Bill Clinton

TPMDC Morning Roundup

Eric Kleefeld | September 22, 2009, 9:00AM

Bill Clinton: Some Right-Wingers Don't Want Black President -- But Would Be Opposing Obama If He Were White, Too
Appearing last night on Larry King Live, former President Bill Clinton weighed in on the question of whether racism has motivated opposition to President Obama, saying that Democrats ultimately have to win the health care debate on the merits. "I believe that some of the right-wing extremists which oppose President Obama are also racially prejudiced and would prefer not to have an African-American president," said Clinton. "But I don't believe that all the people who oppose him on health care - and all the conservatives - are racists. And I believe if he were white, every single person who opposes him now, would be opposing him then."

Obama's Day Ahead: Diplomacy
President Obama will deliver remarks at 9:15 a.m. ET, at U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon's Climate Change Summit. He will meet at 10:30 a.m. ET with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and at 11 a.m. ET with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas. He will then hold a trilateral meeting at 11:30 a.m. ET with Netanyahu and Abbas. At 1:15 p.m. ET, he will attend a lunch with Sub-Saharan African heads of state, and at 3:30 p.m. ET he will meet with President Hu of China AT 5:15 p.m. ET, he will speak at the Clinton Global Initiative, and at 7 p.m. ET he will attend Secretary General Ban's Climate Change Summit Dinner.

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Barack Obama

TPMDC Saturday Roundup

Eric Kleefeld | September 19, 2009, 1:09PM

Obama: More Work To Be Done On Economy
In this weekend's YouTube address, President Obama discussed the upcoming G-20 Summit, and the need for more financial regulations to avoid a repeat of the economic crisis:

In the weeks and months ahead, we have an opportunity to build on the work we've already done. An opportunity to rebuild our global economy stronger that before. An opportunity not only to protect the American people and America's economy, but to promote sustained and balanced growth and prosperity for our nation and all nations. And that's an opportunity I am determined to seize.

Myrick: Government Run Health Care Means Delay, Death
In this weekend's Republican address, Rep. Sue Myrick (R-NC) discussed her experience as a breast cancer survivor, warned that government-run health care would lead to delayed care and death:

"Under the government-run health care system they have in Canada and the United Kingdom, I wouldn't have had the opportunity to get those tests so quickly," said Myrick. "One international study found that three times as many citizens in those countries wait longer than a month to see a specialist. When it comes to life-threatening diseases like cancer, delay could mean death."

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Jimmy Carter

TPMDC Morning Roundup

Eric Kleefeld | September 16, 2009, 9:01AM

Carter: Wilson's Outburst and Tea Parties "Based On Racism"
Former President Jimmy Carter has accused Rep. Joe Wilson (R-SC), as well as Tea Party activists opposed to President Obama, of being motivated by racism. "I think it's based on racism," Carter said. "There is an inherent feeling among many in this country that an African-American should not be president."

Obama's Day Ahead
President Obama will meet one on one with Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper at 10:45 a.m. ET, with an expanded meeting at 11 a.m. ET. At 1 p.m. ET, Obama and the First Lady will host an event with the White House Office on Olympics, Paralympics and Youth Sport, to promote Chicago's bid to host the 2016 Summer Olympics. Obama will meet with Gen. Colin Powell at 2 p.m. ET, and with Sec. of Defense Robert Gates at 4:30 p.m. ET. Finally, Obama will deliver remarks at the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute's 32nd Annual Awards Gala, at 8:10 p.m. ET.

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Health Care

NRCC Blasts Nadler For Calling Town Hall Protests A "Fascist Tactic"

Eric Kleefeld | August 18, 2009, 10:24AM

The National Republican Congressional Committee is now sticking up for the town hall demonstrators, firing back at Rep. Jerry Nadler (D-NY) for calling the disruptions a "fascist tactic."

The Huffington Post reported that Nadler said at the Netroots Nation conference:

"It is fascist. It is a fascist tactic," Rep. Jerry Nadler, (D-N.Y.) said of the conservative town hall protesters. "That's exactly what they did in Weimar, Germany. Let me put it this way. It is a fascist tactic not to disagree with you, or to say you are an idiot or whatever, but to try to shut you up. That's what I mean. That's a fascist tactic."

