Ohio GOP Congressional Candidate is Former Nazi War Reenactor
- Posted on October 9, 2010 at 4:26pm by
Meredith Jessup
- Print »
- Email »
Rich Iott is hoping to unseat Democrat Marcy Kaptur in Ohio’s 9th Congressional District, but the Toledo-area Republican’s campaign is now receiving widespread attention for his past participation in a group that stages full-dress reenactments of the Nazi 5th SS Panzer Division’s World War II military maneuvers.
Iott stands in his SS uniform, third from left (credit: The Atlantic)
The Atlantic reported the story of Iotta’s membership in “Wiking” from 2003-2007 Friday evening and by Saturday morning, the news of Iotta’s old hobby had spread across the country.
When contacted by The Atlantic, Iott confirmed his involvement with the group over a number of years, but said his interest in Nazi Germany was historical and he does not subscribe to the tenets of Nazism. “No, absolutely not,” he said. “In fact, there’s a disclaimer on the [Wiking] website. And you’ll find that on almost any reenactment website. It’s purely historical interest in World War II.”
Iott, a member of the Ohio Military Reserve, added, “I’ve always been fascinated by the fact that here was a relatively small country that from a strictly military point of view accomplished incredible things. I mean, they took over most of Europe and Russia, and it really took the combined effort of the free world to defeat them. From a purely historical military point of view, that’s incredible.” …
Iott says the group chose the Wiking division in part because it fought on the Eastern Front, mainly against the Russian Army, and not U.S. or British soldiers. The group’s website includes a lengthy history of the Wiking unit, a recruitment video, and footage of goose-stepping German soldiers marching in the Warsaw victory parade after Poland fell in 1939. The website makes scant mention of the atrocities committed by the Waffen SS, and includes only a glancing reference to the “twisted” nature of Nazism. Instead, it emphasizes how the Wiking unit fought Bolshevist Communism.
Here‘s one of the group’s recruitment videos:
During his reenactment days, Iott participated in the group under his own name, and also under the alias “Reinhard Pferdmann,” a character he describes as being his German alter-ego. “Part of the reenactor’s [experience],” Iott said, “is the living-history part, of really trying to get into the persona of the time period. In many, not just in our unit, but in many units what individuals do is create this person largely based on a Germanized version of their name, and a history kind of based around your own real experiences. ‘Reinhard’ of course is ‘Richard’ in German. And ‘Pferdmann,‘ ’pferd’ is a horse. So it‘s literally ’horse man.’”
The Atlantic also asked Iott whether he thought his past participation in a Nazi reenactment group might upset voters, he said he hoped it wouldn’t: “They have to take it in context. There’s reenactors out there who do everything. You couldn‘t do Civil War reenacting if somebody didn’t play the role of the Confederates. [This] is something that’s definitely way in the past. … [I hope voters] take it in context and see it for what it is, an interest in World War II history. And that’s strictly all.”
