Oklahoma congressman criticized for presidential comments

(Washington-AP) -- Oklahoma Republican Representative Tom Cole is drawing some criticism over comments about the presidential election. <br><br>During a speech to Republicans in Yukon last Saturday, the

Friday, March 5th 2004, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

(Washington-AP) -- Oklahoma Republican Representative Tom Cole is drawing some criticism over comments about the presidential election.

During a speech to Republicans in Yukon last Saturday, the first-term congressman said that if George Bush loses the election, Osama bin Laden wins the election. He says America's enemies would interpret a Bush defeat as a sign of U-S weakness.

Cole says he stands by the remarks but some Democratic leaders say he needs to apologize.

He is also taking heat over remarks in which he invoked Adolph Hitler's name. Cole said Hitler would have thought American resolve was weakening if President Roosevelt had been defeated during World War Two.

California Representative Robert Matsui, chairman of the Democrats House campaign committee, says Republicans are trying to polticize the September 11th tragedy and that this is an insult to the entire nation.