"DEM" -- IN THE VERY LOOSEST SENSE OF THE TERM -- DONS BLACKFACE

You may have seen this story:

A prominent Brooklyn assemblyman defended himself on Monday after attracting attention for wearing blackface to a party he hosted this weekend to celebrate the Jewish holiday of Purim.

The assemblyman, Dov Hikind, a Democrat who has been a longtime power broker in the Orthodox Jewish community, wore an Afro wig, orange jersey, sunglasses and brown makeup or face paint as part of a costume that Mr. Hikind said represented a "black basketball player." ...

The headline of the Washington Free Beacon story on this incident -- and the likely spin throughout the right-o-sphere -- is:

Dem Dons Blackface

And, yes, it's true: Dov Hikind is a registered Democrat.

But he's a registered Democrat who campaigned for Mitt Romney in 2012. And endorsed John McCain in 2008. And George W. Bush in 2004. And Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush prior to that.

Hikind has also backed Rudy Giuliani. And Al D'Amato. And George Pataki (whose administration subsequently gave Hikind's brother a job). And Bob Turner, the Republican who took Anthony Weiner's House seat in a special election after Weiner resigned.

A few more Hikind fun facts:

The BBC reported that in 2005, Hikind called a press conference at which he "brandished mug-shots of the largely Middle Eastern men from the FBI's 'most wanted' list, saying that all recent terrorists 'look basically like this.'" The article adds: "Hikind denies that he is arguing for racial profiling, preferring the phrase 'terrorist profiling.'" Hikind continued to say these kinds of things when given the chance to tone it down....

In 2007, Hikind defended his opposition to gay marriage by sending a letter to the Observer that read, in part, "If we authorize gay marriage in the state of New York, those who want to live and love incestuously will be five steps closer to achieving their goals, as well." ...

Believing the United Nations to be a "'cesspool' of racism, anti-Semitism, and opposition to Israel," Hikind has consistently opposes renovations to the its building, the Sun reported....

Oh, and he's frequently attacked those who support the cause of the Palestinians. This, in and of itself, is not unusual among Democratic elected officials, especially locally. However, Hikind is the rare elected official in America who is a former member of the Jewish Defense League, which the FBi has called a terrorist group.

So, um, not a boilerplate Democrat.