After learning that Adam Kokesh was endorsed by the Republican Liberty Caucus, among others, I decided to find out how much the RLC knew about Adam’s anti-military and anti-American activities, his multiple arrests, and his overall background. I e-mailed my questions to Aaron Biterman, who agreed to speak with me about the endorsement of Adam Kokesh. The following is our e-mail exchange.
Hi Aaron, thanks for helping me out with this.
I saw that the Republican Liberty Caucus endorsed Adam for Congress. When the endorsement was made, was the RLC aware of the following:
- that Adam was demoted from a sergeant to a corporal for smuggling a pistol bought in Iraq to the United States, and that he still continues to represent himself as a sergeant anyways, which is a blatant lie?
- that he printed and distributed an Islamophobic flyer on George Washington University but made it appear to have been made by the Young America’s Foundation?
- of his involvement with groups such as CODEPINK, A.N.S.W.E.R., The Communist Party of America, the Muslim Brotherhood, and other similar groups while working with Iraq Veterans Against the War?
- of his multiple arrests?
- of his anti-American and anti-military views as evidenced by his actions during anti-war protests, including holding an upside-down American flag, doing mock patrols, and die-ins, most of which were done while wearing a Marine Corps uniform?
- that he traveled to Germany and encouraged soldiers there to go AWOL?
- that when the Marine Corps investigated his actions during anti-war
protests while in uniform, he replied o a major and told him to “please,
kindly, go f*ck yourself”?- that the Marine Corps responded by downgrading his honorable discharge to a general discharge?
- that despite this, Kokesh still claims to have received an honorable
discharge, which is another blatant lie?- that he organized and participated in Winter Soldier 2, which was
designed to malign and undercut the morale of our soldiers?If the RLC was not aware of the above, will the endorsement for Adam
Kokesh be rescinded?If the RLC was aware of all this, why was he still endorsed for Congress?
Do these things not bother the Republican Liberty Caucus?
Does the Republican Liberty Caucus feel that these actions and views are suitable for a representative?
Does the RLC feel that the above actions are acceptable? Do they condone his anti-military, anti-American views?
Looking very forward to hearing the answers to these questions.
Thank you,
Cassy
Aaron responded by basically saying that no, the RLC was not aware of these things, but will continue to endorse him anyways based on Adam’s platform.
Hi, Cassy.
The Republican Liberty Caucus assesses candidates on their issue positions, not what pranks they pulled in college or people they associated with who we might not like. Most of your criticisms fit under the category of “he’s an anti-war protester and therefore he’s evil,” and that’s just not relevant to our endorsement process.
A RLC endorsement is simply advice to our members that a candidate is worthy of consideration for their support and assistance — it does not require members to support or contribute to any endorsed candidate. The RLC itself never contributes any dues or contributions directly to any political campaign or ballot proposition.
When we made the endorsement, we were not aware of the information you listed below. However, as I said above, the RLC endorses candidates who share a commitment to our mission statement of limiting the size and scope of government. Adam Kokesh’s platform is “peace, freedom, and prosperity” (see http://www.kokeshforcongress.com/sites/kokesh.netboots.net/files/SlimJimPrintOut_0_0.pdf). He also includes a strong statement of truth at his website: Government’s sole purpose is to protect our rights.
Which groups Kokesh associates with or what rallies he attends has little relevence to our endorsement process. Additionally, the RLC has a fairly “Big Tent”. While Kokesh holds “anti-War” views, several other candidates we have endorsed hold views that are different than Kokesh on the foreign policy issue. For example, check out this candidate’s views on foreign policy (he was also endorsed by the RLC): http://www.houchenforcongress.com/issues.html.
The RLC favors candidates who have a constitutional view on foreign policy, which includes the need for a Congressional declaration before going to war. Additionally, all of our endorsed candidates believe that the U.S. has too many troops in too many countries across the globe. This is the traditional conservative foreign policy position and has its roots with Robert Taft, and, before him, George Washington.
