Video: The origin of the “Nazi” references at town-hall protests
posted at 1:38 pm on August 12, 2009 by Ed Morrissey
Stephen Gutowski does the job the media wouldn’t do in tracking down the origin of the “Nazi” references at a handful of town-hall protests, including one oft-referenced poster showing Barack Obama with a Hitler moustache. Does that come from conservatives opposed to single-payer health care systems? In fact, it comes from a fringe group that opposes ObamaCare for not going far enough (via The Blog Prof):
Lyndon LaRouche is to the Right as Alex Jones is to the Left. They’re not representative of anything but a lunatic fringe. In fact, this is probably the most attention LaRouche’s groupies have received in a long time, and they don’t even get the credit for it.
If MS-NBC was a news organization, they could tell the difference, and they could have done the reporting that Stephen did here. Instead, they stick to their mission, which is political hackery on behalf of the Democratic Party. Real reporters may have also asked, as The Blog Prof does, why a man who held that poster also passed out campaign flyers for Rep. John Dingell (D-MI).
Update: Dave Weigel notes the LaRouche connection and credits Stephen, but calls LaRouche an ally to the Right on ObamaCare. Er, not exactly, Dave; they explicitly want a single-payer system, which is what their representative says on camera in that video.
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No one ever expects Lynon LaRouche.
portlandon on August 12, 2009 at 1:40 PM
Rush, Shawn, Laura, the Great One and Ann Coulter featured in the new “Don’t Tread on Me!” video. dedicated to Kenneth Gladney the “union thug victim”.
Impress your friends, pick up chicks, improve your IQ AND add a shimmer to your hair…. Watch this and pass it on.
deedtrader on August 12, 2009 at 1:40 PM
LaRouche, LaRouche, LaRouche is on fiyah
We don’t need no reporting let the opposition burn.
Burn mutha _________ burn!
SouthernGent on August 12, 2009 at 1:41 PM
It is interesting how NO Nazi paraphernalia appeared until AFTER Pelosi made that statement. Now it’s everywhere.
KevinFnLshow on August 12, 2009 at 1:42 PM
Does anyone else want to bet the swastika that got sprayed on the Congressman’s office that’s linked on Drudge was done by a Democrat? Sort of link the professor who was hanging nooses on her own door to start a crapstorm.
jbohanon on August 12, 2009 at 1:42 PM
Pro-abortion.
Believers in eugenics.
Against citizen free speech.
Pro-gun control.
Ultra-green.
Believe in using the power of government to curtail smoking.
Favor irrational animal rights laws.
Anti-Semites.
Favor high taxes.
Favor increasing government giveaways of various kinds.
Favor getting government and big business entangled.
Am I writing about the Nazis of the 1930s and 40s, or many liberals and Democrats in the 21st century United States?
Yes.
(I said “many”, not “all”)
jgapinoy on August 12, 2009 at 1:43 PM
Darn you, Ed. Darn you to heck! You dare to suggest that the media would take things out of context and represent them as parts of their own narrative? You have a lot of nerve, buddy!
SKYFOX on August 12, 2009 at 1:43 PM
Obama has nothing on Hitler.
I see him more as Papa Doc Barack.
myrenovations on August 12, 2009 at 1:44 PM
Ed: We had leftist organizers hold fake “Obama – Black Socialist” and thrust themselves in front of willing media at our San Diego Townhall yesterday.
We also heard Congresswoman Susan Davis say: THE POINT IS THAT IT WILL EVOLVE INTO A SINGLE-PAYERS SYSTEM. She then proceeded to lie about the contents of the congressional bill.
Mutnodjmet on August 12, 2009 at 1:44 PM
Exactly Kevin. Amazing how there was no violence, racism, or swastikas until Pelossi brought it up. The left is so transparent.
MobsterinVA on August 12, 2009 at 1:45 PM
If calling maobamma a socialist is akin to using the N-word, then calling Americans nazi’s is code for KKKraKKKars!
vapig on August 12, 2009 at 1:45 PM
…which is why I don’t watch MSNBC.
<3
Consumers everywhere
bluelightbrigade on August 12, 2009 at 1:45 PM
Palin’s facebook: The Shot Heard Round the World
faraway on August 12, 2009 at 1:46 PM
Pat Paulson 2012!
vinman on August 12, 2009 at 1:46 PM
Nice job, Mr. Gutowski. An excellent expose.
bluelightbrigade on August 12, 2009 at 1:46 PM
Of course, it’s all a set up.
