Another Anti-Health Care Rally, Another Holocaust Sign
Will any GOP leaders speak out against their base this time around?
Since its emergence early this year, the Tea Party movement has been defined in part by the pervasiveness of offensive imagery at its various events. Last month, for example, one protester at Rep. Michele Bachmann's (R-MN) anti-health care reform "House Call" held up a sign that read: "National Socialist Health Care: Dachau, Germany - 1945."
Responding to pressure from various corners, Bachmann eventually distanced herself from some of the signs, calling them "unfortunate" and "inappropriate." However, she refused to apologize for her extreme supporters.
Today, Bachmann spoke at the "Code Red" rally organized by Americans for Prosperity. The rally was prelude to the "die-in," in which right-wing activists were instructed to storm Senate offices and "pretend to die from untreated illnesses and collapse on the floor."
And, predictably, the signs were back. Here's a shot of one sign referring to reform as "Holocaust Care":
Obviously, Bachmann's tepid disapproval of such images had its intended effect. That is, it achieved nothing at all.
But more significant is the fact that the Republican Party has now embraced the Tea Partiers -- Holocaust rhetoric and all -- as their own. Will any GOP leaders speak out against their base this time around?
