Candidate responds to charge he dressed as Nazi

Candidate responds to charge he dressed as Nazi

(CNN) - The Ohio Congressional candidate who has received national attention for a photo where he appears in a Nazi uniform, responded to the reports Saturday in a statement on his website.


Rich Iott, a Republican who is running in Ohio's 9th district, said in the statement that he has participated in military re-enactments since college and it is a "hobby" he enjoys with his son.

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I don't see an issue with this since he's part of a re-enactment group that seems to be focusing on battles and not so much anything else, other article also mentions he has participated in other groups that do other wars as well.

Such groups are popular worldwide and many have done a lot to distance themselves from Neo movements. Wasn't there a WW2 group who did something in the States a few months ago for a public re-enactment for a few communities? I think I remember reading about it here but I'll see if the link can turn up anywhere.

Had he been wearing one for kicks like a certain...I won't go there.

Anyone want to take bets as to how much this will impact World War 2 research?/perceptions?

Edit: Well, I should probably disclaimer by saying as real as most re-enactment groups can get.

 

A non-story which seems to be more about mud slinging than anything else. It'd be interesting to see if it costs him the seat though.

 

"But his political opponents were quick to condemn him as a "Nazi enthusiast.""

Gee, having an interest in WWII and re-enacting makes one a "Nazi enthusiast"?

Apparently many of us here could be called that.

While the president of the United States embraces socialist policies and befriends convicted domestic terrorists?

Quite a double standard by his "political opponents" (Democrats)

tom

 

It works both ways. Obama didn't have to be mentioned in this thread and doing so, shows, it works both ways. Both sides have politicians who care for nothing more than to smear their opponents. It's really REALLY sad when they could be fixing things.

 

I do WWII reenacting as the Wehrmacht and I find it ridiculous that the media can point out us out as Nazis. Does that mean Confederate reenactors are racist slave owners? We do this to keep history alive and honor the men who wore the uniforms(not so sure how that works with SS), not to try and revision history.

 

You also get programmes like this
BBC slur on my 'big fat Nazi' wedding | Mail Online

 

It really sickens me that the spoils goes to the victor, because all I see on that page is them calling it a Nazi uniform. Really? A Nazi uniform is a black Allgemeine SS or brown SA uniform or any uniforms that were political. We wear German military uniforms, the swastika was the national emblem at the the time and it HAD to be worn on all uniforms at the time. The media is really starting to tick me off.

 

He oughta start re-enacting as Red Army or better yet NKVD, not a word would be whispered.

 

True that

 

I believe he has been a re-enactor represnting the Norwegian Wiking SS by choice since college. Now, not making any judgements on his choice of units or wearing of the uniform for whatever reason, to run for public office and expect this NOT to be internet "meat" shows he is probably dumb as a box of hair. And shouldn't represent anybody, not because of possible "Nazi sympathies", but simple sillyness, and hubris.

 

To be fair, he only recently got into politics and he has been re-enacting for other wars/sides as well so as you can see, it's a pretty interesting/complex issue.

I'm sure a good majority of politicians have their share of dirty laundry, Mr. Iott had the misfortune of having his aired.

Does anyone know how recently those pictures were put up on the website?

 

I think those pics are 2 years old. Not to get OT but it would seem the only reason they're doing this is because elections are coming up.

 

I think it's safe to say that it's targeted towards him since no one has really gone after the group as much.

LRusso: Do you have a link to the interview?

 

I saw this the other day and thought that he'd be wipped pretty good for wearing a Waffen SS uniform, enthusiest or not. Its the symbolism that might get him. For right or wrong, nothing else is going to matter.

However, I was wondering about second guy from the left. Is he wearing a RAF Jacket with a kilt? Was this done regularly? Just wondering.