Best Regards,
Aaron Biterman
Outreach Chair
Republican Liberty Caucus
Needless to say, I found it extremely troubling that none of Adam’s past affiliations or actions would make a difference to the RLC. The idea that “which groups Kokesh associates with or what rallies he attends has little relevence” is disturbing to me. Considering that Kokesh has never held public office or even a job since leaving the Marine Corps, the groups he associates with and the rallies he attends are really the only clues we can get to judge his character by. Or does that no longer matter, as long as someone says they stand for the right thing? We have no way of knowing if Kokesh actually believes any of the things he says he believes in. Considering who he’s aligned himself with in the past — radical liberal and Marxist groups — why should we trust him?
And even if he does truly have all of these libertarian ideals, what about the things he’s done? Character matters. And someone who has been arrested multiple times, encouraged soldiers to go AWOL, and repeatedly lied about his rank and discharge doesn’t seem to have good character. Are we just going to start letting people into our party because they say they have the right set of ideals, regardless of the content of their character? That makes us no better than Democrats like William Jefferson, Nancy Pelosi, Eric Massa, and Charles Rangel. The RLC is basing their endorsement of Adam Kokesh on nothing more than what Adam Kokesh is saying about himself. The red flags about him are being completely ignored because he’s saying what people want to hear.
Now, let’s say that in the very short time since Adam Kokesh has stopped associating with groups like IVAW, CODEPINK, and A.N.S.W.E.R. that he did have a change of heart. What does that tell us? That he has extremely poor judgement, makes bad choices, and apparently is a poor judge of character as well. Is that the kind of person we want in Congress with an (R) next to their name? He’s held no job since being in the Marine Corps except being a professional anti-military activist. So he’s someone who has poor judgement, makes bad choices, and has no professional experience to his name at all. The only experience he does have — as a Marine — led to his being demoted and his honorable discharge reduced to a general discharge. That doesn’t exactly speak well for him, does it?
Adam Kokesh may very well vote the way we want him to vote. He might lower taxes and he might be against government run health care, and he might help reduce the size of our massive government. But do we look the other way when someone has done the things that he’s done? There are plenty of other people who would do all of the same things that Adam Kokesh would do, without any of the baggage — like Tom Mullins, for example.
In the case of Adam Kokesh, you really have to decide for yourself. Does character matter at all to you? Does someone’s history matter? Can you choose to overlook someone’s actions and affiliations? I don’t think so. We need representatives who have more than just the right voting record. They need to have good character, too. And maybe the RLC doesn’t care about someone’s character, but I do. And I think most of you do, too. Adam Kokesh doesn’t have the character we need… and h’s not the kind of Republican we need.
Cross-posted at The Green Room.
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I have donated to candidates endorsed by the Republican Liberty Caucus in the past, but so long as they endorse this gomer, they can Kilo Mike Alpha (KMA) if they want any more support from me for ANY of their endorsed candidates.
This guy is well beneath RINO (who would have thought it possible?),
This guy is an AINO.
American In Name Only.
I don’t think I’ve done business with the RLC.
That won’t change.
I’m curious what the republicans offer as an alternative. More of the same?
From what I can tell by listening, winter soldier is not anti-soldier, but an anti failed foreign policy statement.
More pre-emptive war, and indefinite occupation is not in the best interest of anyone other than Lockheed Martin, General Electric, Blackwater / XE / whatever they changed their name to this week.
How about coming in on the side of the rest of America, and stop milking the tax dollars with unproductive wars.
This is all you have to say: People elected Obama based on what he said about himself, not based on the content of his character or his shady past. Look where that took us.
American’s who protested the FUBAR disaster in Iraq, were right! There were no WMD, no ties to Nine Eleven or Al Qaeda, there was no threat. The tragedy in Iraq destroyed our alliances in the Global War on Terror, and took our eye off the ball of Afghanistan and Pakistan. Our former ally Saddam was found like a rat in a hole, not a threat. I’m not a Republican or a Democrat, and find their followers on the extreme right and left to be suffering from cognitive dissonance.
Its long past time for a regime change. Adam is one who can help with that.
Apparently you think his anti-war sentiment and activities disqualify him. For what reason? Because he is not a boot-licking “my country, right or wrong” dupe, such as yourself, Cassy?
If things are going to change, we need game-changing people in office like Adam. An oil-man like Mullins is hardly going in the right direction.
“The tragedy in Iraq destroyed our alliances in the Global War on Terror, and took our eye off the ball of Afghanistan and Pakistan.”
