Posted on 01/08/2009 7:53:03 AM PST by Tailgunner Joe
MADRID - Spain’s former prime minister Jose Maria Aznar drew criticism Wednesday by reportedly referring to what he called the "historic exoticism" of Barack Obama’s election as US president.
Aznar was asked by a journalist from the Spanish edition of Vanity Fair magazine about the election in November of the first black president of the United States.
"A historic exoticism and predictable economic disaster," replied the conservative former leader.
"Obama is a person of black race who managed to become president of the United States, which is an extraordinary change for them", he said, without indicating whether he was referring to the people of the United States as a whole or just black Americans.
But Aznar, a close ally of outgoing US President George W. Bush during the invasion of Iraq, said it also "proves that the American dream still exists."
The deputy head of Spain’s ruling Socialist Party, Jose Blanco, demanded Aznar withdraw the comments "which can only come from a deeply reactionary person, with clear racist roots.
"It is also odd that the defender, with Bush, of the economic model which has brought us to this international crisis, dares to predict a disaster" through Obama’s policies, he said.
Aznar has a history of controversial statements and gaffes. Last October, he dismissed climate change as a "new religion" that is drawing hundreds of billions of euros at a time of economic crisis.
He has also asked why Muslims have never apologized for having conquered Spain and occupied it for eight centuries.
And he has attacked the Socialist government’s campaign to control speeding and drink-driving.
In 2006, he batted away a female journalist’s question about armed Basque separatist group ETA by slipping a pen into her decollete.
There WAS a backlash against PC around 2000. And then on 9-12-2001 we felt like we were punched in the stomach and wanted to have a group hug.
Now we cannot even talk about the motives of those who have killed and killed and killed persons of all religions in the name of Islamic imperialism.
PC is back. In a big way.
Any video of the 2006 incident?
I’ll bet no one ever tried that on Helen Thomas. :)
Well said Senor, well said.
Aznar is absolutely right about obama and global warming. They are both costly frauds perpetrated on America.
I think I’m in love.
Nobama’s selection, “A historic exoticism and predictable economic disaster”
The Messiah will not be mocked.
Let’s not hurt “the ones” feelings now. Stop that!
Clearly this man is insane. < /s>
I remember the drive-bys hyping "global cooling," circa 1979. I took them seriously then. I laugh at them now.
I cannot wait and like you don't care if I am called a racist. I know it isn't true but anyone that spouts racism all the time is not someone I care what they think.
“The Messiah will not be mocked.”
OK, OK. But what about the Kenyan?
How many thousands of people have remarked on the historicity of a black man (OK, mulatto) becoming president? And Azner is the only man who’s called on it.
A global warming denier, an islamophobe, and a rejector of the Messiah? Sounds like good people.
The loonie facists on the left... who will they charge next?
Has NBC banned him yet?
A reversion to the time politicians could use language to leave a mark and not to obfuscate
I was in Espana when Aznar received his first outright majority in the Cortes. It was the first time that the People's Party would control the Cortes without relying on other center-right parties to line up the Spanish Cortes.
The throngs of People's Party supporters at the Plaza Colon on election night were in a state of absolute frenzy, especially when Aznar was introduced to the adoring crowd.
Aznar fortunately does not have to be politically correct from his vantage point and calls it like it is, unlike US Obama detractors who are immediately accuses as rascists.
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