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* First it was “I view abortion as a medical procedure like a gall bladder surgery” and now this…
Democratic congressional hopeful Sean Casten said he thought President Donald Trump had a “tremendous amount in common” with al Qaeda founder Osama Bin Laden, the man responsible for the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks that claimed nearly 3,000 lives.
“In many ways—and I don’t mean to sound overly, I don’t know, hyperbolic on this—Trump and Osama Bin Laden have a tremendous amount in common,” Casten said, according to audio of a February meeting with voters that was obtained by the Free Beacon […]
Casten, a “clean energy entrepreneur” who emerged on top of a tight primary in Illinois’ sixth district in March, made the bizarre comparison after he was asked by a voter for his plans to advance gun-control legislation if he were elected. The comment was part of Casten’s explanation that gun-control opponents, whom he appears to be comparing to al Qaeda supporters, are what will keep gun-control legislation from advancing to the House floor.
“They have both figured out how to use the bully pulpit to activate marginalized young men,” Casten said. “Every demagogue has done this—find a group of angry people and give them something to be angry at.”
Raw audio is here. Here’s the snippet…
* I reached out to the Casten campaign for a response…
Sean’s words were poorly chosen, and he regrets them. Even prior to this election, Donald Trump’s politics of disparagement and division have been exacerbating the bonds that hold our diverse nation together. And Sean believes that Donald Trump has gone out of his way to divide Americans for his own personal gain rather than bringing us together to solve issues like gun violence.
*** UPDATE 1 *** ILGOP…
Democrat Sean Casten’s recent comparison of President Donald Trump to Osama Bin Laden is disrespectful, repugnant, and disqualifying” Illinois Republican Party Executive Director Travis Sterling said. “In this era of deep partisanship this type of harmful rhetoric shows that he is out of touch with the communities in Sixth district.
*** UPDATE 2 *** From Roskam’s communications director Veronica L. Vera…
Sean Casten has called Republicans pedophiles, likened abortion to gallbladder surgery and called Republican Party donors ‘a bunch of morons.’ Our communities need a solutions-oriented Representative who can bring people together to get things done. This kind of hateful, vicious language is exactly the wrong approach.
posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Aug 30, 18 @ 11:34 am
Sorry, comments are closed at this time.
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Trying to sound intelligent can often be a difficult task. I should know, I struggle with it everyday.
Comment by Saluki Thursday, Aug 30, 18 @ 11:38 am
He certainly has a way with words
Comment by DuPage Saint Thursday, Aug 30, 18 @ 11:40 am
Just because I agree with him doesn’t mean I think he should say that out loud.
Comment by Cheryl44 Thursday, Aug 30, 18 @ 11:40 am
In Casten’s 63 word statement, the actual apology is 9 words and the Trump diatribe is 54.
Comment by City Zen Thursday, Aug 30, 18 @ 11:43 am
–“In many ways—and I don’t mean to sound overly, I don’t know, hyperbolic on this…–
Are you sure about that?
It’s okay to think before speaking, and choose words that actually advance your objective.
Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Aug 30, 18 @ 11:43 am
Hmm.
===“…bully pulpit to activate marginalized young men,” Casten said. “Every demagogue has done this—find a group of angry people and give them something to be angry at.”===
Bin Laden then used that anger in ways…
Its terribly troubling to find parallels with the worst foreign terrorist in our country’s history… and the politics of someone whom you disagree… and find our process of elections here… omitted.
I wouldn’t call Casten a uniting candidate, looking for our better angels in America. I see Casten, while retracting this awful language, as someone willing to himself fuel a divide for political purposes, and using a comparison that allows Trump supporters to be marginalized, as Casten seems to chastise those same people for feeling… marginalized.
This is something that won’t be forgotten.
The marginalizing of those Casten hoped to use as an example of pure hyperbole shows a clear lack of understanding of how to unify and how to be that person willing to be a bridge to all.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Aug 30, 18 @ 11:46 am
This is the third unforced error from Casten, at least. Who’s advising him on this stuff?
Maybe one of the women in that primary would’ve been a better choice.
Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Aug 30, 18 @ 11:47 am
Pro tip, if you feel the need to start out by saying “I don’t mean to sound overly hyperbolic” maybe don’t say it at all.
Comment by TopHatMonocle Thursday, Aug 30, 18 @ 11:49 am
This is, sadly, Roskam’s only chance to retain his seat. Can’t wait for the MS-13 ads.
