin = Spreading the fear and hate around.
Posted by: akamai | October 28, 2008, 9:08 am 9:08 am
Since when are we called “Jewish-Americans”?
Posted by: Robby | October 28, 2008, 9:46 am 9:46 am
I am a Jew and I approve that flyer.
Posted by: geevill | October 28, 2008, 9:48 am 9:48 am
Godwin’s Law prevails again!
Posted by: RC | October 28, 2008, 10:01 am 10:01 am
Of all the negative, divisive, hatemongering, tactics I’ve seen in this election year, I think this is one of the most unconscionable. To take one of the most heinous times in world history, one of the most tragic times in Jewish history, and twist a lie into it to try and get votes is beyond disgusting. To try and promote fear among the Jewish community using lies, deception, and innuendo, is beyond appalling. When is this type of “politics” going to stop? How can a group claiming “morals” not vehemently and loudly denounce this e-mail and these methods of getting votes. This alone should make people vote against the republican ticket. If this is the kind of tactics they use to get elected, what would they do once in office? Is this uniting the country? Is this bringing out the best in people? Is this the type of “leadership” we want? I can’t even think of the appropriate words to denounce what was done. I hope the American people can see this disgusting tactic for what it is.
Posted by: breezyday | October 28, 2008, 10:30 am 10:30 am
Get a grip, people.
Blaming McCain for this, because some Republican somewhere did something, is ridiculous. Or, do you think Obama should take the heat for Palin porno (clearly produced by Dems), “Palin is a ####” tshirt (clearly produced by Dems), the “he might die” ads by the Dems Drs, or the immigration ad (oh wait, that one was Obama).
Unless you happen to know the consultant hired to produce this letter and/or know the Republican Party of PA, why do you willingly buy what strangers tells you and then willingly extrapolate it up all the way up to holding someone else accountable? Just because it suits your bias, doesnt make it true.
Posted by: BP88 | October 28, 2008, 10:52 am 10:52 am
I got both emails. How convenient for the GOP to send around the smear, then a week later send a disclaimer. Not an apology, but a disclaimer. How convenient.
It was akin to having someone dump a bucket of sewage in my lap and then say, “oops! I didn’t mean to.”
Posted by: Ed | October 28, 2008, 12:04 pm 12:04 pm
Typical Republican scare tactics to get votes. But this time they’ve sunken so low in bring up images of the Holocaust. Only proves Republicans care more about holding office than even the inhumanly evil loss of life of 6 million Jews. This GOP tactic seriously borders on a hate crime. Disgusting.
Posted by: buzziea | October 28, 2008, 12:49 pm 12:49 pm
Someone tell me how did the Republicans got a list of Jewish emails? Who keeps such lists? Those are the people to be watched. Is the FBI involved? Was their right to privacy violated? Getting minorities to fight one another is a favorite tactic of the ruling elite. These are going to be rough times.
Posted by: Peter | October 28, 2008, 1:43 pm 1:43 pm
What was the specific content of the mailer? and is the correlation relevant? If there are correlations then intelligent people would do well to consider the implications. It is not ‘hate’ to consider history and how similar circumstances may play our in your country.
There are many analogies showing up between the Bolshevik Revolution’s communist takeover and our current situation. Just a quick look at the bullet list on Wikipedia shows that the commies took over the banks (in progress), took over private bank accounts (401k naitionalization is being discuessed), etc.
Everyone needs to wake up free before we wake up slaves. People that do not know history are doomed to repeat it. Are we there yet?
Posted by: Bob | October 28, 2008, 1:54 pm 1:54 pm
Obama’s redistribution of wealth?
Reparations for slavery plain and simple.
Where is the outrage over that?
He is making slaves of poor people by making them dependent on him and the government.
Posted by: sam | October 28, 2008, 2:17 pm 2:17 pm
Obama’s creepy face will be on all the networks at prime-time spreading his propaganda.
He has tried to supress freedom of speech to avoid criticism.
He voted for wiretapping and is against a secret ballot.
He has an O symbol and an O hand salute.
Children chant his name and he has a cult-like following.
Posted by: bailey | October 28, 2008, 2:23 pm 2:23 pm
These people are just lucky that they live in America. In many countries they would be thrown in jail for criminal defamation.
If anyone is anti-American it is these people.
Posted by: Bud | October 28, 2008, 2:39 pm 2:39 pm
Get a clue McCain!
This fear mongering MUST STOP!
For the sake of the Nation, please stop this and put Your Country First YOU hypocrite!!!!!
