Yes, This IS a Real Headline: Gibbons Compares Sandoval to Nazis

(Elizabeth Crum) – A shocking campaign missive from the governor, followed by my comments:

GOVERNOR GIBBONS POINTS TO ANOTHER REASON SANDOVAL CANNOT BE TRUSTED

Sandoval would enforce a law to require Jews to wear yellow stars “if (the Legislature) told him to do it.”

For Immediate Release
Governor Jim Gibbons Campaign Headquarters
Jill Lufrano, Communications Director
Carson City, NV

April 22, 2010

CARSON CITY — Brian Sandoval likes to talk about being a “reason to believe again”. But Jim Gibbons has found ANOTHER example of Sandoval having a “reason to deceive again”.

When Sandoval was running for Attorney General, a reporter asked him, “…if the Legislature passed a law requiring all Jews to wear yellow stars of David on the outside of their clothing, you’d enforce it?” Did Sandoval stand up for human rights? Did he defend the Constitution? NO. His answer? “It’s my job to enforce it.” This is the same excuse, “just following orders,” that the Nazi’s gave when they were asked, by American soldiers, why did they participate in the Nazi plan against the Jews in World War II.

That’s right. Brian Sandoval would not stand up for what is right and he would not stand up to the Legislature. Sandoval would not defend the basic human rights of Nevada citizens. Sandoval would promote ethnic bias and anti-Semitism, justifying this by saying that he would just be doing his “job to enforce it.”

“That is a disgraceful example of ‘going along to get along’ on an issue that epitomizes the way Brian Sandoval thinks and believes, this way of thinking is a sellout and a pitiful excuse for all freedom-loving people who expect their leaders to be strong and just,” Gibbons said. “I will stand up for what’s right, no matter what the odds. I would never surrender.”

Gibbons has exactly the opposite of Sandoval’s cowardly “appeasement” attitude. Gibbons fights for Nevadans. In uniform, Gibbons fought for the U.S. Constitution. In the Governor’s Office, Gibbons is still fighting for the Constitution.

Gibbons bypassed Democrat Attorney General Catherine Masto to file suit against the federal government and the Reid/Pelosi/Obama Nationalized Health Care law. That law is already costing Nevada taxpayers tens of thousands of dollars, and will cost Nevadans millions, even billions, in the future.

Yes, Gibbons will not surrender when Nevadan’s rights are at stake. But to “appease” those around him, Brian “Spend-it-all” Sandoval would even make Jewish citizens in Nevada wear yellow stars “if the Legislature said so”.

Brian “Spend-it-all” Sandoval’s political philosophy is based on “appeasement,” a socialist European policy of “just going along to get along,” similar to our current Obama/Reid/Pelosi policy makers in D.C.

Gibbons stands for what is right and what is best for the Nevada people. Gibbons has and will continue to stands up to the Legislature, to Congress, to Harry Reid, to Nancy Pelosi, and – yes – even to President Obama. Jim Gibbons stands up for Nevada.

First, a quick refresher on the origin of that Sandoval statement past about enforcing the law:

Sandoval was running for AG and was confronted with a loaded hypothetical question from a reporter. Eager to appear consistent in his unbending commitment to upholding the law, Sandoval said it was his job to enforce the law — any law. Even a law requiring Jews to wear yellow stars on their sleeves.

Big mistake? Yes. Should he have known better? Of course. Ought he to have offered a better and more thoughtful answer? Absolutely.

Even ignoring and/or avoiding the question altogether may have been a better and wiser choice than what he said.

Ideally, Sandoval would have stated that although he believed in the rule of law, he could/would not enforce a law requiring Jews to wear yellow stars on their sleeves.

Next, the way I see this:

Sandoval made a severe error in judgment and was guilty of very bad form. But it was case of rhetorical contorting in an effort to maintain a particular position, not an admission that he would, under the right circumstances, carry water for the likes of Adolf Hitler. No one seriously believes Sandoval meant to say he would support the policies of the Third Reich were they actually to visit themselves upon Nevada.

And to suggest that he would is contemptible.

Gibbons’ press release is both dishonorable and offensive. It is a disgrace and unworthy of the office of the governor, or any public official. And it cries out for a humble apology both to Brian Sandoval and the people of Nevada.