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

[groucho]

White guys always say it's in the past, it's not a problem. Translated: it's not a problem for me. And his little slip up there just proves what he says when he's not in front of a camera. Yeah, all in the past.

[NYCIC]

Right on, Dobbs. Everything is hunky-dory. Race? Problems? Huh? Sho' nuff and you betcha, it's all good! From the mouth of a wealthy white man to God's ear.

[Sabreen60]

If I call you a name and you find it offensive, should I keep calling you that name? Maybe whites are not as aware of words and phrases in our culture that have racial overtones. Nevertheless, if they care, they should listen and learn. Can we have a successful conversation with each other if we use words and phrases that are offensive to the other? Race is a sensitive subject and if you want to discuss it, you've got to be understanding of the other person's emotions and understanding. If you are married and trying to have a discussion with your spouse about a sensitive issue, then you know what I mean.

[hjo4]

lou you're incorrect on this one, my friend.

[KarenZipdrive]

Please.
Dr. Rice is no cotton picker!
Cotton pickers are hard working, decent people who work the earth to survive.
Rice is an arrogant slacker who has worked against the earth's survival.

[IngeniousGirl]

Fire him, old white man who should be fired.

[rudyinbama]

This phrase has been around so long, I bet Dobbs (like most white people) never considered it's probable racist origin until this very moment when he realized how it might appear in the same sentence with Condi's name. It is sctually funny to see him catch himself like that.
As much as I disagree with his immigration notions, Dobbs is not a race-baiting Don Imus, and to call him a racist based on this video is not just unfair but idiotic.
That said, it might be best to retire the phrase.
According to Oxford unabridged, "cotton-picking" as an adjective is Southern U.S. slang for "damned."
The first citation given was a sentence from Knickerbocker Magazine in 1845, and it includes the "N" word.

[AuntSam]

There hasn't been a day in the last few weeks that Dobbs hasn't brought up Wright and been snarky and negative re: Obama. However, his bias goes beyond the election - as a white, middle-aged woman I am outraged at Dobbs' derisive and disrespectful distortions of the facts to suit his personal agenda. I urge those who feel the same to send an email to CNN.com as I did and respectfully advise them that Dobbs (and others who have exhibited some of these same traits on CNN) are turning away viewers. Also, Dobbs' sponsors such as American Express, Honda and Bosley (there are others) are receptive to consumers communicating with them about specific shows/personalities if their audience finds them to be negative or offensive. We can blog and gripe ad nauseum, but it is more productive to communicate with those who are in a position to make the positive changes needed. (While no one with any common sense considers Dodds and his ilk to be journalists, the fact is the media does influence -whether obliquely or openly.)

[pithymaxim]

great post!

[NoahVail]

I would, and I have in the past. The problem is that I told them I would no longer watch any of their programming until they took Glenn Beck off the air. And, ma'am- I am nothing if not a man of my word.

[fcsakes]

Yes, he did start to say "cotton picking;" however, he realized just a nano second too late how that would be interpreted and tried to fix the sentence. It was not intended as a slur.

Again, politicians trying to make a big deal out of absolutely nothing.

Actually, the big deal is that politicians will jump on anything to keep inane conversation going as it prevents REAL issues being dealt with and those are of course the war, health care, poverty, education, corporate welfare, and on and on. Sure, they'd rather talk about anything else because they don't have to come up with solutions.

and all of us out here, why, we're just too damn dumb to figure out what they're doing.

[my2scents]

Yes Lou, our country is a grand melting pot of all races and creeds and yet the scars of slavery still exist.

Clearly evidenced by expressions such as "these cotton (picking)"­...

Your comments are a perfect example of just how far we have to go and must go to live true to our very own Declaration of Independence.

[afgail]

The scars of slavery after seven generations? Yikes sounds like this is going to be like the Muslims who are still aggrieved about something that happened 700 years ago. It's long past time to shake off the culture of victimhood. Stop blaming others for failure and be your own best friend instead of your own worst enemy.

[GodisHateSpeech]

Says the White Woman.

[sebocd]

I'm no fan of George W. Bush, but his selection of two black Americans for cabinet posts has certainly contributed to racial desentisizing in America? If our next president is a black American George W. Bush can claim some credit as part of his positive legacy. So, Georgie get on the Obama wagon. To hell with racist Pennsylvania.

[otispfudpucker]

Lou are a friggin BIGOT..... and the irony, is that you are married to a hispanic..­.....Bigot

[situationcritical]

Hispanic is a culture - a caucasian culture.

[GodisHateSpeech]

With deep roots in the Moroccan (African/A­rab/Islami­c) culture.

[bryand1]

The Huffington Post is losing credibility daily with its sensationalistic and misleading headlines. Lou Dobbs almost said 'cotton pickin...' a silly yet common piece of slang. He did not almost call her a cotton picker and the Huff Post is nothing less than despicable for suggesting this.

Arianna, you're losing it here...in addition to your obvious hatred of Clinton, this site has lost any sense of fairness and honesty in its reporting. A portion of the divisiveness of this campaign often appears to come from this site. How about at least attempting some integrity?

[OhCanada]

HAHAHHAHA. Are the Lou Dobbs backers here that stupid? Do you not see the irony in Lou's rant about open discussion about race then pull back his cotton pickin' comment? Ol' Lou always hatin' it up.

[aquaman2008]

Cheers Lou Dobbs:

At least someone on the corporate-­controlled media has the guts to tell the truth. Blacks and other minorities, which I am part of, have got it made in the good ole USA. Condi Rice has the nerve to say what she said, can she point to another western or non-western country where Secretary of State/Foreign Secretary is a BLACK WOMAN ??

Can OBAMA point to another western country where a black man can run for a Presidential office ? Blacks have got it made in this country and no one has the guts to tell them. Would they be better off back home
in Africa?

Would Hispanics be better off back to Latino Land? Or Asians be better off back to Asian soil?

[GodisHateSpeech]

Any country in Africa?

[wndrwrthg]

Lots and lots of country in Africa. Very scenic also.

[TiffShelton]

You put black woman in caps. You sound like you might not be a minority.

[resonate]

I hope for the sake of this country you are being sarcastic. If your white enough in the US your good enough for the perks, if not just stand in line and hold on.... Race is a big problem in the US still and Lou Dobbs is a moron.

[midtown]

And you're what? Over 50?

[AlphaDoc]

>Would they be better off back home
in Africa?<

African-Americans' home is America. Bigot.