White House apologizes to Shirley Sherrod

[Emeritus]

Source: Washington Post (Plum Line)

This is a good start: At the press briefing just now, Robert Gibbs apeared to extend a heartfelt apology to Shirley Sherrod on behalf of the Obama administration, and promised a look at what went wrong.

Interestingly, though, he sidestepped a question about whether fear of the conservative media drove the decision to fire Sherrod before the facts were all in.

Here's what Gibbs said, referring to Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack:

"The secretary is trying to reach her. I hope the secretary reaches her soon, and they have an opportunity to talk. The Secretary will apologize for the actions that have taken place over the past 24 to 36 hours. And on behalf of the administration, I offer our apologies."

Gibbs also seemed to promise some kind of reckoning as to how the White House botched this mess, though he stopped short of promising anything official:

Read more: http://voices.washingtonpost.com/plum-line/2010/07/white_house_apologizes_to_shir.html

[BrklynLiberal]

1. Wel..it is a start. Let's see where it leads..and what the reaction is the NEXT time Breitbart

posts a video.

[gateley]

5. This has garnered far more coverage than Van Jones or ACORN (the exposure

of the scam) so hopefully it will finally sink in.

I have a fantasy that Obama will shred Breitbart for this scam, and FOX for fanning the flames and not doing proper research before airing the story.

[BrklynLiberal]

7. I hope you are right.

The NAACP will also have to take some licks for not doing some research into its OWN VIDEO files of meetings.

Guess the concept of innocent until proven guilty does not apply in all cases....duh.

[proud2BlibKansan]

53. The NAACP apologized this morning.

[gateley]

55. I actually think they apologized last night. They were all over it and immediately

took responsibility for their actions. They're not hiding, either. I've seen several representatives on several shows -- they're willing to do what's right and take their licks. I've been very impressed by their approach and actions, and I would like to see our administration behave in the same manner. Still waiting...

[sabrina 1]

98. They apologized yesterday and urged Vilsack to

reinstate her, because at that time, despite knowing what had happened, Vilsack had stated that he didn't think she could do a good job as a result of the controversy. An outrageous statement from him considering she had nothing to do with the controversy. It is he who might consider that he is unable to do his job, as he is far too absorbed with what the rightwing thinks and says even after pulling a stunt like this, he STILL respects their opinions.

He needs to go, not right away as we don't need to give the right something else to cheer about, but before too long as he was a bad choice to begin with, and he proved it beyond a doubt with this situation.

[laughingliberal]

32. It would be great if they'd tie it to the scam on ACORN. Very few in the public know the results...

of the investigation that showed how that vid had been edited and that the fired employee had actually made a police report after O'Keefe and his accomplice left there.

I see a perfect opportunity to talk about irresponsible right wing journalism and say, "For instance, we now know the video made by James O'Keefe during his visit to the ACORN office was heavily edited, did not reflect the actual events, and that ACORN made a police report after O'Keefe and his accomplice left their offices. We are seeing a pattern of these types of dishonest smear campaigns from the right. We are committed to more vigorous due diligence in investigating these types of reports from sources such as these going forward."

[gateley]

58. I know - by the time of the 'truth' the story was pretty much dead in the MSM.

I would like to see a very public expose on what really occurred, and maybe revisit charges against O'Keefe. I'd like to see a prime time special or coverage on one of the MSM news shows. With Rachel laying it out step by step, of course.

[vanbean]

60. Right! And they could reference Jerry Browns report.

[txlibdem]

87. Acorn should get its funding back as well

They have been a target of the psychotic right for many years because of their success in getting poor and disenfranchised people out to vote. Now that we know it was all a scam why hasn't Acorn's funding been restored?

[laughingliberal]

88. Yep. nt

[SemperEadem]

106. and that removal of funding was unconstitutional

so, when are they going to make ACORN whole again?

[glitch]

91. Excellent time to bring them back up, demonstrates a consistent and very racist pattern of RW attack

doesn't it?

