Reid Apologizes for Racial Remark About Obama, and Also Sinks in a Poll





This was not the best of days for Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid who found himself apologizing for having referred to candidate Barack Obama in private as a "light-skinned" black with no "Negro dialect," and then having to digest a new poll saying most Nevadans viewed him unfavorably and would elect any of his potential GOP opponents over him.
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The quote from Reid, who at the time was officially neutral in the Democratic presidential nomination race, is in the new book "Game Change" -- an inside-the-campaigns chronicle of the 2008 election by John Heilemann and Mark Halperin. But the book says Reid was enthusiastic about Obama:

"He was wowed by Obama's oratorical gifts and believed that the country was ready to embrace a black presidential candidate, especially one such as Obama -- a 'light-skinned' African American 'with no Negro dialect, unless he wanted to have one,' as he said privately. Reid was convinced, in fact, that Obama's race would help him more than hurt him in a bid for the Democratic nomination.


Reid issued an apology today, saying:


"I deeply regret using such a poor choice of words. I sincerely apologize for offending any and all Americans, especially African Americans for my improper comments. I was a proud and enthusiastic supporter of Barack Obama during the campaign and have worked as hard as I can to advance President Obama's legislative agenda. Moreover, throughout my career, from efforts to integrate the Las Vegas strip and the gaming industry to opposing radical judges and promoting diversity in the Senate, I have worked hard to advance issues important to the African American community."

The White House issued this statement from Obama this afternoon:


"Harry Reid called me today and apologized for an unfortunate comment reported today. I accepted Harry's apology without question because I've known him for years, I've seen the passionate leadership he's shown on issues of social justice and I know what's in his heart. As far as I am concerned, the book is closed."


As for Reid's standing in the polls back home, where he is up for re-election this year, a survey conducted Jan. 5-7 by Mason-Dixon for the Las Vegas Journal-Review found that 52 percent regarded Reid unfavorably, 33 percent saw him favorably and 15 percent were neutral. In December, his unfavorable-to-favorable ratio was 49 percent to 38 percent.


Reid trails three potential Republican opponents, getting only about 4 in 10 voters against each of them..

Former Nevada GOP chairwoman Sue Lowden leads Reid 50 percent to 40 percent with 10 percent undecided.

Danny Tarkanian, a former UNLV basketball star and now in the real estate business, leads Reid 49 percent to 41` percent.

Former state Assemblywoman Sharron Angle leads Reid 45 percent to 40 percent even though 42 percent of voters don't know her. (The margin of error is 4 points).

The poll said if the GOP primary were held today Tarkanian would lead Lowden by a statistically insignificant 28 percent to 26 percent with Angle getting 13 percent.

Reid is weak. I hope he loses reelection.

Reid is weak. I hope he loses reelection.
I concure.

How do you accidently make a comment like that???

I concure.

How do you accidently make a comment like that??? :lmao:

It's not just that. He's a weak leader. He pulled so much off the health care table.
Just my opinion.

I suppose.

It's not just that. He's a weak leader. He pulled so much off the health care table.
Just my opinion.

:cheers:

I concure.

How do you accidently make a comment like that???

No comment like that is ever accidental

No comment like that is ever accidental

You're exactly right Liz. and isnt reid the one pushing so hard for the OBamacare? lol

You're exactly right Liz. and isnt reid the one pushing so hard for the OBamacare? lol

Yes but look what he is getting in return...bribes do work

I concure.

How do you accidently make a comment like that???

No comment like that is ever accidental

It looked from the article that he said it in private to another person. Now, I am not saying that I support him in any way, but it would seem that if you are having a conversation about someone in private with another person, than you should be able to call him whatever you want? Just my opinion.

Yes but look what he is getting in return...bribes do work
:rockon:
It looked from the article that he said it in private to another person. Now, I am not saying that I support him in any way, but it would seem that if you are having a conversation about someone in private with another person, than you should be able to call him whatever you want? Just my opinion.

Congress= backstabbers, nothing is private lol

:rockon:
[/B]

Congress= backstabbers, nothing is private lol

True! Good point! Still don't think that he should have had to apologize for something he said in private though. Just don't say anything to anybody that you would not say in public!

True! Good point! Still don't think that he should have had to apologize for something he said in private though. Just don't say anything to anybody that you would not say in public!

He has to say it in private so that the black community would not see he's really racist. the only reason he back Obama was because Obama was the majority of the Dems choice to run for president. Negro dialect? it shows he already has a self painted potrait of what he thinks about the black community.

He has to say it in private so that the black community would not see he's really racist. the only reason he back Obama was because Obama was the majority of the Dems choice to run for president. Negro dialect? it shows he already has a self painted potrait of what he thinks about the black community.

Like I said earlier, I am not defending his actions or words, but rather the fact that he spoke in private. Somebody can be a complete moron douche, doesn't mean that he should expect things to be taken as such when you think that you are in a private conversation. (Yes, I know, politician, never private, backstabbers, etc.)

Like I said earlier, I am not defending his actions or words, but rather the fact that he spoke in private. Somebody can be a complete moron douche, doesn't mean that he should expect things to be taken as such when you think that you are in a private conversation. (Yes, I know, politician, never private, backstabbers, etc.)

I hope crap comes out on them both and both get voted out this year and in 2012 lol.

I hope crap comes out on them both and both get voted out this year and in 2012 lol.

:cheers: To that!!!!

I hope crap comes out on them both and both get voted out this year and in 2012 lol.

:rebel::rebel:

Negro dialect? it shows he already has a self painted potrait of what he thinks about the black community.

Racial Stereotyping, thats a shame.

Racial Stereotyping, thats a shame.

