Is the Right trying to "Mary Cheney" Dean via his black comment?

[LittleClarkie]

The false outrage at Dean's comment about black folk in the RNC reminds me of the false outrage connected to Kerry's Mary Cheney comment. SOP for the RNC, I suppose.

[marcologico]

1. yeppers. n/t

[marcologico]

2. p.s. wonder if Condi will weigh in now or wait for the next election n/t

[itzamirakul]

3. I missed Dean's comment about

black people in the RNC. What did he say?

[marcologico]

8. First post of "Steele Asks For Apology From Howard Dean" thread:

Lt. Gov. Takes Issue With New DNC Chair's 'Racist' Joke

ANNAPOLIS, Md. -- Lt. Gov. Michael Steele is calling for an apology from Howard Dean, the new chairman of the Democratic National Committee.

Steele took issue with Dean for telling what Steele described as a "racist" joke to the Democratic black caucus.

During a meeting Friday with the black caucus in New York, Dean praised black Democrats for their work for the party, then questioned Republicans' ability to rally support from minorities.

"You think the Republican National Committee could get this many people of color in a single room? " Dean asked to laughter. "Only if they had the hotel staff in here."

Steele, Maryland's first black lieutenant governor, called the remarks "racially insensitive and intolerable."

He said Democrats wonder why they are losing ground among African-Americans and other minorities, and they need look no further than Dean's remark.

www.thewbalchannel.com/news

[LinuxInsurgent]

16. that's not racist...

one...he did this joke in the FULL PRESENCE of the Democratic Black Caucus, which, arguably, represents the largest faction of African American voters (liberal, Democratic voting blacks), by a percentage of 85%-90% of the African-American population. If he can do the joke to BLACK people, especially those who have the voters trust (via elections) , and who represent the largest faction of the African-American population, I think the joke is accepted. I haven't heard anyone in the African-American community go bananas about this...except Steele.

Second, Dean, whether he knew it or not (I guess he knew) also highlighted the fact that the only time that Republicans do have blacks around them (when they are not recruiting "racial agents" to advance their agenda and shield them from the "there's no black Republicans" charge), is when the service workers of America (Latinos, Blacks, Asians) are present at their conferences, get-togethers, and other meetings in official places...hence the "hotel staff" joke. And you know what...Dean's damn right...about the only time that most Republicans have contact with black people is when they are getting served in a restaurant or hotel...the rest of the time, they got different social networks, the white middle class and upperclasses mingle in the suburbs (and not in the urban areas, where minorities are concentrated) and have relatively little contact (except perhaps professional) with black people.

There is a major race-class division in this nation...the majority Republican white middle-upper classes live in the suburbs and mingle among themselves...the majority minority, poor-white classes live in rural or urban areas, and mingle among themselves...and at least for the blacks, they solidly vote Democrat.

It's a fact...and it's fake of the Republicans to cry foul about it...

When Dave Chapelle, Harry Belafonte, Oprah, and other major black figures start condemning Dean, then I'll believe it...but if the criticism is coming from Ward Connerly, Condiliar Rice, Clarence Thomsa, Ken BLackwell, or any other Republican "racial agent", then I'm going to ignore it.

Go Dean...if they are yelping...you stung them in the right place.

[itzamirakul]

17. The "rightwing" feels the sting and they know he is right...

If it is true that a few more blacks voted for Bush this time, then know theyh are being bought off with "faith-based initiatives" or the moral idea that pro-choice is bad and gay rights are bad.

We have to do a lot of communicating with ALL of our constituents.

Thanks for posting what the problem was...

[iwantmycountryback]

20. Describe "losing ground"

When Steele says losing ground among African-Americans, I wonder if he's talking about the amazing 10% of the black vote Shrub garnered this time, and increase from 9% last time. Or maybe he's talking about the fact that there is not a single black Republican in Congress.

[charlie]

4. He's a charismatic Dem

about to become a national figure. They'll be working overtime to predefine him before public opinion gels so he can be reliably dismissed with ridicule and contempt. They know he could be big trouble, gotta whack that one early and often.

[mandyky]

5. What's bothersome is Rachel from AAR's Unfiltered

seems to be "worried" about Dean over that, and 2 other recent events/comments. The Character assassination comment she took as a slam on Boxer and Lynne Stewart. And apparently there was a mixup over the Perle Dean debate last and whether or not press would be allowed.

Why the hell don't they ask Dean to be on instead of slamming him? No! They use idiotic RNC talking points and complaints!