[Deep13]

2. Good for them. nt

[saracat]

3. I predicted this and this is an acknowlegdement of joint responsibility.

This was the right move for them to make. And now fire the WH PR damage control folks who botched this! Due diligence was not done.

[izquierdista]

59. I predict

That FOX and friends are way past this, and have their research crew already editing up more video for their next stunt.

[saracat]

85. Of course. It is what they do. They have a rapid response team ready to go as opportunities to

create present themselves. The WH should have a rapid response team of its own that counters with the truth, but they don't.

[guruoo]

104. They cannot sustain this forever...

'We're an empire now, and when we act, we create our own reality. And while you're studying that reality -- judiciously, as you will -- we'll act again, creating other new realities, which you can study too, and that's how things will sort out. We're history's actors . . . and you, all of you, will be left to just study what we do.''
-October 17, 2004, New York Times Magazine article by writer Ron Suskind, quoting an unnamed aide to George W. Bush

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reality-based_community

[SemperEadem]

107. you're right... they are blaming the Obama admin for what they did

accusing them of jumping the gun without having all the facts--well, that is exactly what fux did, but now they want to play the nut role.

It goes to show that fux ain't shit and never will be about shit. They're grown enough to engage in an electronic lynching of an innocent black woman, but they aren't grown enough to stand in their truth and take their asswhippin' for it. They want to act like spoiled, overindulged, rotten, rich brats and deflect their responsibility in this onto others that had nothing to do with the decision made by managers AT fux to run with this lie to manipulate and deceive everyone.

[John Q. Citizen]

78. Yes, it was the right move. Rachel Maddow kind of brought it all into

crystal clarity and the White house needs to deal with their knee jerk reaction to the right wing boogy man into the future and as a matter of policy.

The White House needs to loudly condemn the loud false propaganda put forward by irresponsible outlets like Fox News, and the White House needs to use the FCC to levy stiff fines for acting against the public interest in this case of ruthless smearing, innuendo, and cherry picked misrepresentation, lying by omission and fraud.

[Laf.La.Dem.]

4. PLEASE

Gibbs - remind the public who started all this crap (FOX - etc)

[gateley]

6. He had the opportunity when a reporter asked about Breitbart/Fox, but he

didn't take the opportunity. Maybe he doesn't want to look as though they're (WH) shirking their responsibility in this by just pointing a finger. :shrug:

I hope that day comes, though.

[txlibdem]

90. Obama called Fox out before and got slapped by the MSM

The media all jumped on him as if Fox were an actual news channel and they needed to show solidarity for "one of their own."

We got a good start putting the true label on them -that they are the propaganda wing of the Repuke party- and then it just fizzled. MSM went on to something else.

[Iwillnevergiveup]

8. Time for another beer

with Barack, Vilsack and Shirley. Along with her re-instatement, of course.

[RavensChick]

65. And a check in seven figures!!!!

If anything, Vilsack should get his checkbook out right now!!!

[Renew Deal]

9. Sounds like Obama laid down the law with Vilsack.

Good for him.

[Name removed]

15. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Skittles]

18. it's fucking laughable

:rofl:

[Better Today]

20. It would be laughable if so many other important issues weren't being

handled with the same timidity and over-reaction to Republican talking points in so many truly critical areas. Everything this admin has claimed to accomplish to date is just watered down pablum that won't change a damn thing, well except for the rich and powerful 2%ers.

[Skittles]

26. the mediocrity overwhelms me

everything - EVERYTHING - is half-ass

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

46. +1

[Enthusiast]

76. If it doesn't include a

Fox News ass ripping it is half assed.

[Renew Deal]

19. Pot meet kettle

I know that your blind hatred for Obama makes it hard to be objective. Lets remember how this story has evolved.

She was canned because Vilsack over-reacted.

"Vilsack yesterday explained that he had asked for Sherrod’s resignation because "the controversy surrounding her comments would create a situation where her decisions, rightly or wrongly, would be called into question making it difficult for her bring jobs to Georgia."
http://voices.washingtonpost.com/postpartisan/2010/07/the_firing_of_shirley_sherrod.html
Now Vilsack is trying to get in touch with her and Gibbs apologizes for the mistake.

