Australian Finance Minister warns of Republican ‘crazies’

[DonViejo]

Source: Salon/AP

CANBERRA, Australia (AP) — Australia’s deputy prime minister warned Friday that the greatest threat to the U.S. economy are the “cranks and crazies” in the Republican Party, a rare foray into American domestic politics that was blasted by the opposition.

Wayne Swan, who also serves as treasurer and is his center-left Labor Party government’s ranking finance minister, took aim at the Tea Party during a speech to a business forum, breaking a convention among Australia’s major parties to steer clear of U.S. domestic political debates.

“Let’s be blunt and acknowledge the biggest threat to the world’s biggest economy are the cranks and crazies that have taken over a part of the Republican Party,” Swan said.

He said “the extreme right Tea Party wing” of the Republican Party had held the national interest hostage during last year’s debate over the U.S. borrowing limit despite President Barack Obama’s “goodwill and strong efforts.”

Read more: http://www.salon.com/2012/09/21/australian_minister_warns_of_republican_crazies/

[Raster]

1. it's completely true, he called it.

The republicans are no longer the party of Lincoln. Hell, they're not even the party of Raygun. They are the party of battshit flippin' crazy.

[grantcart]

6. absolute fair dinkum mate!

[SunSeeker]

2. It's so obvious you can see it from the other side of the globe! nt

[Confusious]

3. It's so obvious I can see it from my house. nt

[mikki35]

4. The truth is the truth

Tell it like it is - maybe it would help if more foreign powers made comments like this. Some did when Shrub was acting the biggest jackass in the history of this country. Maybe they can view it as an attempted preemptive nudge to get people to see just how batshit crazy the TPers are. Every little bit helps.

[Cha]

5. Yeah, Let's do be

Blunt!

He said “the extreme right Tea Party wing” of the Republican Party had held the national interest hostage during last year’s debate over the U.S. borrowing limit despite President Barack Obama’s “goodwill and strong efforts.”

Prime Minister Julia Gillard, who travels to New York next week to address the United Nations General Assembly, defended her deputy’s comments as “appropriate.”

[SoapBox]

7. "...greatest threat to the U.S. economy are the “cranks and crazies” in the Republican Party..."

Oh my gosh...it's TRUE!

Sorry Bullies and Baggers...sometimes the truth hurts.

[Odin2005]

8. Why are the Commonwealth countries so much more sensible than us?

[Proletariatprincess]

11. I have often wondered the same thing, Odin

In fact, maybe the revolution against King George III was not such a good thing afterall. The commonwealth countries that didn't revolt seem to be better off in the long run in terms of quality of life for their citizens.

[FlaGranny]

17. There you go!

That Revolution was a big mistake. I've often thought so.

[kestrel91316]

9. Teabagger arm of the republican party to call for war against

Oz in 3....2....1....

They dissed us!!!!!! Gotta show those commie soshalists who's boss!!1!!

[flamingdem]

10. One of the reasons S&P downgraded the US nt

[Jessy169]

12. Nothing we didn't already know

but it is great to know that others in the world, on the outside looking in, see it that way too. Swan's opinion is no doubt held by many other world leaders.

[tarheelsunc]

13. It seems like EVERY foreigner gets it...

what's wrong with the 40+% of Americans?

[ronnie624]

14. “The Labor Party is peddling hatred and they’re got to stop,”

opposition treasury spokesman Joe Hockey told reporters. “They hate the Republican Party. I’d like Wayne Swan to say something positive about someone somewhere.”

Dumbass needs to STFU.

Listen to your Prime Minister, dumbass.

[Matilda]

16. Wayne Swan did say something positive - about Obama.

Joe Hockey is shadow Treasurer, but so clueless that he has to get his figures from the Murdoch press.

[Swagman]

18. Wayne Swan named the world's best treasurer

WAYNE Swan has been named the world's best treasurer, according to a statement last night confirming one of Canberra's worst kept secrets.

The judgement was made by the distinguished magazine Euromoney, the same publication which gave the accolade to Paul Keating in 1984

http://www.news.com.au/national-old/wayne-swan-is-euromoneys-finance-minister-of-the-year/story-e6frfkvr-1226142199651

[JRLeft]

15. Ain't that the truth. Mitch McConnell stated if Obama gets reelected he will make his 4 years a

living hell.

[nichomachus]

19. He's wrong about one thing

They haven't taken over "part of the Republican Party." They're holding the whole damn party hostage.