KevinFnLshow on August 12, 2009 at 1:46 PM
Dude, great remake of that ole song.
SnowSun on August 12, 2009 at 1:47 PM
LaRouche has to be what, 9000 years old by now? I think he first ran for president against Grover Cleveland.
The last time the LaRouchies did anything noteworthy is when they screwed over the Democrats in Illinois in 1986. That was highly amusing.
Mr. D on August 12, 2009 at 1:47 PM
If Horst Wessel had Obamacare, he’d be alive today…
TexasJew on August 12, 2009 at 1:49 PM
Obama, keep your hands out of my colon.
faraway on August 12, 2009 at 1:49 PM
False flag at flag@whitehouse.gov. Report your friends , only way to be sure.
the_nile on August 12, 2009 at 1:49 PM
When the Libs protested Bush that was just people speaking their minds and standing up for their rights. When conservatives speak out we are known as mobsters and villians. Didn’t any of you NOT get the memo from the DNC and MoveOn.org?
Dire Straits on August 12, 2009 at 1:50 PM
Andrea Mitchell is Lyndon LaRouche!!
Crazy, you say? Ever seen the two in the same room together?
i thought not.
We’re through the looking glass here people.
JohnGalt23 on August 12, 2009 at 1:51 PM
first thing that came to mind for me…
cmsinaz on August 12, 2009 at 1:51 PM
I voted for Pat once here in NH-he actually came in second.
Sadly he is no longer with us, so will have to be scratched for 2012.
Del Dolemonte on August 12, 2009 at 1:52 PM
Heh. He’ll probably get more votes dead than LaRouche will get while alive and kicking.
UltimateBob on August 12, 2009 at 1:52 PM
You mean the “More Socialization and Nationalization Broadcasting Company” is against nazism?
who knew?
ThatMan on August 12, 2009 at 1:52 PM
Luckily, the imposters are such amatuers. Unfortunately, so is the MSM.
ROCnPhilly on August 12, 2009 at 1:53 PM
Not surprised at all.
Off topic: Who’s the hot brunette reporterette?
Battlecruiser-operational on August 12, 2009 at 1:53 PM
President Eisenhower
The more you know, the more you question, the more they squirm.
PatriotRider on August 12, 2009 at 1:53 PM
Many of today’s O’bama voters weren’t even born then.
I first ran into LL in 1979. What a nutbar. Still is, I see.
Del Dolemonte on August 12, 2009 at 1:53 PM
And deserve more, too.
Mr. D on August 12, 2009 at 1:53 PM
LaRouche has to be what, 9000 years old by now? I think he first ran for president against Grover Cleveland.
Mr. D on August 12, 2009 at 1:47 PM
He’s the one who made up that fake Daguerrotype of Cleveland having sex with a dachshund.
TexasJew on August 12, 2009 at 1:54 PM
BBBBBWWWWWWWAAAAAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH!!!
Seven Percent Solution on August 12, 2009 at 1:54 PM
So what? Talk radio crazies like Rush Limbaugh compare Obama to the nazis on a daily basis. Are they plants too?
Spenol on August 12, 2009 at 1:54 PM
Yeah. Too bad Rush didn’t do that.
Try harder.
lorien1973 on August 12, 2009 at 1:55 PM
Yes, as a retort to Pelosi’s claim about the Swasitkas. Listening is a skill.
Karl on August 12, 2009 at 1:56 PM
What’s up with the thing at Dingle’s TH? The guy protesting out front with the swastika sign turns up later handing out Dingle literature and seems to be part of Dingle’s organization??
Whoda Thunk…..??
BigWyo on August 12, 2009 at 1:56 PM
Then again, there was a time – not too long ago – when comparing Presidents to nazis was not only cool, it was fashionable and mainstream. When did things change? When did it start bothering you?
lorien1973 on August 12, 2009 at 1:56 PM
BTW, that’s RightWingSparkle’s daughter conducting some of the interviews in that clip.
Karl on August 12, 2009 at 1:56 PM
+1
beat me to it….darn:-)
cmsinaz on August 12, 2009 at 1:56 PM
Rush is not a politician. He’s not a journalist. He’s just some wacky guy on the radio. Why so… paranoid
faraway on August 12, 2009 at 1:57 PM
Yep. I was at a Town Hall last night and the LaRouche people were there in force. Signs, banners, handouts, etc.
One got on the line to ask a question, which was essentially: isn’t Obama just a Nazi?