"The secretary is trying to reach her. I hope the secretary reaches her soon, and they have an opportunity to talk. The Secretary will apologize for the actions that have taken place over the past 24 to 36 hours. And on behalf of the administration, I offer our apologies."

So according to you Obama deserves all the blame for the firing that he has nothing to do with and none of the credit for the correction which he can control. Got it.

[Better Today]

21. There's no blind hatred. It's clear-eyed evaluation of his failings, his many, many failings.

[Renew Deal]

23. Right...

Get your bumper sticker here: http://www.zazzle.com/palin+2012+bumperstickers

[Name removed]

29. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Renew Deal]

37. I see the real world.

You should try it. People like you put Bush in the WH by advocating for Nader. Your current enmity puts us on the same path.

[KittyWampus]

40. In the real world, most of us appreciate Obama's successes and acknowledge the let-downs

Here on DU, many are pathologically incapable of a balanced view of reality.

[Skittles]

41. bullshit

and you know it

[Skittles]

43. are you fucking crazy????

[Renew Deal]

44. Am I correct?

[Skittles]

45. no, you are NOT

not even CLOSE

[bitchkitty]

63. Sorry, that won't fly any more.

Criticism does not equal blind hatred, but blind acceptance does equal stupidity.

[dflprincess]

73. "Some men see things as they are and say 'why'?

I dream things that never were and say 'why not'?"

I suppose if any politican used that George Bernard Shaw quote the way RFK did in 1968, you'd accuse them of putting Bush in the White House. It's just not pragmatic to speak that way anymore.

But it sounds so much better than "I see the things as they are and say 'Whatcha gonna do? You must want Palin to be president?'"

[laughingliberal]

89. Nailed it! nt

[proud2BlibKansan]

54. How utterly lame

[Political Tiger]

52. Maybe one day he'll be as perfect as you seem to think you are.

eom.

[vanbean]

61. Get off it.

[pscot]

24. None of us hate the President

We just want him to be what he promised.

[Renew Deal]

25. lol

:rofl:

[Skittles]

28. you don't get it

you just do NOT fucking get it

[Better Today]

30. Many on here don't and never will. It's surreal.

[Name removed]

36. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Name removed]

38. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Renew Deal]

42. So says the 14.2% of 30%

http://www.pollster.com/polls/us/jobapproval-obama-dems.php

[Skittles]

49. they're ridiculous

utterly ridiculous

[Renew Deal]

39. "You predicted everything"

And you'll do your best to prove yourself right.

[Name removed]

48. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Renew Deal]

51. Not the skill

to have a civil discussion, but whatever.

[Renew Deal]

31. I get

Everything negative is Obama's fault. Everything positive is someone elses credit. And Obama is some sort of ruthless impotent iron fisted God King wimp.

[Name removed]

35. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[TwilightGardener]

68. OK, that made me laugh. +1.

[Number23]

72. That's good!

And Obama is some sort of ruthless impotent iron fisted God King wimp.

I don't know whether to :rofl: or :scared: at this characterization but you are right on the money. Says everything you need to know about the quality of far too many of the President's detractors around here these days.

[inna]

96. what garbage

[Wickerman]

10. Dan Rather lost his career and reputation because he didn't validate

a piece of paper. Faux, as a whole should be out looking for work. Even though I liked Villiansack the Gov of my state of origin and then as my neighbor, I think he really screwed the pooch on this one and should receive a strong reminder that he fucked with real people through oversight.

[saracat]

33. True about Rather. I doubt Vilsak had much to do with this firing and

more to do with the rehiring and is making damn sure due diligence is followed. I think Tom "assumed" that the WH damage control knew what they were doing. He was wrong. I know Tom a little bit too. He is a genuinely decent person. All kinds of people always make "assumptions" about those who work in the executive offices of any Admin and the assumptions are usually wrong. They give them credit for way too much intelligence. They are often mediocre people who got their through politcal appointments. I have known many such people. This WH needs better PR and better damage control. Stat.

[proud2BlibKansan]

56. Vilsack was interviewed this morning on CNN

where he admitted he ordered the firing.

