No correction.
The link to the Ben Smith post is in my post and everyone should read it. Palin went to a Buchanan fundraiser in ‘96. There’s no evidence she ever even gave him money. The Ben Smith article tries to tie her attendance at that event to Buchanan’s views and Smith says that perhaps Wexler is right.
It’s a ridiculous connection. I just called him out on it. :)
Kristinn’s article earlier this evening is my source. Here it is:
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2070958/posts
Democrat Wexler Smears Sarah Palin as “Nazi Sympathizer” Sympathizer
Friday, August 29, 2008 | Kristinn
Posted on Friday, August 29, 2008 7:18:21 PM by kristinn
Democrat Congressman Robert Wexler of Florida (and Maryland) tonight smeared Republican vice presidential pick Sarah Palin as a Nazi sympathizer sympathizer.
Wexler, who represents a district with a significant Jewish population, threw out the vile charge after a 1999 Associated Press article reported Palin was seen wearing a Pat Buchanan for president button on a visit by Buchanan to Wasilla, Alaska when she was mayor.
Ben Smith at the Politico published Wexler’s statement:
John McCain’s decision to select a vice presidential running mate that endorsed Pat Buchanan for President in 2000 is a direct affront to all Jewish Americans. Pat Buchanan is a Nazi sympathizer with a uniquely atrocious record on Israel, even going as far as to denounce bringing former Nazi soldiers to justice and praising Adolf Hilter for his “great courage.”
At a time when standing up for Israel’s right to self-defense has never been more critical, John McCain has failed his first test of leadership and judgment by selecting a running mate who has aligned herself with a leading anti-Israel voice in American politics. It is frightening that John McCain would select someone one heartbeat away from the presidency who supported a man who embodies vitriolic anti-Israel sentiments.
Smith reports Palin denied at the time endorsing Buchanan:
She promptly responded to the story in a letter to the editor, that “the article may have left your readers with the perception that I am endorsing this candidate, as opposed to welcoming his visit to Wasilla. As mayor, I will welcome all the candidates in Wasilla.”
Smith adds that the AP reported Palin was “an official of Steve Forbes’ campaign that cycle.”
Tonight on Hardball, Buchanan said Palin “brigadier for me” in 1996 and that Palin and her husband attended a fundraiser for him.
Smith notes that it doesn’t appear Palin donated to Buchanan’s campaigns.
The left is going to milk this for all it’s worth. Wexler is one of the nastiest pieces of work in the Democratic party. His smear of Palin as a Nazi sympathizer sympathizer is par for the course.
What this makes the Democratic party’s own cable news channel, MSNBC, which pays Buchanan to offer his opinions on a daily basis, Wexler doesn’t say. Maybe he’ll ask Obama to boycott MSNBC like he boycott’s Fox.
I finally was able to open the link as you suggested. Took one “H” of a long time to load, but then I’m on dial out here in Rural America. We haven’t access to many things such as DSL, cable, etc.
Anyway, upon reading at Politico, I believe Smith was saying “he might be on to something here” regarding Wexler’s strategy to infuriate the Jewish electorate against Palin with his anti-Israel tie to Pat Buchanan. I don’t believe I read him in agreement with Wexler.
I did have a sense the article of Ben Smith’s at the link you provided was edited, and that his statement was somewhat muddled in the process.