Both sides groaned and just wanted him to go away.
sultanp on August 12, 2009 at 1:58 PM
No? How about this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JzSNsMy98BY
Spenol on August 12, 2009 at 1:59 PM
Those larouche tools set up in town last month
never heard of him
researched him and was shocked
blatantblue on August 12, 2009 at 2:00 PM
Nearly 8 years of hearing “BushHitler” from all those wonderful citizens…musta been Republicans who started it all back in 2002.
Didn’t hear a peep out of any Dem on that little term.
coldwarrior on August 12, 2009 at 2:00 PM
media: but, but, but search engines are hard!!!
tetriskid on August 12, 2009 at 2:00 PM
When Rush does it, there’s a historical basis for it. Uhhbamuhh and Hitler have very similar stances on several policies such as healthcare, nationalizing private companies, and gun control. Of course, the nazis were socialists, (National SOCIALIST German Workers’ party) so there’s another link between the two…
Battlecruiser-operational on August 12, 2009 at 2:01 PM
Typical of the MSM. Too lazy to investigate where these images come from…just blame the NeoCons.
DwmPred6 on August 12, 2009 at 2:01 PM
Grasp the context, would ya?
You are going to get boring really fast. I can tell.
lorien1973 on August 12, 2009 at 2:01 PM
When you offer a specific policy, or behaviour, and say “this was also done in Germany between 1932 and 1945,” and it’s true, well, then it is.
This is what some commentators are doing.
It’s completely legit.
In case your powers of comprehension don’t let you get there, Rush has said that the purpose of the program is to attract listeners, and generate ad revenue for sponsors.
Hyperbole, Sarcasm, and Exaggeration are used as tools to illustrate truths.
Am I going to fast for you?
massrighty on August 12, 2009 at 2:02 PM
I’m glad to see open registration is working so well………
Seven Percent Solution on August 12, 2009 at 2:02 PM
Spenol, kind of sounds like the name of the government’s blue pill.
myrenovations on August 12, 2009 at 2:02 PM
Damn, I forget sometimes how young you are…
massrighty on August 12, 2009 at 2:03 PM
I have been following the LaRouchePac.com website since talking with them outside a grocery store a few months back and have been suprised with the level of accuracy of LaRouches predictions. The solutions are also Completely and Totally Constitutionally correct in my opinion. The guy is one hell of a historian as well. I particularly like his Idea of going back to the Alexander Hamilton’s monetary system vs. the current british monetary system that does not seem to be working so well. I am sure that I will be bashed for this viewpoint so if your curious check it out for yourself and see if this makes sense to you or just blow me off as some nutcase.
Reality Checker on August 12, 2009 at 2:06 PM
I just heard on ABC news that Sen. Specter said that the Town Hall protesters are “not representative of the people.”
The irony of the phrase grabbed me by the throat.
Does anyone else see the irony of congressmen whose job description is to be representatives of the people smearing citizens for not being “representative of the people?”
Unbelievable dereliction of duty.
jeff_from_mpls on August 12, 2009 at 2:06 PM
I’ve been familiar with Lyndon La Douche since the early 70s. He’s fascist scum.
I know some very hard core leftist union and political activists and they’re big fans of La Douche.
Calling him right wing makes as much sense as calling Clinton conservative.
single stack on August 12, 2009 at 2:07 PM
I don’t think anyone expects the MSM to actually do real reporting, researching, or telling of truthful facts anymore. I think most people recognize them as tools of the left wing.
The left wing will deny it, and does of course. I’ve even heard the left wingers on the local radio talk shows saying that the medial is being over run by conservatives.
Such crap. I can’t even find a local conservative on talk radio here in Michigan. There might be one, but I haven’t run across it yet. Partly because by the time I run across the dial once I’m about ready to vomit from hearing the left wing continuously lie their butts off without consequence.
Spiritk9 on August 12, 2009 at 2:07 PM
He must have gone to Jack Murtha School of Public Relations.
