Courting Controversy Works for Louie Gohmert

AUSTIN, Texas — When MSNBC launched a series a few years ago about obscure politicians who propel themselves into headline-grabbing controversies, the producers did not struggle to find their first subject. They picked U.S. Rep. Louie Gohmert, R-Tyler.

Over the years, Gohmert has compared homosexuality to bestiality, endorsed a column likening Barack Obama’s presidency to Adolf Hitler’s dictatorship and warned anyone who will listen that evil-doers are making “terror babies” who — like human time bombs — will be trained abroad only to return some day to wreak havoc in America.

He has been called both a “deather” and a “birther” — the former a reference to his view that, under Democrat-inspired health care policies, frail senior citizens would be sentenced to death; the latter stemming from his role as a co-sponsor of a bill that critics of Obama used to question his U.S. citizenship.

Gohmert’s stances make him a favorite target of liberal commentators, comics and cable TV shows. But in his district, he is seen as a devoted advocate for his constituents’ values.

Read more [1] from the Texas Tribune.