Kim Hendren Apologizes For Calling Sen. Schumer "That Jew"

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — A Republican state lawmaker hoping for his party's nod to run for Senate reportedly referred to Democratic Sen. Chuck Schumer as "that Jew" during a recent appearance before a Republican group.

State Sen. Kim Hendren told The Associated Press on Thursday that he was wrong to refer to Schumer's religious affiliation during a Pulaski County Republican Committee meeting last week. Hendren said he doesn't remember the exact wording of his comment, but he was quoted by conservative blogger Jason Tolbert as calling Schumer "that Jew."

"I ought not to have referred to it at all," Hendren told the AP. "When I referred to him as Jewish, it wasn't because I don't like Jewish people."

Hendren, 71, said he made the reference as he talked about comments the senior senator made criticizing some elements of the Republican Party.

"I shouldn't have gotten into this Jewish business because it distracts from the issue," Hendren said.

Schumer's office issued a two-word statement Thursday about Hendren's comments: "Apology accepted."

Hendren, who once ran for governor as a Democrat against Bill Clinton in 1982, is the only person to have declared their candidacy to challenge Democratic Sen. Blanche Lincoln in 2010. Hendren is also the minority leader in the state Senate.

Lincoln is seeking a third term in the Senate. State Republicans view her as vulnerable in the 2010 election.

In a statement, Lincoln's campaign manager Steve Patterson said the race shouldn't be about "offensive comments from the candidates."

"Sadly, these remarks speak for themselves," Patterson said.

Comments

[foxbat]

07:12 AM on 05/22/2009

In Hendren's defense, there were eight Schumers in the room and and he wanted to make sure that everyone knew which Schumer he was talking about.

Hendren later added in his apology, "Hey, I have a friend who's Jewish and I make jokes about that all of the time and he doesn't seem to mind."

Kind of reminds me of the Joe The Plumber stating that he'd never leave his kids around gay people, but then goes on to say that he has plenty of gay friends who understand. Now who are we kidding here?

[wilray]

06:01 PM on 05/15/2009

Michael Steele said there isn't a racial problem in the Republican party. Within a day David Duke called Michael Steele a racist.

How many months before Schwarzenegger switches parties?

[panamarine]

10:58 AM on 05/15/2009

He just got caught using the "J" word out in public in a negative way while referring to the Senator. Then apologizes. He meant it in the meanest of ways....He wouldn't have referred to his other coleagues by their religion would he? You wouldn't hear him preface his reference as: That Episcopalian so and so....or that Evangelical bastard....or that Catholic prick....EVER! You know he is the kind, that behind closed doors will refer to, and use the "N" word and the "J" word willfully and maliciously while Yuking it up with their like minded brethren. IT SLIPPED OUT---So now he has to apologize? Why refer to the man's religion when it's not necessary to do so? C'mon he knew why he said it....but, he didn't have his 7 second delay apparatus working, he didn't know he was on an open mic, etc., etc. Laughable when these guys get caught in the HEADLIGHTS!

[sposton]

10:25 AM on 05/15/2009

They forgot to mention he said, "some of my best friends are Jews." ;-)

[iridium53]

10:23 AM on 05/15/2009

State Sen. Kim Hendren seems to know his Arkansas audience.
He's simply appealing to and relating to his audience.
I'm surprised he didn't use the K-word to describe Schumer and the N-word to describe Obama.
I'd bet his approval rating just went up in Arkansas.

[Liberalforsure]

10:02 AM on 05/15/2009

It is very simple to be a republican, you simply need to - be prejudiced, not care about your fellow man or the environment, harbor hate in your heart and care about the rich only.

[Spiderxx1]

10:28 AM on 05/15/2009

well said.

[budanatr]

09:08 AM on 05/15/2009

This guy said he wants America to get "back to the values from the Andy Griffith Show". Someone needs to tell him that Andy, Aunt Bee, Opie and Floyd the Barber are fictional characters living in a fictional town in a fictional show filmed in Hollywood California. Don't you think it is time to start putting up for election, intelligent, honest, caring, compassionate and creative individuals capable of critical thinking? Enough with the idealogues and idiots.

[drwhimsy]

12:59 PM on 05/15/2009

Mayberry, ah Mayberry. Ever notice that none of the men in Mayberry are married? None of them. None of the women either. Yet there are children. Hmmm. Very interesting things going on in Appalachia...

[TXOBAMAGIRL73]

09:03 AM on 05/15/2009

Does this surprise anyone??? If it does ...REALLY!! These types are the threads that are tightly woven throughout the Republican party...no surprise here!!! They supply a endless platform, fuel and even reward for those who do hate!!!

[TXOBAMAGIRL73]

08:55 AM on 05/15/2009

Does this surprise anyone??? If it does ...REALLY!! These types are the threads that are tightly woven throughout the Republican party...no surprise here!!! Most Republicans are the festering boil on the arse of the USA!!!

[javagirl322]

08:54 AM on 05/15/2009

.and we're surprised because....

[sbmulqueen]

08:54 AM on 05/15/2009

It's an "apology" just like the "if anyone was offended then I am sorry," apologies. Not really sorry for what he said - because it's clear what he meant - just sorry some panty-waisted liberal was upset about it. And sorry he got caught.

[MajorKong]

08:39 AM on 05/15/2009

It's actually refreshing when one of these people drops all pretense of civility and lets slip what they really think. At least we know what we're dealing with then.

[cherry33]

06:34 AM on 05/15/2009

I don't know why it keeps surprising me how racist the Rethugs are. They embrace Israel and use it as a pawn in their game, all the while despising what is not white and Christian.

[dutch163]

06:24 AM on 05/15/2009

its 2009..we haven't gotten past this ?
sad
then I see he is from Arkansas, he's 71
seems he is stuck in his past

[BowlingForRevenge]

01:01 AM on 05/15/2009

Boy oh boy...being politically incorrect seems to be the norm with the GOP.
Or is it a case of their true feelings being revealed by their frustration?

I have heard a few of these faux pas from a few of my Republican friends lately. To say the least they were shocking and have made me seriously wonder if they were not Freudian slips.

[Antifascist-08]

02:46 AM on 05/15/2009

Don't wonder, they are.

After years of being able to say anything they wanted, the slips are easier to make.