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Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich defended himself today against charges of racial insensitivity by noting that he’s worked with African-American leaders in the past.
At a town hall event meant to appeal to Latino voters at a Mexican restaurant in Manchester, an African-American man confronted Gingrich about recent comments he made that have drawn the ire of the NACCP and other civil rights leader. Gingrich controversially said last week, “I’m prepared, if the NAACP invites me, I’ll go to their convention and talk about why the African-American community should demand paychecks and not be satisfied with food stamps.”
At the event today, Yvan Lamothe, a 59-year-old former New Hampshire state employee and small business owner, drew strong applause from the crowd when he told Gingrich that he has never taken welfare or food stamps and was offended by Gingrich’s suggestion that most African Americans do. Gingrich responded with something like the classic “some of my best friends are black” defense, noting that he has worked with people like Condaleeza Rice and Colin Powell in the past:
LAMOTHE: My question to you is, do think blacks represent an American problem. And if you don’t think that, when you start using blacks in general as a stepping stone or a punching bag–
GINGRICH: I didn’t say that. I just want to say that frankly this makes me very irritated. The Democratic National Committe took totally out of context half of the sentence, OK? I mean clearly somebody who’s served with Colin Powell, who has served with Condaleeza Rice, I have a fairly good sense of the fact that African Americans have many contributions to America.
Gingrich went on to say that he simply wants to help more people of all ethnicities find jobs and get them off food stamps.
Black Man Confronts Gingrich On Food Stamps Comments: 'Stop Using Blacks As A Punching Bag'
Article Source: Think Progress
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“He didn’t say some black people, he just said black people. I was incensed by that,” he said. “He didn’t really really address it, he said he didn’t say it, but he’s clearly on tape saying it,” Lamothe added. “He should stop using blacks as a punching bag.” Lamothe concluded: “It was erroneous, it was wrong, and it was not fair.”
I'm glad this man called out Gingrich on his racist comments...more people should do this with all of the Tea Party Republican candidates. Make them defend their bigoted and racist remarks every day!
- 8 votes
#1 - Sun Jan 8, 2012 3:44 PM ESTI would have loved to see the look on Newt's face when the man confronted him.Bet he thought that perhaps he would be the punching bag!
- 5 votes
#2 - Sun Jan 8, 2012 6:12 PM ESTMr Lamonthe is a hero in my eyes.
I am glad he called Newt out on his blatant racism.
- 3 votes
#3 - Sun Jan 8, 2012 6:15 PM ESTNice save, Newt.....NOT!
I'm glad to hear people taking on these idiots! Santorum booed, confronted on his anti gay remarks, Gingrich called on the carpet with his black bashing comments.
Power to the people, guys! Make yourself heard!
- 3 votes
#4 - Sun Jan 8, 2012 7:00 PM ESTI mean clearly somebody who’s served with Colin Powell, who has served with Condaleeza Rice, I have a fairly good sense of the fact that African Americans have many contributions to America.
Is this Newt's version of "my best friend is black"?
- 3 votes
#6 - Sun Jan 8, 2012 10:16 PM ESTNewt needs to understand that his line of thinking is racist period. Now say 28% of Blacks are getting some aid like food stamps and those heads of family make lees than the poverty level and they do, how dose this add up to hand out mentality? No Newt may think he the smartest person in the room but when it comes to understanding and categorizingBlacks like myself he IS AN IDIOT. Newt ask yourself this what is the 72% of Blacks who aren't recieving food stamps see this??????????????????????????????????????????????????????
- 5 votes
#7 - Mon Jan 9, 2012 9:05 AM ESTNewt ask yourself this what is the 72% of Blacks who aren't recieving food stamps see this??????????????????????????????????????????????????????
62%, actually. 10% of Blacks don't get food stamps because they're in prison getting free meals that way.
- 1 vote
Funny, each group always asks, "what are you going to do for my group?" yet, when the question is answered, people take offense. The Fact Is...black rate of unemployment is way higher than the current rate of 8.5 not counting the folks who have given up. Gingrich's statement was well in line. Or is it less "racist" to ignore that huge difference? And liberals wonder why they can't succeed in the hard lines of work...like engineering, science and economics or basic math.
Many black leaders....Sharpton, Jackson et al have decried the hi rate of black unemployment and welfare as compared to the societal average. Facts are stubborn things.
- 1 vote
#8 - Mon Jan 9, 2012 9:27 PM ESTAnd liberals wonder why they can't succeed in the hard lines of work...like engineering, science and economics or basic math.
Really?
- 2 votes
Red,
I'd seen a poll similar to this previously...with pretty much the same numbers. What is interesting is this line,
Majorities of scientists working in academia (60%), for non-profits (55%) and in government (52%) call themselves Democrats, as do nearly half of those working in private industry (47%).
Regards,
Mike
- 1 vote
I'm glad you can see the error of your previous statement...
And liberals wonder why they can't succeed in the hard lines of work...like engineering, science and economics or basic math.
- 3 votes
Yep and Newt defended his racist remarks here: At a town hall event meant to appeal to Latino voters at a Mexican restaurant in Manchester, an African-American man confronted Gingrich about recent comments he made that have drawn the ire of the NACCP and other civil rights leader.
Does he even realize that he, and our el Presidente, are really pissing off their biggest constituency. White people aren't really all that stupid ( all though I have begun to wonder about that too) and there will be payback for all of them at the next election.
- 1 vote
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