There was noticeable glee among supporters of Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) Tuesday night. The upset victory of Tea Party favorite Sharron Angle in the Nevada Republican primary ensures that the subsequent months of campaigning will be fought as much over her record as his.
By Wednesday morning, the flood of opposition research on Angle had burst wide open. Talking Points Memo reported that Angle once "spoke out strongly against fluoride, the substance known alternately for improving dental health and as a Communist plot to undermine Western democracy." Prior to that, The Plum Line's Greg Sargent pointed to an interview that Angle gave to Liberty Watch magazine in February 2010, in which she suggested support for making alcohol consumption illegal. Reid's campaign, Sargent added, was planning to paint Angle as, essentially, crazy.
There is, indeed, a veritable treasure trove of information from which Reid and his backers can pick. And as evidence, a Democratic source sends over a few Angle bits that have yet to gain national attention but which, nevertheless, seem likely to drive a wedge between the GOP candidate and the contingent of female voters who might be intrigued by her campaign.
The first is a 1999 Associated Press piece that noted Angle's proposal of a bill that "would have required doctors to inform women seeking abortions about a controversial theory linking an increased risk of breast cancer with abortion." Angle is devoutly pro-life. But the abortion-causes-breast cancer theory is myth (spread, in part, to discourage abortions).
The second nugget provides another window into Angle's traditional-values mindset. Back on October 2009, the Tea Party favorite expressed her support for federal legislation that would define marriage as between a man and a woman. All of which is conservative mainstream ideology. But in making her case, Angle suggested pretty clearly that it is unacceptable and wrong for both parents to actually hold jobs simultaneously.
"Right now, we say in a traditional home one parent stays home with the children and the other provides the financial support for that family," she said. "That is the acceptable and right thing to do. If we begin to expand that, not only do we dilute the resources that are available, we begin to dilute things like health care, retirement, all the things offered to families that help them be a family."
This material was gleaned through basic research on Angle's interviews with various local publications. It stands to reason that the quotes and anecdotes only get more colorful from here through November.
Here's a peek at those and some of Angle's other eyebrow-raising policy views:
Angle appeared to advocate for an armed insurrection if "Congress keeps going the way it is" in an interview conducted earlier this year with right-wing radio talk show host Lars Larson.
Here's what the Tea Party-backed candidate had to say:
ANGLE: He's 87 years old and has Parkinson's and we have to pay more and more for his healthcare. I know he pays over 800 dollars a month in prescription drugs that we can't get through his VA nor through Medicare -- they just wont cover those things. And I know lots of seniors --
BECKER: Should they cover those things?
ANGLE: No, not if you're working towards a privatized system. And he can pay for them. That's my whole point. Even with the system we've got, it's broken, its not covering for every cost that he has. And if he were dependent upon that, he wouldn't be getting the healthcare he needs and that's why we need to fix the system.
Angle expressed her "hope that's not where we're going," but then shared her expectation that people will look to "Second Amendment remedies" should Congress continue along the same path. The Tea Party-backed contender also suggested the first thing that must be done to "turn the country around" is "take Harry Reid out."
When the Washington Post's Greg Sargent reached out to Larson to get his take on Angle's remarks, the conservative radio host confirmed that the Republican hopeful seemed to be raising the idea of an armed insurrection as a viable solution to take when "government becomes out of control."
Angle appeared to advocate for an armed insurrection if "Congress keeps going the way it is" in an interview conducted earlier this year with right-wing radio talk show host Lars Larson.
Here's what the Tea Party-backed candidate had to say:
ANGLE: He's 87 years old and has Parkinson's and we have to pay more and more for his healthcare. I know he pays over 800 dollars a month in prescription drugs that we can't get through his VA nor through Medicare -- they just wont cover those things. And I know lots of seniors --
BECKER: Should they cover those things?
ANGLE: No, not if you're working towards a privatized system. And he can pay for them. That's my whole point. Even with the system we've got, it's broken, its not covering for every cost that he has. And if he were dependent upon that, he wouldn't be getting the healthcare he needs and that's why we need to fix the system.
Angle expressed her "hope that's not where we're going," but then shared her expectation that people will look to "Second Amendment remedies" should Congress continue along the same path. The Tea Party-backed contender also suggested the first thing that must be done to "turn the country around" is "take Harry Reid out."
