L. Brooks Patterson refuses to publicly apologize to Bolger for Hitler comments

Oakland County executive says he is frustrated with Michigan's House Speaker

Courtesy: WKAR

OAKLAND COUNTY, Mich. – Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson is refusing to publicly apologize to Michigan House Speak Jase Bolger.

Patterson recently compared Bolger to Hitler, going as far as to call him "Adolf Bolger."  He then took a comb from his pocket and placed it under his nose, making reference to Adolph Hitler's infamous mustache.

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Read: Brooks Patterson compares House Speaker to Hitler

The incident came during the taping of the public television show 'Off the Record' after a Michigan legislative panel approved a bill that would end unlimited lifetime medical care for people seriously injured in car crashes.

Premiums would drop at least $125 in the first year under the measure being pushed by Republican Gov. Rick Snyder and the Legislature's GOP majority.  All motorists would get $1 million in coverage.

Patterson spoke out Monday morning to Paul W. Smith this morning on WJR-AM about the "Adolf Bolger" comments.  

"Just apologize to Jase Bolger right now and be done with it," Smith told Patterson during the interview.

"No, no, no," said Patterson.  "I sent him a letter and he hasn't received it yet... He's getting a lukewarm apology in the mail... I'm not going to apologize for comparing him to someone."

When pressed on what he said in the letter, Patterson told Smith he didn't apologize for likening him to Adolph Hitler.  He explained why he compared him to Hitler, saying he wanted to use a dictator everyone would recognize when referring to his leadership style.

Patterson did apologize to the public on Friday on Twitter saying, "I alienated some in Jewish comm. when I called the Speaker 'Adolf.' I was commenting on his leadership style. To those offended I apologize."

Bolger has not publicly commented on the Hitler reference.

Patterson was hurt and his driver James Cram paralyzed in a crash that happened in August 2012.

Since that time Patterson has been an outspoken advocate of no-fault insurance law