Lou Dobbs Almost Calls Condi A "Cotton Picker"

Lou Dobbs visited Wolf Blitzer in the "Situation Room" on Friday and railed against Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice for saying that race is still an issue in America because it was an American "birth defect."

Dobbs dismissed Rice's very notion, claiming race is no longer an issue in a society as diverse as modern day America. "The reality is, this is the most socially, ethnically, religiously, racially diverse society on the face of the earth," Dobbs said. "Now, Wolf, we don't make enough of that in the national media. We listen to some idiot say you can't talk about race."

Then Dobbs tripped over his words, as he declared, "Not a single one of these cotton...[stammering]...these just ridiculous politicians should be the moderator on the issue of race."

Watch:

Comments

[tracydolls]

Anybody in America is illegal, this was the Natives and Mexicans land.

[Vixen0932]

umm not me a Black American I came against my will in chains

[Jay20]

if it were anyone else but Condi or Powell, I be railing against Dobbs, but he is right.

[whatsthatsound]

I think it's to his credit that he was so quick to realize that his innocently chosen phrase would offend in this particular instance, and rephrase on the spot.

[RoseMerry]

This is so below what I excepted from Huffington Post. To make an issue of this is disgraceful.

[Mysticsblues]

Kinda puts me in the mind of Obama's "typical white person" comment. I don't think "typical" or "cotton" are the least bit sinister..­.

[vallon]

...but lou sure made some hay with that remark, didn't he?

[mm29464]

I agree with everyone else that has stated that the phrase he was going to use was "cotton-pickin''". It is a well-known southern colloquialism that is, believe it or not, a racially neutral phrase of the hee haw variety. BTW, many southerners, black and white alike, that have roots that go back a generation or more were literally cotton-pickers; it was "king Cotton", the South's only cash crop.

However, that Dobbs would use that phrase before naming arguably the most powerful black woman in the world is more than a little unfortunate; something that apparently wasn't lost on Dobbs since he censored himself. Perhaps in his quest to be seen as the "populist" voice of the people, he got carried away with his folksiness.

What is more telling to me was his overly emotional reaction to Rice's comments which were non-controversial, historic facts--America was born with a birth defect, slaves as 3/4 a person--and her insightful observation based on that history and its lingering effects, and human nature.

Why is it that those who say they love America louder than everyone else are the same ones who never want America's flaws to have a light shone upon them? How can we form a "more perfect union" when it is seen as America-bashing to want America to live up to its promise and ideals. And our country is only as good as "we the people."

[Phaedrus21]

The phrasing was unfortunate, but likely accidental. He probably realized it was potentially (albeit not purposefully) offensive and tried to stop. I'm not a fan of Dobbs, but I'd give him a pass on it and I hope that the media does as well.

I think blacks were counted as 3/5, rather than 3/4, of a person. Of course, that makes it even worse.

[mhoiles]

The fact that one of the most poweful woman on earth would refer to being black as a birth defect is unfortuante and represents everything that is wrong with race relations today. I am sure people who are truly born with birth defects are highly offended.

[mm29464]

You've misunderstood Rice. She wasn't saying that being black is a birth defect. She was saying that our country was birthed with a defect, chattel slavery. And that one cannot only consider America's ideals but must also look to its failings that were codified into our supreme governing document, the Constitution, when one looks at our history and its lingering effects on our current society.

[lostonechampion]

3/5ths. Everyone always says 3/4ths. We didn't even count that much. It was actually 3/5ths.

Black slaves were counted as 3/5ths a unit with regards to the TAXATION of their slave-owners. Black slaves were also counted as 3/5ths of a person with regards to each of the southern states representation in the US Congress's upper house (The House of Representatives).

See, the Southern states would have very little influence in the House, if only their white "citizens" were included in the census count. The Southern states wanted it both ways. They did not want to pay taxes on their slaves the same way that did for cows and plows even though they regarded them as chattel/property with no human rights. On the other hand, they wanted the advantage of having them treated like people when it came to the census and congressional representation because the number of white citizens in the South was so small.

So the "Dark Bargain" was struck. Each southern state was able to count their slaves as 3/5ths a person/citizen for the purpose of representation in the Congress (House of Representatives) and, in return, they would be taxed at a rate of 3/5ths. Deal.

And so it was that the Constitution was finally signed under these terms.

It's an AWESOME book on how this country was founded. Lou Dobbs should read it.
http://www.amazon.com/Dark-Bargain-Slavery-Struggle-Constitution/dp/0802714609

[mm29464]

duh!! thanks for the correction.