When the Washington Post's Greg Sargent reached out to Larson to get his take on Angle's remarks, the conservative radio host confirmed that the Republican hopeful seemed to be raising the idea of an armed insurrection as a viable solution to take when "government becomes out of control."
gaudeamussaid on 9 Wednesday 2010 pm30 7:26 pm:
remember that cute musical number from the film version of cabaret? the one with joel gray and the two ladies? now we have rand paul, sarah palin, and sharron angle! all together now, sing: "twiddle-le-de-de-dee, two ladies"
There was noticeable glee among supporters of Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) Tuesday night. The upset victory of Tea Party favorite Sharron Angle in the Nevada Republican primary ensures tha...
There was noticeable glee among supporters of Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) Tuesday night. The upset victory of Tea Party favorite Sharron Angle in the Nevada Republican primary ensures tha...
Minority Leader Mitch McConnell is working hard to elect more Republicans to the Senate and hasn't ruled out personally targeting incumbent Democrats. But one stop...
Sharron Angle, whose come-from-behind victory in the Nevada Republican primary has catapulted the the Tea Party candidate into the national spotlight, immediately came under fire...
The Tea Party's sights appear to be set on constitutional amendments ratified after the Civil War. To repeal these hard-won parts of our Constitution would be pure folly.
The Democrats are going to lose seats in Congress this November but, thanks to the Tea Party, the losses are likely to be smaller than they might otherwise be.
The really sad and frightening thing is that so many voters will agree with everything that she says. Hopefully, not enough to elect her, but I'm not a big believer in the voters of Nevada (or America for that matter.)
Ruth_Weltman_Bowman: The really sad and frightening thing is that so many
Ruth - dont blame ya that you dont beleive in american voters...i mean, SOMEONE voted for Obama....enough that he got elected...that says volumes about the ignorance of the electorate
Chris_Walker: Ruth - dont blame ya that you dont beleive in
I suppose you wanted to follow Ol' Dubya and the rest of the Repunks down the drain... The GOP / Tea Baggeres with destroy the USA once and for all if we EVER let them back into power.. and that's not hype... that's a Fact!!!!
dave6686: I suppose you wanted to follow Ol' Dubya and the
"Right now, we say in a traditional home one parent stays home with the children and the other provides the financial support for that family," she said. "That is the acceptable and right thing to do. If we begin to expand that, not only do we dilute the resources that are available, we begin to dilute things like health care, retirement, all the things offered to families that help them be a family."
Oh, that is sooooo rich! She is like a gift that keeps on giving! So people should be able to support themselves on honest minimum wage jobs and have one person stay home with the kids. Like we don't have enough foreclosures happening right now. Imagine taking away one of the incomes that may keep a family in their home? Wow. Just wow. This woman scares me. Thank goodness I don't live in NV.
jamuelle: "Right now, we say in a traditional home one parent
"But those enemies of mine who did not want me to be king over them—bring them here and kill them in front of me.’ After Jesus had said this, he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem" (New Testament, Luke 19:27-28)
coreypaul: "But those enemies of mine who did not want me
I think that Jesus was speaking as the rich master of the parable that preceded this statement and not as himself. This verse illustrates the inconsistency in the New Testament accounts of what Jesus said. That's what I think. I'm not sure why you put this in. It's interesting.
troutfan: I think that Jesus was speaking as the rich master
Wow...so if your mother doesn't stay at home with the kids then you don't qualify as a "family". Wonder how that is going to effect her policy making. Clearly, this woman is deeply troubled. Ironically, I think her problems more than likely started at home.
KristenDarden: Wow...so if your mother doesn't stay at home with the
THANKS FOR THE ARTICLE ON SHARRON ANGLE....I JUST WENT TO HER WEBSITE AND DONATED TO HER CAMPAIGN AND VOLUNTEERED FOR THE UPCOMING BATTLE.
THE ONLY THING I DON'T LIKE ABOUT NEVADA IS HARRY REID!
NEVADA_NANA: THANKS FOR THE ARTICLE ON SHARRON ANGLE....I JUST WENT TO
Why is it that people like Sharron Angle want to send this country into 3rd world status? They should travel more and see for themselves what happens in countries where there is no mandatory education for children, care for the poor, sick, or aged. The government is hands off and it lets the cards fall where they may. Think Bangladesh, Cameroon, etc. I like having roads that are paved, libraries, parks, free schools, police, firefighters, regulations of the food we eat, etc. Those are nice things that we have all come to expect. The US is falling down the line of nations with the high standards of living. Also, there is a tie-in regarding high taxes with high standards of living and happy nationals. Hmmm...
