Mike Huckabee

Huckabee: Haley Barbour's Record On Race Issues Is "Impeccable"

Melissa Jeltsen | February 21, 2011, 4:38PM

Gov. Haley Barbour (R-MS)

In the past few months, Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour -- a potential Republican presidential candidate -- praised the notorious pro-segregationist Citizen Councils that operated in his youth and refused to denounce efforts in his state to create a license plate honoring Ku Klux Klan founder Nathan Bedford Forrest. But according to former Gov. Mike Huckabee (R-AR), who may also be posturing for a presidential run, Barbour's record on race issues is "impeccable."

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2010 elections

Steele Calls For Outreach To Minorities But Slams Dems For Doing Same Thing

Christina Bellantoni | May 4, 2010, 8:18AM

RNC Chairman Michael Steele at the 12th Annual National Convention for Al Sharpton’s National Action Network, a not-for-profit civil rights organization

President Obama joked that RNC Chairman Michael Steele is his "brother" at a fancy dinner in Washington over the weekend, ribbing him as having the nickname "Notorious GOP."

The quip provoked laughter but also spotlights the delicate politics of race that have plagued Obama and Steele since both assumed power in 2009. The latest iteration came last week when Steele and DNC Chariman Tim Kaine sparred over the Democrats' announced plan to boost turnout among minority voters to help their chances in the 2010 midterm elections.

When he took over the GOP, Steele was mocked roundly for saying he wanted to reach out to blacks and young voters by giving the Republicans a "hip-hop" makeover. He told The Washington Times then the Republicans had to find "messengers to really capture that region - young, Hispanic, black, a cross section."

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