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Reid Apologies for Comment about Obama "light skinned" and "with no Negro dialect" - SumOfAllFears - 01-09-2010 02:27 PM
Reid Apologies for 'No Negro Dialect' Comment
Saturday, 09 Jan 2010 02:18 PM
The top Democrat in the U.S. Senate apologized on Saturday for comments he made about Barack Obama's race during the 2008 presidential bid.
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada described then-Sen. Barack Obama as "light skinned" and "with no Negro dialect." Obama is the nation's first African-American president.
"I deeply regret using such a poor choice of words. I sincerely apologize for offending any and all Americans, especially African-Americans for my improper comments," Reid said in a statement released after the excerpts were reported on the Web site of The Atlantic.
"I was a proud and enthusiastic supporter of Barack Obama during the campaign and have worked as hard as I can to advance President Obama's legislative agenda."
Reid remained neutral during the bitter Democratic primary that became a marathon contest between Obama and then-Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, whom Obama tapped as the United States' top diplomat after the election.
Reid's comments are included in a book set to be published on Monday. "Game Change" was written by Time Magazine's Mark Halperin and New York magazine's John Heilemann; the pair describe the book in interviews during Sunday's "60 Minutes" on CBS.
Reid, facing a tough 2010 re-election bid, needs the White House's help if he wants to keep his seat. Obama's administration has dispatched officials on dozens of trip to buoy his bid and Obama has raised money for his campaign.
Recognizing the threat, Reid's apologies also played to his home state: "Moreover, throughout my career, from efforts to integrate the Las Vegas strip and the gaming industry to opposing radical judges and promoting diversity in the Senate, I have worked hard to advance issues."
Even before his ill-considered remarks, a new survey released Saturday by the Las Vegas Review Journal showed him continuing to earn poor polling numbers. In the poll, by Mason-Dixon Polling & Research, Reid trailed former state Republican party chairwoman Sue Lowden by a 10 percentage points, 50 percent to 40 percent, and also lagging behind two other opponents.
More than half of Nevadans had an unfavorable opinion of Reid. Just 33 percent of respondents held a favorable opinion.
© Copyright 2010 The Associated Press.
RE: Reid Apologies for Comment about Obama "light skinned" and "with no Negro dialect" - RaiderATO - 01-09-2010 02:44 PM
So, he apologizes for saying the truth?
I really don't understand politicians. It seems they apologize for truths, and good deeds, and never mention their failed promises.
RE: Reid Apologies for Comment about Obama "light skinned" and "with no Negro dialect" - Ninerfan1 - 01-09-2010 03:28 PM
Why has he not resigned?
Trent Lott was ousted for saying something nice about Strom at a party. What he said didn't even include a racial term. But Reid gets by with this?
Nice.
RE: Reid Apologies for Comment about Obama "light skinned" and "with no Negro dialect" - smn1256 - 01-09-2010 05:47 PM
Exactly when was it that the words negro and oriental became politically correct and racist?
RE: Reid Apologies for Comment about Obama "light skinned" and "with no Negro dialect" - Paul M - 01-09-2010 06:00 PM
The census gives the choice under race, "Black, African Am., or Negro" and Negro is the one drawing complaints even though African American is not a race. Charlize Theron is an African American.
Many blacks identify themselves Negro. And many others claim it's an insult. Can't win.
RE: Reid Apologies for Comment about Obama "light skinned" and "with no Negro dialect" - nomad2u2001 - 01-09-2010 07:35 PM
(01-09-2010 05:47 PM)smn1256 Wrote: Exactly when was it that the words negro and oriental became politically correct and racist?
Times change and certain things become not so nice to call people. Negro is an old and out of style word anyway. I was also always told that rugs are oriental and not people.
RE: Reid Apologies for Comment about Obama "light skinned" and "with no Negro dialect" - nomad2u2001 - 01-09-2010 07:36 PM
(01-09-2010 06:00 PM)Paul M Wrote: The census gives the choice under race, "Black, African Am., or Negro" and Negro is the one drawing complaints even though African American is not a race. Charlize Theron is an African American.
Many blacks identify themselves Negro. And many others claim it's an insult. Can't win.
No black person under the age of 70 accepts Negro. Why can't we just call each other people?
RE: Reid Apologies for Comment about Obama "light skinned" and "with no Negro dialect" - TomorrowHerd - 01-09-2010 08:03 PM
(01-09-2010 05:47 PM)smn1256 Wrote: Exactly when was it that the words negro and oriental became politically correct and racist?
When you are a republican.
RE: Reid Apologies for Comment about Obama "light skinned" and "with no Negro dialect" - TomorrowHerd - 01-09-2010 08:04 PM
(01-09-2010 07:36 PM)nomad2u2001 Wrote:(01-09-2010 06:00 PM)Paul M Wrote: The census gives the choice under race, "Black, African Am., or Negro" and Negro is the one drawing complaints even though African American is not a race. Charlize Theron is an African American.
Many blacks identify themselves Negro. And many others claim it's an insult. Can't win.
No black person under the age of 70 accepts Negro. Why can't we just call each other people?
Then we can't have special groups that can can get special funding or protections.
