Minnesota GOP chair Hann apologizes for antisemitic image

[RandySF]

The chair of the Republican Party of Minnesota apologized Thursday for an image that was projected at the party's state convention of George Soros manipulating the strings of puppets with the faces of two prominent Jewish Democrats.

Republican Party Chair David Hann said in a statement that after speaking to staff at the Jewish Community Relations Council of Minnesota and the Dakotas, the party understands concerns that the imagery perpetuated an antisemitic trope.

“It should not have happened, we apologize, and are committed to working with the JCRC to educate our staff and candidates on antisemitism,” Hann said in the statement.

The image was contained in a video shown by secretary of state candidate Kim Crockett. The faces on the puppets were DFL elections attorney Marc Elias and Secretary of State Steve Simon. Soros is also Jewish.

Crockett, who won the party endorsement at the convention, has not spoken publicly about the video, but Hann said he talked to her.

“I have concluded after talking with Ms. Crockett that the depiction of Mr. Soros was not intended as antisemitic, and that neither Ms. Crockett nor her creative team were aware that the depiction of a puppet-master invokes an old but persistent antisemitic trope,” Hann said.

In the days after last weekend's convention, the Minnesota DFL Party called on Crockett to apologize.




https://www.mprnews.org/story/2022/05/19/gop-chair-hann-apologizes-for-antisemitic-image

[Ocelot II]

1. They claim they didn't know the image was antisemitic?

My fat pink ass, they didn't know. Somebody, most likely Kim Crockett at least, sure as hell did; there's no other reason for connecting Soros with two of the few Jewish Democratic officials in the state. I call bullshit in huge, stinky piles.

[bucolic_frolic]

2. Hiding it won't change them

[Turbineguy]

3. Speak ugly so everyone will hear it.

Apologize quietly.

[lkinwi]

4. Apologize lightly and then act as though they've been enlightened.

[rurallib]

5. Aw, fuck, we got caught"

[Torchlight]

6. He knows it's easier to ask for forgiveness afterwards than to ask for permission beforehand

An age-old political tactic ol' grandad told me about when he thought I was old enough to comprehend it. I didn't at the time, but yeah, I absolutely get it now.

"Not intended as anti-Semitic"? Yeah-- pull the other one, Sparky.

[Budi]

7. Wow. This antisemetic blatant behavior is becoming a normal daily thing. Like a sport.

And its not just Republicans either.

Marc Elias?
" The faces on the puppets were DFL elections attorney Marc Elias and Secretary of State Steve Simon. Soros is also Jewish.
"

What was that measure passed in the House today worth?

[Solly Mack]

8. Oh, please. They knew.

[rockfordfile]

9. Un-American pos

[Deuxcents]

10. I call BS

They keep doing these things n then when called out, they “apologize” and claim ignorance. Their game is up as anyone w/ a thimble full of brains knows better

[mahina]

11. Oh sure, no worries.

NOT

[keithbvadu2]

12. Mission accomplished: they got the message out to their base.... Cokie's Law

Mission accomplished: they got the message out to their base....

Cokie's Law - about politics and media coverage...

Cokie's Law states that it does not matter if it is true or not. It's out there.

Cokie Roberts journalist, author, reporter

Then they can apologize in a much smaller forum. (If they do)

[Takket]

13. exactly.........

the gop does this all the time. everyone remembers the first impression, not what follows.........