You ain't white you ain't right. :lmao:
(that's a joke statement I heard at work from a spanish co worker)

Racial Stereotyping, thats a shame.

Yes, it is a shame. However, everybody and every race does it. It is not exclusive to white/black. Nor is it limited to just race. There is always some kind of stereotyping going on. Always.

Yes, it is a shame. However, everybody and every race does it. It is not exclusive to white/black. Nor is it limited to just race. There is always some kind of stereotyping going on. Always.

I totally agree Sara. :rockon:

Huh I never thought about it like that, but i guess thinking in your mind is different, than saying it or even applying to your life.

You ain't white you ain't right. :lmao:
(that's a joke statement I heard at work from a spanish co worker)

Ha thats funnny :lmao:

It looked from the article that he said it in private to another person. Now, I am not saying that I support him in any way, but it would seem that if you are having a conversation about someone in private with another person, than you should be able to call him whatever you want? Just my opinion.

You're saying it's OK to be openly racist as long as you do it in a private conversation???

You're saying it's OK to be openly racist as long as you do it in a private conversation???

Like I already stated, I do not endorse racism. HOWEVER, your statement in itself is contradictory. You are not being OPENLY racist in a PRIVATE conversation. That is where I find the fault with the situation.

Like I already stated, I do not endorse racism. HOWEVER, your statement in itself is contradictory. You are not being OPENLY racist in a PRIVATE conversation. That is where I find the fault with the situation.

I know, that's why I asked the question, to clarify. That is the way it read to me and from your other posts I could gather that isnt what you meant. I do realize the irony of my statement, too.

I don't think anyone should expect to be able to say anything privately to another and expect no consequences for whatever foul thing they may say. To say one thing in public and another privately indicates a) schizophrenia or b) lack of character; either of which should disqualify you from public office. And yes, I recognize the irony of that statement.

I know, that's why I asked the question, to clarify. That is the way it read to me and from your other posts I could gather that isnt what you meant. I do realize the irony of my statement, too.

I don't think anyone should expect to be able to say anything privately to another and expect no consequences for whatever foul thing they may say. To say one thing in public and another privately indicates a) schizophrenia or b) lack of character; either of which should disqualify you from public office. And yes, I recognize the irony of that statement.

LOL at the last statement, that one is a def. dq.

There are things though that I will say in private that I would not in public. Or word things differently, I guess? Although not as much as in a racist way, as in a watch them way. I work in a retail store. We don't pay attention to color, age, or sex. We watch those that need watching, skulkers, flitty eyes, 'itchers', those. So that is different from racism, but yet still goes with profiling. And I will pull aside any employee that is missing the fact that there is a meth head pulling a $200 filter off of the shelf while staring at everyone around them, and point them out as such and show them what they are looking for, however I won't share what I call those people in public.
So it's a different thing, however it could be taken in the same type of light.

It's late, so honestly don't know if that made any sense, just trying to explain the way I can see something being said in private vs in public, I guess.:cheers:

I used to be racist.....very racist.

I've grown up. I've met some very nice people of varying races that I'm happy to know. I've engaged them in conversations about race, racial stereotypes, political correctness, and how each of these things are used. When I'm home with my wife, and I'm talking about a black man, I do not refer to him as an "African American". In this way, some terms have been made to be racist as time has passed. People regularly use this to their benefit.

I loathe Harry Reid.....loathe him. I think he should be thrown out of office on his ear for a variety of reasons!!!

Now, let me ask you all a question: Do the majority of black people in this country speak with a different dialect than white people....or than hispanics? Be honest. I think they do. Different races and ethnicities have different cultures which shape the way they speak. For good or for bad, we're all different.

Next, do you think the word "negro" was an acceptable identifying term for black/African American people when Harry Reid was coming up in the world? Do you think that term was part of his dialect when he was growing up? Do you think it was negative then, or that the politically correct establishment decided it was wrong later on?

Do I think Harry Reid was being malicious or had ill will when these things were said? Nope. Do I think Republicans are latching onto this and playing politics? you bet your A$$ I do! Do I think Harry Reid is just getting a taste of his own medicine? Yup, sure do!

Could I have walked away from the hatred I felt years ago without salvation? Probably not!

Now, let me ask you all a question: Do the majority of black people in this country speak with a different dialect than white people....or than hispanics? Be honest. I think they do. Different races and ethnicities have different cultures which shape the way they speak. For good or for bad, we're all different.

Noting we're different physically, culturally, speak differently, etc is not racism. That's just being an observant human. We can't respect each other if we don't note our differences. Excluding someone or treating them as less of a person because of those differences is racism. Ignorance of our differences is just plain ignorance.

And more than likely, he grew up using the "other" word when it was socially accepted, still doesn't make it OK.

Noting were different physically, culturally, speak differently, etc is not racism. That's just being an observant human. We can't respect each other if we don't note our differences. Excluding someone or treating them as less of a person because of those differences is racism. Ignorance of our differences is just plain ignorance.

And more than likely, he grew up using the "other" word when it was socially accepted, still doesn't make it OK.

I agree.:yessir:

I used to be racist.....very racist.

I myself feel the same way about everyone.

NO RACE IS BETTER THEN ONE OVER ANOTHER.

I myself feel the same way about everyone.


:lmao: You hate everyone equally!!!!

:lmao: You hate everyone equally!!!!

:cheers:

for the record, I do not hate anyone.....but you are not too far off about how I feel..........I'm indifferent....

Excluding someone or treating them as less of a person because of those differences is racism. Ignorance of our differences is just plain ignorance.

Its not only that, Its the feeling of superiority over another race, which is altogether worse.