Republican Congressman from Kentucky Calls Obama "Boy"

[midwinter]

So GOP KY Congressman Geoff Davis (for real. that's his name) said this about Obama:


"I'm going to tell you something: That boy's finger does not need to be on the button," Davis said.

"Boy," for any of you not from the South, is a derogatory term for black folks. It's the polite equivalent of "nigger." So here's the question: since the GOP is so heavily invested in the South, this kind of thing is bound to come up. How far will this kind of speech be allowed to go? Even though Davis has apologized for the remark, Mitch McConnell , who was present at the time, has not commented on the event. Why not? Will a GOP full of southerners not exactly famous for their racial sensitivity be able to attack Obama without stuff like this bubbling up?

[Jubelum]

Maybe he's just bitter. :\

[groverat]

This will be very common, but it's part of the growing pains. Flippant excuse-making is also a part of it.

[Outsider]

"Leave it to the Liberals to make 'boy' a bad word!"

"I'm 82! To me, the 43 year old Obama IS a boy!"

[vinea]

"Leave it to the Liberals to make 'boy' a bad word!"

"I'm 82! To me, the 43 year old Obama IS a boy!"

Heh, too bad Davis is 49 and Obama is 46...but hey, this should be worth a few minutes of amusement. Anyone who's lived in the south knows the meaning of that word used in that context so the spin should be amazingly funny.

[BRussell]

Which would be worse, to call Obama "boy" or to call Clinton "girl?"

[midwinter]

Which would be worse, to call Obama "boy" or to call Clinton "girl?"

I'd argue that calling Obama "boy" is the equivalent of publicly calling Clinton a "cunt." Except worse.

[groverat]

Much worse.

[groverat]

Exceptionally worse.

[Flounder]

Mind numbingly worse?

[hmurchison]

ignominiously worse.

If this guy was 77 I'd understand a bit better. I mean once you've hit a certain age you can "ball break" the younger guys. But 3 years older and he's calling Obama a "boy" ? Back in the day you'd rap a man on the beard for such a transgression.

[hardeeharhar]

so bad, i want to punch that congressman in the crotch so there won't be another...

[Jubelum]

anything-to-get-this-"bitter"-thing-off-the-top-of-the-public-consciousness worse.

It was a boneheaded thing to say... especially considering the wide and enduring tire marks that are still on Trent Lott from being tossed under the bus, as it were.

[vinea]

anything-to-get-this-"bitter"-thing-off-the-top-of-the-public-consciousness worse.

It was a boneheaded thing to say... especially considering the wide and enduring tire marks that are still on Trent Lott from being tossed under the bus, as it were.

Just shows that both parties are subject to missteps. The democrats just make more of them.

Still, I can't disagree that Lott should have been tossed under the bus. It was just insanely dumb to make that kind of comment and then pretend...oh no...that's not what I meant.

[groverat]

To compare "bitter" to "boy" is absurd. They are nothing alike.

I don't know where you guys are from, but being from the South, raised in East Texas, I cannot believe how oblivious so many are to blatant racism simply because it suits them politically.

At some point someone should feel some shame about dismissing the gravity of anti-black racism.

[Flat Stanley]

How can professional politicians say such stupid things? Then again, it may get votes back home :\

[groverat]

Being a professional politician requires only a very narrow and specific type of intelligence; how to ingratiate oneself with power-players.

[Flat Stanley]

To compare "bitter" to "boy" is absurd. They are nothing alike.

I don't know where you guys are from, but being from the South, raised in East Texas, I cannot believe how oblivious so many are to blatant racism simply because it suits them politically.

At some point someone should feel some shame about dismissing the gravity of anti-black racism.

So true. It bothers the hell out of me to hear the wingnut radio crowd site a successful black man as evidence for racism not being a big deal anymore. Racism is still huge in this country.

[BRussell]

OK, so then what if he called Obama a "girl."

[addabox]

Well, naturally, the liberal media has pounced on this little gaffe to make their typical point that Republicans are racist and to give them an excuse to drop round the clock coverage of Bittergate.

Oh, wait.

[Outsider]

Did he pronounce it like this: baw-wa?

[Outsider]

OK, so then what if he called Obama a "girl."

Oddly enough, it would have been better.

[BRussell]

Well, naturally, the liberal media has pounced on this little gaffe to make their typical point that Republicans are racist and to give them an excuse to drop round the clock coverage of Bittergate.

Oh, wait. Oh shit, I emailed you the wrong talking points addabox.

[Mystic]

I'd argue that calling Obama "boy" is the equivalent of publicly calling Clinton a "cunt." Except worse.

But hillary IS...

[Jubelum]

But hillary IS...

:lol: ... I was wondering if anyone would have the fortitude to say that.

<hands you a steel breastplate and a HRC-branded codpiece>

[midwinter]

Geoff Davis has issued a really good apology (http://polwatchers.typepad.com/pol_watchers/files/davis_apology.pdf).

[Aquatic]

Oh shit, I emailed you the wrong talking points addabox.



:lol::lol::lol: Dude I almost fell out of my chair. That on top of "Geoff Davis".

[groverat]

This man shouldn't even be in office.

Typical of the Republican party.

[midwinter]

This man shouldn't even be in office.

Typical of the Republican party.

Now that I re-read it, I wonder why he didn't call him "Barack HUSSEIN Obama" in that letter.