GOP's Romney kicks off campaign at Jew-hater museum

Posted by Evan Derkacz at 8:48 AM on February 14, 2007.

As Media Matters noted yesterday, although the National Jewish Democratic Council was critical of Mitt Romney's decision to launch his presidential campaign at the Ford museum, the Times didn't deem it worthy of mention.

It appears to think that charges from an antisemite blowhard like Bill Donohue leveled at low-level Edwards staffers are more worthy of coverage.

The president of the NJDC said: "[Romney's] embrace of Henry Ford and association of Ford's legacy with his presidential campaign raises serious questions about either the sincerity of Romney's words or his understanding of basic American history."

This, in response to the fact that Henry Ford was perhaps America's most high profile antisemite, having published the Protocols of the Elders of Zion (which he gave away for free as a philanthropic gesture), The International Jew: the World's foremost problem, and having received from Adolf Hitler, the Grand Service Cross of the Supreme Order of the German Eagle (in German that's one word with no vowels).

"Governor Romney believes our country needs to put innovation at the forefront if we are to ensure a stronger, safer and more prosperous America," said Romney spokesman Eric Fehrnstrom said. "The Ford Museum embodies that bold, innovative spirit."

Ha'aretz's Bradley Burston writes:

There's something bold and innovative about that old-time Jew hate as well. When it comes back, after being gone so long, its adherents have that feeling of freshness, of renewal.

What's next? Accusations of bubonic plague?

Tagged as: republicans, election08, mitt romney, antisemitic, henry ford

Evan Derkacz is an AlterNet editor. He writes and edits PEEK, the blog of blogs.