RE: Reid Apologies for Comment about Obama "light skinned" and "with no Negro dialect" - nomad2u2001 - 01-09-2010 08:10 PM
(01-09-2010 08:04 PM)TomorrowHerd Wrote:(01-09-2010 07:36 PM)nomad2u2001 Wrote:(01-09-2010 06:00 PM)Paul M Wrote: The census gives the choice under race, "Black, African Am., or Negro" and Negro is the one drawing complaints even though African American is not a race. Charlize Theron is an African American.
Many blacks identify themselves Negro. And many others claim it's an insult. Can't win.
No black person under the age of 70 accepts Negro. Why can't we just call each other people?
Then we can't have special groups that can can get special funding or protections.
What percentage of these groups do you think receive all of these perks. I have received nothing as well as everyone I know.
RE: Reid Apologies for Comment about Obama "light skinned" and "with no Negro dialect" - smn1256 - 01-09-2010 09:13 PM
How'd I miss this the first time 'round?
(01-09-2010 02:27 PM)SumOfAllFears Wrote: Recognizing the threat, Reid's apologies also played to his home state: "Moreover, throughout my career, from efforts to integrate the Las Vegas strip and the gaming industry to opposing radical judges and promoting diversity in the Senate, I have worked hard to advance issues."
Wow, he got blacks, or claims he got blacks, low paying dealer or housemaid jobs. And aren't radical judges usually liberal? When I was in Reno, Tahoe and Carson City a few years ago I hardly saw anyone who wasn't white. This old geezer would probably have a stroke if he came face to face with a minority.
RE: Reid Apologies for Comment about Obama "light skinned" and "with no Negro dialect" - Paul M - 01-09-2010 09:52 PM
(01-09-2010 07:36 PM)nomad2u2001 Wrote:(01-09-2010 06:00 PM)Paul M Wrote: The census gives the choice under race, "Black, African Am., or Negro" and Negro is the one drawing complaints even though African American is not a race. Charlize Theron is an African American.
Many blacks identify themselves Negro. And many others claim it's an insult. Can't win.
No black person under the age of 70 accepts Negro. Why can't we just call each other people?
I was reading several articles the other day about this census questionnaire race selection check-box and they did say that generally older blacks identified as Negro and younger one had more of a problem with it but they found many young ones who found no problem with it. Personally, intent is all that matters to me. Call me an Injun, blanket-ass, or apple, I don't care, unless you mean to insult me and then even the word doesn't insult me but you have my attention because you mean to insult. I don't require that friends or acquaintance's trip over themselves and get embarrassed trying to keep up with this years pc correct language when addressing me. "Are you Injun?" "Are you Indian?" "Are you Native American?" They all work for me. Actually Native American would come closest to annoying me because I'd know they were just trying to be pc. Indian would be the word in their head, Native would be on their tongue. Just speak your mind with me. But then the other races in me don't mind Dyke-Jumper, Kaaskop, Cloggie ......or Heinee, Kraut, or Kaiser..... neither Armo, Ararat, nor Arm Pits.... or Mick, Potato Head, Bog-Jumper bother me. I also don't get upset by MO FO, sumabitch or arsehole.
But I agree with you. We are all just people. All alike and all different at the same time. Brothers one and all.
RE: Reid Apologies for Comment about Obama "light skinned" and "with no Negro dialect" - RaiderATO - 01-09-2010 10:41 PM
Well, "negro" is good enough for the UNCF and "colored people" is good enough for the NAACP. But I'm sure if I ever described someone as "colored" or "negro" I'd be greeted at best with some stares and eye-rolls.
RE: Reid Apologies for Comment about Obama "light skinned" and "with no Negro dialect" - SumOfAllFears - 01-10-2010 10:58 AM
It's OK to burn and stomp on the American flag, but you cannot use the word Negro. Sorry, Not buying it. Freedom of Speech can be a real ........B!tch, baby.
RE: Reid Apologies for Comment about Obama "light skinned" and "with no Negro dialect" - nomad2u2001 - 01-10-2010 11:26 AM
(01-10-2010 10:58 AM)SumOfAllFears Wrote: It's OK to burn and stomp on the American flag, but you cannot use the word Negro. Sorry, Not buying it. Freedom of Speech can be a real ........B!tch, baby.
Nobody says its OK to do that. Just because someone does that and somebody sticks up for them doesn't make it OK and if you do it in the wrong place it's your ass on the line. Just like saying Negro, say it in the right place around the right people and then it's ok. Go ahead and say it in the wrong place and it's your ass. That's the way the world works. You're free to say what you want but you have to be ready for the backlash and repercussions that may cause.
RE: Reid Apologies for Comment about Obama "light skinned" and "with no Negro dialect" - Paul M - 01-10-2010 11:41 AM
Sums topic starter didn't include the actual quote. When his article simple said
Quote:Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada described then-Sen. Barack Obama as "light skinned" and "with no Negro dialect." Obama is the nation's first African-American president.I should have been paying attention and not fallen for the lame stream medias spin. When I saw The Associated Press at the bottom, I and everyone else should have withheld judgment until we saw the actual quote, not what AP wanted us to believe.
