Major Nativist Extremist Group May Be at End of its Rope
William Gheen, head of the nativist extremist Americans for Legal Immigration PAC (ALIPAC), is blaming the “authoritarian and dictatorial actions of Obama” for a budget shortfall that may force his group to shut down in January.
Gheen cited four “major causes” for the financial squeeze, including: (1) “The horrific political and economic environment we find ourselves in as a nation at this time”; (2) GOP presidential candidates who, he feels, are not hard-line enough on immigration; (3) “The authoritarian and dictatorial actions of Obama, who has … demoralized some of our supporters who are throwing their hands up in exhaustion instead of rallying against Obama”; and (4) “technical issues” involving the website and E-mail distribution list.
Conspicuously absent from this litany of grievances is the possibility that ALIPAC supporters are simply tired of Gheen’s antics. Never a master of public appearances, the shrill and thin-skinned nativist made national headlines in August when he told radio host Janet Mefferd that “illegal and violent” “extra-political activities” might be the only way to save “white America” from “Dictator Barack Obama.” A few days later, he botched a chance to explain himself, telling radio host Alan Colmes that it was “ridiculous” for anyone to imagine he thought violence was the only way to stop Obama, complaining of exploitation by his “political opposition.” In June, he launched an “impeach Obama” campaign, accusing the president of treason and urging his followers to “demand” action from their representatives. Three months before that, he earned a sharp rebuke from North Carolina state Rep. Rick Glazier, who according to Immigration Clearinghouse, described Gheen’s rhetoric as “ugly,” “hateful,” “vicious,” and “despicable” during a public debate over an anti-immigrant bill.