LAT: Republicans rally against charges of racism

[Heidi]

At an annual conservative rally in Washington, party leaders pursue an aggressive but delicate line as they try to assure voters their fierce opposition to Obama is solely a matter of policy.

September 20, 2009

Reporting from Washington - Stung by accusations from some Democrats that bigotry underlies virulent opposition to President Obama and wary of further setbacks among minority voters, some Republicans are lashing back with a new mantra: We are not racists.

That theme was on display over the weekend at an annual pep rally for conservative voters where several of the GOP's potential 2012 challengers to Obama began laying out their arguments to unseat the man who made history as the country's first black president.

Republicans are walking an aggressive but delicate line as they try to assure voters that their profound displeasure with the president is based on his policies, not his race. But some Democrats, such as former President Carter, have alleged that the heated opposition to Obama that has surfaced this summer came about chiefly because he is black.

"It's important that we robustly reject any charges that we're racist," said Gary Bauer, president of the social conservative group American Values, who brought activists to their feet Friday with a pugnacious speech arguing that conservatives would gladly support any minority candidate for president who embraced their "pro-family, pro-life" values.

<snip>

This spring in Tennessee, an assistant to a GOP state senator sent an e-mail titled "Historical Keepsake Photo" that featured thumbnail portraits of all 44 American presidents -- except Obama's image was depicted by two white googly eyes against a black background.

In Southern California, the Republican mayor of Los Alamitos sent an e-mail depicting the White House lawn as a watermelon patch, with the caption "No Easter egg hunt this year." In July, conservative TV show host Glenn Beck accused Obama of hating white people.

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[provis99]

1. we need to keep these twerps on the defensive.

Ramp up the racism charges and force them to defend themselves. Historically its been the Republicans attack, attack, attack while Democratic wussies defend themselves; well now the shoes on the other foot, and we should keep pointing out that they are racists, neo-Confederates, Klan lovers and Nazi sympathizers.

[stuball111]

2. repukes are sinking their own ship...

quite well if you ask me. I think the word is out by now that racism is bubbling to the surface as Carter put it. The washington tebagger rally was proof that they have lost the support of everything but a sea of white.... more like a pond now.

[EFerrari]

3. And here I was expecting a signed confession.

lol

[Wounded Bear]

4. I like to point out a simple fact to Repubs/conserves...

They don't like to hear it, because they think the whole political shift lately is because of poor PR on their part. I like to point out that the American people rejected the policies that Repubs were pedaling, not the advertising. Putting out better commercials won't convince the American people much when their actions are speaking volumes about what Repubs really support.

This is a similar effort, IMO. They are trying to convince people that they aren't racists, when their actions and rhetoric say different. Denial ain't just a river in Egypt. It does, however, flow wide and deep through conservative hearts and minds these days.

[depakid]

5. "Republicans rally..."

Still spinning for the right in the headlines.

[A-Schwarzenegger]

6. "People have got to know whether or not their Republican Party is racist.

Well, we're not racist."

(Tip of the hat to R. Nixon.)

[BlooInBloo]

7. ...

[Heidi]

9. Noop, not racist. Not racist at all.

I bet some of their best friends are black people. :sarcasm:

[Chulanowa]

8. Really? Is that so?

Can they send a memo to all the dumb motherfuckers who keep telling me I only voted for him because he's black?

[bluestateguy]

10. Demographics of their party are a one way ticket to loser-land

[aquart]

12. Are these groups of cousins?

Take a look at their features and tell some of these guys aren't close family.

[PSPS]

11. Well, they're not racists!

See for yourself!

http://www.blackpeopleloveus.com/

[Raine]

13. The why don't their leaders come out and denounce

the assholes who bring guns, the witch doctor and Hitler signs etc,etc ... you're known by the company you keep, DUH!

[bridgit]

14. Pft, good luck with that one ya'turds sounds like a full time job with plenty of OT

[opihimoimoi]

15. Project and Deny.....thats the GOP Why.....

[B Calm]

16. I know first hand the republicans I work with are racists. . . I'd think

the rest of their party would embrace their racism. . .

[Kahuna]

17. A little late for that. How do you walk that fine line of doing southern-strategy

politics while still denying that your aim isn't to divide along racial lines? It has all caught up to you. First you attacked blacks, then latinos and gays. But you want us to believe that you're not bigots. Nat.. gunna ..happen.

[samsingh]

18. repugs are racist

[HughMoran]

19. Oh, stop pretending

All the Republicans I know are racists - they're not fooling anybody.

[Brewman_Jax]

20. They aren't racist

they all have one black friend, see http://www.oneblackfriend.com. They just all happen to have the same one black friend.

[TexasObserver]

21. Without Racism, the GOP would have no reason to exist.