Herman Cain: Rick Perry Is 'Insensitive' Toward Black People

Following a Washington Post report that Republican presidential candidate Rick Perry's family hunting camp in Texas once had the word "Niggerhead" painted on a large rock at its entrance, the Perry campaign is scrambling to control the damage.

Perry insists that his father painted over the offensive word on the Fourth of July weekend of 1983 or 1984, as soon as his family began leasing the property, and his campaign communications director Ray Sullivan pointed out in a statement that Perry's family never actually owned the West Texas property.

"A number of claims made in the story are incorrect, inconsistent and anonymous, including the implication that Rick Perry brought groups to the lease when the word on the rock was still visible," he said. "The one consistent fact in the story is that the word on a rock was painted over and obscured many years ago."

Sullivan's statement conflicts with some of the witnesses' accounts in the Washington Post story, which allege that the racial slur was still visible throughout the '80s and "as recently as this summer."

Fellow Republican presidential candidate Herman Cain, who is now neck and neck with Perry, according to a recent Fox News poll, took the opportunity on Sunday to call Perry "insensitive" for his handling of the situation.

"There isn't a more vile, negative word than the 'n word,' and for him to leave it there as long as they did is just plain insensitive to a lot of black people in this country," he said during an interview on "Fox News Sunday."

Political strategists say the racially-charged hunting camp controversy and Cain's criticism of Perry could potentially be a big problem for the Texas Republican's campaign as he tries to prove his electability against President Obama.

"The issue is, how are the people who are still concerned about Rick Perry's ability to prevail against President Obama, concerned about his electability, going to take this?" political correspondent Jake Tapper said on ABC's "This Week." "There are Republicans in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Wisconsin, Minnesota, who don't want him on the top of the ticket because even if he beats Obama, he will hurt them with congressional candidates, and this feeds into their concern."

CORRECTION: A previous version of this article stated that Jake Tapper appeared on "Meet the Press." In fact, appeared on ABC's "This Week" on Sunday morning.

WATCH highlights from this week's Sunday shows:

Check out additional Herman Cain details in the slideshow below:

 

 

Comments

[magicat]

05:41 PM on 10/05/2011

Herbie, Herbie. You are insensitive to everybody. Including your own race. It is part of your being, your beliefs. Your interpretation of christianity. Your platform for your futile attempt to become corporate commander in chief of the Untied States. It's all about, "I got mine, you get yours". Doesn' t really matter about skin pigmentation, right Herbie Cain?

This story made me laugh, thanks.

[JimNauseam]

01:21 PM on 10/05/2011

When will the media stop pretending that "Straw Polls" have any actually relevance?

[drbdes]

09:31 AM on 10/05/2011

Racial bias is an inherent human weakness,
exploited by dictators[yes even elected dictators,who long for perpetual rule and dictatorial control]
Used by religions, cults, rulers, politicians[in this case][ have to find the right location, right way to attract suckers, and any religion, god, hatred for any group, can be quickly converted to a cash cow]
and often forgotten son after the elections.
In this case, the blacks are the target,
but the reality is, whatever anyone proposes,
to denigrate races,
human intellect, disposes.
only the illiterate or less educated, less endowed, less traveled, stick to these ideas,
even basic intelligence, regarding the evolution of humans and all gods we created[over 100,000]
escapes these people.
they are not aware, that a clever, conniving group,
can and surely do, create new cults, new gods, withing gods,
force them to habitate in a particular location,
collect money ,
harvest wealth by prostituting facts, intelligence,
and the humans basic tendency to descend to theLowestCommonDenominator,
and accept anything, that sells,
including religions,GodsCults, hatred, for the neighborsOrRaces,
otherParty members, and all those who propose any idea, that they cannot comprehend.

in a nutshell, that is part ofRace and its acceptance orHatred, to promote ,puerile ,self interests,
that downgradeHumanIntelligenCE,
toEquate or descend below the Devils, that we have invented, to balance theGods.

solution is to retain theAbility toThink.
dicardlRrhetorical, political, beliefs, speeches, just to get elected,
toScrewHuman intellect,
and then disregard all the promises made to theVoters[WeTheIdiots],
makingSuckers out of
WeThePeople.

