Mitch McConnell Refuses To Discuss Tea Party Racism: 'I Have Got Better Things To Do'

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell refused on Sunday to wade into the recent debate between the NAACP and the Tea Party over alleged racism within the conservative movement.

At their annual meeting in Kansas City last week the NAACP, the nation's largest civil rights organization, accused the Tea Party of harboring racist elements and called on leaders of the movement to "repudiate" those elements. Tea Party representatives and allies rejected the accusation.

And in an appearance on CNN's "State of the Union" with Candy Crowley on Sunday McConnell (R-Ky.) decided not to get involved.

"I am not interested in getting into that debate," he said. "What we are interested in is trying to have an election this fall that will respond to what the American people are asking us to do, which is to have some checks and balances here."

When pressed by Crowley about some of the more overt symbols of racism, like the now infamous protest signs, coming from Tea Party supporters, McConnell doubled down.

"Look, there are all kinds of things going on in America that make me uncomfortable, both on the right and on the left," the minority leader said. "I have got better things to do than to wade in to all of these disputes and discussions that are going on out in the country."

Here's the full excerpt of McConnell's exchange with Crowley from CNN:

CROWLEY: Do you think that there are racist elements in the tea party?

MCCONNELL: Oh my goodness, in the whole country, is there racism?

CROWLEY: Well, as you know, this weekend, NAACP said that the tea -- there are racist elements in the tea party.

MCCONNELL: I am not interested in getting into that debate. What we are interested in is trying to have an election this fall that will respond to what the American people are asking us to do, which is to have some checks and balances here.

They have seen big government on full display for a year-and-a- half. They are appalled. They would like for it to stop. And the best way for it to stop is to have a mid-course correction, which is not unusual in American politics, and I am hoping that is what is coming this fall.

CROWLEY: Nothing that you have seen on TV, including some of the signs that we've seen, albeit the minority at some of these tea party rallies, some of the posters that have been put up in the name of some factions of the tea party make you the least bit uncomfortable?

MCCONNELL: Look, there are all kinds of things going on in America that make me uncomfortable, both on the right and on the left. I have got better things to do than to wade in to all of these disputes and discussions that are going on out in the country. What we are trying to do is to make the president a born again moderate.

Comments

[Britishdemocrat]

10:37 AM on 08/04/2010

Was he in front of the pulpit when he said that? Isn't racism unchristian as well or immoral?

[dastardlydynamo1]

07:17 PM on 07/20/2010

Sometimes, during the heat of battle, discretion is the better part of valor.

[Jaxy]

01:09 PM on 07/20/2010

Of course Turkeyneck McConnell refuses to address blatant te@bagger racism ... it doesn't affect him, or people who look like him, in the least.

Why on Earth would any sane person expect Meetch to denounce something that systemically benefits him and his ilk? C'mon, y'all! I mean, it's not like he was being asked to address the MONUMENTALLY IMPORTANT issue of the potential expiration of Bushie's tax cuts ... or the inevitably huge liability that will be imposed on his surrogate-daddy B.P. for its longtime fraudulent activities that culminated in the largest environmental disaster to scourge the U.S.

[Strateshooter]

10:25 PM on 07/19/2010

"I have got better things to do than to wade in to all of these disputes and discussions that are going on out in the country."

You're an elected official, and you don't have the time to discuss issues that are dividing this country? You sir are a yellow-bellied coward!!!

[rockv12]

10:51 PM on 07/19/2010

What good would it do? Why fight something so ridiculous? It's the liberal left that is making false accusations and overgeneralizing a population. Why would he spend time arguing with someone who "hates" the Tea Party? Oh, there's that word!!! HATE. It makes you mad when it's directed at you huh? You say "I don't hate the Tea Party". Well, we say, "NO, I'm not a racist." The stupid "yes you are!" ..."No, I'm not"..."yes, you are"...."no, I'm not!" game is a waste of time.

[Jaxy]

01:40 PM on 07/20/2010

Please don't be ridiculous. People look to their "leaders" for clues on how to act. If you don't believe that assertion, then I will direct you to all the false, anti-reality, distorted nonsense that Faux Nooze drones see fit to spew on this site. Ya know, horsesh!t they've been fed by their "leaders".

Teabaggers harbor racist. This is a FACT. Since you are on the internet, do conduct a Google search on the issue. To aid your chore, I'll throw you a few bones:

http://wnymedia.net/paladino/
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/04/16/10-most-offensive-tea-par_n_187554.html# http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S38VioxnBaI
http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/07/tea-party-express-mark-williams-naacps-use-of-colored-makes-it-racist.php

Any casual observer of the repulsive signage that is openly displayed at Te@bagger rallies, in FULL VIEW of Rethug/Birther Congressmembers, knows it. Anyone having the unimitigated gall to deny it is a dyed-in-the-wool liar, undeserving of federal office.