Comment by Not a Superstar Thursday, Aug 30, 18 @ 11:50 am
==”…disrespectful, repugnant, and disqualifying” ===
Could also be used to describe Trump, add “crooked” and you’ve got Trump.
Comment by Duopoly Thursday, Aug 30, 18 @ 11:51 am
Isn’t this Casten fellow distantly related to Maxine Waters?
Comment by BlueDogDem Thursday, Aug 30, 18 @ 11:51 am
Unsolicited advice for Casten: think, THEN speak.
Comment by thunderspirit Thursday, Aug 30, 18 @ 11:51 am
Obviously a stupid thing to say. No excuse.
Where was all this outrage when people made worse comparisons and said worse things about the previous president?
Comment by Henry Francis Thursday, Aug 30, 18 @ 11:52 am
Caten’s silly statement was positively Trumpian but, apparently, some think only Trump can say things like this.
Comment by MickJ Thursday, Aug 30, 18 @ 11:55 am
Rookie mistake, his misguided public statement appeals possibly to only the most strident of progressives that are already likely to vote for him, while it will anger and alienate many independents particularly veterans.
Comment by Texas Red Thursday, Aug 30, 18 @ 11:55 am
–In Casten’s 63 word statement, the actual apology is 9 words and the Trump diatribe is 54.–
Thank you, for the nerd update.
Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Aug 30, 18 @ 11:56 am
Casten’s words were poorly chosen. But a Republican campaign trying to deem statements as “disqualifying” nowadays? As if they have any
Comment by WSJ Paywall Thursday, Aug 30, 18 @ 11:57 am
Trump can say anything he wants. He can lie and insult.
I don’t like it — but that’s the narrative now. That’s the way it works.
The ILGOP can condemn him. Whatever. Sad!
No collusion.
Comment by Macbeth Thursday, Aug 30, 18 @ 11:59 am
To the update: Listen the state GOP mouthpiece here — they know from repugnant congressional candidates.
I mean, they allowed free-and-open paths to a Nazi and a 9/11 conspiracy nut to win GOP nominations.
Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Aug 30, 18 @ 12:00 pm
===…some think only Trump can…===
Here. Pay attention.
Trump gets called out constantly, consistently, and daily.
The difference is… only Trump can be “Trump”… and seemingly “get away” with his reckless language. Others, not so much.
That’s *the* difference.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Aug 30, 18 @ 12:01 pm
Yep, “disqualifying” is quite the stretch.
Comment by Just Observing Thursday, Aug 30, 18 @ 12:01 pm
He sounds “mentally ill” in his longboard winded diatribe
Comment by CentrIL Thursday, Aug 30, 18 @ 12:03 pm
“That’s *the* difference.”
Let me know when Trump gets disqualified.
Comment by MickJ Thursday, Aug 30, 18 @ 12:06 pm
===Let me know when Trump gets disqualified.===
Again, (sigh) you seem to be missing the criticism Trump also got, even by Republicans, and during his own campaign being called out and his statements “disqualifying”
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Aug 30, 18 @ 12:10 pm
What a terrible thing to say. If Casten wanted to go after trump and not be hyperbolic about it, he should not have compared trump to a terrorist. He should simply have accused trump of aiding and abetting terrorists, like Roskam did to Obama. World of difference between the two. Amateur
Comment by Lester Holt’s Mustache Thursday, Aug 30, 18 @ 12:11 pm
I might be more interested in what the IL GOP considered disqualifying if they hadn’t appointed Mrs. Walsh.
Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Aug 30, 18 @ 12:14 pm
This is the same ILGOP whose co-chair appointed Helene Miller Walsh to the state house? Haven’t heard a word from them about her repugnant views
Comment by vern Thursday, Aug 30, 18 @ 12:19 pm
A very stupid thing to say obviously, but the ILGOP doesn’t get to decide what is disqualifying about their opponents.
Comment by Perrid Thursday, Aug 30, 18 @ 12:23 pm
If you’re giving a speech and preface something by saying “I don’t mean to sound overly hyperbolic”, that should be your cue not to say what you’re thinking.
Comment by Steve Rogers Thursday, Aug 30, 18 @ 12:39 pm
The Insulter in Chief’s feelings were hurt? I’m so sad.
Comment by Nick Name Thursday, Aug 30, 18 @ 12:56 pm
What Oswego Willy said, exactly.
