Harry Reid's Racist Comments Reminiscent of Joe Wilson's "You Lie!" Outburst
When a President's Acceptance of an Apology Means Nothing
Remember Joe Wilson?
Just last September, Rep. Joe Wilson's infamous outburst of "You lie!" during Obama's speech at a joint session of Congress was reputed to have been racially motivated, considering his home state in the south. The New York Times ran an OP-ED piece by Maureen Dowd asserting that Joe Wilson was a racist. Rep. Joe Wilson apologized to President Obama and his apology was accepted. However, Democratic leadership would not allow the controversy to die and instead censured Joe Wilson because he refused to publicly apologize to President Obama on the floor. Debate ensued and valuable legislative time was wasted. In the end, a vote was taken and the measure passed 240-179 in favor of censure. The vote, it should be noted, fell largely down party lines.
A Presidential Acceptance of an Apology Means Nothing
In both of the cases outlined above, Harry Reid and Joe Wilson offered an apology to President Obama. In both cases, President Obama graciously accepted their apologies, considered the matter closed and expressed a desire to move on. In both cases, however, the opposing party refused to let the matter drop. If President Obama is willing to allow bygones be bygones, then why can't our Washington lawmakers do the same?
In Joe Wilson's case, the Democrats felt that his outburst and breach of rules and etiquette meant that he should be punished publicly. Simply put, the Democratic leadership wanted to milk the controversy for all of the political juice that they could get.
With regard to Harry Reid, at least his comments were private, and, no one would disagree, in poor taste. The GOP leadership is now asking tit-for-tat, comparing Harry Reid's remarks to those that led to former Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott to resign from his leadership position after making some racial remarks at 100 year old Strom Thurmond's birthday party. Like a dog to a bone, Republicans have jumped on Reid's unfortunate comments, bent on getting political revenge.
Politics as usual trumps good manners. Both men apologized and in both instances, Obama publicly accepted their apologies. When the opposing parties force the issue, it makes a presidential acceptance of an apology mean nothing.
Sources:
House to Disclipline Wilson for 'You Lie' Outburst
The Joe Wilson Censure Vote: A Look at Who Crossed Party Lines
Boy, Oh Boy (Maureen Dowd)
Cornyn, Steele Call on Reid to Resign as Senate Leader After Obama 'Negro' Comment
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7 Comments
Post a CommentI don't the remarks were racist but more a poor choice of words. Still if Obama accepts the apology, then let's get over it!
I agree with Carol here on this subject. Great write up though.
I look at this very differently. I don't think either of them was being racist but I think there is a fundamental difference in their behaviors that needs to be addressed. Wilson: he was rude to the president and the American public at a event that called for decorum. He should have apologized on the House floor because his offense affected not only the president but the other members of Congress and the American public. Reid: he was commenting on an unfortunate reality of politics, that some American voters are more likely to vote for a black candidate if he has lighter skin tone and speaks a certain way. Acknowledging this reality without further explanation is impolitic but not racist. His comments were private, however, so apologizing to the president (the subject of the remarks) seems sufficient- if he runs for re-election, of course, he will have to explain himself to Nevada voters now that his comments are public.
Nevada voters will have to decide if Reid stays or goes, but combined with VP Biden's similar remarks, it reflects a typical liberal cultural deceit. They should stop projecting their own cultural bigotry onto others and clean up their own considerable mess and bad conciences.
Yes, they are like bratty kids. He called me a name! He said it first! How come he didn't get grounded? You like him better! Blah, blah, blah. Quoting Sylvia "And to think we elect them!"
Congress reminds me of unruly kindergarteners; I just want to send them to their desks, have them put their heads down and not say a word until they promise to behave and quit bickering. And to think that we elected them ...
Completely agree. Michael Steele is being incredibly dramatic. Though I do agree that a conservative would have been slammed for that comment, I don't think Reid should be. It's disgusting how the parties bicker over such petty issues, always looking for an opportunity to paint the other side as bad.