Clip Circulates Of Phil Murphy Allegedly Comparing Trump To Hitler

MIDDLETOWN, NJ - Phil Murphy, who is seeking the Democratic nomination for New Jersey governor, is getting some heat from Republicans, including Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, for remarks he made comparing President Donald Trump to Adolf Hitler.

Murphy, who lives in Middletown, made the comparison at a November speech he gave in Montclair. The clip is being circulated now by conservative groups, among them the Republican Governors' Association (RGA), a group that seeks to elect Republican governors nationwide.

“I have lived in Germany twice – once as a private citizen and once as the United States ambassador, and I’m a modest student of Germany history," Murphy said on November 2o, speaking before a group of about 400 at a church in Montclair. "And I know what was being said about somebody else in the 1920s. And you could unfortunately drop in names from today into those observations from the 1920’s, and the moves that have been made early on only aide and abet that argument."

"The video shows Murphy using a ridiculously hyperbolic comparison to attack the President of the United States," said RGA Communications Director Jon Thompson. "This comes less than a week after Virginia Democrat gubernatorial candidate Tom Perriello shamefully compared the election of the President to the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Phil Murphy’s eagerness to compare the President to a genocidal tyrant responsible for millions of deaths is grossly irresponsible and his words show an inexcusable lack of judgement."

Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker, who is also the chairman of the RGA, weighed in Tuesday, calling Murphy's comments "absurd."

“Murphy’s absurd statement raises serious questions about his judgment and ability to lead, and proves that he is too extreme to represent the people of New Jersey," said Gov. Walker. "Murphy should immediately apologize for this offensive and despicable remark.”

And Lt. Governor Kim Guadagno, the former Monmouth County Sheriff from Monmouth Beach, seeking the Republican nomination, pounced on Murphy's words: “Phil Murphy’s comparison of the President of the United States to Nazi Germany and Adolf Hitler is repulsive and inexcusable,” said Guadagno Tuesday. “His stunning lack of judgement and sensitivity is insulting to those whose families suffered, died or fought during World War II. It diminishes the slaughter of six million Jews and he should apologize to the people of New Jersey immediately.”

Murphy made millions working for Goldman Sachs and was a major donor to President Barack Obama. He was appointed by Obama as the Ambassador to Germany. He is now back in Middletown and campaigning heavily to be governor. When asked about the Hitler comparison, his spokesman Derek Roseman said the following to Patch:

"If the RGA figured out that Phil Murphy was drawing a comparison to Donald Trump without mentioning his name, then the parallels are just as obvious to them as to everyone else. We'll leave it to the RGA to defend the indefensible while we stand up and fight for all the people of New Jersey."

He was more blunt to NJ.com: "Take the comment for what it is."

The Republican Governors' Association has not endorsed any candidate in the New Jersey governor's race. The primary is June 6, and the general election is Nov. 7. Seeking the Republican nomination are Lt. Gov. Guadagno, Assemblyman Jack Ciattarelli, Nutley Twp. Commissioner Steven Rogers and businessman Joe "Rudy" Rullo. Thomas Kean Jr., Minority Leader of the New Jersey Senate and son of former Governor Thomas Kean, is talked about as a potential Republican contender, but has not declared.

The front runners seeking the Democratic nomination are Murphy, state Sen. Ray Lesniak and state Sen. John Wisniewski.