Just like Barack Obama, Congressman Geoff Davis, a Kentucky Republican, is discovering that what you say at a private dinner isn’t private anymore:
Congressman Geoff Davis, took the criticisms of Mr. Obama a few steps further, likening the change slogan to the pitch of a “snake oil salesman.” He then relayed to the audience that he had taken party in a “highly classified, national security simulation” with Obama.
“I’m going to tell you something: That boy’s finger does not need to be on the button,” Mr. Davis said. “He could not make a decision in that simulation that related to a nuclear threat to this country.”
The implication of the use of the word “boy” is quite clear and, being from Kentucky, I’m sure that Davis knew exactly what he was saying when he said it, he probably just didn’t think it would cause the Internet firestorm that it has.
The Obama campaign, for example, has already responded:
“It’s hard to tell what is more outrageous - Representative Davis’s condescending and personal attack, or his absurd and offensive claim that Barack Obama is not prepared to defend America. Geoff Davis may hide behind offensive tough talk, but he has marched in lock-step with Bush-McCain policies that have devastated our national security, while Barack Obama has stood up against a misguided war in Iraq and worked with respected Republicans like Dick Lugar and Chuck Hagel to secure loose weapons and nuclear materials from terrorists,” Bill Burton, the campaign spokesman said.
Frankly, it doesn’t matter how the Obama campaign responded. Davis lost the right to call his comments a thoughtful discussion about Barack Obama’s qualificiations to be President when he used an obvious racial slur, and most of the right-wing blogosphere isn’t given him any slack over it.
McQ for one hopes that Davis was hammered when he said it:
B) Do the Republicans realize that saying something stupid like this only draws attention away from the self-destructive cycle the Democrats are going through?
C) Is there anyone, anywhere, that doesn’t understand that using the term ‘boy’ to refer to a black man is UNACCEPTABLE? Anyone?
So I hope Davis was hammered. And I hope he has a hell of a hangover, because unless he does, I can only write this off to abject stupidity on his part.
And Rick Moran isn’t happy either:
Davis all but call’s Obama a stupid n*****.
Okay, now the elitist in me is about ready to emerge. But one look at this guy’s picture says it all. The Gomer Pyle ears, goober eatin’ grin, and something inbred around the eyes bespeaks a throwback. Put a uniform and a badge on this guy and I can see him aiming the fire hose at women and children in Selma.
This man should be censured by the House. Everybody in America knows by this time how hurtful and just plain wrong it is to refer to a black man as “boy.” It doesn’t matter if he calls white men “boys.” The connotations are entirely different and everyone knows it.
If the guy is so ignorant that he didn’t think it was wrong, then he’s too stupid to serve in the House – even for a Republican.
Needless to say over the next 24 hours the debate on the Obama gaffe will shift. It will no longer be how arrogant and dismissive of the white middle class is the Democratic candidate for president but rather how much did he get right in his little rant?
Meanwhile, Marc Ambinder reports that Davis has already sent a letter of apology to Obama:
Dear Senator Obama:
On Saturday night I gave a speech in which I used a poor choice of words when discussing the national security policy positions of the Presidential candidates. I was quoted as saying “That boy’s finger does not need to be on the button.”
My poor choice of words is regrettable and was in no way meant to impugn you or your integrity. I offer my sincere apology to you and ask for your forgiveness.
Though we may disagree on many issues, I know that we share the goal of a prosperous, secure future for our nation. My comment has detracted from the dialogue that we should all be having on legitimate policy differences and in no way reflects the personal and professional respect I have for you.
Sincerely
Geoff Davis
As Ambinder notes, Davis’s saving grace in this is that at least he wasn’t as stupid as Trent Lott, who waited two weeks before he realized that he’d actually said something offensive. Still, I can’t help but think that Davis’s choice of words, while not necessarily deliberate, reflects prejudices that still exist in certain parts of this country.