Publicly Reid claimed to be neutral in who would be the Dems candidate. Privately he along with many other did not want Clinton, they wanted Obama. Or not specifically Obama, just someone who could beat Clinton and they thought he was the only one.
Quote:Years later, Reid would claim that he was steadfastly neutral in the 2008 race; that he never chose sides between Barack and Hillary; that all he did was tell Obama that “he could be president,” that “the stars could align for him.” But at the time, in truth, his encouragement of Obama was unequivocal. He was wowed by Obama’s oratorical gifts and believed that the country was ready to embrace a black presidential candidate, especially one such as Obama—a “light-skinned” African American “with no Negro dialect, unless he wanted to have one,” as he later put it privately.http://www.lasvegassun.com/blogs/ralstons-flash/2010/jan/09/book-contradicts-reid-memoir-says-he-encouraged-ob/
Quote:"I deeply regret using such a poor choice of words. I sincerely apologize for offending any and all Americans, especially African-Americans for my improper comments," Reid said
He immediately started apologizing to anyone and everyone. He believes what he said was wrong, offensive, and improper. Why argue with him?
But Bill Clinton made a far worse statement.
Quote:[A]s Hillary bungled Caroline, Bill’s handling of Ted was even worse. The day after Iowa, he phoned Kennedy and pressed for an endorsement, making the case for his wife. But Bill then went on, belittling Obama in a manner that deeply offended Kennedy. Recounting the conversation later to a friend, Teddy fumed that Clinton had said, A few years ago, this guy would have been getting us coffee.
And of course the media is spinning this and giving him the benefit of the doubt that they do not extend to Republicans. My reading of that is Bill was showing his racist ass, and Kennedy took it that way also.
RE: Reid Apologies for Comment about Obama "light skinned" and "with no Negro dialect" - smn1256 - 01-10-2010 10:06 PM
It was one of the great lines said by an iconic character in a ground-breaking television show. When Mike "Meathead" Stivic wrongly guessed Harry Belafonte as the black guy Archie Bunker ferried in his taxi, the sage of Queens "corrected" him: Belafonte wasn't black, he said, just a "good-looking white guy dipped in caramel." Senator Reid is no Archie Bunker
RE: Reid Apologies for Comment about Obama "light skinned" and "with no Negro dialect" - DrTorch - 01-11-2010 10:02 AM
(01-09-2010 03:28 PM)Ninerfan1 Wrote: Why has he not resigned?
Trent Lott was ousted for saying something nice about Strom at a party. What he said didn't even include a racial term. But Reid gets by with this?
Nice.
More of the same
http://news.yahoo.com/s/politico/20100111/pl_politico/31340
Black allow themselves to get used by their leaders, just like when NOW defended Clinton.
RE: Reid Apologies for Comment about Obama "light skinned" and "with no Negro dialect" - Lord Stanley - 01-11-2010 10:52 AM
I love it when the curtains are peeled back and the light shines on these old ace politicians.
I wonder what Reid and his accompli call homesexuals, Jews, Hispanics or other identity groups in the hallowed oak panelled halls of Congress?
And there is something to ponder when comparing Lott vs Reid. What Lott said was in regards to maybe how much better the USA would have been if Thurmond, an avowed segregationist at the time, was elected President. Reid simply said what every polictical strategist was saying about Obama. I do believe there is a difference in the inflamatoryism of two sayings.
Personally I don't want Reid to resign. I want him to lose his seat 60-30 in the next election!
RE: Reid Apologies for Comment about Obama "light skinned" and "with no Negro dialect" - SumOfAllFears - 01-11-2010 11:19 AM
(01-10-2010 11:26 AM)nomad2u2001 Wrote:(01-10-2010 10:58 AM)SumOfAllFears Wrote: It's OK to burn and stomp on the American flag, but you cannot use the word Negro. Sorry, Not buying it. Freedom of Speech can be a real ........B!tch, baby.
Nobody says its OK to do that. Just because someone does that and somebody sticks up for them doesn't make it OK and if you do it in the wrong place it's your ass on the line. Just like saying Negro, say it in the right place around the right people and then it's ok. Go ahead and say it in the wrong place and it's your ass. That's the way the world works. You're free to say what you want but you have to be ready for the backlash and repercussions that may cause.
Sounds like you are walking on egg shells, or expect others to walk on them to suit a imaginative, hugely subjective standard. I have no such proclivities. So in essence, it's just "keep your mouth shut" especially in mixed company? Yea, I'm sure everyone is doing that or is it just white people?
It physically pains me to see the American Flag desecrated. The dead do not speak in it's defense. It is something I alone must carry the burden for, I cannot expect others to see it according to my expectations. Same holds for speech. Political correctness de jour, not my cup of tea, the expectation should not be yours either.
As far as anyone wanting a piece of my ass, they might find lead in their own diet.
BTW --- did not Harry Reid compare Republicans who oppose the government health care to proponents of slavery, recently?
And D@mn Garofalo does a good bit of lambasting conservatives as racists. IIRC for this exact same thing. A Black in the whitehouse.
Reid just needs to Pull a Dodd.