GOP Leadership Should Have Condemned Racist Jokes
Two blatant and mind-numbing acts of racism by Republicans were just reported in the news -- and unfortunately and unwisely, GOP "leadership" has chosen to remain silent. Why?
The first involved a former election commission chairman from South Carolina who, upon hearing a gorilla had escaped from the local zoo, posted on his Facebook site, "I'm sure it's just one of Michelle's ancestors -- probably harmless." The second involved the executive assistant to a Republican state senator in Tennessee who circulated a photo of all 44 presidents, with the picture of President Obama being an all black rectangle with two white eyes.
You would think, that as the complexion of America continues to change and as the GOP has discovered a desperate need to reach out to minorities, that at least some of those who purport to speak for the party might look upon these disreputable acts as a way to sincerely reach out to the black and minority communities. Sadly, that does not seem to be the case.
As an independent conservative who lived often in poor, predominately black neighborhoods as a child and who is now married to a Hispanic-American, the lack of meaningful outreach toward minorities by the Republican Party has long been an issue with me.
As such, I was not surprised but still saddened and disappointed, when a collection of older, white and wealthy Republican "leaders" met at the end of May in a pizza parlor in Arlington, Va., to announce the creation of the "National Council for a New America." Really?
With the NCNA being led in part by former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, Gov. Haley Barbour of Mississippi, and Sen. John McCain of Arizona, I'm just trying to understand: What's "new" about the council?
Opportunities for outreach to the minority community keep getting teed up for the GOP, and they habitually continue to ignore them.
Indicative of this was the 2008 Republican presidential primary season, when then-leading contenders Rudy Giuliani, McCain, Romney and Fred Thompson decided to blow off a debate hosted by African-American talk show host Tavis Smiley. Again, why? Who were they afraid of offending with their appearance? What was gained from not attending? Certainly not the White House.
Even with the appointment of Michael Steele as the first black chairman of the Republican National Committee, the party is far from connecting with black and minority communities. Beyond that, some GOP leaders seem to be looking for every chance to undermine Steele's efforts to create a more relevant and diverse party.
The recent racist flare ups could have been a turning point.
Regardless of whether they intend to run for the White House or not in 2012, the likes of Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty, Romney and any other "leader" of the GOP, should step in front of a microphone immediately and offer a sincere and deserved apology to Michelle and Barack Obama on behalf of the GOP -- and let them and minorities across America know that not only do vile people who make such jokes not speak for the party, but they are not welcome in the party.
Palin asked for an apology from David Letterman for a joke that she said was an attack on women everywhere. He delivered it. Given these recent brazen offenses toward blacks, the GOP could learn from Letterman's contrition.
Speak up, GOP leaders -- and recognize this as a chance to do and say the right thing. If not, your silence will be analyzed and ultimately interpreted.
MacKinnon was press secretary to former Sen. Bob Dole. He is a former White House and Pentagon official and author.
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The GOP is too busy trying to bail water out of its leaky boat of a party.
No time for press conferences!
God bless you, McKinnon, and may your kind someday soon take over the Republican party.
You really don't know why the republicans have not spoken out against the racism?
It couldn't be simpler. They don't want to. They love it (behind closed doors, of course).
I don't know why jokes have to insult and berate people there are so many jokes that are out there and have nothing to do with people from all over the world.
To insult and berate seems to be something people enjoy doing and that is just not right.
I am sick and tired of all you racists accusing others of racism.
Congressional Black Caucus... now that is racism. Hispanic Caucus... more racism.
I am 74 years old. I have never in my life discriminated against an individual black man. I have been discriminated against after the thief from Texas moved up to the Presidency.
My son was a victim of "affirmative action.". Thousands upon thousands of dollars were expended trying to correct the mistake caused by affirmative action.
I see and read of blacks and hispanics doing things every day that has or should have consequences.
That is a big problem in this country today... lack of consequences.
Wow, did you get this directly from the Klan?
The GOP cannot afford to condemn racist jokes - its one of their few loyalty inducing strategies, and lets face it after the last 8 years they have very few left. if there is one thing thing their constiuents can count on from the GOP its affirmation of their white superiority.
Racism is right up their with guns as their dependable vote getting platform.
Sara Palin's "pro-America" remark was made as though the rest of us were deaf. Not a very good way to attract us "not-so-pro" Americans.
so they are not only bigots but cowards as well . who knew?
Their silence is the very reason why the GOP has now become the party of so-last-year.
Their silence when words are required and verbosity (i.e., on iran) when contemplation and tact are required reflects a true inability to recognize and adapt to a rapidly changing country and world.
The GOP continues to allow itself to be characterized by their hypocrisy and obstinate opposition nuance and complexity. Even with a fancy new name (NCNA) it's same bunch of guys, just a different country club.
As the great tub-thumpers for "My country right or wrong," it seems like the GOP is systematically becoming the distillate of all of America's worst flaws.
they the gop seem to condone these hateful deeds, but they will be remembered at election time
When Makinnon said the Republican leadership, he was not saying all Republicans should apologize. Some naive are not brainy enough to know the difference between the two concepts.
The GOP is always right and everyone else is wrong...just ask 'em!!! The GOP...supposed to be the party of "morals and values"...while they are relentlessly indulging in promiscuous sexual acts. The indiscriminate banging from the GOP does not offend me...what is offensive is that they claim things that are not true about them. The GOP...the party of the "rule of law"...yet from 2000-2008, the GOP completely ignored the 4th amendment and committed countless ILLEGAL acts...illegal warrantless wiretapping, illegal eavesdropping on innocent USA citizens' e-mail accounts, illegal waterboard torture methods. Thus, childish antics like this do not surprise me on the GOP side.
if true whan why has Eric Holder not arrest them?
It's too late now.
Enough has gone down so GOP has already been "interpreted". At this point it will need to be re-interpreted and that may take generations.
Why should we be surprised that the field is not a level one where Dems and Reps are concerned? Sarah Palin made a stink about Lettermen's faux pas, but the racist remarks and slurs and parodies uttered by Republicans are what???? Tics associated with some syndrome?
no the playing field is not leve. Very little med ia coverage and no outrage by and democrat over the attorney general of the United States letting the Black Panthers go. This was a case the DOJ had won. then dismissed. I guess it is okay if people with clubs oppress voters if hte oppressors are black. Where is the outrage.
Much was made of the Bush admin for letting some attorney go but Bush was white an republican.Nothing said about demorcrats finirng Inspector Generals right and left. Oh wait, must be a double standard for either rpublicans and emorcrats or white presidents and black presidents
"GOP Leadership Should Have Condemned Racist Jokes"
Well, of course they should have. But, they're republicans.
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