Does Howard Dean owe anyone an apology?

[WI_DEM]

Poll question: Does Howard Dean owe anyone an apology?

[TlalocW]

1. For what? Some other thread said something about a joke

Fill in the lazy person who just woke up.

TlalocW

[Pacifist Patriot]

2. And the lazy person who has had her nose stuck in a textbook.

I'm clueless too.

[MissB]

5. Here is a snippet for both of you

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."


(Note that the Congressional Black Congress gave him a standing ovation immediately after this remark.)

[TlalocW]

9. So who's whining about his joke

White republicans or the rarely seen black republican?

TlalocW

[XemaSab]

17. Rarely seen black republican....

The Lt Gov of Maryland.

[Tomee450]

26. Just another

attempt to get African Americans to turn from the Democrats. It won't work as most blacks know exactly what the Republicans think of them. I thought the joke was funny.

[Pacifist Patriot]

13. Sorry, but I find the remark....

incredibly funny because of it striking way too close to the truth.

[PROGRESSIVE1]

3. NO!

[cyclezealot]

4. In this one example, I guess I agree with your choice of

exclamatory descreptive words...Hell, no......Go Dean..His battle has just begun....Are the uninformed up to it...The sleaze is on the other front..Keep saying that...
As the bumper sticker says...'If you are not enragged, you are not informed.'

[Poppyseedman]

6. I'm not qualified to answer since

I'm not an African American.

Personally, I don't see what the big deal is, but I'm not walked in their shoes.

I do think, if his lame comment was about Jews, Mexicans, Women, Homosexuals, fill in the blank, he never would have said it.

Also I might add, Dean is just reinforcing his image as a loud mouthed out of control politician. It can't help our cause.

[porphyrian]

8. Oh, bullshit.

If Dean were Black, no one would said anything about the comment at all. Don't feed the walking-on-eggshells bullshit attempt at keeping us divided over racial issues conservatives are constantly trying to use to stir us up for their entertainment. The statement was obnoxious because it was true, and Dean was merely pointing it out. People in our party need to stop being being so over-sensitive about every issue and fearful about offending someone. As the most diverse party, we aren't going to agree on most things completely, so get the fuck over it. That mentality hasn't done us any good in the last three major elections, and I'm fucking sick of losing to the party I know is the more morally corrupt. Dean is our only hope, if we still have one.

[Deep13]

7. Hurt their wittle feewings.

Is it some secret that Black people are often stuck in crappy, servile jobs and that 139 years after the 13th Amendement, society still gives them the sticky end of the lollipop stick? I think Rs are offended because they like to pretent it ain't so. Dean doesn't tiptoe around the issues.

[dhinojosa]

10. I voted no, but Dean should know better.

Blacks don't even make up much hotel staff, that was gross stereotyping.
Dean just needs to take some lessions from Bill Clinton, and just focus on tasks, without resorting to jokes. It's all his jokes and catch phrases that really get him in trouble.

[NYCGirl]

11. BTW, the phrase was "people of color", not just African Americans.

And (certainly in NY, where the meeting was held), non-whites are certainly overrepresented in the hotel service industry.

[dhinojosa]

19. It doesn't make it any smoother.....

but it'll wash over, it wasn't a big sin. I just want Dean to keep the jokes down and be more diplomatic. He has a lot of power and a lot of popularity and you don't want to give the republicans something to whine about.

[NYCGirl]

20. You know, if we worry about what we say so that Republicans can't whine

about it, we'll never say anything at all. But I appreciate your concern.

[dhinojosa]

21. Just an addition

You know how professional Clinton was with his comments, he kept his jokes at a low. People in power need to recognize that the general populace is sensitive.

I think Dean is exciting, and he'll do a good job. But if he wants to bring people to the big tent he'll need to stay clear of jokes like that.

Like I said, it will pass though. Plus Dean is feeling his way in a new job. He just needs to say "it's my first day". :)

[mzmolly]

18. See my thread here:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=1605730&mesg_id=1605730

[dhinojosa]

23. Good thread.

All I am saying is that if you are trying to bring people to the big tent, choose your words wisely. :)

[Tomee450]

28. Black people can take a joke.

I'm black and am not offended at all. Dean was trying to say how inclusive the Democrats are compared to the Republicans.

[zbdent]

12. Only for shaking Perle's hand

[Skittles]

14. NO

Pointing out that republicans are racist bastards is THE TRUTH.

[Fleshdancer]

15. It's easier for Repubs to bitch about a joke than to think about the point

of the joke and WHY it was funny to the people in the room. The Republicans have a dismal record when it comes to caring or even acknowledging both the poor working class and minorities. So why was it funny? Because Dean said out loud something we all know and think.

[IronLionZion]

16. as a colored person, I think it was AWESOME!!!

and so true! Dean views us as equal partners in his party. Republicans view us as hotel staff and exploit us for photo ops. pure and simple.

Can you taste the Democratic takeover in 2006? mmm... it's going to be sweet!

[Cha]

24. Thanks for you telling us your

view on this..and that you're AA or "CP"..It doesn't bother me..but some people are sensitive and I wondered about them..

And the repukes can just fuck off..because they know what bush is and they're still behind his fascist butt.

[beyurslf]

22. For what? Hell no

[candy331]

25. A clarification of what he meant or was trying to get across would

surely be good. I keep saying if you throw a ball be willing to catch one too or someone else may just catch it and hit you up side the head with it. What a leg up Dean and Democrats would get if they brought out CBC members to slap the howling repubs around.

[HereSince1628]

27. No. eom