The Democrats' hopes for toppling Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) rest on Democratic Senate nominee Mandela Barnes.
Barnes became the 45th lieutenant governor of Wisconsin in 2019 following the previous November's blue wave. However, the aspiring politician's past controversies are receiving more scrutiny now, in what is a higher-profile race in a less favorable political environment.
According to Barnes' Instagram account, he met then-President Obama's former pastor Rev. Jeremiah Wright after watching him speak in Milwaukee in 2013.
During the speech, Wright claimed Israel was guilty of “ethnic cleansing” and accused the United States of “war crimes” on par with the Holocaust.
Despite that, Barnes called Wright “brilliant” and added that “it was amazing to hear [him] speak.”
The Washington Free Beacon further reports:
Barnes's comments could add to perceptions that the lieutenant governor holds radical views that are out of step with state voters. Barnes's applause for Wright came years after Wright's former congregant, Barack Obama, famously cut ties with Wright in 2008 due to the preacher's inflammatory anti-American remarks. Wright went on a public rant blaming “them Jews” for his fallout with Obama. Wright previously compared the United States to al Qaeda and claimed that the U.S. government invented HIV to kill black people.
Video of Wright's speech at the dinner, which was reviewed by the Washington Free Beacon, included strong condemnations of the United States and Israel.
In his speech, Wright claimed the Palestinians “are undergoing ethnic cleansing as we gather here tonight.”
Wright also appeared to compare the Holocaust to U.S. actions during the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, calling for “justice not just for the perpetrators of the war crimes at Auschwitz and in Germany, but justice also for the war crimes at Abu Ghraib, the secret CIA rendition camps where waterboarding is an everyday, commonplace occurrence.”
Barnes defended his praise for Wright as recently as 2018.
The latest RealClearPolitics polling average places Johnson three points ahead of Barnes, 49% to 46%.
This story is developing. Stay with American Liberty News for the latest updates.
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Let’s remember this Wright guy is the same one that married the Obama’s and baptized both girls. Wright also stated that white elite’s showed be shamed and take their money. For all you rich white people who think Obama’s are the greatest thing ever, you are the targets. Yet people still vote in anti Americans, even after hearing their hatred for our country. These people weaponized our government so they can demoralize anyone who stands in their way. These people have no place being in our government. The squad also have stated how much they want our government gone and their government put in place. Don’t forget Michelle Obama told a group of girls she is the forever First Lady. Obama himself said he would like to be a third term President running the country from his basement. We need to not elect people who hate our country. I don’t understand Pelosi or VP Harris attraction to him. Both of them are like little girls competing for the boy.
This IS Obummers third term. Does anybody really believe SloJoe makes policy?
This “reverend” who is NOT deserving of reverence is an anti-America, Jew hating racist. Associating with him is the kiss of death for your political career.
This is another example of anti-Americanism and anti-Semitism being twins.Many with one condition have the other.
Its what Dems do is buddy buddy all the time