Comment by allknowingmasterofracoondom Thursday, Aug 30, 18 @ 1:03 pm
History will not be kind to President Trump. I find it hard to articulate what I perceive to be the damage done by this man to the institution as well as the country. It appears I’m not alone. I think he acknowledges his mistake and is moving forward. If Republicans want to make hay out of this, they should consider their congressional oversight role a duty to their country instead of just their party.
Comment by Biker Thursday, Aug 30, 18 @ 1:16 pm
When you’re explaining you’re losing
Comment by DuPage Bard Thursday, Aug 30, 18 @ 1:19 pm
It appears Giuliani was correct: “Truth isn’t truth”
Comment by d.p.gumby Thursday, Aug 30, 18 @ 2:18 pm
Self-discipline is an under-appreciated virtue.
– MrJM
Comment by @misterjayem Thursday, Aug 30, 18 @ 2:28 pm
LOL
What a nut.
Comment by VanillaMan Thursday, Aug 30, 18 @ 2:40 pm
Trump’s popularity in the district is what, like mid-30s at best? As regrettable as this comment is, people aren’t looking for reasons to get offended on Trump’s behalf. No one who isn’t paid to care about politics will care about this on election day. It’s just grist for a day’s news cycle in a media obsessed with horse race narratives and both-sides-ism. Roskam voting against protection for pre-existing conditions and the Violence Against Women Act and for 95% of Trump’s agenda are far more likely to move the needle with 6th district voters.
Comment by Anon Thursday, Aug 30, 18 @ 2:49 pm
Wait: Did the Democratic Party of Illinois get to choose the name for the new executive director of the Illinois Republican Party? Is his full name Travis Windsor Sterling III?
Comment by Strategy Geek Thursday, Aug 30, 18 @ 3:36 pm
Anon 2:49 - I totally disagree with you. Casten is showing himself to be too left wing. And it’s only August. I think I’ll just sit back and enjoy the show.
Comment by Anon316 Thursday, Aug 30, 18 @ 3:41 pm
If this guy is so smart he should go study how apologies work some more. It will be hard enough to beat Roskam without the total arrogance of some rich-guy candidate getting in the way.
Comment by Albany Park Patriot Thursday, Aug 30, 18 @ 3:44 pm
A reasonable person can think that the president is a bounder and a blowhard. A reasonable person can be a Republican and not be a fan of Trump and some of his policies. But– most reasonable people–especially in the 6th are not going to accept a challenger to the incumbent who openly compares the duly elected president to Osama Bin Laden. I think this is the day Casten did himself in.
Comment by Responsa Thursday, Aug 30, 18 @ 3:47 pm
Just imagining 538 is doing a quick re-evaluation on this race.
This guy has said lots of things just like this to his choir of angry folks out there. This one, like many other are turning off the very voters he considered to be “locked in” for him. Of all the choices in that primary, the angriest and least likable won…and now they’re stuck with him.
Look for more of these. He spent a lot of time spewing to that wicked choir before coming out in the society of more polite people.
Just watch. There will be more.
Comment by A guy Thursday, Aug 30, 18 @ 4:19 pm
“The comment was part of Casten’s explanation that gun-control opponents, whom he appears to be comparing to al Qaeda supporters…”“They have both figured out how to use the bully pulpit to activate marginalized young men,” Casten said.”
Casten has no clue whatsoever what the “gun rights” folks look like in Illinois. Take a look at the annual IGOLD march photo on the ISRA website, and you will see a swarm of Richard Pearson look-alikes: aging and overweight, with the mandatory trucker/biker mustache or beard, all gray.
There are no young people, because young people like to win, not grovel to police unions like Pearson from ISRA, Valinda Rowe from (southern) Illinois Carry, and former (thankfully) NRA lobbyist Todd Vandermyde.
Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Aug 30, 18 @ 5:01 pm
I guess Sean Casten wins the Brittany Clingen Carl award for the day.
Comment by Da Big Bad Wolf Thursday, Aug 30, 18 @ 5:42 pm
===Brittany Clingen Carl===
Was thinking Diana Rickert… but “6/half dozen” situation.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Aug 30, 18 @ 5:46 pm
I mean…where’s the lie in what Casten said? His response should have been “I won’t be lectured on civility by a man who spends every day in Washington doing the bidding of a President who brags about sexual assault.”
Comment by Anon Thursday, Aug 30, 18 @ 7:43 pm
Roskam had no room to criticize Casten’s tone. His ads are a master class in hyperbole.
Comment by Seymourkid Thursday, Aug 30, 18 @ 8:32 pm