Former New York City Mayor Ed Koch blasted Ron Paul in his latest column, expressing outrage that a man who he says is supported by "white supremacists, Jew haters and gay bashers" is a GOP front-runner, Politico reports:

"Ron Paul is the perfect candidate for the bigots in this country. He is not like the racists who paraded in white sheets or the David Dukes who stated their allegiance to the ideas of Hitler," he writes. "No, he is the affable avuncular relative with a twinkle in his eye and voice that doesn't ever sound shrill, but more like that of your kindly and occasionally crotchety uncle. He doesn't have to wear an armband or use a stretched arm salute, and you can be sure he regrets the revelation of the earlier hate writings in his newsletters."

He adds, "It is incredible that a Republican candidate for president in the year 2012, supported by white supremacists, Jew haters and gay bashers, is a front-runner in the upcoming Iowa caucus. The U.S. did itself proud in 2008 by electing an African-American for president. Our better angels prevailed four years ago in not allowing race to dominate our decision-making. Notwithstanding that Ron Paul is in the lead in Iowa, I believe Republicans will do what is morally right and reject him, and select one of the other Republican candidates."

Wow. Tell us how you really feel, Ed. 

Koch also points out that Paul doesn't seem to have done much to distance himself from racist content in a newsletter he edited, and quotes the candidate stating that he "wouldn't disavow" support from those with anti-black or anti-Jewish views.

It's obvious that the criticism is harsh, but it's much less clear what its impact will be. At this point, the views of Iowa caucus voters are the ones that matter most, and we can't remember the last time the threat of being labeled racist or a bigot changed the minds of a significant number of supporters of a particular candidate. Is Koch making an impact with his column or just preaching to the choir?

Read more at Politico.

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