Posted on 06/24/2021 8:04:27 AM PDT by MarvinStinson
NAACP, Congressional Black Caucus, 49 Democratic senators stay mum
Democratic lawmakers and racial justice advocates have kept quiet about Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse’s membership in a racially exclusionary organization, seemingly satisfied with the Rhode Island Democrat's explanation that it is nothing more than "a long tradition."
The Washington Free Beacon asked all 50 Democratic members of the Senate, as well as the Congressional Black Caucus and the NAACP, for comment on the controversy related to Whitehouse's association with Bailey’s Beach Club. No office, other than Whitehouse’s, responded.
"The club has no such restrictive policy. The club has had and has members of color," a spokesman for Whitehouse said. "The senator has dedicated his entire career to promoting equity and protecting civil rights, as his record shows."
Despite Whitehouse’s insistence, qualifications for membership to Bailey’s Beach Club have been described by one lifelong member as "Jewish, yes … blacks, not really." The Democrat felt uncomfortable with the seemingly overt discrimination at his club and promised to resign his membership in 2006, only to transfer membership to his wife. Whitehouse faces renewed scrutiny after being confronted by a local reporter who asked if "there are any minority members of the club."
"I think the people who are running the place are still working on that," Whitehouse said.
Considered one of the most exclusive clubs in the state, Bailey’s Beach is admired by Newport denizens and visitors alike for its "much loved … natural scenery." One young white couple wedded at Bailey’s Beach Club exclaimed "No wonder this is a private club—it is stunning!"
According to its website, the club offers "our membership and their guests lunch and dinner service daily, as well as two full service bars, swimming pool, tennis courts, and nearly a 1/4 mile of private beach front." Job openings for the club expect applications to "demonstrate professionalism in appearance and attitude at all times." The club pays many positions less than $15 per hour and has a policy against tipping.
Reviews on Google for the club, which is formally known as the Spouting Rock Beach Association, were less positive. One local Newport guide expressed exasperation with members who called "the cops on children’s hot dog stands." Another called Bailey’s a "nice place if you can get in, which you can't," adding that membership is by invitation only.
Whitehouse is an influential member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, well known for his scrutiny of nominees to the federal bench. In October 2018, Whitehouse grilled then-Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh about a high school yearbook entry containing a fart joke in order to assess the Trump nominee's worthiness for a lifetime appointment. The 65-year-old senator is holding out hope—15 years after he transferred his membership to avoid political controversy—that his tony beach club might change.
"I'm sorry it hasn't happened yet," Whitehouse told the reporter.
If it wasn’t for double standards, Democrats would have no standards at all.
Are they silent because they belong to any of the many “blacks only” clubs?
Keep making this an issue. I wonder how the congressional black caucus feels about it. My GAS regarding all the made up racism is depleted.
Same thing will happen to Whitehouse that happened to Governor Blackface.
Back when Lloyd Benston was running as VP, (You’re no Jack Kennedy), he was outed as being in a Middleburg VA tennis club with no black or other minority members. He said he always felt uncomfortable there and quickly canceled his membership. After he lost his bid, he immediately re-applied to join, was accepted and never played a game as no one would consort with him. What hypocrites!
The would get the exact same non reaction reaction if they had live video of club members lynching blacks from trees
Are there any more deplorable hypocrites in the USA than the species classified as northeastern limousine liberals?
Yeah. Remember this story during the Alito hearings? Kennedy said he wasn’t a member but he just gave them $100 a year.
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2006/jan/18/20060118-120935-9948r/
if this were an R, the media and dems would be all out trying to get him to resign.
Maybe a bunch of conservatives in black face could pose as BLM activists and hold some sit-ins at his various offices?
Rules for Thee, not for Me!
Bias by omission, corrupt media does it again.
Well put. Can I borrow that?
This isn’t the hill to die on folks.
If I was Whitehouse, I’d own up to it. Hell yeah I belong to an exclusive white club. Why is this an issue when you have all-black or all-Hispanic clubs and TV channels even? How come there isn’t a white version of BET?
Sure.
As much as I am pleased at Sheldon getting smacked, the first amendment provides his right to associate, or not associate.
However, it is unclear, I think, that the language protects the right of a group in the same manner?
Enlighten, you U.S.S.C. scholars!
Donald Trump should say he will buy the club.
THEN the democrats will respond and make him out to be a racist....
Well, of course they’re silent about it… He may be a racist asshole, but he’s THEIR racist asshole…
“Senator Whitesonly”
I would love for Mr. Smug Pomposity to be grilled about this.
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