Harrington: Wasserman Schultz Anti-GOP Charges 'Absurd'

Democratic National Committee Chairwoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz’s accusation that Republicans used dictator-like tactics in the debt limit debate -- as well as other Democratic canards likening the tea party to terrorists -- are absurd, Karen Harrington tells Newsmax.TV.

Harrington, a Florida businesswoman, is seeking the GOP nomination for a rematch with Wasserman Schultz, D-Fla., for the state’s 20th congressional district.

“It’s pretty bad when Americans send certain people to Congress to stand up for the values the American people want,” she said. “We want to hold our government accountable for this debt. We are not addressing those issue. To call us terrorists and hostage takers is absurd.



"We want the government to address this problem. We address it every day in our business and in our family life and they are apparently getting the message from the American people.”

Harrington also rejected Wasserman Schultz's comments that the GOP acted like dictators in the debt limit debate.

“We’re not dictators,” she said. “We’re trying to do America’s job by bringing down this fiscal irresponsibility and pay down the debt so we can get our economy going. That’s not irresponsible to want American people to get jobs and get back to work.”

Harrington has managed the family business, Rickey’s Restaurant and Lounge, for 30 years. With other family members, she has expanded the business to three locations. She first challenged Wasserman Schultz in 2010, losing by more than 20 percent after being heavily outspent. Nonetheless, Harrington believes the outcome will be different in 2012.

“We feel we have twice as much time on our hands to get out there and meet the people, and to be honest with you, a lot of the people are disenfranchised with this administration due to their lack of support for Israel," she said.

"Debbie stands with the president lock step with every decision that he makes both economically and with Israel. … We’re certain as we have more time on our hands to get out there and people meet and listen to my strong fiscal conservative message that they’ll be on board and they’ll be looking for the right change this time.”

On other issues, Harrington said:

• Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid did not bring the House passed Cut, Cap and Balance Bill before the Senate because he was protecting Democrats in 2012 by “not letting the American people know where they stand on that vote.”
• Running against such a polarizing figure as Wasserman Shultz was “a great thing because people can really start to see the kind of person Debbie Wasserman Schultz is in her failed economic policies and people will learn what she has to offer is not going to get America back to work.”
• That in order to turn around the high unemployment rate uncertainty must end. “I’m a business owner and I can tell you we’re not willing to part with our money, expand our business or hire more people right now. So there is too much uncertainly. So we’ve got to continue to fight to cut the debt down and put the positive back into the market so people will have confidence to come back.”
• She loves Michele Bachmann. “I’m right in line with all her values and principles that represent this country. So right now if I had to pick a person that I think represents what’s good for this country, get us back on track, understand fiscal responsibility it would have to be Michele Bachman.”