GOP Senate Candidate Compares Smoking Ban to Hitler Policy
U.S. Senate candidate John Raese, a West Virginia Republican, thinks banning smoking is the "same thing" as Adolf Hitler's policy of forcing Jews to wear the Star of David.U.S. Senate candidate John Raese, a West Virginia Republican, thinks banning smoking is the “same thing” as Adolf Hitler’s policy of forcing Jews to wear the Star of David. Raese made the comparison at the recent Putnam County Lincoln Day dinner.
Said Raese: “I have to put a huge sticker on my buildings to say this is a smoke-free environment. This is brought to you by the government of Monongalia County. OK? Remember Hitler used to put Star of David on everybody’s lapel, remember that? Same thing.”
He later stood by his comparison, declaring: “No, this is not a standard line, nor a misstatement.”
Raese has a history of making controversial statements, which may help explain why he has lost three previous U.S. Senate races in West Virginia. –TEB
Click below to see and hear Raese in action at the Lincoln Day event:
WAIT BEFORE YOU GO...
This year, the ground feels uncertain — facts are buried and those in power are working to keep them hidden. Now more than ever, independent journalism must go beneath the surface.
At Truthdig, we don’t just report what's happening — we investigate how and why. We follow the threads others leave behind and uncover the forces shaping our future.
Your tax-deductible donation fuels journalism that asks harder questions and digs where others won’t.
Don’t settle for surface-level coverage.
Unearth what matters. Help dig deeper.
Donate now.
You need to be a supporter to comment.
There are currently no responses to this article.
Be the first to respond.