If the matter simply involved "not liking" the President's policies, which would be largely unnecesary, absent the fact that he inherited a steaming pile of crap from the Rethugs, that would be one thing. Actively denigrating the hard-fought and won civil rights of an entire group of people on the basis of their skin color is something else. So, yes, McConnell IS a yellow-bellied cow@rd for evading the issue. He absolutely is.

[Rickfors]

06:30 AM on 08/02/2010

http://open.salon.com/blog/johnwasik/2010/02/08/take_the_teabagger_pledge_--_if_you_dare

[Dee Turner]

05:13 PM on 07/19/2010

I am a african american female, and since Glen Beck called Obama a racist, hates
white people and white culture", I started doing research on this culture that was
ingrained 250 years ago and found that it is the same recipie, being
used now in 2010. The ingredients include, white rich republican men, as is currently
being played out with holding back and stereo- typing the unemployed, Make white americans think it’s “the brown, black, asian people”, who are behind
your misery, "vote republican, we will fight for white working class people, protect
you from “them," Yet many of you are now “white them” standing in line at food banks,
unemploymment checks, that “they sent your jobs to india, robbed your 401ks
Instead of Obama, you really need to take
your pitch forks directly to McConnell, Bonhner Wall Street” Ceo's for they were in
charge in signing the paper work, that included sending your jobs overseas ,stealing
your money, now making people stand in line at food banks, have no rent money and more stand on street corners with signs. The Rebublican party cannot
nor will they ever, beyond calling people of color racist names ("red meat" threats), be
able to "protect you from them" as they make white america believe. They cannot bring
back segregation, Jim Crow, lynching, repeal civil rights/voting rights. If they can't do these
things, why stick with them, yet at the same time you need a job, unemployment, food, Rent?

[SMBrown2]

09:42 PM on 07/19/2010

Did you do your "research" at Berkley?

[HoosierDONK]

11:12 AM on 07/20/2010

You tell em girl!! It should be understood that in economic terms the enemy is the top 5% of the country give or take a few republicans. :)

[REDSTATEREFUGEE]

05:13 PM on 07/19/2010

I am always amused at MMc and John Bohner....how they seem to be able to devine what the "American people" seem to want at any given time. I only wish I had the grand sweep of intellect as this pair possesses to understand the political perspectives of hundreds of millions of voters.

[Skunkman]

05:00 PM on 07/19/2010

Personally, I would prefer that the Tea Party remain uncensored in all its nutty glory for everyone to see.

For pure entertainment, you can't beat an incoherent, obscenity-laced tirade from a guy in a funny hat; or the absolutely priceless expression and blank look of the young woman who claimed Obama was "taking away" her rights but couldn't name a single one.

[REDSTATEREFUGEE]

05:20 PM on 07/19/2010

At the expense of repeating myself endlessly with a single anecdote, I am reminded by Skunkman's observations of the older student of mine, who, when asked what "freedoms" ( sic ) our POTUS was depriving him and other Tea Partiers of, responded with, "Healthcare!!"

Although the start of our class abbreviated our discussion, I can only imagine his additional supports for his argument. Undoubtedly, he and the TP's would like to see all Americans continue to be gouged by megahealthcare firms for pre-existing conditions, massive deductibles and copayments, denials for medical necessity, etc.

[angelrubes]

05:47 PM on 07/19/2010

Actually Skunkman, I am ambivalent about them being censored because I rather that their h@te be exposed. I find it really dangerous for them to go behind closed doors create an agenda that is covert, deceive the voters and run amuck with a racist agenda. Texas is like that. Quietly being elected to school board, local politics and usurp the rights of Americans, and the basic rights of human beings to exist and pursue happiness. So, I say show their racist behavior, print their racist letters, let the entire world see.

Maybe the racist will get a full glimpse in the mirror and see the full ugliness of the dynamic. Perhaps that's what's going on. They are seeing their enemy, and the enemy is themselves.

[Skunkman]

07:51 PM on 07/19/2010

Hi angelrubes: Excellent post. Terrific point. I remember a day in 1950 I had
a three day pass & I decided to go to Augusta Ga. I was from Connecticut
where racism was prevalent but hidden. It took a while but the open racism
that I witnessed that day paved the way for the civil rights movement. I went
back to the base (Gordon) that day with a lesson well learned. Out in the open.
You are right. That's where they belong. Take care.

Fanned & Faved

Mike:

[MaeScott]

03:37 PM on 07/19/2010

McChinless at his finest....

[A Jay]

02:41 PM on 07/19/2010

"No, Ms. Crowley, I'd like to not answer your question so i don't get myself in trouble."