MexiChick67: Why is it that people like Sharron Angle want to
Agreed Mexichick67......most people do not consider the above things when voting....all they can think about is that higher taxes are caused by those "dreaded free loaders"....that term is arbitrary depending on who one is talking to....(usually the far right)....I, too, like good roads, services, etc. and I also do not mind being my brother's keeper....many of us of are just one paycheck away from being broke and we, ourselves, may need help one day. Great food for thought on your part....let's hope the one's that need to see this - do. Thanks!
Marcy_Volk: Agreed Mexichick67......most people do not consider the above things when
The "dreaded freeloaders" are, of course, the brown-skinned recipients of taxpayer-funded "goodies," never mind the fact that the vast majority of goodies recipients are a light shade of pink.
HippieDippieWeatherman: The "dreaded freeloaders" are, of course, the brown-skinned recipients of
You need to spend more time in, what I am assuming is your country, AMERICA. You folks have forgotten from where you came from and why you can even be on here doing what you are doing. The man child has made a mockery of America and you are not helping. If you hate America that much then find another. Through people like Sharon Angle we are returning the Constitution to the schools and teaching the real history of this country. Not the 'progressive left's' version. If you want Central government then move. We are taking AMERICA'S Congress back and the Presidency. We are going to return dignity to the office and de-centralize and repealing everything we can this man child and his traitor followers have done.
HIs actions are and have been egotistical and traitorous. The silent majority is no longer silent and we are taking back our union and citizenry.
zucccchini: You need to spend more time in, what I am
Uhhh.. I think maybe you need to go back to school--like elementary school, where most people learn proper grammar, sentence structure and punctuation, to say nothing of intelligent thought processes.
I totally agree that the over regulation of oil companies has caused our greatest problems with the Gulf spill. A few days after the oil started leaking into the Gulf Obama and his clowns turned down an offer from two Dutch Companies which could have saved the world this crisis and the billions of dollars of damages to America. The American press has only whispered about this stupid display of power! Obama and his gang are blocking BP and the Industry from effectively cleaning up this spill simply for political gain. Can't waist a good crisis! The Gulf is being destroyed and eventually thousands will suffer and die because of Obama's decision to block these efforts by the world's real experts. Now he wants to put someone in Jail? No wonder the world press thinks we are all crazy over here. Check out the story that has the whole world shaking its head at our stupidity. http://www.rnw.nl/english/article/dutch-oil-spill-response-team-standby-us-oil-disaster
JamesDond: I totally agree that the over regulation of oil companies
Did you read the article? These regulations predate Obama by many years. And, it has been BP who has turned down all but 2 offers from foreign countries. The world press thinks we're crazy because we allow people like you and Palin and Angle and Bachman to have a voice.
StJames: Did you read the article? These regulations predate Obama by
And the World Press is who? Why should anyone care what the world press thinks? They do not pay our bills. Have you seen the deficit lately. Where's your head, buddy. Don't tell me. You were an understudy of the liberal teaching establishment. This will be history soon. The Constitution will return and the Union shall prosper once more inspite of the man child and his follies.
zucccchini: And the World Press is who? Why should anyone care
Sharron has raised a lot of money for November.......go to her web site and donate to help her defeat Harry. About this lie that Sharron wants to abolish social security and medicare...
I don't know anyone interested in doing that do you? I know Sharron personally and know that
she wants seniors to continue receiving social security and medicare. The glue that is holding
the economy together now. Sharron is fiscally conservative and she is a great constitutionalist.
No one is as American. Like Palin she is tough and will defeat Harry. If you are looking for a warm, friendly, personable, Christian lady to win in November support Sharron.
By the way Sharron goes to a Christian church on a regular basis. She has nothing to do with Scientology thank you. This is a grounded, down to earth person I trust and she works hard
and is thrifty. I think Sharron has knocked on almost every door in Nevada over the years and people who meet her like her. This is premature...but not only will she defeat Harry easily in November...she may eventually even become the President!!! Just a thought!
Sally_Shaw: Sharron has raised a lot of money for November.......go to
It is NOT a lie, Sally! But you keep telling yourself that! I feel sorry for people like you who are so easily led! One of Angle's platform issues is to abolish Social Security - when it caused an uproar, she clarified it as only wanting to abolish it for those not yet on it.
I think you need to do your homework...research for yourself! I do not care if you know her personally or not...people saw her website before it was scrubbed, and have read up on her. And NO one is more American than any other American - that kind of Palin BS is what brought McCain down.
And considering no one I know in either Northern OR Southern Nevada likes her, I would say you are DEFINITELY premature!
CTtransplant: It is NOT a lie, Sally! But you keep telling
First Posted: 06/09/10 11:31 AM ET Updated: 05/25/11 05:45 PM ET