Hillary Clinton Regrets Gandhi Joke (Gandhi Used to Run a Gas Station in St. Louis)

AP ^ | 1/6/04

[truthandlife]

Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton apologized for joking that Mahatma Gandhi used to run a gas station in St. Louis, saying it was "a lame attempt at humor."

The New York Democrat made the remark at a fund-raiser Saturday. During an event here for Senate candidate Nancy Farmer, Clinton introduced a quote from Gandhi by saying, "He ran a gas station down in St. Louis."

After laughter from many in the crowd of at least 200 subsided, the former first lady continued, "No, Mahatma Gandhi was a great leader of the 20th century." In a nod to Farmer's underdog status against Republican Sen. Kit Bond, Clinton quoted the Indian independence leader as saying: "First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win."

The director of a U.S. center devoted to Gandhi's teachings said the remarks amounted to stereotyping and were insensitive.

After being approached by The Associated Press to clarify the remarks, Clinton suggested in a statement late Monday that she never meant to fuel the stereotype often used as a comedic punch line that certain ethnic groups run America's gas stations.

"I have admired the work and life of Mahatma Gandhi and have spoken publicly about that many times," Clinton said. "I truly regret if a lame attempt at humor suggested otherwise."

Michelle Naef, administrator of the M.K. Gandhi Institute for Nonviolence, a Memphis, Tenn.-based organization founded in 1991 by a Gandhi grandson, credited Clinton and her husband, former President Clinton, with long having "supported the Gandhi message." But she said Saturday's remarks "could be incredibly harmful."

"I don't think she was, in any way, trying to demean Mahatma Gandhi," Naef said. "To be generous to her, I would say it was a poor attempt at humor. Perhaps I'm overly sensitive, but I find it offensive when people use stereotypes in that way."

[truthandlife]

Just imagine any Republican Senator saying this.

[workerbee]

I know it's so obvious that it's not really worth mentioning, but.... Imagine the hue & cry if this comment had been made by Laura Bush or Condoleeza Rice.

[ClearCase_guy]

It's a hate crime! She should resign! Progressives are throwbacks to a time before Civil Rights!

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[scarab9]

Exactly - I would be very surprised if we ever hear about this in the mainstream media.

[rickmichaels]

What a stupid b*tch. Her mouth is as big as her ankles.

[capt. norm]

Liberals have no sense of humor so they have to fake it. When they do, it's usually obvious and the joke flops.

[IncPen]

I have no doubt that, were he alive, Ghandi would regret Hillary Clinton.

Courtesy bump for Doug's 'project'

[MrConfettiMan]

Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton apologized for joking that Mahatma Gandhi used to run a gas station in St. Louis...

After being approached by The Associated Press to clarify the remarks, Clinton suggested...she never meant to fuel the stereotype...

Wait a minute...I notice the above response isn't in quotes so I assume the reporter is paraphrasing and just trying to be cute...but if HRC actually used the word fuel...

[Taliesan]

People just need to relax. It wasn't funny, but it also was harmless.

[Darksheare]

But, but, she's never said a racial slur, and never thought it!
She said so!
/ sarcasm

[ALOHA RONNIE]

.

.."IS it SAFE?" = HILLARY on Senate Armed Services Committee..

http://www.TheAlamoFILM.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=629

.

[Ignatz]

"I have admired the work and life of Mahatma Gandhi and have spoken publicly about that many times," Clinton said.

Really!? Then it should be easy to find an example or two, eh?