[saracat]

82. I am sure he did. I am also sure he was "advised ".to. The NAACP

was also upset about Sherrods remarks and wanted to seperate themselves from her as quickly as possible and she was "their" speaker. They conveyed that thought to the WP who also no doubt assuned they did their due dilgence as well. They in turn communicated this to Vilsak, who also "assumed" the WH knew the whole story. A lot of assumptions on the part of many people caused a great deal of harm. For gods sake, it was FOX News and everyone accepted that video as gospel just as though the acorn video never happened. The WH needs a new PR dept. This isn't excusable.And the NAACP need to look at themselves as well about being way too concerned with political image and not concerned enough about protecting their own.

[Mimosa]

66. Sara, I get attacked every time I post that White House P.R. amd media dept. needs a big shakeup

Of course in this instance, the allegations against Sherrod needed to be investigated.

[saracat]

83. They need a new PR staff. I get attacked too. The last time was when I mentioned

drinking martinis and eating lobster in BarHarbor might not want to be the image the WH projected as congress wrangled over an unemployment compensation during one of the worst recessions in history. Some even took exception to my use of the word "sipping", though I do not know how else one drinks a martini! The WH PR has a tin ear, and i will continue to say this. And now we know they are too lazy to "fact check" but react on assumptions. Fire them.

[RavensChick]

71. Trust me, nothing's changed.

I have a friend who's from Iowa and she told me that Vilsuck didn't do shit when he was governor so he's still doing it but on a grander scale.

Absolutely Faux Noise should vanish from the face of the earth! If anyone did not learn from what Dan Rather went through, well shame on them!

[Uncle Joe]

11. Kicked and recommended.

Thanks for the thread, Emeritus.

[proReality]

12. I don't watch Faux, so I don't know...

...Have they retracted their story or have they started in on blaming the administration for doing everything wrong?

[NewJeffCT]

27. I heard a RW radio host this morning in passing

and he was blaming the Obama administration for overreacting... so, he had probably gotten a fax/message/email that told him to blame it on the White House

[guruoo]

100. From the looks of things, I think he could have just as well

read it here first.

[lillypaddle]

108. Naw, he's probably been reading DU

[frylock]

13. knr

way to own it guys. :thumbsup:

[Bragi]

14. Well done! /nt

[dencol]

16. She should tell them to contact her attorney.

There must have been several policies and laws broken in their rush to placate the right wing. Surely there is some investigative process in place, and undoubtedly many laws were broken. So now we know this administration really doesn't believe in due process, employment law, or fairness for those of us busting our asses at our jobs.

[Skittles]

17. honestly, she should

an example needs to be made - if the White House is not tough enough to stand up to rightwing fucktards, maybe a little legal action will make them think twice before they trash another person's reputation

[ieoeja]

50. What?!?

Any at-will employeee can be fired at any time for no reason whatsoever.

And she was far from just an at-will employee. She was a political appointee.

Plus, she wasn't even fired. She was asked to resign. She could have refused and forced them through due process. But she did not.


I have a far more enjoyable fantasy we could play...


Vilsack: "What is this shit I just heard about you refusing to help white farmers 24 years ago when you worked for a charity?!?"

Sherrod: "They edited it. I have a copy of the full recording saved in our document management system called 'July NAACP meeting.' Check it out and call me back."

Remember, there were several calls between them before she "resigned".

Vilsack: "I saw the whole thing, and you're in the clear. And I forwarded a copy to the White House. So don't worry."

...an hour passes...

Vilsack: "The White House has an idea. Instead of fighting this spin, they want you to resign…."

Sherrod: "what?!? Why should I do that?"

Vilsack: "Let me finish. They want you to resign and complain loudly about it. The NAACP releases the full video. We publicly apologize and re-hire you. So instead of us defending against their spin, FOX News is stuck telling their audience that we re-hired you and why."

Sherrod: "Wouldn't it be easier to tell them that you are *not* firing me and why?"

