Rep. Lewis clarifies controversial remarks about McCain, Palin (all McCain supporters are racist)

cnn ^ | 10/12/2008 | cnn

[tobyhill]

Georgia Rep. John Lewis said Saturday that controversial remarks he made comparing the feeling at recent Republican rallies to those of segregationist George Wallace were misinterpreted.

The civil rights icon issued a statement Saturday evening which said a "careful review" of his remarks made earlier in the day "would reveal that I did not compare Sen. John McCain or Gov. Sarah Palin to George Wallace."

McCain said Lewis' earlier statement was "a brazen and baseless attack" and called on Sen. Barack Obama to repudiate it.

Lewis had said earlier that he was "deeply disturbed by the negative tone of the McCain-Palin campaign" and that the Republican running mates are "playing with fire."

"What I am seeing reminds me too much of another destructive period in American history. Sen. McCain and Gov. Palin are sowing the seeds of hatred and division, and there is no need for this hostility in our political discourse," Lewis said in a statement.

[Maelstorm]

I know that most Obama black supporters are. They are one of the most unilateral racist groups in this nation and their support for Obama proves it. No other group is going for this man as much as are African Americans. Nothing explains it but race.

[Lorianne]

What about the hatred and division launched against Sarah Palin just for being on the ticket, nothing more?

Nothing said about all the hateful vitriolic remarks directed at her.

[SlowBoat407]

Lewis - yet another weasel who won’t stand behind his own words just two days after they left his lying lips.

[tobyhill]

He basically said that anyone that speaks bad about Obama whether it's his policies or personality, they are racist. The anger is because no one will call Obama out on his terrible policies and bad character.

[CindyDawg]

Hey Liberals

Calling a conservative a racist will not change their vote. However it will make them angry enough to bring another conservative to the polls. You guys just continue to carry on.

[txroadkill]

[tobyhill]

They will continue because they know the polls are not accurate and McCain is probably in reality even with Obama. The Rats always play the race card when they're down or starting to lose it.

[Colonial Warrior]

[RetiredArmy]

I guess that is me, the racist white guy from Alabama.

[PhiKapMom]

Ask blacks why they are voting for Obama and they can only give one reason — he is black. Ask a Republican and they will say he is too liberal. Who is the racist?

[tflabo]

Ahhh yes...Change we can believe in. Obama the great Uniter Divider.

[tobyhill]

Lewis knew what he was saying and he meant what he said. He wanted to inject race and make people think McCain and Palin are racist. He injected it alright but he's also calling every McCain/Palin a racist.

[KriegerGeist]

"Calling a conservative a racist will not change their vote."

I'm not a racist, BUT, they are working very hard to make me one. Why is it that we don't have this kind of crap come from Asians or Hispanics?

[EGPWS]

"What I am seeing reminds me too much of another destructive period in American history. Sen. McCain and Gov. Palin are sowing the seeds of hatred and division, and there is no need for this hostility in our political discourse," Lewis said in a statement.

And as ordered by the messiah, repeatedly convey and promote this as fact without the name Obama attached to it.

Obama will gain the vote of every rock that has ever resided in a box.

[Cheetahcat]

know that most Obama black supporters are. They are one of the most unilateral racist groups in this nation and their support for Obama proves it. No other group is going for this man as much as are African Americans. Nothing explains it but race.

The most Racist by far stick in butt pandered to chip on shoulder Cry baby worthless group on EARTH

[downtownconservative]

In the Rev Lewis logic, ALL black folks are voting for Obama, and ALL black folks can’t be wrong. Therefore, aANYONE who doesn’t vote for Obama is obviously wrong. But, if they are black and not voting for Obama, they are idiots and Uncle Toms. If they are white and not voting for Obama, the are racist. It’s a very easy logical chain. I can’t believe you couldn’t see it. /sarc!!

[tobyhill]

Supporters of Obama must only be voting for him because of his race, there's nothing he's done that it could be.

[MayflowerMadam]

So Lewis thinks McCain’s a racist?

If so, he wouldn’t have chosen Palin as VP. She’s married to a guy who’s more of a minority than Obama is. Obama’s black — not even 100%. Tell me that blacks are few and far between in America; that’s a crock. A guy who’s half Yu’pik indian is an ACTUAL minority, and Sarah is his wife. Why do we let them get away with this?

[The Iceman Cometh]

Race WAR!!!