Na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na, hey, hey, hey, get out of the Republican Party, you Nazi loving freak!

If fans of Hitler held a party, and a candidate for federal office attended, would anybody notice?

Apparently, yes.

U.S. Congressional candidate Tony Zirkle is facing criticism from one of his primary opponents, and a host of people on the Internet, for speaking at an event over the weekend that celebrated Adolf Hitler's birthday.

Zirkle confirmed to The News-Dispatch on Monday he spoke Sunday in Chicago at a meeting of the Nationalist Socialist Workers Party, whose symbol is a swastika.

When asked if he was a Nazi or sympathized with Nazis or white supremacists, Zirkle replied he didn't know enough about the group to either favor it or oppose it.

"This is just a great opportunity for me to witness," he said, referring to his message and his Christian belief.

He also told WIMS radio in Michigan City that he didn't believe the event he attended included people necessarily of the Nazi mindset, pointing out the name isn't Nazi, but Nationalist Socialist Workers Party.

The Crown Point Republican spoke in front of about 56 "white activists" at an event honoring the birth of Hitler. The German leader was responsible for the genocide of millions of Jews and others during World War II.

Zirkle said the group asked him to speak to discuss the effect of pornography and prostitution on young, white women and girls.

... At the event, Hitler's birthday was observed with a cake with a photo of Hitler and the words "Seig Heil."

The guy showed up at a Nazi meeting on Hitler's birthday "to discuss the effect of pornography and prostitution on young, white women and girls" with a bunch of people who had swastikas on their arms and his excuse is...are you ready,

"I told (Channel 16, WNDU in South Bend) in the beginning that I'd speak to any group that wanted me to speak," Zirkle said Monday. He said he's also recently spoken on the subject to a pair of black journalists.

"I'm keeping my promise. I'll speak to any group."

That is not how they do excuses in the big leagues, my friend. Maybe this guy should have learned from the best pol in the business at disassociating himself from the loons he's associated with.

For example,

* "The statements that these Nazis made that are the cause of this controversy were not statements I personally heard them preach while I sat in the pews or heard them utter in private conversation."

* "These Nazis are like old uncles who say things I don't always agree with."

* "I would say that this has been a distraction from the core message of our campaign."

* "If anything, these Nazis are trying to make America a better America. If anything these Nazis are true patriots."

* "Tony Zirkle strongly condemns the violent actions of the Nazis, as he does all acts of violence. But he was a young child when the Nazis were active in Germany, and any attempt to connect Zirkle with events of World War 2 is ridiculous."

Hey, it worked for Obama, right?

PS: Buh-bye, Zirkle. Your career is over.