[SwordofTruth]

Wait a minute, are you saying that Blacks wouldn't vote for Republicans because of the minor gaffe by Trent Lott at a birthday party, but would vote for Democrats despite the twice spoken 'N' word by Robert Byrd?

Democrats can't use this against Republicans in 2004 because they know the Republicans would use Byrd's real racist words against them if they dared try such a smear campaign.

[John Valentine]

All of this hair pulling about the repeated passes given to Democrats by the press is very interesting - but totally beside the point.

We DON'T get such passes and in the real world, we need to understand and adapt.

We don't get to say "Jew Ba$tards" and "Ni..er" and "Hymie" no matter how often Democrats get to do it to the amusement and total connivance of the press corps.

[A.J.Armitage]

Wait a minute, are you saying that Blacks wouldn't vote for Republicans because of the minor gaffe by Trent Lott at a birthday party, but would vote for Democrats despite the twice spoken 'N' word by Robert Byrd?

It won't stick to the Democrats because 1) Byrd isn't the leader of the Senate Democrats and 2) it goes against type for Democrats to be racist. Yes, I know the old time segregationists were all Democrats. Doesn't matter. In the public perception, Democrats as racist goes against type, while Republicans as racist reinforces what a lot of people have been suspecting or even saying out loud. Bitch all you want; that's the way it is.

Democrats can't use this against Republicans in 2004 because they know the Republicans would use Byrd's real racist words against them if they dared try such a smear campaign.

Wanna bet?

[hopespringseternal]

Wait a minute, are you saying that Blacks wouldn't vote for Republicans because of the minor gaffe by Trent Lott at a birthday party, but would vote for Democrats despite the twice spoken 'N' word by Robert Byrd?

You have no idea. Just this morning, a (black woman) caller to John Matthews, when presented with Byrd's racism, said, "But he's our racist."

Besides, this isn't about the black vote. It is about Trent Lott handing Dan Rather and friends a club to beat republicans with. Even with decisive action against Lott, he will probably cost the republicans several close elections (1-2%) with his idiot mouth. Do nothing and you can double the swing.

[jackbill]

Democrats can't use this against Republicans in 2004 because they know the Republicans would use Byrd's real racist words against them if they dared try such a smear campaign.

And the DemocRATs will have a giant megaphone behind them. It's called Big Media - NY Times, Washington Post, Boston Globe, Baltimore Sun, LA Times, CBS, NBC, ABC, etc., etc., etc.. Who will hear of "Byrd's real racist words" and who will care.

Get real. It ain't a level playing field.

[Godfollow]

What is interesting about Bird saying he's known some "white niggors" in his time, infers that the basis for the use of the word “niggor” hinges on it's use as a euphemism for blacks in his own thinking., elsewise it would have no meaning at all. No condemnation for this at all from the Dems... the height of hypocracy!