Republicans intensify minority outreach efforts.
You've got to feel sorry for those Republicans who truly want to engage the nation in a debate about fiscal policy and the appropriate function of the federal government. Those folks keep getting sabotaged by the party's nutjobs who simply cannot get over the fact that a black family is in the White House. Every time one side of the party tries to have a debate about, say, President Obama's policies the wackos redirect the conversation to his race. Remember, Barack the Magic Negro? Sheesh.
The latest eye-rolling incident comes courtesy of longtime GOP activist Rusty DePass. Commenting on a report on Facebook about an escaped gorilla escape at Columbia, South Carolina zoo, DePass wrote: "I'm sure it's just one of Michelle's ancestors -- probably harmless."
He was busted by South Carolina political blogger, Will Folks.
DePass has since apologized -- you know, one of those maddening "I'm sorry IF anyone was offended blah blah blah blah."
The Daily News has a bit more about DePass that makes for good reading. It turns out the former chairman of the Richland County GOP was co-chairman of Rudy Giuliani's 2008 campaign in Richland County.
Here's a gem from an Op-Ed he wrote endorsing Giuliani:
Most of us, of course, particularly in South Carolina, never gave a damn about New Yorkers, but somehow the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, made those people Americans again.
Gee, sounds like DePass is a student of the Sarah Palin school of U.S. geography. There are "pro-America" parts of America and then there are "those people."
Oh, and one more thing. When the next Obamas-as-apes/gorillas/monkeys cartoon or digitally altered photo surfaces, can we all agree to not be shocked, just shocked that many people will see an intended insult?
There's a reason that the Republican party is known as the old white guys party. It's because the real decisions are made by a small group of old white guys. It's been that way for decades and they are quite comfortable in keeping it that way. I think it's laughable to hear about them "reaching out to minorities". That's like the KKK reaching out to the black community...it's a publicity stunt at best.
Posted by: Scott | June 15, 2009 at 01:05 PM
Just a bunch of angry Repugs still mad that they lost and that the "Cool-Cat" is the White House !! woo hoo !!
Posted by: Dee-TX | June 15, 2009 at 01:31 PM
As the GOP shrinks, it is losing all of its moderates. Gradually the republicans are looking more like a right wing insurgency than a true political party. The crazies are bubbling to the top of this ever shrinking stew. As a liberal (not a democrat) I am dismayed. The democrats must have a formidable opponent or they will become just as corrupt as the republicans were under Bush.
Posted by: Juan Liberale | June 15, 2009 at 02:11 PM
The original posting by DePass was bigoted, racist and just plain stupid. Well, rock hard stupid, actually. But then he made it worse by adding the typical non apology apology.
But that wasn't enough for ol' Rusty. Oh no. You didn't mention the worst part. Turns out Rusty had a big stash of super dense singularity-type stupid he was eager to show off.
After his asinine ignorant racist bluster and his typical Republican non apology apology, Rusty actually BLAMED MICHELLE OBAMA for his own ignorance and stupidity. I poop you not...
By way of explanation for his idiotic boobery, DePass said, and I quote, "The comment was hers. Not mine," saying the first lady made statements in the media recently saying we are all descendants of apes.
No doubt you will be shocked to learn that a thorough Lexis-Nexis search shows Michelle Obama said no such thing.
What we have here is the rare convergence of diverse types of stupidity so profound as to constitute a previously unknown form of stupidity. One might think the original statement to be the very apogee of stupidity, and one would be right, had that been all there was to this story.
Then came the stupid non apology apology, making the original stupidity look mild. Then DePass lies in order to blame the target of his hateful idiocy for his own hateful idiocy and, just for good measure, he strikes a blow for ignorance by impugning science in the form of evolution.
It's the Republican trifecta of stupidity. Stupid statement followed by stupid non apology framed by stupid lie and finally stupid denial of reality. Stupid, stupid, stupid. And these geniuses STILL can't figure out why they're now a small and ever shrinking minority.
Republicans, you've worked hard for this. You've earned it. You deserve it. And boy, howdy, are you ever getting it, but good. Congratulations! It's about time...
Posted by: Peter Principle | June 15, 2009 at 02:24 PM
I think that the republicans have much easy time to recruit the KKK to expand their own base than any other minority...
Posted by: keith | June 15, 2009 at 03:10 PM
Hey Scott the Republicans aren't just known as the old white guy party they are known as the old racist/sexist/homophobic White guy party.
the old white guys that aren't either of those things tend to vote for other parties
Posted by: Rihanna | June 15, 2009 at 05:22 PM
The GOP is for people who like small government
if you are saying ONLY whites want small government not only are you wrong,as I am proof of that but that initself indicates all non whites with a racist paintbrush
And that would make you as guilty as those you claim you are not like, those old white guys
which is fellow humans?
Posted by: Frank | June 15, 2009 at 05:23 PM
When the next Obamas-as-apes/gorillas/monkeys cartoon or digitally altered photo surfaces, can we all agree to not be shocked, just shocked that many people will see an intended insult?
Didn't take long.
Posted by: jasperjava | June 15, 2009 at 07:36 PM
The apologies should be going Michelle Obama, and then to that 78% of the population who believe she is doing a great job. We all need to double our resolve to educate Americans about the real world. We also need to stop paying pampered right-wingers to fill elected seats. Black needs to resign immediately. De Pass needs to be sued for slander.
Posted by: Billy Kidd | June 15, 2009 at 09:31 PM
Derogatory attacks and innuendos aimed at anyone should be unacceptable. That means whether it is any member of the Obama family or the Palin family.
Let's demand that there be respect shown to everyone, regardless of political persuasion.
Posted by: annetta | June 16, 2009 at 11:24 AM
As a college educated professional , economically conservative but socially moderate black male I could never in good conscious vote Republican. A FOX in sheep's clothing by any other measure is still a FOX. I think these people expressed their true feelings as it related to Michelle Obama, and the oops I sent it to the wrong people e-mail with Presidential photos . People are not as gullible as they once were and just like with Iran the truth can not be stopped
Posted by: George | June 21, 2009 at 02:34 PM