lolGOP Racist Email sent to Senate

[Kael]

(CNN) -- The chairman of Tennessee's Democratic Party wants a Republican legislative aide fired for sending out a "reprehensible" e-mail depicting President Obama as two cartoonish white eyes peering from a black background.

Obama's image is in the last square of a collage containing portraits of the previous 43 U.S. presidents. Copies of the e-mail were posted on the Internet on Monday.

Sherri Goforth, an administrative assistant to state Sen. Diane Black, R-Gallatin, has admitted she sent the e-mail May 28 with the title "Historical Keepsake Photo." She said, without elaborating, that she mistakenly sent it "to the wrong list of people."

According to The Tennessean, a Nashville newspaper, a note on the e-mail said it was paid for by the Tennessee Republican Party, but GOP officials denied that they produced it. Black chairs the Senate Republican Caucus.

"I want people to know that the communication was sent without my knowledge, and that ... this does not reflect my beliefs or my values or my opinions, and I won't tolerate those kind of communications coming from my office," Black told CNN affiliate WKRN-TV in Nashville.

Black rebuked Goforth but didn't dismiss her.

CNN left phone messages Tuesday for Goforth and Black.

"Is this indicative of what Senate Republicans think about our commander in chief?" asked state Democratic Party Chairman Chip Forrester in a statement posted on the party's Web site.

"I am calling on Senator Black to reject this racist smear and fire this staffer who, on state government time, on state government computers, using a state government e-mail account, launched this bigoted attack on our president," Forrester said. "Keeping her on the staff would send the message that this type of behavior is condoned by the Senate Republican Caucus."

"This e-mail is reprehensible, insults the office of the president, and is embarrassing to all Tennesseans regardless of political party," Forrester said.

Goforth told Christian Grantham of the Web site Nashville Is Talking that she had received a letter of reprimand from her superiors but will remain on the job.

Grantham said Goforth told him she felt "very bad about accidentally sending it to the wrong list" of people.

"I went on the wrong e-mail and I inadvertently hit the wrong button," Grantham quoted Goforth as saying. "I'm very sick about it, and it's one of those things I can't change or take back."

Forrester, in his Web posting, said, "Ms. Goforth does not seem to understand what she did wrong. She has apologized for 'sending [the e-mail] to the wrong list of people.' I believe that any list of people would have recognized this e-mail as offensive and hateful."

State Rep. Johnny Shaw, D-Bolivar, a member of the black and Democratic caucuses, told WKRN-TV that Goforth should be fired.

"I don't think a reprimand is enough. I think this lady needs to go. I don't think she should be a part of the people who represent the state of Tennessee," Shaw said.

He told CNN that Goforth and Black, as well as Republican Lt. Gov. and Senate Speaker Ron Ramsey, should make public apologies for the incident.

"I am appalled. It's despicable. It's disgusting. It should not have happened but it does happen," Shaw said. "It is the president of our country that we're talking about."

Forrester added: "Unfortunately, Sherri Goforth's e-mail joins the list of shameful episodes by Tennessee Republicans, from the infamous 'Birds of a Feather' direct-mail piece that featured black crows with the heads of Barack Obama and [African-American] Rep. Nathan Vaughn, to the "Barack the Magic Negro" song that former Tennessee GOP Party Chairman Chip Saltsman sent to RNC members during his failed campaign for RNC chair."

Link: Racist e-mail aimed at Obama raises hackles in Tennessee - CNN.com

lol This aide is getting fired, one way or another. If anything, just to

I like how she apologizes that it was sent to the wrong group of people, instead of the more obvious lack of common sense.

[Dimmauk]

Opps, I only meant to be racist to my friends!

[Olo401]

There's been a bunch of these lately..

South Carolina GOP Operative Apologizes For Racist Tweet Against Obama | TPMDC

[Norelco]

We're going to see ALOT of this and more over the next 4 years.

[Kael]

You would think they would be smarter then this, you know, with them attempting to get 'back in touch' with the public.

[Dimmauk]

There's been a bunch of these lately..

South Carolina GOP Operative Apologizes For Racist Tweet Against Obama | TPMDC

I admit, that joke was funny.

[Norellicus]

I accidentally the whole Senate?

Stuff like this always makes me laugh...like it's ever ok? lol

[Plow]

There's been a bunch of these lately..

South Carolina GOP Operative Apologizes For Racist Tweet Against Obama | TPMDC

That one was almost funny...

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

[Yuri-G]

I like how she apologizes that it was sent to the wrong group of people, instead of the more obvious lack of common sense.

that's what gets me too. it's like breaking into someone's house, getting caught, and saying "I feel sick to my stomach that I got the dates of your vacation wrong, I didn't think you'd be home. I'm so sorry."

[pohibaba]

She should obviously get fired, but what's so wrong about apologizing for sending it to the wrong people? I make racist jokes amongst my friends, but I wouldn't make them at work. Just because she found that joke funny doesn't mean she's a hardcore racist. Oh wait, I forgot she's a Republican; obviously she's racist.

[Olo401]

I admit, that joke was funny.

That one was almost funny...

I got a bit of a chuckle out of it.. more for the 40% tax part though.

[Yuri-G]

She should obviously get fired, but what's so wrong about apologizing for sending it to the wrong people? I make racist jokes amongst my friends, but I wouldn't make them at work. Just because she found that joke funny doesn't mean she's a hardcore racist. Oh wait, I forgot she's a Republican; obviously she's racist.

it's not that, it's more like, why apologize at all if you're not going to apologize for the right reason? people aren't offended because she sent it to the wrong list, they're offended because she sent it, period.

I don't think the joke's that bad, but what flies with me isn't what flies on the national political scene.

[Rockstaru]

She should obviously get fired, but what's so wrong about apologizing for sending it to the wrong people? I make racist jokes amongst my friends, but I wouldn't make them at work. Just because she found that joke funny doesn't mean she's a hardcore racist. Oh wait, I forgot she's a Republican; obviously she's racist.

Well, imagine you were in a restaurant with some friends, you made a crack about black people not knowing that a whole table full of black people was sitting right behind you and overheard. When they come over and confront you about it, do you say "Sorry you overheard my racist joke?"

[Acturus]

You would think they would be smarter then this, you know, with them attempting to get 'back in touch' with the public.

I totally read that as "black in touch"

[pohibaba]

Well, imagine you were in a restaurant with some friends, you made a crack about black people not knowing that a whole table full of black people was sitting right behind you and overheard. When they come over and confront you about it, do you say "Sorry you overheard my racist joke?"

What was she supposed to say? "Sorry I accidentally fell on my keyboard and I accidentally sent out that picture?" Any apology she could give won't be good enough because she knew what she was sending out and anyone with half a brain understands that it is insensitive. There is simply nothing she can say about it that will make people go, "Oh, well then, I forgive her." So fuck it, why not tell the truth?

[Beckwin]

geeze pohi, bending over backwards to soften this blow against the lingering racism in the GOP....

[Correction]

So fuck it, why not tell the truth?

Making some kind of gesture required to save your job is par for the course in the business of politics. Not even trying reeks of arrogance. That's why people hate the excuse.

[Egon]

This thread should also have a poll. How many BG members make racist jokes? How many of those are members of the GOP?

[Olo401]

This thread should also have a poll. How many BG members make racist jokes? How many of those are members of the GOP?

How many members of BG are elected public officials?

I thought so. Please stfu with your pointless comments.

[Correction]

This thread should also have a poll. How many BG members make racist jokes? How many of those are members of the GOP?

How many BG members have a job paid for by taxpayer dollars and disseminate racist humor over a government network?

Hands? Any? Bueller?