Reid apologizes for 'Negro' remark By: John Bresnahan and David Rogers January 9, 2010 02:21 PM EST
Majority Leader Harry Reid, seeking to quell the uproar from a report in a new book that he called Barack Obama a "light-skinned" African-American who lacked a "Negro dialect, unless he wanted to have one," is mounting a full-fledged damage control effort to save both his job and his political career.
Reid phoned Obama directly on Saturday and apologized for his comments, and the president issued a statement saying that he accepted the Nevada Democrat’s apology and considered the matter over.
"Harry Reid called me today and apologized for an unfortunate comment reported today,” Obama said. “I accepted Harry's apology without question because I've known him for years, I've seen the passionate leadership he's shown on issues of social justice and I know what's in his heart. As far as I am concerned, the book is closed."
The embattled majority leader was also working the phones to fellow Senate Democrats, calling his colleagues and telling them “how sorry he was,” said a source close to Reid.
In addition, Reid has begun calling African-American leaders to further express his regrets for his statement.
Among the black politicians that Reid spoke to was House Majority Whip James Clyburn (S.C.), the highest ranking African-American in Congress. Clyburn then came out in defense of Reid, an important endorsement for the Senate Democratic leader.
"I am one of 'those who wish to one day live in a color-blind nation,' but the fact is that none of us do today," Clyburn said. "Senator Reid's apology for his private assessment of President Obama's candidacy should be accepted and our time and energy should be devoted to helping him overcome current obstacles to job creation, health care reform and energy independence."
Nevada Senate Majority Leader Steven Horsford (D), a key African-American figure in Reid's home state, also said he would accept the apology, although he was "disappointed" with the comments.
“While I am disappointed in Senator Reid's comment and choice of words, I accept his apology," Horsford said. "I have known Senator Reid for many years and he has consistently been supportive of advancing the interests of the African American community as he has for all Nevadans and all Americans.”
But forgiveness from Obama and other black political leaders is unlikely to bring an end to the controversy. While it does not appear that Reid will be forced out of his leadership post for his racially insensitive comments, Democratic strategists describe the incident as a serious blow to his already difficult re-election campaign. .....................>>>>...............................>>>>..................http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0110/31300.html
Trent Lot (no relation to Lot in the Hebrew Text, least not as far as is known), Jimmy The Greek, Howard Cosel, the list of 'white men' who have bitten the dust for an off the cuff remark concerning 'race' is long.
Will Harry Reid be held to the same standard as those who came before him or does he get a free pass? Harry is a Democrat & what he said is not all that bad. Harry is a Democrat & has always said nice things about 'Negroes' in the past. Harry allows 'Negroes' to vote for him. Harry admires Martin Luther King, especially in February.
We forgive Rev. Al Sharpton for an endless stream of race hate speech, The Rev. Wright gets our understanding, The Rev. Jessie Jackson is legend with regard to 'hoof & mouth', I think we can forgive Harry, just throw him out of office.
When Harry retires let him become a Rev., then he can speak his mind.
Ira
On TV this Sunday morning there are a collection of Oafs, Rev's, white & black, they are into reconciliation. One white Rev. said we better learn how to get along because when we die we all going to be in an integrated heaven. I guess that says it all.
It is just so pathetic that it is funny. The libs can use any racial slur and they get a pass. Can you just IMAGINE if that same statement came from Bush or a 'white' rep?????
When the INSANE are running the ASYLUM In individuals, insanity is rare; but in groups, parties, nations and epochs, it is the rule. -- Friedrich Nietzsche
“How fortunate for those in power that people never think.” Adolph Hitler
No libs cannot use racial slurs anymore than Reps or Dems or Blanks or Independents. Reid should resign--Yes put him on the list right after Casino.
But a lib just did ally! Can you honestly say that if bush or chenney EVER came out with such a statement, they wouldn't have been tarred and feathered? Come on, you seem smarter than that!
When the INSANE are running the ASYLUM In individuals, insanity is rare; but in groups, parties, nations and epochs, it is the rule. -- Friedrich Nietzsche
“How fortunate for those in power that people never think.” Adolph Hitler
No I agree with you. Bush and Cheney would have been anihilated for that. Agreed. However, if Obama is willing to "forgive" him, I guess we need to do the same. But it is definitely UNACCEPTABLE and Bush would have been buried over it.
I do think that this is not the first slur that has been hurled at Obama from his own party.
No I agree with you. Bush and Cheney would have been anihilated for that. Agreed. However, if Obama is willing to "forgive" him, I guess we need to do the same. But it is definitely UNACCEPTABLE and Bush would have been buried over it.
I do think that this is not the first slur that has been hurled at Obama from his own party.
I know we don't agree on this....but obama is nothing more than a 'token' president. His skin color and charisma and the liberal media and acorn got him his position as the leader of the most powerful country in the world. He is the 'face' of the liberal party, not the brains. His czars, pelosi and the libs in office are the puppeteers and obama is just the puppet. And I can't stand pelosi (botox barbie) IMHO
When the INSANE are running the ASYLUM In individuals, insanity is rare; but in groups, parties, nations and epochs, it is the rule. -- Friedrich Nietzsche
“How fortunate for those in power that people never think.” Adolph Hitler
No I agree with you. Bush and Cheney would have been anihilated for that. Agreed. However, if Obama is willing to "forgive" him, I guess we need to do the same. But it is definitely UNACCEPTABLE and Bush would have been buried over it.
I do think that this is not the first slur that has been hurled at Obama from his own party.
Just a question here, do you think that President Obama's decision on if he is willing to "forgive" him is going to be based on the fact of whether he said it or not or based on the party that the offending party is enrolled in? It seems that the current party in power (and the liberal media in their back pockets) seem to have 2 standards, depending on the offending party's political beliefs. At least that's my perspective.
Hey- whats up with - ' liberal media' this and liberal media that- March and bumble ? Who in the heII is the ' liberal media ? Forum members here love that expression- what do you know about the media that makes it liberal ? I hate to break it to you but the media isn't controlled by a political party -
Yeah, there's no control over the media...like the fact that the bailouts gave billions of dollars to GE, you know, the owners of NBC and MSNBC. The "liberal media" would be all those stations / papers that give you the spin on the news to make sure the liberals get the best out of what's happening. Tell me how long we would have heard about a federal official if they hid money in their freezer. Well, it would be quite a while, but since it wasn't a Republican and it was William Jefferson (D-LA), we hear about it for a few hours, then it's dropped, as if it was ordered by the current administration (although this happened while Bush was President. I'm sure he went down to Louisiana after Hurricane Katrina and stuck it in Jefferson's freezer when he wasn't looking). During the 2008 election, you heard less about what Sarah Palin was saying and more about what Tina Fey said as she was stating things, in comedy, that the news was stating, essentially, that they were factual statements.
Yeah, there's no control over the media...like the fact that the bailouts gave billions of dollars to GE, you know, the owners of NBC and MSNBC. The "liberal media" would be all those stations / papers that give you the spin on the news to make sure the liberals get the best out of what's happening.
You have got to be kidding me. The only common denominator is that every ' liberal media '- company-or bank you can name or think of- is that its owned or run by a Jew - democrat-republican it doesent matter- the liberal thing is in your mind- MT too -
Logged
He doesn't have the decency to resign in disgrace. Add him to the list.