ICBM on August 12, 2009 at 2:07 PM
In it’s suppository form?
farright on August 12, 2009 at 2:08 PM
jgapinoy,
Gun control began in the Weimar Republic and the Nazis only favoured abortion for non-Ayrans. Like Muslim jihadists today they were only against abortion for themselves but didn’t mind if “subhumans” aborted their babies.
aengus on August 12, 2009 at 2:08 PM
Doesn’t spector have like a 30% approval rating? Apparently, he’s not representative of the people.
lorien1973 on August 12, 2009 at 2:08 PM
Senators saying constituents aren’t representative of their constituents; Representatives talking on cells during town halls; Senators calling granpa a paid puppet of insurance companies; presumably smart people continually saying ‘teabagger’ on national news… When will Beavis and Butthead get a news show? What is freaking going on? Seriously?
j_galt on August 12, 2009 at 2:13 PM
To tell you the truth I don’t really care. It’s stupid when the left does it, and it’s stupid when the right does it. What bothers me is the fact that people like Stephen Gutowski and Dana Loesch are trying hard to disprove the fact that there’s a lunatic fringe who shows up at these townhalls.
Spenol on August 12, 2009 at 2:13 PM
See, this is why birtherism persists. The media is so lazy and agenda-driven, I understand why those kind of ideas exist. I don’t agree with it, but I understand it.
simon on August 12, 2009 at 2:14 PM
LaRouche! LaRouche! LaRouche is on fire!
We don’t need no water let the m*ther***er burn!
Burn m*therf***er! Burn!
Typical LaRouche Supporter.
Rocks on August 12, 2009 at 2:14 PM
Who cares of why? Humans Maybe. – “Q” Star Trek
I’m perfectly content to have people be against obamacare cuz it doesn’t go far enough.
lorien1973 on August 12, 2009 at 2:15 PM
What bothers me is the fact that the media is trying to disprove the fact that there’s a lunatic fringe who show up at Bushitler rallies.
See how it works?
Now, which events were dominated by wackos? Bushitler rallies or townhalls?
lorien1973 on August 12, 2009 at 2:16 PM
I choose all three
Ozprey on August 12, 2009 at 2:16 PM
who’s in the purple?
TruthBeTold2 on August 12, 2009 at 2:18 PM
We don’t accept “everybody does it” as the basis of a sound argument. Again, a miniscule number of extremists on our side, vs. constant, and endlessly repeated, expressions of hatred from the left during the last administration.
They are not equivalent. You cannot support your argument, simply by making it.
Try another field; this here’s the big leagues.
massrighty on August 12, 2009 at 2:19 PM
I’m perfectly content to have people be against obamacare cuz it doesn’t go far enough.
lorien1973 on August 12, 2009
But is that an enemy of your enemy that you want to call a friend? Or are they just useful idiots firing at the same target?
SKYFOX on August 12, 2009 at 2:19 PM
I think Arlen actually IS a representation of a lot of the people in this country. He’s an ignorant backstabbing piece of crap that doesn’t really believe in representative democracy, the free market, individual freedoms, or personal responsibility.
These are the same pieces of crap that voted obama in, so yah, I think he represents his constituents well.
Spiritk9 on August 12, 2009 at 2:20 PM
it is offensive how people just throw the word nazi around like its nothing. nazis killed millions to impose their rule and all the protesters want is to be heard. last time i checked that was called being a american. using nazi is ainsult to all the people who died or suffered because of the nazis.
larry harris on August 12, 2009 at 2:20 PM
Uhm, Alex Jones is a conservative, Ed.
Riposte on August 12, 2009 at 2:21 PM
Useful idiots.
Replaceable allies too. Let’s say they help defeat obamacare, right? They want something more extreme, which current obamacare supports might not want.
They become your allies against these more extreme types.
I don’t mind them firing at each other all the time.
lorien1973 on August 12, 2009 at 2:22 PM
Not really.
lorien1973 on August 12, 2009 at 2:22 PM
If I had a press conference, I would deny outlets like MS-NBC press credentials, on the grounds of them being organs of Obama’s presidential cabinet and communications office, as well as official organs of the DNC. My justification would be their refusal to retract debunked stories that are negative to their client, Obama (as well as their other clients, Pelosi, Reid, etc.). Until they start being neutral, reporting news as opposed to spinning and engineering it, I’d never give them a single statement, outside of “piss off”.
Virus-X on August 12, 2009 at 2:24 PM
deedtrader on August 12, 2009 at 1:40 PM
stormen on August 12, 2009 at 2:25 PM
How can people look into the eyes of their children and then make the case for the future indebtedness of their children and their future dependence of their on government? Of course these same arguments were made a couple hundred years ago, but we have since forgotten.
j_galt on August 12, 2009 at 2:27 PM
The thing is, these LaRouche people have this poster as they hand out info on Obama, and they’re all over DC. I saw it at Foggy Bottom metro and Dupont Circle north in the past month alone.
Anyone in DC would see this picture and know it was LaRouche people.
