Racist jokes may have lasting impact on S.C. GOP

[steven johnson]

Ethnic politics works if one group doesn't hear what politicians are saying about them to another.

Thursday, June 18, 2009

Former SC official apologizes for racist remark aimed at Michelle Obama


By John O'Connor | The State (Columbia, S.C.)

State Republican leaders said they do not think online racist jokes by party activists will have a long-term impact on the party's ability to attract black voters and candidates. But political experts and Democrats disagree.

Twice this week Republican activists have apologized for racist humor.
Wednesday, flanked by members of the NAACP, Columbia GOP activist Rusty DePass apologized for the Facebook remark that likened first lady Michelle Obama's ancestors to an escaped Riverbanks Zoo gorilla. On Tuesday, Mike Green, an employee with Lexington GOP consulting firm Starboard Communications apologized for an online joke about President Barack Obama taxing aspirin "because it's white and it works."

Starboard has been hired by U.S. Rep. Gresham Barrett, an Oconee Republican who is running for governor.

Despite the apologies, observers said voters likely will remember the incident as part of a longer history of disputes that includes removing the Confederate battle flag from the State House dome.


Racist jokes may have lasting impact on S.C. GOP

[Ken Burch]

1. This reminds me of a line from The Onion:

In one of their "people on the street" sections, they were supposedly asking people what they thought of the Confederate flag controversy.

One of those they asked said this:

"If I were a resident of South Carolina, I would be deeply ashamed...now, what's this about a flag?"