[slow2]

mm29464 -- Good observations. And the flag-waving, faux patriotism of those who would probably profit from the continued inequality is disgusting. There are, in truth, plenty of people who haven't gotten beyond the Brown v Board of Edu; and they surely don't want that spotlight on our history, especially if that history is written/examined by someone other than a Pat Robertson, Franklin Graham, James Dobson, Bill Bennett or one of Jesse Helms ilk.

[mesuki]

Lou Dobbs is a fool! All he ever talks about is keeping the borders closed so no more Mexicans can come to this country. He blames all of Americas problems on immigrants­....... Although from what I hear his wife his hispanic..­.,so go figure!

[WomanInOrangeSweater]

give me a cotton picking break! Racial slur my white ass!
This pathetically false, sensational headline does prove one of Dobbs' points--the only reason race is difficult to discuss in this country is because of divisive idiots misrepresenting words in order to further some political agenda.
I'm officially disgusted.

[PhDiva]

Actually, if you knew anything about the racial history of the United States, you would know that "cotton pickin'" is a racial slur. Your ignorance is proof that Rice is right. By the way, it's not accident that he pulled that outdated slur to describe a black woman. Get an education.

[clr2]

It is only racial if you intend it to be racial. Words don't have the same meaning they used too. If you can't see that then you are the one who is blinded with racial hate.

[slow2]

PhDiva, keep saying this until this truth is absorbed. And, it's interesting that the Taylor Marsh's of the world, and those who follow her, haven't mentioned that this context IS about a woman of color. And, you are absolutely correct about the nasty, back-breaking labor that was performed primarily by black people -- well up through the 1940's and beyond.

[WomanInOrangeSweater]

I'm aware of the racial history of America, thank you. If I thought Dobbs' was making a racial slur, I'd have a problem with it, but it seems quite clear to me that he was referring to the politicians, not Ms. Rice.
In the future, before you start calling people ignorant, you might want "get an education" on American colloquialisms. You'd learn that "cotton pickin" is also used to mean "damn". it's a slightly dated phrase, but one that's someone Dobbs age would use. Bugs Bunny used it all the time (that racist!!!) And while you're educating yourself, you might want to pick up a book on common courtesy.

[Riemann]

You didn't have to reveal that you were white

[WomanInOrangeSweater]

You're right...I was actually going to say "my cotton pickin' ass" but I was afraid it would be misconstrued.

[AntonBursch]

Thanks for Crying Wolf about racism, Huffington Post.

[PhDiva]

Actually, if you knew anything about the racial history of the United States, you would know that "cotton pickin'" is a racial slur. Your ignorance is proof that Rice is right. By the way, it's not accident that he pulled that outdated slur to describe a black woman. Get an education.

[dclobbyist]

Anything can be taken as a racial slur if you want to make it so. The phrase "cotton pickin" is widely used in the South by both Blacks and Whites. By the way, he didn't say it, he caught himself. If people were condemned for their thoughts, everyone in the United States would be labeled a racist.

[SethBLiNK]

He's railing about how we can talk about race and then censored himself. Hilarious.

Condeleeza Rice makes a valid point about race in this country (if only she were so smart about foreign policy) and Dobbs slams her saying we can talk about race. If it's so easy to talk about it, why is he giving her a hard time for doing just that?

[majseventh]

I don't think that Rice made a valid point at all. It is not an American Birth Defect: race is and has always been a problem. We were not the first to have slaves.
He did censor himself to his credit, but I am tired of everyone white not being able to make comments while the blacks do all all all all all the TIME.

[ModerateLatino]

I'm tired of everyone black not getting an equal educational or employment opportunity, while the whites do it all all all all the TIME.

Which one would you choose, majseventh?

[happydayz]

I'm black...yo­u can comment all you want. Some may disagree with you, though, but that doesn't mean most will care...I don't think most black people want to censor you or others, unless they feel personally attacked..­..I do agree folks should lighten up and be able to express their opinion!

[specultr]

In other words, you feel angry you can't throw the "n" word around like your parents anad grand-parents.

