The Political Insider

Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) had some backtracking to do after he recently delivered a speech at an awards ceremony with direct ties to the Community Party of the United States.

Blumenthal played ignorance, telling a Connecticut newspaper on Friday that he just didn’t know who he was unaware speaking to, and said that had he known, he wouldn’t have attended.

Blumenthal attended the “Amistad Award” ceremony, an annual event put on by the Connecticut People’s World Committee, an affiliate of the Communist Party USA. 

“If I had known the details, I wouldn’t have gone … Let me just say very emphatically, I’m a Democrat and a strong believer in American capitalism. I have been consistently a Democrat and a strong supporter and believer in American capitalism.”

He continued:

“I go to a lot of events, places, meetings, rallies, and ceremonies in Connecticut. I’m delighted to be invited anywhere, and in this instance, I was invited by local labor unions to honor these three individuals, and that’s why I was there. That’s pretty much it.”

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‘Ignorance’ Is Bliss

At the celebration of the 102nd anniversary of the Communist Party USA, Blumenthal said he was “excited and honored” to be attending and speaking at the event.

Blumenthal is reportedly the 5th wealthiest member of the Senate, who is worth approximately $82 million.

In his remarks, he mentioned agenda items which are apparently interchangeable with Democrats and Communists, saying,  “There’s a lot to be working for in economic justice, in racial equity, in establishing a $15 minimum wage.”

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They Call Him ‘Da Nang Dick’

Richard Blumenthal might not be a household name. But his most public claim to fame is his infamous lie that he saw combat in Vietnam. The Hartford Courant reported in 2018 that while Blumenthal did serve in the military, his service was in the United States. 

In May of 2018, the New York Times found where Blumenthal had lied about his military service on roughly eight occasions. After the Times story, Blumenthal made a statement that he had ‘misspoken’ about his service. A week later he issued a written apology to the Hartford Courant. 

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Pushback From Republicans

Blumenthal has received copious amounts of pushback from Republicans on his attendance at the Connecticut People’s World Committee event. The Connecticut State Republican Party Chair Ben Proto has criticized Blumenthal on his appearance at the event. 

National Republican Senatorial Committee spokeswoman Lizzie Litzow stated, “This is how far left and radical today’s Democrat Party has gone. Democrats are so out of touch with what Americans want and need. The hardworking people of Connecticut deserve better.”

Blumenthal brushed off any blowback, saying,

“People are going to do what they’re going to do. I’m just going to keep doing my job for the people of Connecticut. There’s a lot at stake in the Senate right now — voting rights, the ongoing pandemic, making childcare affordable, lowering prescription drug prices. That’s where my focus is.”