Mitch McConnell (R-KY) Calls for Senate Censure of Robert Byrd-Likens Comments to Lott's

The Los Angeles Times ^ | December 18, 2002 | Joanna Neuman

[ewing]

Now Republicans roiled by 10 days of national angst over Sen. Trent Lott's comments that the nation would have been better off if Strom Thurmonds 1948 Presidential campaign had prevailed, are digging up transcripts of the March 2001 FOX News Interview. [where Byrd referred to White N*ggers on air]

With Lott's fate as incoming Majority Leader-and maybe even the Seante--in the balance, Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky) is talking about censuring Byrd.

In a town where moral equivalency is always a danger, the national conversation on race seems to be proving an almost biblical instinct to extract an eye for an eye.

[ewing]

Mitch making a strong push for leader here..

[RooRoobird14]

GO MITCH!!!!

[KQQL]

Looks Like Mitch wants the JOB

[ewing]

It only took us 10 days to hit back!

[ewing]

If this is an indication of his leadership, I say give it to him!

[apackof2]

Well its about time!
Lets see how much media coverage this gets as opposed to Lott

[KarlInOhio]

How about adding Senator Hitlary for the "F----ng Jew B----rds" comment.

[katze]

I'm not so sure, could be a show of unity and support. Whatever the case, I say good on him and any other senator who comes forward. Who will be the first Dem to show courage?

[Mo1]

Bobby ain't gonna be happy about this .. LOL

Question .. has it been confirm that is was Carville that started this mess ..

[Tony Niar Brain]

Does anybody have a link or whatever to a transcript of when Byrd referred to "white niggers"? I want to read it for myself.

[Sabertooth]

McConnell for Majority Leader. He's playing the best hand throughout all of this.

[katze]

Absolutely; except the dirty bit** would lie and deny.

[randita]

Wilkins, for one, has little sympathy for their plight, noting that the GOP has long been accused of using codes to convey affinity for segregationists. "As a black person who has been profoundly offended by the code-word racist politics, I would love for them to keep Lott," he said.

I don't know any "code words". Do you know any "code words"?

Of course not. The "code words" are what minorities say they are. They can be most any words on any given day that are capable of being blown out of proportion to sow division among the races and within the GOP.

This is what we're up against, folks.

[OldFriend]

The Bryd racist comments were made to Tony Snow. FNC immediately presented Byrd's apologies and gave Bryd a pass.

[ewing]

It was broadcast on FOX News Sunday and I think Tony Snow beeped the 'White N*gger' comment out..

[hobbes1]

Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky) is talking about censuring Byrd.

I LOVE THIS GUY!

[Constitution Day]

YES.

[hobbes1]

HEy Cd WADDUP?

[Bluntpoint]

Actually McConnell is being intellectual dishonest comparing Lott and Byrds comments. Byrd was basically saying there are good whites and blacks and bad ones. Unlike Lott Byrd was not reminicing about good ole days.

Story from Drudge below:


Byrd, who early in his career was a member of the Ku Klux Klan, used the term on FOX NEWS SUNDAY when asked about the state of race relations in America by host Tony Snow.

"They are much, much better than they've ever been in my lifetime," Byrd said. "I think we talk about race too much. I think those problems are largely behind us... I just think we talk so much about it that we help to create somewhat of an illusion. I think we try to have good will. My old mom told me, 'Robert, you can't go to heaven if you hate anybody.' We practice that." Then Byrd warned: "There are white niggers. I've seen a lot of white niggers in my time; I'm going to use that word.

"We just need to work together to make our country a better country, and I'd just as soon quit talking about it so much."

[ewing]

Good idea, throw Hillary in there as well!