Senator Sherrod Brown: “I think some of the animosity against Barack Obama is race-based."

[jefferson_dem]

DAYTON — Sen. Sherrod Brown drew a few boos Friday, Sept. 18, at what otherwise should have been a low-key event when he suggested that some who oppose President Obama do so because of race.

The Ohio Democrat spoke to about 250 business people at a Dayton Area Chamber of Commerce breakfast. During a question-and-answer period, an audience member asked Brown about U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s recent call for political leaders to cool down overheated rhetoric before it leads to violence.

The Ohio Democrat said the animosity aimed at Obama, America’s first black president, was “pretty amazing” and it came at the president almost as soon as he was sworn in.

“I think some of the animosity against Barack Obama is race-based,” Brown told the audience.

Brown said those who oppose Obama because of race rather than policy are a minority. But the senator added that he thinks it is a factor because of racist sentiments expressed against Obama in the letters, e-mails and phone calls sent to Brown’s office.

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http://www.daytondailynews.com/business/some-animosity-against-obama-is-race-based-says-brown-305204.html?showComments=true

[Forkboy]

1. I like Brown and I'm glad he said it.

And fuck the ignorant clowns who booed it.

[jefferson_dem]

2. It's sad that it took courage for Brown to announce this truism...

And that it is met with such rank denial and ignorance.

[Forkboy]

4. Carter opened that door and took the big hits.

Now others can hopefully start saying the same thing.

[Indigent]

5. What Carter and Brown said are two different things

That "some" racism exists is undeniable and beyond dispute. That the overwhelming portion of it is due to race is what made Obama and Colin Powell reject Carter's assertion.

[Forkboy]

6. Meh. Carter was right.

[hileeopnyn8d]

10. But that isn't quite what he said, is it?

He said:

"I think an overwhelming portion of the intensely demonstrated animosity toward President Barack Obama is based on the fact that he is a black man," Carter said.

And he's correct, btw.

Since animosity means bitter hostility/hatred, and intense means extreme - he is saying that an overwhelming portion of those people displaying extreme hatred toward Obama are doing it because of race.

And again, he's correct.

This is just like the DHS right-wing extremist report, its focus was on extremists yet the entire Republican party took exception to it. Their outrage is disingenuous.

[mascarax]

3. It does say "a few boos", but frankly it shouldn't be *any*

I appreciate Sherrod Brown and his standing up.

He noted in one his books that people would write or call in with "I'm against universal healthcare - keep the government out of my Medicare!"

[Arkana]

7. Sherrod Brown's a pretty perceptive guy.

[Hepburn]

8. Well....

...when I hear some of the words used, how could it be anything BUT racial?

:shrug:

[OnyxCollie]

9. That's my Senator. nt

[jefferson_dem]

11. You should be proud... Brown is one of the good ones.

Now, here's hoping you guys replace Voinovich with another Dem to give us a pair. :)

[OnyxCollie]

12. Damn straight.

I've sent him many thank you notes for the votes he's cast.

[CitizenLeft]

13. mine too - very proud of him!