By now, most of you have heard the headlines that Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid referred to the then Presidential candidate Barack Obama as the "light skinned" African-American "with no Negro dialect, unless he wanted to have one." These quotes come from a newly released book, "Game Change", which gives behind the scenes accounts of the 2008 Presidetial campaign. In typical political fashion the democrats rush to his side, defending him as a non-racist. DNC chairman, Tim Kaine explains away the racial undertones saying, "It definitely was in the context of recognizing in Senator Obama a great candidate and future president." So then, it is excusable. Lesson to learn: if you are being complimentary of someone of a different race, it is ok to use racial slurs.
The republican's quickly point the finger, some calling for his resignation. The RNC chairman, Michael Steele remarks, "If [Senate Republican Leader] Mitch McConnell had said those very words, then this chairman and this president would be calling for his head and they would be labeling every Republican in the country a racist for saying exactly what this chairman's just said. There is this standard where the Democrats feel that they can say these things and they can apologize when it comes from the mouths of their own. But if it comes from anyone else, it's racism." Reportedly, Senator Reid has already phoned President Obama to apologize. And as expected, President Obama accepted the apology.
My Take: There is a HUGE double standard. When a liberal misspeaks, which I do believe Harry Reid did misspeak, his liberal colleagues ask for understanding. He wasn't revealing his actual racist beliefs, he just made a 'misstatement'. Yet, when a conservative makes any comparable comment, even if it doesn't use the same racial slurs (i.e. "You lie!", or Sen. Trent Lott's comments honoring Strom Thurmond) the obvious intent is to degrade the minority, showing their true colors as card carrying racists.
For example, Senator Feinstein defended Reid saying, "Clearly, the leader misspoke. He has also apologized." And standing by her standard regarding the Sen. Lott scandal, she says "I saw no Democrats jumping out there and condemning Senator Lott." Yet, she was one of those pointing the same finger in 2002 when she said of Lott, "This statement casts a dark shadow over Sen. Lott's ability to be a credible party leader". Senator Landrieu also said at the time, "I can tell you if a Democratic leader said such a thing, they would not be allowed to keep their position". One observation I have made, which I believe only magnifies the double standard is how many questioned the conservative Presidential candidate, Mitt Romney's racial beliefs just for belonging to a Church who did not grant black members the same priesthood authority 30 years prior, although he had not made any derrogatory statements regarding anyone of another race. Yet, Harry Reid, a liberal member of the same church, is not a racist while uttering racial slurs.
My conclusion is to give them the benefit of the doubt, both sides. I do find Harry Reids more derrogatory than some of the other's in recent history, however, I do not believe he is racist. Just like I don't believe Senator Lott, Senator Wilson, Vice President Joe Biden, are not racists. That is my standard. But I have not set the standard that both sides hold on the other party, they do not give the benefit of the doubt, unless it is their guy. But this is my honkie talk, which I don't think it is much different it is from 'negro dialect'.
3 comments:
And I need to say that as I have watched the coverage, I want to pull my hair out! They were discussing Lott v Reid. The lady defending Reid was saying, "don't put words in his mouth...he wasn't inferring that a dark-skinned candidate was less qualified...he is not expressing affiliation with racial...etc". Yet the SAME LADY was very quick to say that Sen. Lott's quote about Strom Thurmond, "Ran for President, we voted for him. And if the rest of the country followed our lead, we wouldn't have had all these problems over all these years". he was absolutely endorsing Thurmond's segregationist platform! Therefore, putting words in Lott's mouth, and then in the same breath says there is no double standard. She is the perfect example!
Both parties use these 'unfortunate misstatements' as opportunities to throw out a politically powerful opponent. And since the same leaders defending Reid pushed for Lott's resignation, based on THEIR standards, Reid should resign. But he won't. My guess is, he will follow Dorgan and Dodd's lead and "not run for re-election".
Also regarding Lotts racial comments Rob Jesmer, NRSC Exe. Director, brought this added info to my attention "Harry Reid himself called Lott's comments "repugnant," while Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) described them as "disturbing and hurtful." Senator Mary Landrieu (D-LA) announced: "I can tell you if a Democratic leader said such a thing, they would not be allowed to keep their position."
Oh the irony.
My friend Sam has a political blog that I think you would like and appreciate. He just posted a video for a movie trailer that is a direct attack on the church and their envolvement on Prop 8 in California. Apparantly this movie is going to be at the next Sundance film festival. I'd be curious to hear your take on the whole thing. Check out his blog here: http://samlundstrom.blogspot.com/
Just the usual political maneuvering. The repubs and the dems do it. Neither side is innocent. Obviously Reid is not a racist, he was making political calculations. If anything he was indicting the American people for their likelihood to not vote for a 'negro' fitting his description. These types of backroom conversations go on all the time. Reid's just happened to get printed.
Incidents like these pull us into the WWF style of politics found in our two party system. This isn't even news, but it diverts us from the real issues. I try to ignore the parties completely anymore and just focus on the issues and principles. They are both corrupt, they are both using us.
If anything I hate the republicans more than the dems because the republicans speak my language, but then turn around and stab me in the back. I dislike an enemy but i hate a traitor.
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