Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid apologized today for a remark he made in 2008, calling Barack Obama a “light-skinned” African-American who didn’t have a “Negro dialect, unless he wanted to have one.” Wince! The remark was revealed in the book Game Change by Mark Halperin and John Heilemann about the 2008 race (of which we have an excerpt this week about the fall of John Edwards). Reid, who says he has already spoken directly to the President about this matter, apologized, 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.”
Reid’s remarks were made in the context of expressing his belief that the country was ready for Obama’s presidency, placing Reid with then-candidate Joe Biden (“articulate and bright and clean”) among politicians who have blundered into offensiveness while ostensibly attempting to praise the president with a classic “one of the good ones” well-intentioned, but totally undermining and racist statement. Old people, man. Will they ever learn?
Reid Apologizes for ‘Negro’ Remark [Politico]
Reid’s remarks were made in the context of expressing his belief that the country was ready for Obama’s presidency, placing Reid with then-candidate Joe Biden (“articulate and bright and clean”) among politicians who have blundered into offensiveness while ostensibly attempting to praise the president with a classic “one of the good ones” well-intentioned, but totally undermining and racist statement. Old people, man. Will they ever learn?
Reid Apologizes for ‘Negro’ Remark [Politico]