Popular Stories
Paper Details Obama Admin’s Alleged Secret Note Sent to Iran: If Israel Attacks, We Won’t Get Involved 568 Comments
‘Made Up Religion’: TV Historian Enrages Muslims, Receives Threats After Producing UK Documentary Questioning Islam’s Beginnings 394 Comments
This Is the Creationists‘ Response to Scientist Bill Nye’s Viral Pro-Evolution Video Claiming They Harm Children 385 Comments
Roseanne Barr: Most Billionaires ‘Violent Pedophiles’ & ‘Heartless’ Cocaine Addicts 368 Comments
President Obama Issues Major ‘Green Energy’ Executive Order 324 Comments
Faith
- This Is the Creationists‘ Response to Scientist Bill Nye’s Viral Pro-Evolution Video Claiming They Harm Children 385 Comments
Pakistani Muslim Cleric Accused of Framing Disabled Christian Girl in Koran-Burning Case Read More- ‘Made Up Religion’: TV Historian Enrages Muslims, Receives Threats After Producing UK Documentary Questioning Islam’s Beginnings 394 Comments
Meet the Controversial German Imam Accused of Brutally Beating His Wife & Pushing Sharia Law Read More
‘Self-Proclaimed Messiah’ & Unification Church Leader the Rev. Sun Myung Moon Has Died — Here’s His Life Story Read More
Business
- President Obama Issues Major ‘Green Energy’ Executive Order 324 Comments
- Germany’s Upcoming Court Ruling Will be Huge for the EU Read More
Ford Looks to Beat Toyota for Best-Selling Car in 2012 With This Model 150 Comments
Bernanke & QE3: Here’s What You Need to Know Read More- ‘Extortion’: Why Did the Labor Department ‘Drop the Hammer’ on Oregon Farmers? 302 Comments
Technology
- This Is the Creationists‘ Response to Scientist Bill Nye’s Viral Pro-Evolution Video Claiming They Harm Children 385 Comments
‘TaserDrone’: Hackers Weaponize Quadcopter With Actual ‘Shocking’ Technology Read More
Ever Heard of the Wild ‘Burning Man’ Festival in the Middle of the Nev. Desert? Here’s Your Primer Read More
Stanford Develops Technology ‘Better Than Steroids’ for Athlete Recovery Read More
Have You Pretended to Know What ‘the Cloud’ Is? You’re Not Alone Read More
Submitting your tip... please wait!
Comments (170)
Lonescrapper
Posted on October 9, 2010 at 6:12pmShouldn‘t this be filed in the same pile with Al Franken’s reenactment of a comedian on SNL? I think it’s called acting, unless Al is really Gay, a manchild, and still a comedian.
Report Post »Jackpine Savage
Posted on October 9, 2010 at 7:22pmthe first 2, I’m guessing the jury is still out. (pretty much guaranteed on the Man Child)
Report Post »He never was a comedian, he just played one on TV.
WITHBOLDNESS
Posted on October 9, 2010 at 6:12pmOur President apparently is into Great Depression reenactments, what’s the difference?
Report Post »Jackpine Savage
Posted on October 9, 2010 at 7:18pmThat’s one re enactment I wish we could have missed.
Report Post »kuhl
Posted on October 9, 2010 at 10:06pmLOL…Well put!
Report Post »N37BU6
Posted on October 9, 2010 at 5:57pmWhat?
I was at an airshow a few weeks ago, and there was a WWII exhibit. There were “Axis” and “Allies”, all dressed up with the gear on display. Not once did I take offense. Didn’t even enter my mind.
Why is this even a story?
Report Post »Billy Greenacre
Posted on October 10, 2010 at 4:44amLarry Hagman who played the character JR Ewing on the prime time soap, _Dallas_, was obliged to become accustomed to little old ladies, none of whom he knew from Adam, kicking him on the shins or stamping on his feet. Acting, re-enacting, has a strong affect on the weak minded. The weak minded also vote and politicians are seldom capable of resisting a tempting target like this.
Report Post »13thGenerationAmerican
Posted on October 9, 2010 at 5:54pm“All that was required of them was a primitive patriotism.”
George Orwell – “1984”
Report Post »Chicago Ray
Posted on October 9, 2010 at 5:50pmWhy should this matter when the American left all the way up to the white house is actually practicing soft tyranny and fascism on us daily?
Report Post »Contrarianthinker
Posted on October 9, 2010 at 6:41pmI‘ve volunteered for Obama’s private army. You comes out and watrched us perform.
Report Post »stanleythemanly
Posted on October 9, 2010 at 5:40pmSo what, we have communists running for seats and a socialist is in the senate right now. Is he praising Hitler? Is he saying the camps were a good idea? If so then he should not be elected.
Report Post »claymoremacm
Posted on October 9, 2010 at 5:32pmoops it says 9mm LUGAR on my box of ammo am I a Nazi? LMAO
Report Post »LordChaos
Posted on October 9, 2010 at 5:53pmYou stole my thought. Only I was going to ask if owning a German made rifle made me a Nazi?
