Sen. Brooke replied, "I hit it"
Posted on 10/28/2009 1:26:18 PM PDT by OldDeckHand
Calling Former Senator Edward W. Brooke's life an "unlikely" journey President Obama today honored the first popularly elected African American senator for receiving the highest honor Congress can bestow, the Congressional Gold Medal.
"I think today's honor bears a unique significance," Mr. Obama said in an afternoon ceremony in the Capitol rotunda, "bestowed by this body of which he was an esteemed member; presented in this place where he moved the arc of history; surrounded by so many -- myself included -- who have followed the trail that he blazed. "
The President said that Brooke spent his life "breaking barriers and bridging divides across this country," recalling his journey growing up in a segregated neighborhood, serving in a segregated army, and ultimately running for office on the Republican ticket in Massachusetts.
(Excerpt) Read more at blogs.abcnews.com ...
Sen. Brooke replied, "I hit it"
What does “popularly elected” mean?
I wonder if he got extra consideration for cheating on his wife and sleeping with Barbra Walters? That’s the kind of thing that will really earn the respect of one’s peers in Congress.
Ted Kennedy was against him before he was for him.
I believe there might have been a black Senator or two elected when it wasn't done by popular vote, but by the respective state legislatures. Could be wrong.
More concentrating on skin color ... whoopie.
Another Skin Color Award. Is he getting a Nobel too?
He was a Republican.
What does “popularly elected” mean?
It means any Black Democrat Senator elected in the south as opposed to Black Republican Senator elected in the south after the civil war.
As we all know only Black Democrats are popularly elected....
Prior to the 16th(?) amendment, senators were appointed by state legislatures, not the people. After that amendment was ratified, statewide elections for senators were mandated.
On February 25, 1870, Hiram Rhodes Revels became the first black member of the Senate and thereby also the first black member of the Congress.
States used to elect Senators by the Legislature. There were more.
racism a live and well with the liberal. Give him or her an award because they are black. Huh? I thought MLK talked about not the color of our skin, but our character. Not about the color or our skin but equal opportunity. Seems to me equal opportunity now means just for blacks, hispanics, and woman. No awarding whitey or the white man. Sorry buds. Get in the back of the bus.
Sen. Brooke replied, "I hit it"
According to the woman in question, he did. Over several years.
When was the remark made?? Perhaps over 30 years ago Walters was very hittable. LOL!!!
You usually get the gold medal for coming (sic) in first not 402nd.
What about Hiram Revels (1822-1901)? A free-born Black, he was popularly elected and served as U. S. Senator from Mississippi after helping the Union cause in the Civil War. Known for being respected by both races, he actively opposed the carpet-bagger government in the 1875 election. He was an AME minister, and was for many years a president of Alcorn College.
How could a man of such admirable character be forgotten? It seems that Obama needs to take some history courses.
Brooke was a Republican.
This affair is about as stupid as him getting the Peace thing...
Former Black U.S. Senators elected by Republican Legislatures before Constitution was amended to allow direct election:
Hiram, Rhodes Revels Republican Mississippi 1870-1871
Blanche Bruce Republican Mississippi 1875-1881
Once the Democrat segregationists got control of the South, that of course ended.
They did that in part by having their paramilitary arm, the Ku Klux Klan, murder many Republicans in the South, both black and white.
17th
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