Reid called Obama earlier today to apologize. Obama accepts apology. "I know what's in his heart."

[jefferson_dem]

This story makes me more sad than any other in a long time.

Reid Calls Obama

A White House official said that Majority Leader Harry Reid has called President Obama to apologize for comments describing his ability to speak in something other than a "Negro" dialect.

And President Obama just issued this statement:

"Harry Reid called me today and apologized for an unfortunate comment reported today. I accepted Harry's apology without question because I've known him for years, I've seen the passionate leadership he's shown on issues of social justice and I know what's in his heart. As far as I am concerned, the book is closed."

http://politics.theatlantic.com/2010/01/reid_calls_obama.php

[NMDemDist2]

1. Why?

I've been out of touch, why is he apologizing?

[jefferson_dem]

3. See here.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=433&topic_id=116970&mesg_id=116970

[Diamonique]

2. That's exactly what I was feeling. nt

[gateley]

4. I can hear people of my parents' generation saying something similar with nothing

but kindness -- not judgment -- in their hearts. Totally clueless that such an observation would be taken as we do take it today. That's how they were raised, and the important thing is how they FEEL. My sense is that Harry Reid isn't a racist, and wasn't being condescending when he made those statements, but then I always give people the benefit of the doubt. I hope I'm not wrong.

[madmax]

5. I thought the same... n/t