Vilsack: "We do that, and FOX News won't tell their audience *why* we said we're not firing you. They'll just say we're sticking by what they'll call 'an avowed racist'. Our 'change of heart' will be trickier for them to spin away."

Sherrod: "So we get our message to the FOX News viewers. Better yet, we expose that fucker, Breithart as the fakir he is."

Vilsack: "That's the plan. You up for it?"

Sherrod: "Secretary, consider this my resignation!"

Vilsack: "Accepted! I will have a press release sent out within the hour."



And, no, I do not for a second believe they planned this in advance. I did call it "fantasy". It would be great if they had. But what the hey. Even if it was accidental, this worked out great for all (on our side) concerned. Especially, Sherrod who would otherwise have found herself spending the rest of her life fighting this lie.

[harun]

75. You don't know she was an at-will employee.

Even if she was this could have violated any number of State and Federal laws.

http://www.googobits.com/articles/2259-how-to-legally-terminate-an-employee.html

[dencol]

110. There is still a tort if the government did not follow their investigative policies.

The at-will employment argument is not valid when dealing with torts, since the department violated its own investigative policies.

Forced resignations are often viewed as firings in court because the employee has no real choice but separation.

On edit: She may also have a shot at the Civil Rights Act of 1964 if she thought a white person would have been given due process (which is actually a likely scenario, IMO).

[bulloney]

22. You would think by now that the WH would ignore any of these red herrings from Faux Snooze

instead of overreacting like they have all the time with their knee-jerk firings as they did with the latest victim, Shirley Sherrod, and the way they allowed ACORN to be thrown under the bus and disbanded.

Faux Snooze is a RW propaganda tool and should be regarded as such. They are not to believed on ANYTHING they portray as news. If the Obama Administration and Democrats in Congress would stand up to those clowns and call them out by making them prove their wild stories (now, there's a concept), over time, they would be reduced to being irrelevant. But, with their knee-jerk responses, they just give that network more clout and credibility.

[TheEuclideanOne]

62. Wow, your post was the first one in this thread that mentioned ACORN.

I was expecting almost every post to mention how this situation mirrrored the ACORN situation. Still waiting for the apology to ACORN.

[Old Vet]

74. I was guilty.................

before the correct information came out I said it was wrong what she said. I was called a racist, didn't belong here(On du), and other bullshit. It happens, People make mistakes, I made one. But the reality of this is as this is headline news, Our troops are in harms way, The Gulf is turning into a wasteland. Although I hope the right people are getting there ass handed to them for that mis-information bullshit, To bad Acorn didn't have a chance, maybe some will learn from this, I did.

[rocktivity]

34. Almost there

:bounce:
rocktivity

[thereismore]

47. Alright! Now let's go after Fox. nt

[Ignis]

57. Good. This was the right thing to do.

:thumbsup:

Gibbs could have stopped after "past 24 to 36 hours," but he issued an apology directly from the administration. That's classy, and a great start.

[newspeak]

99. oh no, you can't go after faux

after they shredded her from Hannity to Beck, now it's all of the WH's fault. See, it's not Breibert's fault, it's not Faux Noise's fault. See how easy they turned their lemons into lemonade?

[RavensChick]

64. I'm glad someone did!

Next item on the agenda, fire Vilsack and get some real leadership at USDA!!!!!

[TwilightGardener]

67. That's good.

[connecticut yankee]

69. I sincerely hope

the Administration has learned its lesson, and will check out stories before jumping to conclusions.

They made total asses of themselves. And, as we know, it's not the first time.

[xchrom]

70. As it should do. Nt

[waronbanks]

77. This mess?

They botch everything that they do. They are a botched mess.

[TomClash]

79. If you can't give her a job

get her a good job somewhere else. The lady deserves it. She is a class act.

[myrna minx]

80. I'm glad to see they did the right thing.

:applause:

[ElsewheresDaughter]

81. Why is The White House & Dems afraid of Faux News... I am so damn sick of it

I understand that reaching out is a good thing but this has happened too many fucking times!!


ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!

[Hydra]

84. Props to the Administration for apologizing

It was more than I was expecting, and hopefully Shirley can go back to work soon with a clean record.