[dora rice]

race blah blah blah......­Opra a multi millionair, the black basketball stars , the black movie stars, the black soap opra stars, the black congress man who stuffed 100.000 in his Refridgerator, the black Hut administrator who is just let the door in Washington hit him in the rear, the black Detroid mayor, the black Atlanta mayor, the black LA mayor, the black owners of Poppey fast food, the black owner of
Essence magazine, the black on and on and on.....Jes­sy Jackson who lived of the land on racism as long as I can remember, his son in Washington, the Reverend Wright, all the black ministers, Ret. General Powell, the black offficers and enlistment men in the services, the black laywers, Condolezza Rice, now Obama running for president, the numerous black millionairs in Atlanta are they all being biased against? wow.....ho­w about the all black colleges , if we had all white colleges there would be a whailing and screaming by Jackson you could hear all over the states....­..it seems to me some people won't be happy unless the Whites are picking cotton....­...and that white trash seems to agree with that.

[AntonBursch]

Now here is an example of Lou Dobbs doing the same thing Barack Obama did when he said "typical white person". There was no ill intent.

Lou wasn't going to call Condi Rice a Cotton Picker. He was going to say something like 'those cotten pickin politicians' which would be the Disney version of 'those mother f***ing politicians'.

Give me a cotten pickin' break, Huffington Post!!!

[PhDiva]

Actually, if you knew anything about the racial history of the United States, you would know that "cotton pickin'" is a racial slur. Your ignorance is proof that Rice is right. By the way, it's not accident that he pulled that outdated slur to describe a black woman. Get an education.

[kfdan]

"Lou Dobbs visited Wolf Blitzer" ... love the spin ... a good example of why t.v. commentators should be restricted to reading the news.

[clr2]

Are you an idiot or what? Haven't you ever heard the expression "cotton pickin"? What rock were you born under? That isn't a racial slur. Give me a break.

[memoryaid]

Let me guess. You're not black, are you?

[clr2]

What does color have to do with anything? Cottin pickin can be replaced by God d--- or many other curse words. You are making too much out of it. There's not a cottin pickin thing wrong with using that cottin pickin word.

[mhoiles]

Yes, PhDiva was born with "that birth defect". Give me a break!

[PhDiva]

Actually, if you knew anything about the racial history of the United States, you would know that "cotton pickin'" is a racial slur. Your ignorance is proof that Rice is right. By the way, it's not accident that he pulled that outdated slur to describe a black woman. Get an education.

[clr2]

How about getting a new line PhDiva? Don't you agree that words can change in their meaning? I've heard 'cottin pickin" used instead of God d---, and other curse words. It is almost akin to saying gosh darn. You are the one who is having a problem with race. I think you are a bit too sensitive. Grow up.

[Alessan]

What did Lou Dodd say wrong, are you people kidding, he's right there is no conversation or discussions about race. The Republicans never showed at any forums during the debates that was
related to black people, for fear of discussing race. Obama never discussed race, for fear, that White
people wouldn't like him and therefore not vote for him. He needs to talk about race, and stop pretending racism in this country doesn't exist,.

[clr2]

How many white candidates would still be in this race if he or she was quoted as saying "She is a typical black, brown, or yellow person? Obama said his mother was a "typical white person". Why is there a double standard? Don't get me wrong - I like Obama; but let's be real.

[slow2]

clr2 -- if you must quote, get it right. Obama referred to his grandmother. Like many white people born around 1900 - 1920 or so, when racism was institutionalized and blatant, many "typical white people" did in fact cross the street to avoid black people.

And, black people never came to a white person's front door, they came to the back door. They rode in the back of the bus. They went to 'separate-but-equal schools.' Black people who went to primarily white churches, IF they were allowed in the church, sat in a balcony. Those are facts.

White people "typically" avoided interaction or thinking about WHY those divisions were in LEGALLY in place; and there were laws to insure they were obeyed. So, yes, typical white people behaved in a certain and accepted way in the first third of the 20th Century. You could read about it...

[DontBeFoolish]

I knew it! I saw this guys show today and new that something was wrong with him. Because Condi didn't say what he thought she was supposed to say, that everything is Peaches & Cream race wise in America, it's a problem.

WHITE, BLACK, BROWN, GREEN, ORANGE. NO MATTER WHAT YOUR COLOR, EVERYONE WHO VOTES FOR THE CHANGE THAT OBAMA IS OFFERING, MY HAT IS OFF TO YOU. I NEVER THOUGHT THAT I'D SEE IN MY LIFETIME, WERE YOUTH HAD MORE WISDOM THAN AGE. WAY TO GO AMERICA, THIS IS THE KIND OF STUFF THAT WEEEEEEEEEE NEED TO CHANGE.

P.S.
Welcome to the party Lou, time to do
a man in the mirror self-check­........

[TN]

Quit putting people in your neat little packages. My mother is white, 66 years old and voted obama.