In response, NRCC communications director Ken Spain has put out this statement:

"Apparently, when Democrats aren't busy forming a circular firing squad, they are still shooting themselves in the foot. Democrats are so frustrated by the widespread opposition to their healthcare takeover that they have resorted to calling town hall attendees names like 'fascist,' 'un-American,' and relegating their views to racism reminiscent of the Jim Crow South. What was once promised to be an 'August offensive' to sell their failed healthcare agenda, has turned into an unmitigated disaster for Democrats who have now taken to attacking each other, including the Obama White House."

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Twitter

South Carolina GOP Operative Apologizes For Racist Tweet Against Obama

Eric Kleefeld | June 15, 2009, 4:17PM

Indigo Journal, a liberal blog in South Carolina, reports that GOP operative Mike Green posted a racist joke about President Obama on his Twitter account over the weekend -- and in a brief conversation with TPM, Green did not deny it. (Late Update: Green has now admitted it in a new set of Tweets, and apologized. See new section after the jump.)

Green posted this, then deleted it some time later:

JUST HEARD OBAMA IS GOING TO IMPOSE A 40% TAX ON ASPIRIN BECAUSE IT'S WHITE AND IT WORKS.

That post is not currently on Green's actual Twitter page, but Indigo Journal has what purports to be a screenshot, documenting it from when it was still up. I called Green to ask if this was true. "I don't know," said Green. "Let me give you a call back." I also asked Green if anyone else writes on his Twitter account, or if it's just him. Again, he said he would have to call back. He has not yet called back.

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Sonia Sotomayor

Levey: I Had No Idea Sotomayor Smear Campaign Would Blow Up

Brian Beutler | June 2, 2009, 9:26AM

Yesterday we reported that prominent Sonia Sotomayor critics including Tom Tancredo ("Latina KKK") and Pat Buchanan ("That woman... is for race-based justice") were employing, with full knowledge of the events, a young man named Marcus Epstein, who plead guilty to karate chopping a black female pedestrian and calling her a "nigger."

Dave Weigel of The Washington Independent asked a number of conservative Sotomayor critics what this apparent hypocrisy says about the larger campaign to block her confirmation, and one response, in particular was telling.

Curt Levey, the executive director of the Committee of Justice, has been optimistic about the right's fight against Sotomayor, but he admitted to TWI that he "underestimated the degree to which a few conservatives would say a few extreme things, and that would be characterized as what all conservatives think."

As we've noted before, the campaign against Sotomayor has exposed and widened a rift between a sensible faction within the conservative movement and die-hard activists. By basing the attacks on charges of racism, while simultaneously lobbing ethnically loaded insults at her, people like Levey have, inadvertently or not, poured gasoline on the embers of this conflict.

Pat Buchanan

Epstein: 'Diversity Can Be Good In Moderation' As Long As 'Trends Do Not Overwhelm The Dominant Culture'

Brian Beutler | June 1, 2009, 2:27PM

Earlier this year, a New York Times editorial blasted Marcus Epstein for a report he authored as executive director of The American Cause, arguing that Republicans ought to embrace anti-immigration extremism if they still dream of an eventual renaissance.

In the course of their digging, the Times editors came across an online archive of Epstein's writings which contain gems like:

"Diversity can be good in moderation -- if what is being brought in is desirable. Most Americans don't mind a little ethnic food, some Asian math whizzes, or a few Mariachi dancers -- as long as these trends do not overwhelm the dominant culture."

There's much, much more, if you care to browse.

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Tom Tancredo

Tancredo Aide Pleads Guilty to Karate Chopping Pedestrian, Calling Her 'Nigger'

Brian Beutler | June 1, 2009, 11:23AM

Remember how Tom Tancredo went on CNN last week and called Sonia Sotomayor a racist, accusing her falsely of being a member of a "Latino KKK"? Well, if racism so offends him, how does he explain this?

On July 7, 2007, at approximately 7:15 p.m. at Jefferson and M Street, Northwest, in Washington, D.C., defendant was walking down the street making offensive remarks when he encountered the complainant, Ms. [REDACTED], who is African-American. The defendant uttered, "Nigger," as he delivered a karate chop to Ms. [REDACTED]'s head.

That defendant is named Marcus Epstein--a former Tancredo speechwriter who now works as executive director of Tancredo's political action committee.

Epstein pled guilty to the charge, but, according to Dave Weigel of The Washington Independent, he'll remain on the job "until he leaves for law school in the fall."