[Neva Taylor]

09:07 PM on 10/04/2011

To start I am a Texan,a independent voter and of black decent, my father is a republican and my mother is a democrat voter I think Perry has done an ok job for the state I don't think or feel he is a racist, but the sad truth is Texas is in the south and as we all know the south has a deep dark stain from it past that it just cant seem to scrub off..........but should it ?? why hid what went on, it happen it was in the past and how can we move past all of this. Now do I agree with his politics?? NO, but I doubt he is a racist. Will he make a good president maybe but this fellow Texan has seen some of it work and it ok but I think other candidates can and will do better.

[Fran04]

08:40 AM on 10/05/2011

It is fun that you said that you are of "black decent”. Hey, most blacks who were descendant of slaves can claim that they are of "white descent", but America's views them as black (one-drop rule). They were treated as second class citizens throughout history. Therefore whenever someone says or does something racist and someone "call them out" don't ask the person doing the calling to give the other person "a break". "True" African Americans had to deal with overt and covert racism for generations, so we know a duck when we see a duck. Perry's action shows that he is insensitive to blacks. Checking Texas standing in regards to education and health care which are issues near and dear to African Americans and Perry being governor of Texas for a longer period of time than President Obama was president, he is not the "boy" for the job.

[bmmcelreath]

11:06 AM on 10/05/2011

I agree with everything you stated above. Do note that the biggest pimpracist are the likes of Jessie Jackson and AL Sharpton.

[Neva Taylor]

03:24 PM on 10/05/2011

lol you know you are right Jessie is always ready to get loud and some times you don't even know why he yelling lol

[ssohara]

07:11 PM on 10/04/2011

Texas DEMOCRATS, including BLACK TEXAS DEMOCRATS have put out a statement saying Rick Perry is not racist. In their statement, they say that while they disagree with his politics, they know he is not a racist. These guys have known and opposed Perry for decades. The fact that Perry's OPPONENTS are defending him says the rock story is bogus.

BTW, the Washington Post story accusing Perry had only anonymous sources, no evidence aside from hearsay - no pictures of the rock in question, no audio of Perry saying the n word, nothing... whereas those defending Perry have come forward by name, they point to the evidence of Perry's appointment of a black to head the Texas Supreme Court, his 30 year friendships with blacks, etc.

When the worst you can do to smear a guy is go back 27 years to a ROCK on property he didn't even own... that's pretty sad. I mean, if they had audio of him actually saying racist crap, it would be playing 24/7.

As far as Herman Cain - he's my favorite candidate in the GOP primary. He's got my vote. However, he was wrong to jump on this story so quickly... but, I could see how, as a black man, that particular word might trigger an emotional response - it IS a repugnant word. I've cringed when I heard a couple of whites say it... but I've also heard blacks use it and in some ways that is even worse.

[citygirlretired]

05:31 PM on 10/04/2011

Being out of town for a funeral, I have missed some of the news ... can someone point me to this recent picture of the now infamous rock? I'm thinking if it was painted over more than 30 years ago, someone must have been digging to find that, and I doubt now Gov Perry had much interest as a pretty young guy in a hunting camp his dad used for renting out to other groups .. so I'm failing to see why this is such a big deal .. you know the line "show me the money' I'm just asking 'show me the recent picture' .. I try to know what I'm talking about when I comment on here .. I want to deal with current issues not ancient history.

[munson293]

04:24 PM on 10/04/2011

Some things will never change.When things were bad for the black community most of these people weren't even thought of. I really like Mr.Kane but after that remark, if he played it now he'll play it again...ENOUGH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! This is the 21st century and 1 in 6 Americans go hungry and he's worried about something 30 years old...Like I said somethings never change. He can take the back all he wants, I'm telling you He'll do it again....Hey maybe it really is time for "The Donald"

[ms eve]

02:47 PM on 10/04/2011

Duh!! Has Herman Cain been sleeping for the last few decades? The GOP as a whole is insensitive toward people of color as well as religious minorities and the LGBT population. Has he read the racist postings about Obama from GOP supporters that are all over the web? He is a Republican because he is a wealthy man and the GOP has the backs of the wealthy. I do not understand how working or middle class Americans of any racial, religious, or sexual persuasion can vote for Republican candidates. They have been manipulated into being angry at the poor and immigrant classes instead of the people who are really the cause of the problem - the wealthiest Americans and corporations who, despite all of the trumped up statistics of right wing media, are STILL not paying anything that approaches their fair share of taxes.

