Black Hitler

If Hitler had known that his name would be invoked as a label for every grubby, penny-stock political figure that society had the idiocy to allow into power, he probably would have become a florist. But the latest invocation might possibly be the most absurd, as a Republican political consultant in Pennsylvania sent potential voters an e-mail insinuating that Barack Obama is the new Next Hitler.

The e-mail, sent by Bryan Rudnick to 75,000 Pennsylvania Jews, warns that “our ancestors ignored the warning signs in the 1930s and 1940s,” and that American Jews must not make the same “tragic mistake” on Nov. 4. It further warns of a “second holocaust due to the threats to Israel from its neighbours,” and declares John McCain the best man to avert such danger. The e-mail is tagged with the assurance that it was “paid for by the Republican Federal Committee of PA.”

As soon as the furor over the message erupted, the GOP denied any foreknowledge of the message, promised a “clarification” would be sent out and fired Rudnick. Though Rudnick confirms he’s no longer working with the McCain campaign, he insists the e-mail was authorized by party officials.

by SCOTT SAXON