[TheFabOne]

02:19 PM on 07/19/2010

Mitch McConnell Refuses To Discuss Tea Party Racism: 'I Have Got Better Things To Do'

Translation........'why discuss what I tacitly condone in the first place?'

[baddass1]

05:29 PM on 07/19/2010

I believe from this point forward, we should call McConnell the UNDERTAKER... Just 'cause he looks like one and any legislation he ideates has most certainly been Dead and Buried along with the Contract for America and the Bush Tax Cuts which the Tea-baggers conveniently forget is a large part of the problem in which we are situated. Where were the baggers with their control government rhetoric while the UNDERTAKER and his cronies were creating the largest deficit in the history of the country???

[terry63]

02:03 PM on 07/19/2010

Ive heard the NAACP and their claims of racism against the Tea Party, I would like to know the Exact charges against the Tea party, Ive seen the signs of Obama painted up like the joker, but thats not racist, It is over the top I think politicly, I think that any sitting president should have respect, But I thought the same thing when the Main Stream Media was going after Reagan, My God if you werent around at that time just let me tell you it wasnt a pretty thing to watch, and George Bush 43, I thought it was shameful then also. If their talking about the passege of the health care bill, and Pelosi and crew walking through the Tea party Purposefully trying to start trouble so that they could disban the party over racist and politicle Statements or actions by the Party then they get Big'ol Goose egg for their trouble, There is a 100,000 dollar prize for anybody that can prove anything was said to any of these Congressmen or Women and nobody has claimed that money. It was a Lie. They couldnt get what they wanted and so they just made it up.they are Liars. However on the other hand youve got Shibazz out there advocating Racial Murder and the Murder of Children and the naacp turns a blind eye !!

[Cal3b G]

02:10 PM on 07/19/2010

They said "racist elements in the tea party". You know, like the signs with Pres. Obama as a monkey and an African Witch Doctor, and saying "Go back to Kenya!" and the fact that most of them are Birthers who insist he cannot have born in the U.S. becasue he has to be from Africa. Not to mention the leaders like Mark Williams, Tom Tancredo, Rush Limbaugh, Glenn Beck and to a lesser extent Sarah Palin who constantly reminds her fans, "Obama is unamerican. He's not like us. He doesn't see America like YOU and I do."

[rockv12]

07:25 PM on 07/19/2010

No they say it's a "racist" movement. Let's cut to the chase here. By overgeneralizing a few nutjobs in the crowd, they conveniently call the entire movement "racist". This is what is aggravating. There's liberal nutcases and conservative nutcases. How is the Tea Party movement going to screen every single attendee and find out if they are truly a "racist" at heart? Let's get real here. The vast, vast, vast majority of the movement is NOT racist!! Let's be fair here and quit demonizing it to make it sound like it's an awful, hate machine with racists everywhere!

[RED BONE]

02:10 PM on 07/19/2010

what are you babbling about?

[2008FedUP]

02:01 PM on 07/19/2010

...and what could those things be Mole-looking McConman??

[Sandy Knauer]

12:56 PM on 07/19/2010

Mitch McConnell is clueless and dangerous to the salvation of this country. He is also dishonest when he claims to speak for THE American People, and says he has not heard from constituents who don't agree with him. He hears from us daily. Because he misrepresents the people in his state and lies to the nation about what he hears from us, I have started publishing my frequent communications with (that should be to, since they fall on deaf ears and blind eyes) him as open letters here: http://mitchmcconnell.gather.com/ I invite the rest of you to do the same if you have messages for him.

[gingersaff]

12:25 PM on 07/19/2010

This is exactly the thing that Mr. McConnell will NOT do. He needs the racist minority faction of the right to gin up the rhetoric and distract from the fact that the Republican party has no ideas except a return to the policies of the Bush era. Those few liberals like me who live in the commonwealth of Kentucky are all too familiar with the racism in this state. Don't believe that we are living in a so-called "post-racial" society. The same individuals who freely use the N-word show up at local Tea Party rallies, armed and stupid. The energy that the TP generates among anxious, racist, lower-income whites is palpable here.

And yes, Mitch McConnell looks like Yertle the Turtle.

[Sandy Knauer]

12:57 PM on 07/19/2010

The Tin Man disguised as Yertle the Turtle. Yes, that works for me.

[baddass1]

05:31 PM on 07/19/2010

The UNDERTAKER...AKA MORTICIAN...

[ForeverHopeful]

12:16 PM on 07/19/2010

the minority leader said. "I have got better things to do than to wade in to all of these disputes and discussions that are going on out in the country."

Translation: I really don't care about the American people, the republicans just want to win back control of the country so we can further destroy the middle and lower income families; we will allow corporations to pay us off so we can get richer and close our eyes and ears to the "whiners" who are too lazy to work and pay their taxes we don't want to pay.

[kareemachan]

12:26 PM on 07/19/2010

Bingo!