Report Post »Taquoshi
Posted on October 10, 2010 at 12:27amJust remember, sight picture, sight picture, sight picture, hold breath, squeeze gently….
Report Post »kimba28
Posted on October 9, 2010 at 5:24pmEvery time I read the headlines, I think, “Things can’t get more ridiculous,” Then they do.
Report Post »RAISINGCONSERVATIVES
Posted on October 9, 2010 at 5:20pmSo we are calling WWII the “Nazi War” now? Oh yeah that’s right, only when it suits the liberal media and can cause a stir…Saying that he is a “former WWII reenactor” just doesn’t have the same ring to it, does it? What a bunch of loons….always twisting the truth to forward their cause…
Report Post »Please vote in November! Our country can’t take much more of this!
Jim
Posted on October 9, 2010 at 5:18pmI guess since I have several books in my collection on Nazi related subjects then I am bad as well? Give it a rest.
Report Post »Contrarianthinker
Posted on October 9, 2010 at 6:43pmMe too, I have several academic books showing the history of the SS and the Gestopo. I guess I better hide them now.
Report Post »cheezwhiz
Posted on October 9, 2010 at 6:59pmOMG, I love German Chocolate cake,
Report Post »my life is over….*sigh*
Jackpine Savage
Posted on October 9, 2010 at 7:15pmGood thing I no longer have my German Sherherd
Report Post »cheezwhiz
Posted on October 9, 2010 at 7:29pmTo all those who had your pics taken while drinking beer in Oktoberfest,
Report Post »y’all are so scroooood ;-)
Taquoshi
Posted on October 10, 2010 at 12:25amcheezwhiz,
Your life is over only if you don’t share your German Chocolate cake. While we’re mentioning it, got any Black Forest cake? By the way, post your address, so the rest of us can come get our share of the cake. ;-P
Report Post »av8trx
Posted on October 11, 2010 at 9:37amOh, I even go a step further than you…I once purchased a Mother‘s medal with Adolf’s signature engraved on the back! I guess I’d better toss that b4 I get caught with it?!?!?!?!? lol!
Report Post »lyndsey1977
Posted on October 9, 2010 at 5:08pmIt is quite comical to see the left flailing their arms, panicking! Love it! I am from toledo and have seen Iott debate. He is a good candidate and it would be wonderful to finally have some good commonsense, conservatism in this area. it has been controlled by dems and the unions for far too long!
Report Post »Zcat
Posted on October 9, 2010 at 5:05pmLets see, We have a Republican Nazi Reenactor vs Real Life Communist/Marxist/Socialist Democrat…hmmm
Report Post »av8trx
Posted on October 11, 2010 at 9:32amI know who I choose, and it ain’t the communist/marxist/socialist!!!
Report Post »cheezwhiz
Posted on October 9, 2010 at 5:03pmSo lemme get this straight :
Palling around with terrorists = Presidential charachter
Playing a part in a drama = Unfit for Congress
Report Post »Marylou7
Posted on October 9, 2010 at 5:50pmLOL you are so right. :)
Report Post »RobertCA
Posted on October 9, 2010 at 5:00pmWhat part of RE-ENACTMENT they missed ?
Here’s a Public service to the ignorant Dems : Noun 1. reenactment – performing a role in an event that occurred at an earlier time; “the reenactment of the battle of Princeton”
Now ignorant Dems don’t argue with me , argue with thefreedictionary.com
Report Post »Capt_Spalding
Posted on October 9, 2010 at 4:56pmBFD!! These Demoncrats are SO desperate that they are playing any card they can find. How pathetic. It’s one thing to portray someone, it’s a whole other thing to actually vote like one. Just sayin’…
Report Post »KnightErrantJR
Posted on October 9, 2010 at 4:55pmWow. Really? Someone went this far to try and did up dirt? What’s next, looking through old Halloween pictures to see what kind of outfits someone wore to a costume party? I can never run for office now, because when I was a senior in high school I dressed up as Joker and convinced my friends to be my henchmen. I‘m guessing that’s at least worth a headline proclaiming me to be a former super villain.