Rush Limbaugh

Limbaugh Compares Sotomayor Nomination To Picking David Duke

Eric Kleefeld | May 29, 2009, 3:14PM

Rush Limbaugh is now comparing the nomination of Sonia Sotomayor to the idea of nominating David Duke:

"She brings a form of bigotry or racism to the court," Limbaugh said, later adding: "How can a president nominate such a candidate? And how can a party get behind such a candidate? That's what would be asked if somebody were foolish enough to nominate David Duke or pick somebody even less offensive."

Late Update: At the White House press briefing just now, Robert Gibbs was asked about the David Duke comparison and what Sotomayor would think of it. Gibbs searched for the words to answer the absurdity of it: "I don't think you have to be the nominee to -- (laughs) -- I don't think you have to be the nominee to find what's said today offensive." After noting that other Republicans have been condemning this kind of rhetoric, he said of the Ku Klux Klan comparisons: "It's amazing."

Sonia Sotomayor

Flashback: Republicans Accused Dems Of Racism For Opposing Hispanic Judicial Nominee

Eric Kleefeld | May 28, 2009, 12:24PM

The conservatives organizing against Sonia Sotomayor have so far have coalesced around the arguments that Sotomayor has been picked as a "reverse-racist" appointment of a Hispanic, and how dare you call them racists for opposing her. But as Media Matters points out, back in 2003 the right was more than willing to accuse Democrats of being racist against Hispanics for opposing George W. Bush's nomination of Miguel Estrada for the Court of Appeals.

Sen. Jon Kyl (R-AZ), who is now the Senate GOP whip, said of the Dems blocking the nomination: "I see this, really, as a slap at Hispanics." And Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-UT) declared that "some of the opponents of him are racist." Other Republicans who are no longer in Congress, including Sens. Rick Santorum and Trent Lott and Rep. Henry Bonilla, made similar remarks.

And the Committee For Justice -- one of the groups now mobilizing against Sotomayor -- ran an ad: "Call the Senate Democrats. Tell them it's time for intolerance to end. Anything less is offensive, unfair, and not the American way."

Senate '10

National Dems E-Mail Supporters: Republicans Will Obstruct Sotomayor

Eric Kleefeld | May 27, 2009, 4:01PM

The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee is now mobilizing supporters around the Sotomayor nomination, with a new e-mail to supporters warning of Republican obstruction and the "reverse-racist" attack from Rush Limbaugh:

With statements like that from Limbaugh, we can expect to have a fight on our hands. You can be assured, however, that the DSCC, the branch of the Democratic Party solely dedicated to electing more Democrats to the Senate, is working hard every day to elect senators who will give President Obama's nominees a fair hearing. It's what America expects of us.

This is technically not a fundraising effort, as there is no appeal for money. But obviously, the Dems are working hard to rally support wherever they can.

Full e-mail after the jump.

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Mike Huckabee

Huckabee: Steele Can Attack Obama -- And Nobody Can Call Him A Racist

Eric Kleefeld | May 26, 2009, 5:14PM

Mike Huckabee has some high praise for Michael Steele -- though it's not the most graceful acclaim ever given.

"I'm not sure anyone else could be as effective in challenging the Obama policies any more so than Michael," said Huckabee. The reason: "Well, I believe that that no one is gonna be able to use the racism charge."

Fun fact: Steele said last week Obama won with the help of the media -- who didn't vet him because he's black.

Rush Limbaugh

Limbaugh Calls Sotomayor And Obama Racist, Says GOP Should "Go To The Wall" Against Her

Eric Kleefeld | May 26, 2009, 1:59PM

Rush Limbaugh is taking a strong stance against the Sotomayor nomination, declaring that Republicans should "go to the wall" to oppose her:

"I doubt that Sotomayor can be stopped," said Limbaugh. "She should be -- she is a horrible pick. She is the antithesis of a judge."

He also said that Sotomayor is a racist -- or in a more softened term, a "reverse-racist" -- who was in turn appointed by another "reverse-racist":

"And the libs of course say, the minorities cannot be racists, because they don't have the power to implement their racism," Limbaugh expounded. "Well, those days are gone, because reverse-racists certainly do have the power to implement their power. Obama is the greatest living example of a reverse-racist, and now he's appointed one -- you gettin' this, AP? -- Sonia Sotomayor, to the U.S. Supreme Court."