Research Briefing

Last Night, Obama Called Grayson “Outstanding” After Grayson Calls Fed Official A Whore

“Alan Grayson’s latest comments are disgraceful, inappropriate and disrespectful to women. Last night at the Democratic Party’s South Beach fundraiser, President Obama proudly named Grayson an ‘outstanding member of Congress.’  Americans across Florida and the entire nation can agree that Grayson’s comments are not characteristic of an ‘outstanding member of Congress.’ President Obama should immediately rescind his accolades and condemn Grayson’s shameful comments, and Congressman Grayson should issue an apology.”  -- RNC Co-Chairman Jan Larimer

OBAMA: GRAYSON IS OUTSTANDING CONGRESSMAN

At Last Night’s Miami Fundraiser, Obama Called Rep. Alan Grayson (D-FL) An Outstanding Member Of Congress. “Obama, in introducing the members of Congress in attendance, called Grayson – along with Florida Reps. Debbie Wasserman-Schultz and Kendrick Meek – as ‘outstanding members of Congress.’” (Josh Kraushaar, “Obama: Grayson An Outstanding Member Of Congress,” Politico’s “The Scorecard” Blog, 10/27/09)

• Obama: “Three outstanding members of Congress from Florida who are here -- Debbie Wasserman Schultz, Kendrick Meek, Alan Grayson.” (President Barack Obama, Remarks At DSCC/DCCC Fundraiser, Miami, FL, 10/26/09)

FLASHBACK: Biden To Grayson: “We Owe You One Buddy.” “During the event [an August fundraiser], the vice president told Grayson: ‘We owe you one buddy…This is a guy who doesn't back away from a fight, and doesn't back down from what he believes in.’” (Josh Kraushaar, “Obama: Grayson An Outstanding Member Of Congress,” Politico’s “The Scorecard” Blog, 10/27/09)

WHICH OF THESE REMARKS LED TO OBAMA’S “OUTSTANDING” EMBRACE OF GRAYSON?

Grayson Called Adviser To Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke A “K Street Whore.” “Republicans and Democrats slammed Rep. Alan Grayson (D-Fla.) for calling Linda Robertson, an adviser to Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke, a ‘K Street whore’ in a month-old radio interview that circulated on Capitol Hill Monday night.” (Jake Sherman & Jonathan Allen, “Alan Grayson Goes Too Far For Colleagues,” Politico, 10/26/09)

In September, Grayson Said Republicans Wanted Americans To “Die Quickly” On The House Floor. “Rep. Alan Grayson (D-Fla.) warned Americans that ‘Republicans want you to die quickly’ during an after-hours House floor speech Tuesday night.” (Jonathan Allen, “Grayson: GOP Wants 'You To Die,'” Politico, 9/29/09; Click Here To View)

• Grayson Refused To Back Down From His Comments. “Freshman U.S. Rep. Alan Grayson refused to back down Wednesday from remarks made on the House floor the night before, in which he said the Republican health care plan calls for sick people to ‘die quickly.’” (Alexander Mooney, “Democrat Stands Ground After 'Die Quickly' Health Care Remark,” CNN, 9/30/09)

Instead Of Apologizing For “Die Quickly” Remark, Grayson Invoked “Holocaust” In Attacking Opponents. “Instead of saying he was sorry about accusing Republicans of wanting people to ‘die quickly,’ he gave an apology ‘to the dead.’ ‘I would like to apologize,’ he said. ‘I apologize to the dead and their families that we haven't voted sooner to end this holocaust in America.’” (Jonathan Allen, “Grayson Likens Health Crisis, Holocaust,” Politico, 9/30/09; Click Here To View)

Grayson Called Republicans “Knuckle Dragging Neanderthals.” Grayson: “What the Republicans have been doing is an insult to America. … They've been dragging their feet. These -- these are foot dragging, knuckle dragging Neanderthals who think they can dictate policy to America by being stubborn.”  (CNN’s “The Situation Room,” 9/30/09; Click Here To View)

• Grayson: “Well, Listen, I Didn't Call Names. What I Said Is True.” (CNN’s “The Situation Room,” 9/30/09)

Grayson Launched Campaign Website Called NamesOfTheDead.com That Featured His Official House Website And Touted On The House Floor. “More recently, Republicans complained that a Website he created and promoted on the House floor – www.namesofthedead.com – had links to both his official House Web site and his campaign site. He later removed the link to his campaign site.” (Jake Sherman & Jonathan Allen, “Alan Grayson Goes Too Far For Colleagues,” Politico, 10/26/09)

MAYBE OBAMA SHOULD LISTEN TO OTHER DEMOCRATS WHO ARE FED UP WITH GRAYSON

House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer On Grayson’s Comments: “I Think It’s Inappropriate And Unfair.” “House Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer defended Robertson, whom he said he knows. ‘I think it's inappropriate and unfair,’ the Maryland Democrat said. He decried the ‘heated rhetoric’ that he said interferes with the ability solve problems.” (Jake Sherman & Jonathan Allen, “Alan Grayson Goes Too Far For Colleagues,” Politico, 10/26/09)

Rep. Bill Pascrell (D-NJ) On Grayson’s Comments: “There’s No Call For That Language.” “‘There’s no call for that language. No call for it. That’s absurd. If he was standing here now, I’d say that to him,’ said Rep. Bill Pascrell (D-N.J.)” (Jake Sherman & Jonathan Allen, “Alan Grayson Goes Too Far For Colleagues,” Politico, 10/26/09)

Rep. Dina Titus (D-NV) On Grayson’s Comments: “A Bit Extreme And Rather Sexist.” “Democrat Dina Titus of Nevada called Grayson’s remarks ‘a bit extreme and rather sexist.’” (Jake Sherman & Jonathan Allen, “Alan Grayson Goes Too Far For Colleagues,” Politico, 10/26/09)