Congressman Steve King is attracting the wrong kind of attention for his comments about illegal immigrants. If you haven’t heard what he said to Newsmax, here’s the quote:
“For every one who's a valedictorian, there's another 100 out there that, they weigh 130 pounds and they've got calves the size of cantaloupes because they're hauling 75 pounds of marijuana across the desert… Those people would be legalized with the same act."
Look, just like you should never invoke the name “Hitler” or the word “Nazi” in any comparison, the same holds true for the line, “They've got calves the size of cantaloupes.” Oy-gevalt!!
Obviously King has a point about illegals and drug smuggling but c’mon! Don’t resort to stereotypes. That only plays into the mainstream media’s hands and gives them a 15-second soundbite without any context.
I realize he was talking to the conservative Newsmax but it doesn’t matter. Comments like that were bound to be picked up. King shouldn’t make it so easy for the media.
On CNN, he doubled down and explained his comments further saying, "Every night there are dozens and scores of people that are smuggling drugs across our border. I've been down there multiple times. I've sat along the border at night…This isn't something made up in thin air. I've seen it with my eyes and watched the data and video that support what I say, and the longer this dialogue goes, the more the American people will understand what I'm saying is factually correct."
King may have the facts on his side but he needs to take a lesson in Media Management 101. Remember, perception is reality. And one more thing: Enough with the cantaloupe references!