[RebelOne]

6. Sean Insannity is already screaming about it. n/t

[TomClash]

7. Was he sober? nt

[bunkerbuster1]

9. Is he ever?

[Teaser]

10. No media coverage..

so the right can go Cheney itself. They lost this one.

[MNAZ]

19. I just saw the video on a blog...

it will be used over and over again in '08

[bunkerbuster1]

11. We just need to call them out on their false outrage

and move on.

Dean needs to tell them to go fuck themselves. In those exact words. Anyone doesn't like it, just remind them that he's quoting the Vice President.

One side has had the monopoly on incivility, shameless use of wedge issues, and outright lies. I say we grab two of three, and keep the third on ice for use if necessary.

[tinfoilinfor2005]

12. Muddy the waters

The right is trying to do everything and anything to take the focus off of Gannon. Ignore, ignore, ignore.

[karynnj]

13. Does seem the same method

It's not only the "black" comment, that did not seem either inaccurate or racist to me. There are big (full page in the one NJ one I've seen) ads in some of the Jewish newspapers from a Rep Jewish group distorting Dean's comment during the primaries that we had to be even handed (not sure of exact wording) in dealing with Israel and the Palestinians.

My guess is that they probably did as much research in Dean's life as they did to Kerry's. The more appropriate analog may be the swift boats. I expect they're going to dredge things up (or make up if needed) character assassinations on any Democrat who becomes a powerful voice. ALL THE MORE REASON FOR EVERYONE HERE TO STOP PARROTING THE LIES FOR DEMOCRATS WHO ARE NOT THEIR FAVORITE. It's not the primary season yet and supporting your favorite by knocking the others just gives credence to the lies.

Also, they're still whining about Marty Cheney - today on Imus, Mary Matalin was using it as an example of bad Democratic values - that they would hurt an opponent's child. (Well, so she's not 10 and Kerry's comment was more supportive of a 30ish woman who is publicly gay than anything her mom ever said.) (Even though, I wish Kerry would not have said it, because it was obvious from his voice that he was uncomfortable saying it.) As far as bad man goes, I suggest she look at the man she wakes up with.

[itzamirakul]

18. "Marty" Cheney

That's the real name, huh? LOL

[karynnj]

26. No joke meant, I'm just a very bad typist

The r and t are next to each other and I slipped - unfortunately spelling a name that can be either male or female. Sorry - if I read it I would think it in bad taste.

[madfloridian]

14. Chair of Democratic Black Caucus says Dean has nothing to apologize for.

I have a thread on this in this forum. She was there and said he got a standing ovation.

Let Hannity implode.

[JerseygirlCT]

15. Yup

and claims that Gannon is all about our supposed homophobia, and problems with Rice or Gonzales are our racism...

It's tired, really. And it sickens me when it works at all. But I imagine Dean will fight it more effectively. At least I sure hope so!

[MNAZ]

21. I'm afraid Dean's comments like this...

may cost us in '08. He seems to be less than discerning when he speaks.

[NYCGirl]

22. Then how come the audience gave him a standing ovation?

They were very pleased with what Dr. Dean said.

[Debi]

23. Oh, yes

and I'm very 'Concerned' about his behavior and his demeanor. What will Republicans think of Democrats that speak their minds and stand and fight for their beliefe. We must stop Howard Dean before the Democratic Party grows a spine.

[LittleClarkie]

24. This feeds into my hypothesis that it didn't matter which candidate

we ran in 2004, the MSM was going to make that person appear the fool regardless.

It doesn't seem to matter really. Who can survive being under the microscope 24/7.

If the RW can find nothing to make us pay in 2008, they will invent something and hope people aren't looking that close.

By all accounts, the people in the room with him were far from offended. They, in fact, gave him an ovation. As for costing us in 2008, we will see.

I'm getting sick of our people having to be so damn careful, and the other side being able to pretty much say whatever. I will cut Dean some slack. Somebody's got to.

[Luminous Animal]

25. Dean's response should be...

"The comment is racist only if Republicans are considered to be a race."

[OneTwentyoNine]

27. LOL,like they care one damn bit about blacks?? nope GANNONGATE...nt

[Blue_Tires]

28. having met steele a number of times (professionally)

i can say he's a publicity-seeking jagg-off thinking only about his career...the funny part is he actually believe he's on some fast track for some high-up position in the party nationally---fat chance.

[candy331]

29. Still haven't got it here yet I see, Dean had better get the CBC to go

public and say no apology necessary and say it as often as possible in the public or face the public believing what the Hannity's and the Watts and the Lt Governor airs. Is there no one bright enough yet to know that this needs a quick response?