Grayson Takes Risk Comparing Tea Party with KKK, Expert Says
Wednesday, October 23, 2013
By: Amy Green

October 23, 2013 | WMFE - Central Florida Congressman Alan Grayson's comparison of the tea party with the Ku Klux Klan is stirring outrage on the right. And the rhetoric could be politically risky for Grayson.

Grayson made the comparison during a cable news interview.

It's the kind of rhetoric that's likely to fire up people on both sides, but University of Central Florida associate professor David Houghton says it's a risky tactic in a swing state like Florida.

Houghton, who specializes in political psychology, says Grayson's remarks won't appeal to moderates.

"But I'm not sure he's that kind of politician. He's like Thatcher and Reagan on the right. He's a politician who has certain convictions, and conviction politicians find it hard to be pragmatic or to compromise."

This isn't the first time Grayson has made headlines for inflammatory comments.

During a speech on the House floor in 2009, he said the Republican health care plan was for patients to "die quickly."