[HorsemanM1]

05:24 PM on 10/04/2011

" Herman Cain been sleeping for the last few decades? The GOP as a whole is insensitiv­e toward people of color "

Are you lost or reading Wett Brail ? He is the Front runner for the GOP Give it up for god sake

[ms eve]

12:21 AM on 10/05/2011

Are YOU lost? Do you read all of the racist comments by Obama-hating Republicans? Cain is tied for front runner with Romney now - we'll see how that goes when the primaries start. Two weeks ago, Rick Perry was the front runner. Where is he now? Remember this too - the GOP had a woman vice-presidential nominee in 2008 and look at their record on women's issues today. Pretty shameful.

[sailor422]

01:49 PM on 10/04/2011

I think the most interesting aspect of this story is that Rush pretty much told him to take it back ... and he did.

[HorsemanM1]

05:26 PM on 10/04/2011

Then he is a smart man with humility, that alone would be ten steps up from Campaingning in all 57 states and blaming BUSH

[sailor422]

10:07 PM on 10/04/2011

Yep, the bagger's dream, the drugster running the GOP from the studio.

[heidismk]

11:54 AM on 10/04/2011

GEEZ, People, That is NOT WHAT HE SAID!!! Scew much?

[ScapeGoat]

10:22 AM on 10/04/2011

I would love to see him get the republic nomination as the presidential candidate of the GOP-TB. Then it would be two black guys running for the office of the Presidency of the United States!
No Matter who wins, their would be a black guy in the white house.

I can hear heads exploding like popcorn at that prospect!

[kathysmith2k7]

02:01 PM on 10/04/2011

Who cares what color they are..How about a president who cares about what Americans want...

[c15stars]

09:13 PM on 10/04/2011

Not going to happen.

[plumcrick]

10:21 PM on 10/05/2011

scapegoat

ya don't get it..most tax paying Americans do not care what the color of the skin or race the candidate is. It is what the person does handling the business of the country out through the world and to keep America strong and safe. and does what the American tax payers want, not what he/she wants and how he/she spends our hard worked for tax money...so far this president which happens to be black has failed miserably in all these categories IT IS THIS BLACK PRESIDENT THAT NEEDS TO BE VOTED OUT AND LET THE BEST MAN/WOMEN WIN regardless of the skin color or gender....

I am a white republican and would have voted for Rice or Powell if any of those ran the last election if you recall both black and one a women..so don't ..

[bg3]

10:21 AM on 10/04/2011

Well why dont we look into Obamas Fathers past(I DARE YOU) and link them together

[Paul Is Right]

09:39 AM on 10/04/2011

Herman, you are the man--should Rep. Paul fall out you will have my vote, my support, and my prayers, but please don't go there. This is beneath you and all of us.

[Youhavegottobekiddingme]

11:33 PM on 10/04/2011

"This is beneath you and all of us."

We may disagree politically, but a tip of the hat to you, Sir.

You are absolutely right.

[14EnglishPlease]

08:51 AM on 10/04/2011

I'd like to personally thank HP for another none story....about something that was written on a rock over 30 years ago. GREAT Job HP!!

[hphp]

07:44 AM on 10/05/2011

And your point is? The story is current.

[LeftWingLift]

08:50 AM on 10/05/2011

When did this happen? Clueless........

[LeftWingLift]

08:47 AM on 10/05/2011

The real story would be for HP to do their homework and find the property owner....since Perry's were leasing the property. HP is nothing but yellow journalism....

[liljoe62]

07:55 AM on 10/04/2011

I love Herman, but in this case, til ALL the evidence is in, even HE shouldnt throw stones! If the Perry's DID paint over the word, or just turned the rock over, as it was reported, then Herman SHOULDNT have a problem with this! But if the Perry's did NOTHING , then I can see a problem! But like I said, til ALL the facts are in about this, NO_ONE should say ANYTHING derogatory either way!! This is just a political move on the part of the left, to start a rift in the Rep. party! By the time the election is here, ALL the Rep/ candidates, will have been SMEARED by the Left, and that IS a FACT! These Dems know of NO other way, to run a campaign! The Dems CANT run on policy, or results, so SMEAR, and insult , the Rep. party. is their ONLY chance!!!