Rep. Alan Grayson, D-Fla., an outspoken liberal, is taking heat from Republicans for raising money off an email that associates the tea party with the Ku Klux Klan.
On Monday, a Grayson fundraising email sent to supporters features an image of two KKK members in full regalia looking at a flaming cross, which is used as the “T” in tea party. “Now You Know What the ‘T’ Stands For,” reads a title under the image.
Grayson goes on to write that, “At this point, the tea party is no more popular than the Klan.”
The Florida Democrat was known for insulting Republicans during his first term in Congress, which ended in 2010. He came back to Congress via Florida’s 9th District in 2012. But more recently on Capitol Hill, Grayson earned plaudits for changing his style to work with his counterparts across the aisle.
Republicans have called on House Democrats to condemn the imagery Grayson used in the email.
“There’s no excuse for the hateful words and imagery used by Congressman Grayson,” NRCC spokesman Matt Gorman said in a statement. “House Democrats should swiftly and strongly condemn him and return the money he has raised for them. This hate-filled rhetoric has Americans fed up with Washington.
Grayson’s campaign did not immediately return a request for comment.