I may not be a big fan of the Iraqi war, but I think that statement is ridiculous. Libs may self-servingly claim that to smear Bush and countries outside the US may self-servingly use that as excuse, but let’s get real here. Countries in Europe, Middle East, Asia, etc., have long hated us and constantly thumped their noses at us. Make no mistake about that one.
“How about coming in on the side of the rest of America, and stop milking the tax dollars with unproductive wars.”
The funny thing is that while in office, it was Clinton and his liberal allies who were claiming based on intelligence (or so they say) that Iraq had WMDs. Funny, once Bush got into office, those same folks are busy revising history claiming Bush and Republicans made up that claim.
If the war was a hoax, then neither hands of both parties are clean. Not even close if we go by your argument.
Liberal Democrats are just better at lying and covering their backside then Republicans.
I stand behind the RLC and Adam Kokesh.
Politics sometimes makes strange bed fellows.
Adam Stands up for what he believes, he has done that sense he left the Marines. How many of you who bash him volunteered for military service? He wanted to serve his country and found out the real truth behind it (he was not a foot solder, he was a liaison officer)
I for one am PROUD of the sacrifices he made to serve his country, he volunteered to protect those right he has to protest.
I find he SO ironic that Republicans call someone who stands up for the oath he took to the Constitution a RINO, what does that say about you?
We need Adam Kokesh in the Congress! He will stand strong for Freedom for New Mexico and for all Americans.
Character does matter. I won’t vote for Teamster on the GOP ticket.
Why isn’t Cassy actually in the military?
The Republican Liberty Caucus Stands By Anti War Adam Kokesh…
Her endorsement of McCain, who voted against veterans 5 different times, seems to back that up. In their world, as long as we protect the jingoism, everything, including voting, is secondary….
I love the RLC, these are the real deal guys/gals who are truly trying to Limit Government. Not some “let’s pay lip service” to these issues every few years. No Bush/Cheney-Bots among that group.
As for endorsing Adam Kokesh, so what. He didn’t support the War? Holy Moly he’s a traitor! How dare he question the Almighty (Praise be to it) Government. Character matters? Like John Boehner and Eric Cantor have Character. Give me a break.
As a Real Conservative, I support anyone who put’s America, not our interests and allies, First. From the sound of your anger towards him Cassy, this guy maybe my kind of guy.
I’m torn. I respect your digging and prodding, but I think their response is also fairly reasonable.
I think perhaps if he was actually convicted of a crime (say, if he were a convicted felon) then his ‘character’ might keep such an endorsement away from him.
But, as far as basic principle, I guess groups such as the RLC are more interested than the ends than the means, and as long as they’re not violent or egregiously illegal, so be it.
The question is, where would a line be? Adultery? Dereliction of duty?
As far as your particular allegations (and those of his more outspoken opponents, esp. Michelle Malkin) seem to be more political, “attack” style allegations, like that he’s “anti-American.” That’s obviously just one’s judgment and not per se, a “fact”…
“Apparently you think his anti-war sentiment and activities disqualify him. For what reason? Because he is not a boot-licking “my country, right or wrong” dupe, such as yourself, Cassy?”
No, it’s not his anti-war sentiment. It’s because he has no honor, has lied repeatedly, bullied bloggers (so much for his respect for the First Amendment) and put up racist crap and tried to blame a conservative organization for it. He’s a disgusting piece of shit, lying cocksack.
Oh, and by the way as a military veteran who has been deployed, I find Kokesh a deplorable, dishonorable POS.
Why the GOP has been dead to me for years…
First, McCain.Now, this.Cassy interviewed Aaron Biterman of the Republican Liberty Caucus about their endorsement of douchebag extraordinaire Adam Kokesh for Congress. Apparently, despite all his criminal activities and his dishonoring the uniform of t…
About Kokesh from another vet:
http://www.kokeshforcongress.com/posts/letter-new-mexico-veteran
I’m a Vietnam Vet, VERY anti-war and resent your false characterization of Winter Soldier. Now the our once-great republic has evolved into the U.S.S.A. Communist Police State, I guess you can label ME “anti-American” too.
GO ADAM!
[...] an analysis of what I believed would occur in the race. The second time I wrote about the race was to defend Kokesh against some pro-war Republicans who were ripping him to [...]