In a story that appeared today in The Press Enterprise, a local paper serving Riverside, California and surrounding cities, it was reported that a local women's Republican organization sent out a newsletter to its members that included an illustration that one member thought was particularly funny. It was an illustration of how she thought new food stamps might look under an Obama administration. The stamp, in the form of a $10 bill, portrays Obama's face on a donkey and features a bucket of fried chicken, a slice of watermelon, some ribs and a pitcher of Kool-Aid.
From The Press-Enterprise:
The October newsletter by the Chaffey Community Republican Women, Federated says if Obama is elected his image will appear on food stamps -- instead of dollar bills like other presidents. The statement is followed by an illustration of "Obama Bucks" -- a phony $10 bill featuring Obama's face on a donkey's body, labeled "United States Food Stamps."
The GOP newsletter, which was sent to about 200 members and associates of the group by e-mail and regular mail last week, is drawing harsh criticism from members of the political group, elected leaders, party officials and others as racist.
The group's president, Diane Fedele, said she plans to send an apology letter to her members and to apologize at the club's meeting next week. She said she simply wanted to deride a comment Obama made over the summer about how as an African-American he "doesn't look like all those other presidents on the dollar bills."
"It was strictly an attempt to point out the outrageousness of his statement. I really don't want to go into it any further," Fedele said in a telephone interview Tuesday. "I absolutely apologize to anyone who was offended. That clearly wasn't my attempt."
The article noted that the newsletter's mailing included some African-American members of the group, who, not surprisingly, were quite upset with the "joke."
Sheila Raines, an African-American member of the club, was the first person to complain to Fedele about the newsletter. Raines, of San Bernardino, said she has worked hard to try to convince other minorities to join the Republican Party and now she feels betrayed.
"This is what keeps African-Americans from joining the Republican Party," she said. "I'm really hurt. I cried for 45 minutes."
