After sparking controversy by using inflammatory language to criticize the Tea Party, Ohio Democratic Party Chairman Chris Redfern says he will "NEVER apologize for speaking out forcefully against" the conservative movement.
Speaking to the United Steelworkers union in Monroe County earlier this week, Redfern referred to members of the Tea Party as "fuckers."
A NEWS9 reporting crew was invited into the union hall in Clarington for the endorsement announcement, and the camera was rolling as Redfern leveled the expletive at critics in the Tea Party, who, in his words, believe health care is a privilege, not a right.
"If your kids are going to graduate from college, now he or she gets health care, your heath care, while he or she looks for a new job," explained the Ohio Democrat. "It's in the very base terms we win these arguments. Every time one of these "fuckers" says, excuse my language..."
In the wake of the backlash against the remarks, Redfern issued an unapologetic statement about his choice of words to convey what's at stake for Democrats this election season:
Now, our Republican Tea Party opponents are whining and calling language I used obscene. Let's talk about what is truly obscene:
- Tea Partiers in Ohio compare President Obama to Hitler.
- They shout at town halls that President Obama is not an American.
- They harassed a victim of Parkinson's disease in Columbus.
- And they engage in campaigns of lies and fear against our president, our governor, and others -- all with the goal of keeping us silent and sitting at home.
These tactics have no place in our politics, and I will NEVER apologize for speaking out forcefully against them. And let me be clear: I will not back down from the passion I feel about the issues impacting working families in this state.
(Click here to read the full release issued through the Ohio Democratic Party.)
Via Mediaite comes video of Redfern's remarks.