Report Post »debak
Posted on October 9, 2010 at 4:55pmSeriously mainstream media? Seriously? You think this is going to change anyone’s mind? Third graders play act all different kinds of historical roles including SS troops. Idiots.
Report Post »Marylou7
Posted on October 9, 2010 at 4:50pmThere are Civil War re-enactments all over and the Revolutionary War so what is the problem. Americans have always done war re-enactments. It can be a fun way to learn history and learn from history. This is really grasping at straws.
Report Post »the chemist
Posted on October 9, 2010 at 4:49pmdon’t see any “issue” here… my buddy was involved in civil war stuff in the past, he is a HUGE history buff… i imagine this is exactly the same…
Report Post »Contrarianthinker
Posted on October 9, 2010 at 6:40pmChemist, the lame stream media also attack renactors who decide to “fight” for the South. I used to renact for the Communists and they lauded me. (grin)
Report Post »Jim AZ
Posted on October 9, 2010 at 4:46pmIt’s a sensitive matter. If he has helpful details, he should list them. If he was on the Soviet side, the media would love him–Even though they amount to the same thing.
Report Post »KeepdaChange
Posted on October 9, 2010 at 5:16pmAin’t that the truth!!!
I never really understood the difference between the two, and after studying a little it seems that they are really two sides of a really creepy coin.
Report Post »PJPony
Posted on October 9, 2010 at 8:41pmKAPTUR is a commie. Look up her funders, past associations, etc. At least he is just pretending to be an oppressor. Marcy’s the real deal.
Report Post »roberja
Posted on October 9, 2010 at 4:43pmDemocrats just acting scared. They can’t run on their record so….attack the person’s character, dog, household help, whatever! Desperation tactics!
Report Post »cheezwhiz
Posted on October 9, 2010 at 5:13pmThese are the same people who get all their info on Sarah Palin from an SNL skit
Report Post »and all their news from John Stewart.
walkwithme1966
Posted on October 9, 2010 at 8:55pmSweeping generalization – you guys really need to stop that as all liberals/progressives aren’t the same – as I am sure not all of you are the same! http://wp.me/pYLB7-cd
Report Post »JD Carp
Posted on October 10, 2010 at 10:25amI have spoken to Marcy Kaptur, watched her on C-Span and read transcripts from her speeches. She is far more a National Socialist than any fellow who plays “history dress=up” a couple of times a year. The fact that he relives the history of this dark time will signal he never want’s to repeat such horrors in a time when the Kapturs of Congress are racing head long to it.
Report Post »BoilitDown
Posted on October 9, 2010 at 4:43pmI‘ve never really understood the fascination with war reinactments but I can’t see why it would be a negative thing for him.
Report Post »Danglinbags
Posted on October 9, 2010 at 5:01pmLoL…true dat.
Report Post »PeachyinGA
Posted on October 9, 2010 at 8:06pmNothing more to a re-enactment than to want to plunge yourself into an historical moment, like going to Williamsburg, VA or something similar, but on a local, cheaper and more realistic level. The South has a lot of Civil War re-enactments that are fascinating to attend. You can really visualize that it must have been like back in history.
Report Post »independentvoteril
Posted on October 9, 2010 at 9:00pmI have to agree, my dad was a big history buff and he made us read about it.. and I am not entirely comfortable with a re-enactment of any kind being done by an elected official however the NAZI one REALLY makes me uncomfortable with all the things going on with our government right now..
Report Post »brilaneb
Posted on October 9, 2010 at 9:14pmThe same reason Hollywood makes war movies. They have to cast people to play bad guys don’t they? How is this any different? You do reenactments for entertainment of crowds, no different than theater or dressing up as Santa Clause.