[txlibdem]

86. RW pulls the strings and the DEMS dance

Health Care "townhalls" debacle
Van Jones
Acorn
Arizona law
Shirley Sherrod

The right wingers are far too able to control the agenda leaving the Dems reacting to things all the time. The Dems jump to respond and seem to always go too far in response.

When are the Dems going to band together against the constant assaults from the psychotic wingers?

[AzNick]

92. This is a lose / lose situation for the White House

Unless Obama personally comes out to claim that the right wing media will from now on have no power on his administration and his cabinet, this is a lose / lose situation for him.

Loss #1: the WH emboldened the right wing even more by showing that they could basically bully him with made-up s#*t

Loss #2: the WH looked bad by firing a minority employee who had done nothing wrong

She could sue for wrongful termination and slander.

Let's hope she regains her composure, accepts a better position in her cabinet and takes the high road (I'd rather she sues for slander, but maybe moving on is wiser).

[meowomon]

93. Another misstep by this whitehouse in their attempt to appease the right wingers.

When is Obama going to govern this country with the intelligence and leadership ability I know that he has? Are his advisors just screwed up? I don't understand how he let faux news outfox him once again. Stop apologizing already and go on the fucking offensive! We are waiting for a leader.

[superconnected]

94. I couldn't see Busco owning up and doing the right thing. I'm glad the Obama adminstration corrected

this as quickly as they reacted in the first place. I bet they learn from it.

[RoccoR5955]

95. Vilsack should resign himself!

What kind of manager does this? Fire first, ask questions later, and from a propagandist who wants nothing more than to destroy the administration.
Vilsack shows no testicular fortitude, and as such, should resign, or be fired!

[ProudDad]

97. Open letter to Democrats "in power"...

GROW A SPINE, MORANS!!!

Oh, and do some goddamn fact checking before allowing you weak knees to jerk...

K...?

K...!




On Edit: Oh, and by the way, the right-wing lies and you lap up their bullshit with a spoon!

[scentopine]

101. you will notice that Gibbs *again* blamed those on the right and those on the left ...

this whole incident proves that even though republicans lost they still run the government and hold all the decision making power.

Really getting sick of this "those on the right and those on the left are to blame" bullshit.

This was a mealy mouthed press conference.

Damn it - it makes democrats look every bit as weak as they are.

Fox has three - THREE (Goddamn it) Members on press corp.

KICK TWO OF THE FOX FUCKERS OFF OF THE FUCKING WORTHLESS PIECE OF SHIT PRESS CORP

KICK TWO OF THE FOX FUCKERS OFF OF THE FUCKING WORTHLESS PIECE OF SHIT PRESS CORP

KICK TWO OF THE FOX FUCKERS OFF OF THE FUCKING WORTHLESS PIECE OF SHIT PRESS CORP

KICK TWO OF THE FOX FUCKERS OFF OF THE FUCKING WORTHLESS PIECE OF SHIT PRESS CORP

KICK TWO OF THE FOX FUCKERS OFF OF THE FUCKING WORTHLESS PIECE OF SHIT PRESS CORP

KICK TWO OF THE FOX FUCKERS OFF OF THE FUCKING WORTHLESS PIECE OF SHIT PRESS CORP

KICK TWO OF THE FOX FUCKERS OFF OF THE FUCKING WORTHLESS PIECE OF SHIT PRESS CORP

KICK TWO OF THE FOX FUCKERS OFF OF THE FUCKING WORTHLESS PIECE OF SHIT PRESS CORP

[reformist2]

102. I think it's time for the White House to take Fox News out of the press pool.

[Kall]

103. Give her Vilsack's job.

[eridani]

105. That will help. Let's hope this apology is accompanied by

--a very strict policy to NEVER, ever validate any ethical charge against any Democrat, regardless of the quality of the source. The answer should always be "We are investigating that and will take appropriate action at the conclusion of the investigation."

[JDPriestly]

109. Did Bush EVER apologize to Valerie Plame and Joe Wilson?

Did Cheney?

I don't remember that they did. Am I just forgetful?