DPVA: “Virginia Republicans To Promote Extremist Best Known for Anti-Semitic Remarks”
From the Democratic Party of Virginia:
- John Whitbeck told an anti-Semitic joke at a rally… “This time around, the Pope says, 'I gotta find out what’s on this piece of paper.' So he actually takes it from the head of the Jewish faith, he opens it, he looks at, and he closes it, he grimaces. And his Jewish counterpart says, 'What was it?' And he says, 'Well, that was the bill from the Last Supper.' So, on that note, we’re waiting for Ken Cuccinelli and he’s on his way.” [Video, 9/17/13]
- …and tried to blame Democrats instead of apologizing. “Whitbeck said today any “alleged outrage” over the joke he told has been manufactured by American Bridge, a political action committee founded by journalist and author David Brock… 'AtTuesday’s rally, I told a joke. I did not tell an anti-Semitic joke. I told a joke I heard from a priest at a church service.'” [Leesburg Today, “Whitbeck defends 'joke',” 9/19/13]
- He finally issued a half-hearted apology only after extensive pressure. “Earlier this week, I made a lighthearted attempt at humor to which some have taken offense… It was certainly not my intent to offend anyone and I sincerely apologize to those who were.” [Washington Post, “Whitbeck apologizes for anti-Semitic joke at GOP rally,” 9/21/13]
- John Whitbeck opposes abortion even in cases of incest or rape. [Video, 7/23/11]
- He's not interested in bipartisanship. “We need people in Richmond who are going to…resist the temptation to raise taxes or compromise just a little bit in your principals for the interest of getting along with the Democrats.” [Video, 8/6/11]
- John Whitbeck's backers are a parade of ideologues. Supporters include extremists like Mark Obenshain, Senator Dick Black (who compared Roe v. Wade to the Holocaust), and Loudoun County Supervisor Eugene Delgadio, head of an anti-LGBT organization classified as a hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center. [JohnWhitbeck.Com, “Endorsements“]