Report Post »Patriot Z
Posted on October 9, 2010 at 10:28pmindependant. i would prob worry more about the read threats to freedom than a local politician acting in a ‘school play’.and infact for the very reasons you worry, you should actually want to play CLOSE attention to things like this esp the WWII reenacttments and how hitler and stalin came to power and what happened after that.
Report Post »Time Rebel
Posted on October 10, 2010 at 8:12amI am a historian with a fascination with the American Civil War era. One GGG Grandfather fought for the Union (63rd Pennsylvania Regiment) and one GGG Grandfather was a Confederate surgeon with the 11th Texas Calvary. My grandson is half-white and half-black, and he is descended from slaves. We teach him to be proud of all of his heritage: Union (with Irish, Scottish, and British roots), Confederate (with Irish, Scottish, and French roots) and slave (with African roots). My Confederate ancestor may be considered an “enemy” to some, but from all accounts he was a good man who fought for his state and he doctored Yankees and Rebels alike.
I participate in reenactments to honor and remember the nearly 700,000 white and black Americans (men, boys, women, and girls) who died during the War Between the States for causes for which they believed were worthy. We can certainly look back now and see where our ancestors could have made better decisions, but we have NO right to judge them. They lived the best they could according to the knowledge and understanding they had at the times in which they lived. I am a proud descendant who is thankful we have evolved. On a pole in my front yard, an American Flag is displayed directly above a Confederate Flag. Nothing wrong or evil about it! Just as there is nothing wrong or evil with Lott’s involvement with WWII reenactments!
missy8s
Posted on October 9, 2010 at 4:42pmThere are a lot of WWII battle reenactors around the country, they participate as members of both sides of the war, this is a non story that the MSM is deliberately blowing way out of proportion!
Report Post »tobywil2
Posted on October 9, 2010 at 4:38pmThe “Wannabe Tyrants” will publicize the irrelevant using their “preponderance of the propaganda” to avoid a discussion of the issues. Pay no attention to the smokescreen.
The only relevant issue is freedom or tyranny!!!!
Report Post »Freelancer
Posted on October 9, 2010 at 5:07pmThis is my district and I’m still voting for him. Kaptur is in office thanks to one of George Soros’ organizations so we can all guess where she stands.
Report Post »DrammyCoke
Posted on October 10, 2010 at 3:50amThis is stupid, they are just grabbing at anything!!!!
There has to be bad guys in the re enactment world, I am sure there are “Confederate Soldiers” re en-actors who have never owned a slave.
Report Post »WUNK
Posted on October 9, 2010 at 4:35pmMaybe he just likes Jack boots
Report Post »Taquoshi
Posted on October 9, 2010 at 6:41pmI’m a re-enactor. People re-enact for a variety of reasons, but most of us do it because we like the history. That does not mean we endorse or ascribe to the philosophies of the time, it means we portray them.
As this gentleman so aptly pointed out, in order to do a re-enactment, especially when a period of war is being depicted, someone has to play the role of the enemy. It’s just like playing a part in a theater production. The person who plays the saint is not necessarily like that in real life, nor is the villian necessarily like that in real life. It’s called a role.
Lately, re-enactors have been in the cross hairs because it wasn‘t all that long ago that there was an uproar over the picture of a Southern gentlemen in Confederate officer’s garb standing next to a black re-enacting couple dressed in Gullah artistan garb. The Confederate officer turned out to be a state official and the couple were residents. But the cry of “racism” went up anyway.
I’m amazed that people get so confused by this and read far more into it than what it is.
Report Post »Jackpine Savage
Posted on October 9, 2010 at 6:56pmI was a civil war re-enactor, and although I’m Michigan born and raised, I was a member of the 5th Texas volunteers in battle I didn’t do it because I support slavery, I did it for the history, and the fact that if everyone wore the union uniforms, the battle would look pretty strange.