Posted by: The right is so lame!!! | October 28, 2008, 2:45 pm 2:45 pm
Typical Republican scare tactics to get votes. But this time they’ve sunken so low in bring up images of the Holocaust. Only proves Republicans care more about holding office than even the inhumanly evil loss of life of 6 million Jews. This GOP tactic seriously borders on a hate crime. Disgusting.
Posted by: buzziea | Oct 28, 2008 12:49:37 PM
—————————-
My THOUGHTS EXACTLY!!!!
Posted by: Disgusted with the Republican dirty tricks | October 28, 2008, 2:46 pm 2:46 pm
At this rate there will be no Republican Party left to speak of in America after this election is over.
GOOD RIDDENCE!!!!!!!
Posted by: Sara | October 28, 2008, 2:49 pm 2:49 pm
John McCain and Republicans are sending racial, fear mongering video, robocalls, emails, etc all over now. Republicans are also doing all they can to suppress voters across the country. Obama plans to have attorneys to oversee at many voter sites. Republicans too. Since the Florida voter suppression & voter irregularities of 2000 & 2004 lots to be concerned about. Republicans have been getting minority voters names and harrassing this year.
What is interesting – no complaints from voters about the democrats. Just Republicans.
They have have gone too far this year. Voting sites must be watched closely. Hotlines now set up & they are now getting lots of reports. Again only against Republicans.
Posted by: Sharonklim | October 28, 2008, 2:51 pm 2:51 pm
Foxman himself appears to have somewhat shifted his view of Obama. This is what he told the L.A. Times back in April: “In the context of spending 20 years in a church where now it is clear the anti-Israel rhetoric was there, was repeated, . . . that’s what makes his presence at an Arab American event with Said a greater concern,” said Abraham H. Foxman, national director for the Anti-Defamation League,” (“Allies of Palestinians see a friend in Barack Obama,” 4/10/08, with a subheading of, “They consider him receptive despite his clear support of Israel”). This article really is a must-read. It’s quite informative as it looks at Obama’s past actions and associations to try to see where he stands on the Israeli/Palestinian dispute.
Posted by: Erika | October 28, 2008, 3:18 pm 3:18 pm
Oy, Mr. Foxman, I’m so glad you did NOT authorize these vile, repulsive emails because NO ONE should ever have to receive or read them. This is the most disgusting GOP stunt to date. I can only hope that the Jewish families and others who are offended with this type GOP effort will NOT vote McCain because he will continue divisive policies rather than reaching out to all others like Obama has.
McCain and Palin both have the same set of rules [followed by many other politicians in this country] and that is they take everything personally and become vindictive and hold grudges. As a result, they are very vindictive and it reflects when they fire innocent people who do nothing wrong but perhaps have only questioned or inferred other allegiances.
We don’t need that type of governance; we have had too much of it in the past 8+ years. I guess when you have NOTHING for a political platform, you resort to the lowest of the lowest forms of slime, evil and sleaze, but that just won’t do any more in this country. We know better and the GOP knows better, but they have been doing it too long and will deny it until the very end. Shame on the Republicans!
Posted by: Disparaged | October 28, 2008, 3:18 pm 3:18 pm
Shame on the GOP
Posted by: Mr. Unite Us | October 28, 2008, 3:47 pm 3:47 pm
GOP did not write it!
Obama probably did!!
Posted by: spock | October 28, 2008, 5:06 pm 5:06 pm
@ Ed:
As it happens, I *do* know Bryan Rudnick, the consultant who produced this letter. And he’s a complete and utter jack*ss who has used shady, if not downright illegal, tactics to push an agenda before. (He hoodwinked Mass voters into signing a petition to support a law banning gay marriage by showing them a false petition about global warming instead. Check him out. Great guy.)
Technically, you’re right. This doesn’t shame McCain himself. That’s fine–he and his unqualified VP nominee have done plenty enough on their own during this campaign to do that.
But it does shed more light on–and bring more shame upon–the ruthless, immoral, vitriolic, spineless hired guns, Republican flacks and yes, even some “conservative” voters and supporters, who will break any law and ignore any taboo to keep the Republicans’ grip on power in the face of popular sentiment.
It’s not just McCain who’s ruining his image in this election. It’s major pieces of the Republican Party as a whole.
Posted by: Paul | October 29, 2008, 12:00 pm 12:00 pm
Obama’s friends are Reverant Wright the anti white,anti semitic,antiamerican,William Ayers,terrorist who bombed goverment buildings,Resko,criminal who gave Obama a sweethard deal on land,PLO spokesman for Arafat, and donated 800000. to Acorn which is in trouble in 11 states for voter fraud. He also has close communists friends. He is also a Socialist who wants to share the wealth. All these things are reason enough not to vote for that lair.
Posted by: JeromeLPress | October 30, 2008, 7:56 pm 7:56 pm