Shocker! It turns out that conservative radio host and congressional hopeful Jason Lewis hasn't just said offensive things about women on the air—he's spewed racist vitriol, too. Here's just a tiny roundup of what will no doubt turn into quite the greatest hits collection:
In 2009, Lewis said "real Americans" think Hurricane Katrina victims were "a bunch of whiners." In 2012, Lewis said the "white population" has been "committing political suicide" and "committing cultural suicide" by not reproducing at higher levels. Last year, Lewis said "the median income for blacks in America would make them rich in most African nations, not most—all."
Republicans seem nervous, as well they should be. Minnesota's 2nd Congressional District is a GOP-held open seat, and it's as evenly divided as they come: Barack Obama took 49.1 percent of the vote here in 2012, Mitt Romney 49 on the nose. A candidate like Lewis would be a stone-cold disaster in the general election, which is why a deputy chair of the state Republican Party, Chris Fields, has now criticized Lewis publicly over his shock-jock shtick and all but said he wished he could make Lewis go away.
But he can't. The most the GOP can hope for is that one of the other candidates running wins the party's nomination. But hateful comments like Lewis' hold great appeal with many conservative voters, and if the proverbial establishment keeps whaling on him, that can only enhance his outsider appeal. While we haven't seen any polls (and Minnesota's convention system making polling nearly useless anyway), Lewis led the pack in fundraising last quarter. If Republicans can't find a way to stop him, then hoo boy.