Of course the left will try their best to make a big deal out of this, because desperate people do desperate things. And the left is truly desperate right now.
Report Post »Jetson
Posted on October 9, 2010 at 9:04pmMarlon Brando, Yul Brynner, Michael Caine, Robert Duvall, Will Ferrell, Rutger Hauer, Ed Harris, Roger Moore, Liam Neeson, tom Cruise….Etc. all portrayed Nazis. Unless this guy is from the National Socialist party I wouldn’t worry about him too much.
Awakened One
Posted on October 10, 2010 at 12:05amIf this is all they got for a negative on this guy, then it’s no big deal. If they find an actual membership in a Nazi organization, then it means something. It sounds like the media is just trying to help the Dem. Nothing new there.
Report Post »uneedmorekoolaid
Posted on October 10, 2010 at 12:21amOkay so reenacting is like acting right we all agree. Well then our current president keeps acting like he isn’t a muslim, communist, actually has a clue on how to run this country. He wears that presidential seal like he is an AMERICAN president be we all know he is just acting.
Report Post »Strictlybusiness
Posted on October 10, 2010 at 12:39amWhats the BIG FUSS about a congressional candidate being an reenactment Nazi SS man??? I mean WOW, the press is acting like this guy is an actual NAZI SS man… Its reenactment people. Now if the PRESS wanted to get excited and COVER A REAL STORY they would have actually covered the 2008 Presidential election in this country when we had a REAL COMMUNIST RUNNING FOR PRESIDENT IN PLAIN SITE. FOR EVERYONE TO SEE AND THEY(THE PRESS) DIDN’T INVESTIGATE ANYTHING NOT ONE THING FROM HIS BOOK ABOUT HIS LOOSER COMMUNIST DAD, TO HIS BUDDY BILLY AIRS AND THE WEATHER UNDERGROUND BLOWING UP POLICE STATIONS AND THE PENTAGON, OR HIS CHURCH AFFILIATION WITH A BUNCH BIGOTED FOOLS THAT ARE THE POSTER CHILDREN FOR WHAT A RACIST REALLY LOOKS LIKE. THE PRESS????? WHATS THAT????? NOW THE BLAZE, THAT’S OLD FASHIONED Journalism !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Report Post »AstupidAmerican
Posted on October 10, 2010 at 2:16amBFD Iv been reenacting 12 years and I know all these guys. There stand up guys and NOT FXXXing Nazi. Get over it.
Report Post »Miami
Posted on October 10, 2010 at 2:23amThe best I can figure,
It’s like playing a real world video game. Last I remember you can play all sides in todays video games. Russian, German, Japanies, Aussy, British even us evil Americans…
The latest one they can even be a terrorist killing Americans. They just baned them from military bases. Why don’t we hear the MSM take on the video game makers on this fact?!
Report Post »angrymob
Posted on October 10, 2010 at 4:38amIt’s one thing to re-enact history…it’s another to repeat it.
Report Post »Lone-Wolf
Posted on October 10, 2010 at 4:46amOut of all of the SS divisions the Wiking was probably IMO the most honorable. The Waffen SS was more like a Multi National Special Forces Unit (Some were good some were bad). But I guess the real story would be everyone being up in arms over reenactors.
Report Post »untameable-kate
Posted on October 10, 2010 at 10:33amSometimes I go to the renaissance faire dressed as a leper, doesen’t mean I have leprosey. Give the man a break.
Report Post »Thirteenth Paladin
Posted on October 10, 2010 at 10:38amThis is about as important as worrying about whether he folds or wads his paper. I was recently in Williamsburg, VA and I don’t remember there being any outcry over people giving others a glimpse into history.
Report Post »Eagle07
Posted on October 10, 2010 at 4:43pmI guess the left better tell Tom Cruise not to run I think he portrayed a NAZI in a movie.Like they say the dimwits can run on issues got to try to slander someone.
Report Post »