First District congressional candidate Heather Mizeur (D) rebuked incumbent Rep. Andy Harris (R) on Friday for speaking to a conservative conference taking place in Hungary. In a statement, she accused him of being an embarrassment and a “failed” representative who clings to “radical” views.
CPAC Hungary, a three-day event in Budapest, features Hungarian leader Viktor Orbán and Fox talk show host Tucker Carlson, both of whom have embraced race-conscious immigration and abortion policies that are gaining traction on the right.
Harris criticized abortion-rights supporters during his speech but he made no mention of “replacement theory,” which holds, among other things, that more restrictive abortion laws would help the U.S. replenish its supply of white babies.
The six-term lawmaker, the only Republican in Maryland’s congressional delegation, did warn of the threats posed by “woke political correctness,” Marxism and socialism.
“History has taught our countries that these ideologies have failed in every age and destroyed every nation that they have entered,” he said. “Our countries are each engaged in a renewed fight to remove these corrosive elements from our way of life, our classrooms, corporate boardrooms, entertainment events and even the media.”
Harris said that children are “coming under increasing attack by left-leaning educational and political indoctrination,” and he applauded Hungary for “strategically” avoiding war, inflation and “cultural, moral and even intellectual decline.”
Harris’ six-minute speech, which included a heavy-metal guitar track, was delivered remotely. The lawmaker is co-chair of the Hungarian-American Congressional Caucus.
Although journalists were denied entry to the conference, the gathering generated headlines when CPAC Chair Matt Schlapp appeared to embrace the idea that immigration threatens to “replace” white people in the U.S.
“If you say there is a population problem in a country, but you’re killing millions of your own people through legalized abortion every year, if that were to be reduced, some of that problem is solved,” Schlapp said, according to vice.com. “You have millions of people who can take many of these jobs. How come no one brings that up? If you’re worried about this quote-unquote replacement, why don’t we start there? Start with allowing our own people to live.”
Orban has emerged as a hero to many American conservatives, who have been exposed to him largely through Carlson. A recent New York Times analysis concluded that Carlson’s show “may be the most racist show in the history of cable news — and also, by some measures, the most successful.”
Several other Republican figures are speaking at the conference, including other members of Congress, and Mark Meadows, President Trump’s last chief of staff.
In her statement, Mizeur sought to tie Harris to Orban, calling him “Harris’s political idol.” She also sought to tie the Harris to the massacre at a Western New York supermarket, noting that Carlson’s show “was cited by the killer who opened fired in a supermarket in a predominantly black area in Buffalo last week.”
Two calls to Harris’s new spokeswoman, Anna Adamian, were not returned as of Friday afternoon.
Mizeur and David Harden are competing in the July 19 Democratic primary for the right to run against Harris in November.
“Andy Harris is a dangerous extremist. His votes are not within the mainstream views of the First District. He is radical and hypocritical,” Mizeur concluded. “He claims to support Ukraine but is speaking today in Hungary with Tucker Carlson to lavish praise on Putin’s greatest European ally. None of this is acceptable.”
Jim Moses CDR, USN (Ret.) says
First and foremost, it is important that we no longer consider Mr. Harris a “Republican.” Through his speech, his actions and most significantly his votes in the House, he has forfeited the right to that term. Can you for one moment imagine the reaction of a legitimate Republican – for example, President Reagan – to these antics?
Doing so would put at ease the minds of some who, like Leader McConnell, when asked if he would support another Trump candidacy, said, “I must support the nominee of my party.”
Deirdre LaMotte says
The problem, as a former Republican herself, is this is party. Even George Will has torn up his GOP voter registration.
Seriously, anyone who cares about our democracy is no longer a “Republican”. They are theocratic and authoritarian. Jeeze, their ridiculous CPAC was in Hungary for God’s sake. WTH?
Stephen Schaare says
Wait a second. You tie Harris to Carlson to Buffalo? Why not simply blame it all on The Trumpster? Make no sent(sic)
Good luck in November.
Lucy Garliauskas says
It does if you use, reason, intellect and logic. Not to mention reams of evidence . And and then there is the witness of history of similarly and equally misguided actions.
Jerry McConnell says
Actually, blaming most of the current level of animosity in this country, and the extremist rhetoric it has been fomenting, on Mr Trump is spot on. Not that Mr Harris (wonder if he was packing a gun?) isn’t up to insulting your intelligence without inspiration. And, Mr Trumpo’phile, connecting dots between Carlson and violent displays of hatred by underperforming, overserved racist white Americans isn’t really hard.
Not that any of this will register with you or your January 6 frat bros out there.
Eva M. Smorzaniuk, MD says
We should not be surprised that Andy Harris is attending CPAC, a radical right wing group that glorifies authoritarian leaders, restriction of human rights, such as privacy, and government control of the media. Hungary has gotten a lot of attention for its recent homophobic and transphobic legislation. Orban seeks to create an “illiberal” state, meaning that he wants to eliminate political discourse and debate. We can assume that members of CPAC would like to see the same type of authoritarianism in the USA. After all, life is so much simpler when the media, the judicial system, and profitable industries are run by a dictator and his selected group of oligarchs.
Lyn Banghart says
I happen to agree with Heather Mizeur about Andy Harris. But a word to Mizeur…..constantly badmouthing and criticizing your opponents will not get you votes.
Stephen Schaare says
Hi Lyn, Indeed. Not nice.
Regardless, I maintain my riding mower(22hp) has a better chance of beating Congressman Dr. Harris than Heather.
Steve
Lucy Garliauskas says
She is not badmouthing , she is pointing out his actions and positions that do not support out democracy or democracy of any type.
David Lloyd says
Regrettably, Hungary has fallen victim to the dictatorship of Orban. He has single-handedly destroyed what had actually developed into a democratic (small “d”) country which had had to deal with Hitler and Mussolini. Having been in Hungary a number of years ago, I am very sorry to see this happening. Having Harris promote the Tucker Carlson stupidity just reinforces my own decision to vote again Harris because he doesn’t and shouldn’t represent people who support our country and its democracy!
Stephen Schaare says
Hi Jerry, You must be a new reader of “The Spy”. I do not have any interest in Trump, and even less in Jan.6.
I will be voting for Gov Ron Desantos In 2024. Steve
Jerry McConnell says
Cool, Stephen. DeSantis is the GOP proxy for La’Orange. He’s nowhere near as stupid, but he’s still a magnet for dimwits. Fact is, Harris and DeSantis and Carlson and other white Christian extremists are responsible for discord and racial intolerance (even murders) in this country today.
Ms Mizur will have to come up with a better message than “Harris is a Trumpuppet and crazy as hell” because everyone knows that.
Stephen Schaare says
Jerry, How would you describe Joe Biden?
Jerry McConnell says
Stephen—just to keep the dialogue going, I’d opine that Joe’s:
a) past his prime;
b) has his hands full; c) doing a reasonably
good job given the
mess he inherited,
d) has an attractive
wife who wasn’t a
stripper, and,
e) needs to upgrade
his public relations
advisory team.
Deirdre LaMotte says
Well that speaks volumes. Trump, Desantos…no difference.