It's Vintage, Duh on August 12, 2009 at 2:27 PM
The LaRouche movement is neo-Marxist with conflicting idealogies and conspiracy theories and tries to promote itself using parts of conservative based rhetoric, although most of it doesn’t jive with LaRouche endorsed policies.
Nazism is right of Marxism and both, old and neo, are far left of the past and current American political spectrum.
Neither one works nor is acceptable most Americans. It is a pleasure seeing them canibalize each other.
LeeSeneca on August 12, 2009 at 2:28 PM
The Bushitler rallies of course. The cheapskates in big pharma can only afford so many fake protesters. Besides, they only have one bus – The Straight Talk Express.
Spenol on August 12, 2009 at 2:28 PM
It took you 12 minutes to come up with a reply as insipid as this?
massrighty on August 12, 2009 at 2:30 PM
It wouldn’t surprise any of us… but let’s not fall into the MSM trap of accusing any side without proof…
DaSaintFan on August 12, 2009 at 2:31 PM
Those larouche tools set up in town last month
never heard of him
researched him and was shocked
blatantblue on August 12, 2009 at 2:00 PM
I never heard of them either, but they set up outside a post office in southern New Jersey the other day and when I spoke with them, I could tell they were weirdos. They asked me for a donation of $900 (which I laughed at) and then asked me if I was heading to Philadelphia so I could give them a ride. Apparently it is L LaRouche’s son or grandson in this outfit. The literature said LyndonLaRouche Jr. PAC. Crazy.
NJ Red on August 12, 2009 at 2:32 PM
So this is how you play in “the big league”? Cheap shots and ad hominems?
Spenol on August 12, 2009 at 2:33 PM
getalife.
Del Dolemonte on August 12, 2009 at 2:34 PM
typical dishonest douchebaggery from the libtards. Color me not surprised by this stuff. This is why I will never watch MSNBC – everything they say is utter crap.
tanvec on August 12, 2009 at 2:34 PM
Lyndon Larouche is a walking talking argument for mental health parity, but I see he’s branching out into other areas of the debate…
DrSteve on August 12, 2009 at 2:35 PM
Nope. I use reason and logic, myself. But, I blend in some humor.
BTW, It’s not ad hominem – I did not attack you, just your post.
massrighty on August 12, 2009 at 2:35 PM
Del Dolemonte on August 12, 2009 at 2:36 PM
Wasn’t BO begging for more contraversial questions at the end of his staged PR event yesterday in NH? Isn’t that enough proof that he is nothing more than a puppet for ‘da man Axelrod who orchestrates these events?
jbh45 on August 12, 2009 at 2:37 PM
At any mass rally or gathering there is always going to be a loose fringe within, pushing their own agenda. All we have for the greater part is lib spin media, no one is out there chasing the real back story. LaRouche Posters are no real surprise here, well at least not to me.
stormen on August 12, 2009 at 2:41 PM
LOL. So the people with the swastikas turned out to be the people who advocate for single-payer healthcare!
pearson on August 12, 2009 at 2:43 PM
Actually, you did both. Implying that I’m slow is a personal attack.
Not that I care.
Spenol on August 12, 2009 at 2:52 PM
Its a shame conservatives aka middle class as well as others not interested in Obama care, are now maligned as Ginned up, Bozo nuts, on the mild side. There’s a lot at sake here for Obama and he leads the ugly side of attack. Obama is a agitator not a street fighter and its his weakness. His power is in money power houses like Soro and various foundations along with his sheeple marching bots easily led to slaughter.
stormen on August 12, 2009 at 2:52 PM
I sent Ed and Allah this picture of the “Obama mustache” pic last week. Instead, it said “Is this your President? See your local Health Care Provider”.
They were set up at a display by Larouche in downtown Houston.
Also had 2 other pictures at the display. One of Dr Orszag that said “Obama’s Health Policy. Approved by Nazi doctors” and another with Obama in Scrubs holding a needle that said “This is going to hurt”
Plus, they handed out a pamphlet that showed Obama in B&W standing next to Hitler(who is giggling) and surrounded by 1930′s women. Title of it said “Act Now to Stop Obama’s Nazi Health Plan”
Needless to say, I think the anger by the Dems might need to be redirected.
I personally find the literature and posters to be offensive…..and very much so.
jjok on August 12, 2009 at 2:55 PM
Yes, and your two mentions of it proves that you don’t care.
massrighty on August 12, 2009 at 2:59 PM
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