Lewis defends 'Wallace' remarks

[firedupdem]

www.politico.com

Rep. John Lewis defended his criticism of the tone of McCain’s attacks on Obama at a forum on the 1965 Voting Rights Act last night at the Paley Center for the Media in New York.

“My only reference was to the toxic language that reminded me of another period, and rather than using George Wallace’s name, I probably should have used Joe McCarthy’s, and they wouldn’t be accusing me of using race. But it's hate speech," he said in response to a question from Pat Mitchell, the head of the Paley Center, according to a transcript from the event.

He said of Obama: "I see in this election as a down payment, as an installment, on making the dream of Martin Luther King Jr. and a dream of America real, moving us closer to a truly muliti-racial democracy to build in the beloved community. I think he is the personification of the hopes and dreams and aspirations of many, many people.”

[Clio the Leo]

1. John Lewis needs to apologize to NO ONE.......

.... let the man say WHATEVER he wants.

If there was ever an icon for action speaking louder than words, he's one of them.

[firedupdem]

2. You are so right! n/t

[tblue]

3. A-fucking-men! Think I'll drop by his website and send him some love.

[ecstatic]

4. It certainly is dangerous hate speech, and Lewis does not owe

that washed up "maverick" any apologies for speaking the truth.

[rebel with a cause]

6. Don't you mean that washed up steer,

because the Maverick family says mccain is no maverick because he is branded. :7

[BlooInBloo]

5. John, they're gonna accuse you of "using race" no matter WHAT you say.

[firedupdem]

7. McCain talks about Rep. Lewis being his friend...he should call him

if he has a problem with what he said. McCain knows he has been running a nasty divisive campaign.

[mwei924]

8. LOL. I find this amusing.

McCain always talks about how he thinks John Lewis, Gen. Petreaus and Colin Powell are like the wisest men on the planet. Lewis and Powell clearly think McCain is going cuckoo for Coco Puffs right now. And Petreaus seems to be endorsing Obama's stance.