The Muslim-baiting radio host the GOP can't resist

Bryan Fischer, who regularly hosts Republican presidential candidates, wants to restrict Muslim immigration

Published April 6, 2011 5:29PM (EDT)

The host of a radio show that has become a regular stop for Republican presidential candidates is calling for restrictions on Muslim immigration to the U.S.

Bryan Fischer, who is the American Family Association’s Director of Issues Analysis, also called Islam a "toxic cancer" on his show today. This is not new rhetoric for Fischer, but what makes it interesting is that several potential GOP candidates have recently accepted invitiations to be on his show. That includes Tim Pawlenty, Michele Bachmann, Haley Barbour, and Newt Gingrich.

"We really need to restrict immigration from Islamic countries," Fischer said today.

Here, via Right Wing Watch, are his latest comments:

We allow unrestricted Muslim immigration into the United States we are welcoming to our shores, welcoming to our borders, men who are determined to destroy us. They’ve said it themselves, it’s in their own writings, it’s in their own words; they’re out to eliminate and destroy western civilization. It’s just absolute folly to invite that kind of toxic cancer into our culture, but that’s what we’re doing every single day.

Watch, starting at about 6:30:

If Fischer were another anonymous crank, this wouldn't be newsworthy. But this is a man who regularly attracts presidential candidates to his program. Here he is interviewing Haley Barbour. Here he is interviewing Tim Pawlenty. And here he is interviewing Newt Gingrich.

The obvious question presents itself: Would it be acceptable to appear on his program if he were making similar comments about any other religious or ethnic group? ("We really need to restrict Jewish immigration.")

It's also worth noting that this is nothing new. Fischer has advocated for a ban on mosque construction, and deportation of American Muslims. At what point does a figure like this become beyond the pale?


By Justin Elliott

Justin Elliott is a reporter for ProPublica. You can follow him on Twitter @ElliottJustin

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