Alan Grayson uses burning cross to decry Tea Party, raise money

Liberal Democrat says Tea Party no more popular than KKK

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Florida Congressman Alan Grayson sent an email comparing the Tea Party to the KKK, and now Florida Republicans are comparing the congressman to swine.

The mudslinging is vicious after the controversial fundraising email that Grayson put out.

The email shows a burning cross with members of the KKK in the background. The cross that is on fire in the picture depicts the letter 'T' in Tea Party.

The Head of Florida's Republican Party called Grayson "a pig" Tuesday night, after the anti-tea party picture was released.

"Alan Grayson, he is a mud dweller and he is a pig," said State Republican head Lenny Curry. "Politics is a rough sport and hits happen every day, but the idea that he would invoke a burning cross and KKK is disgusting, below the belt. The Florida Democratic party needs to condemn this, it's just disgusting."

Carole McManus, one of the founders of the First Coast Tea Party, took a more congenial tone when responding to Grayson's email.

"That's so far from the truth, I would invite Mr. Grayson to come to any of our meetings to get acquainted to us because that's the best education. It's too easy to sling arrows at us," said Carole McManus.

Part of the fundraising email Grayson sent took shots at Tea Party members and Republicans.

VIEW: Email sent by Grayson | Response to Channel 4 | Communist Obamacare
WARNING: Materials provided by Grayson may be offensive

"That is the ultimate Tea Party Republican desire to bring about the End of Days. The Republican Party has become the largest suicide pact in history," the email reads.

After reaching out to Grayson's office about the fundraising email, Grayson provided a statement Tuesday night to Channel 4.

"There is overwhelming evidence that the Tea Party is the home of bigotry and discrimination in America today, just as the KKK was for an earlier generation. If the hood fits, wear it," Grayson's statement read.


About the Author:

Scott is a multi-Emmy Award Winning Anchor and Reporter, who also hosts the “Going Ringside With The Local Station” Podcast. Scott has been a journalist for 25 years, covering stories including six presidential elections, multiple space shuttle launches and dozens of high-profile murder trials.