Silence will appropriately be seen as complicity
Yesterday, Congressman Steve King managed to break through the convention chaos by sharing a shockingly offensive statement that seemed to bolster white supremacy. On MSNBC, King said:
“This whole white people business, though, does get a little tired. … I’d ask you to go back through history and figure out where are these contributions that have been made by these other categories of people that you are talking about. Where did any other subgroup of people contribute more to civilization?”
The New York Times, among others, noted that King has made a name for himself out of divisive and wildly inaccurate claims while Huffington Post reported that King “made an argument for white supremacy on live TV.”
“Congressmen Blum and Young need to denounce Steve King’s outrageous statements immediately,” said DCCC Spokesman Tyler Law. “If they remain silent in the face of blatant racism, it serves as proof that Rod Blum and David Young lack the moral conviction that their constituents deserve and expect.”
BACKGROUND
Young Said Rep. Steve King was “Right on the Issues.” “Yeah. Steve King is right on the issues, and you don’t underestimate any politician. And he ran a masterful campaign last time around beating a big name Vilsack, and so he’s disciplined. He knows what he’s doing and he serves Iowa well.” [Mickelson in the Morning, 6/04/13]
Young Accepted $1,000 from Rep. Steve King. In 2014, Young accepted a $1,000 donation from Rep. Steve King’s leadership PAC, Conservative Principles PAC. [Center for Responsive Politics, accessed 7/19/16]
Blum Stood With Steve King In Opposing Boehner. “Blum instead followed the lead of fellow Iowa GOP congressman Steve King, who nominated Florida U.S. Rep. Daniel Webster as speaker on Tuesday.” [Des Moines Register, 1/06/15]
Blum Accepted $2,000 From Rep. Steve King. In 2015, Blum accepted a $2,000 donation from Rep. Steve King’s campaign committee, King for Congress. [FEC, 12/03/15]