It's come to light that Harry Reid made, what most people are calling, racist comments during President Obama's bid of the Democratic nomination. GOP leaders are now calling for his resignation. STUPID! Why?
First of all, while Reid, in uttering the comments, didn't show the best use of judgment, they were far from racist. Let's be honest here. There are many reasons Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson never got the nod and one of them definitely had to do with their oratory skills and choice of words while on the campaign trail. So just because Reid made an observation that most people would agree with but are too politically correct to utter themselves, it doesn't mean he's racist, just that we live in a culture where, right or wrong, politicians have to choose their words extra carefully and he didn't.
And it isn't as if Republicans haven't made their fair share of gaffs so it shows equally poor judgment and hypocrisy to open that can of worms. Why not focus on, oh, I don't know, THE ISSUES? (Yes, I know, the issues are complex and it's easier to pander to the lowest common denominator in society and make a fuss over race, gay marriage and other issues that most people really don't care about compared to things like the economy or terrorism but maybe we could give it a try.)
And if the GOP really wants to focus on ousting racist US Senators they could focus on one who has a proven record of racist behavior like third in the line for the presidency, President Pro-Tem of the Senate and former Exalted Cyclops in the KKK, Robert "Sheets" Byrd. Even that, though, would be a waste of energy compared to what they should be doing: waging the war on terror and getting government out of the way so the economy can prosper on its own.
Posted by MarkGriswold at January 11, 2010 12:38 PM | Email ThisThe GOP is very lame. There's no need to so or say anything more lame. Simply let the Democrats score own goals. By the time November rolls around, and it become apparent that the economy is not turning around, it will be very easy for the American voter to vote these bums out.
Posted by: Jeff B. on January 11, 2010 01:22 PMI do think there is some value in pointing out the double-standard applied in these cases -- whether or not you believe that Reid is a racist (I am unconvinced personally), his comments were just as ridiculous as those made by Lott in 2002.
Posted by: jvon on January 11, 2010 01:36 PMDouble standards much?
Posted by: Joe Szilagyi on January 11, 2010 03:02 PMThe comment was more factual than racist.
OTOH, with the internet, it is fun to poke fingers in the eyes of those who see no right in the other side when they are caught. Gotcha, Harry!!
Posted by: swatter on January 11, 2010 03:21 PMThe raging double standard of the democrats is most certainly alive and well.
Actually, it's great having Harry Reid stay in office; easier to beat next November.
Posted by: Michele on January 11, 2010 03:24 PMI say let him stay and serve as a reminder of the rudderless leadership we have in this country when Democrats are running the ship. I must say, though, the double standard is so obvious it's borderline humorous. Dem's always get a 'get out of stupid comments' pass- just look at the dope in the white house with his numerous gaffes on the campaign trail that never saw the light of day in the press.
Posted by: Rick D. on January 11, 2010 03:44 PMAlso, and this is selfish, I really want to see him lose his election. The glee that I will feel on that day will be beyond pleasures of the flesh.
Posted by: G Jiggy on January 11, 2010 04:20 PMSo let him stay until Nov 2010. LOL
Posted by: Medic/Vet on January 11, 2010 04:23 PMCBS investigative correspondent Sharyl Attkisson reports that cameras spotted House Speaker Nancy Pelosi at the summit. She called the shots on who got to go. House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, and embattled Chairman of the Tax Committee Charles Rangel were also there.
Posted by: Medic/Vet on January 11, 2010 04:28 PMHow about focusing on more significant issues like Health care, corruption amongst SEIU/ACORN, our economy ? just to name a few.
Posted by: KDS on January 11, 2010 04:37 PMWhat ever happened to sticks and stones will break my bones but words will never hurt me ? This has become a wussified or Oprahfied nation - especially Republicans. If the GOP were smart (not holding my breath on that), they would call the Dems on their game placing the race card with hollow accusations in an attempt to take the focus off of Reid and also announce that they are the party that uses minorities, especially poor ones to expand their entitlement state which has deprived many of opportunities to be self-sufficient.
Posted by: KDS on January 11, 2010 07:20 PMDemocrats are preparing to throw the race card back in the laps of Republicans as part of a counterattack designed to help save Harry Reid's political career.
First, Reid's allies plan to distribute the NAACP vote ratings of Republican senators who have scolded him. The data will be made available to editorial boards, cable programs and the blogosphere -- including votes on minimum wage, community-oriented policing, education funding and HIV/AIDS programs.
Separately, the Congressional Black Caucus plans to issue a new statement Monday, defending Reid and brushing back Republicans.
"Senator Reid's record provides a stark contrast to actions of Republicans to block legislation that would benefit poor and minority communities -- most recently reflected in Republican opposition to the health bill now under consideration," CBC Chairwoman Barbara Lee (D-Calif.) said. "I look forward to Senator Reid continuing to serve as Majority Leader to guide this important agenda through the Senate."
These moves to turn the race issue back onto Republicans is risky, yet it shows how Reid and his allies are ready to pull out all the stops to help the majority leader recover from his disastrous comments about Barack Obama being "light-skinned" and having no "Negro dialect." The comments were revealed in the book "Game Change" by journalists John Heilemann and Mark Halperin.
"There are some Republicans who are trying to use this for political advantage," said a source close to the Reid camp. "If Senators [Jon] Kyl, [John] Cornyn and others want to have an open and honest debate about race -- and if they want to discuss their records on issues of importance to the African-American community -- we welcome that dialogue. But we are not going to stand idly by while hypocritical Republicans take swipes at Senator Reid, distorting his record of achievement and their own record of failure."
Posted by: KDS on January 11, 2010 07:38 PMif the Repubs play this right it could back fire on the Dems big time.
Posted by: Ron K on January 11, 2010 09:49 PMCan you imagine? He's talking to Democrats about how Obama can be electable because he isn't too much of a negro. What does that say about what he thinks about his Democrat audience?
Reid: "His decisions are poorly written".
Question: "Have you read them?"
Reid: "No".
Posted by: Gary on January 12, 2010 09:16 AMThe saddest part about this to me is that I know the reaction by the "Black Leaders" (who speak for and represent NONE of us) would have been MUCH different had a Republican said the same thing.
Posted by: Crystal on January 15, 2010 07:22 PM