Reid Apologizes for "Negro Dialect" Remark

(AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)

Last Updated 4:12 p.m. ET

CBS News political consultant Marc Ambinder got an early look at "Game Change: Obama and the Clintons, McCain and Palin, and the Race of a Lifetime" by John Heilemann and Mark Halperin, and notes a passage that will cause Democratic Majority Leader Sen. Harry Reid some serious heartburn and further erode his quest for reelection.

(Left: President Barack Obama with Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., at a fundraising event in Las Vegas last May.)

In a "private" conversation, Reid discussed candidate Barack Obama's racial profile. The authors wrote that Reid's "encouragement of Obama was unequivocal. He was wowed by Obama's oratorical gifts and believed that the country was ready to embrace a black presidential candidate, especially one such as Obama — a 'light-skinned' African American 'with no Negro dialect, unless he wanted to have one,' as he said privately. Reid was convinced, in fact, that Obama's race would help him more than hurt him in a bid for the Democratic nomination."

Reid apologized today:

"I deeply regret using such a poor choice of words. I sincerely apologize for offending any and all Americans, especially African Americans for my improper comments.

"I was a proud and enthusiastic supporter of Barack Obama during the campaign and have worked as hard as I can to advance President Obama's legislative agenda.

"Moreover, throughout my career, from efforts to integrate the Las Vegas strip and the gaming industry to opposing radical judges and promoting diversity in the Senate, I have worked hard to advance issues important to the African American community."

The White House released a statement from Mr. Obama this afternoon saying that Reid had called the president and apologized.

"I accepted Harry's apology without question because I've known him for years, I've seen the passionate leadership he's shown on issues of social justice, and I know what's in his heart," Mr. Obama said.

"As far as I am concerned, the book is closed."

A new poll commissioned by the Las Vegas Review-Journal found that more than half of Nevadans are unhappy with Sen. Reid. Among those polled, 52 percent had an unfavorable opinion of Reid, while 33 percent were favorable and 15 percent said they're neutral.

Reid, 70, made a statement that he is "absolutely running for re-election."

Brian Walsh, communications director for the National Republican Senatorial Committee, said in a statement, "For those who hope to one day live in a color-blind nation, it appears Harry Reid is more than a few steps behind them."

"60 Minutes" will air a segment discussing "Game Change" with the authors and Steve Schmidt, John McCain's former top campaign strategist.

Watch the preview:


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The book officially goes on sale Tuesday.

Read more from Marc Ambinder's take on "Game Change."

[ge556]

Empire-George,
AOCGUY, and others, explained it well. It's not racism to recognize the biases of the electorate.
Why do you think it's racist? No one who thinks it's racist is explaining themselves.

ge556

[AOCGUY]

I live in a predominently white, very conservative coounty in the south. If I made the observation that a white conservative would have a better chance of getting elected in my district than a black liberal, I seriously doubt that anyone would be calling me a racist. All I would be doing is making an obvious observation of the conditions on the ground. I would not be endorsing my observations as the way it should be just as it is.

Conversely, if I made a similar observation that balck would have a better chance of being elected in inner city Atlanta that too would opnly be an observation of fact.

What Sen Reid did was no different than what I just did in my previous two paragraphs. Now is the fact that some people may vote for or against someone based upon the race or appearance of the candidate racist? Probably, but acknowledging that people are influenced by race is not.

When we strat criticizing people for acknowledging uncomfortable truths then we have, in fact, become politically correct and cowardly. The courageous would openly admit that these conditions exist and work to combat them rather than ignore them.

[Empire-George-]

by AOCGUY January 12, 2010 2:00 PM EST

The problem is he was suggesting that a darker skinned black man, who had a "negro-dialect" would NOT be electable.....think about what he's saying, that's racist.

Why are you defending the comment ?

[MPHgrad]

Great analysis AOCGUY.

[ge556]

by love2ridend January 12, 2010 1:27 PM EST
Why werent the democrats who booed Bush asked to step down? Go Figure
====

Because they were standing up against misuse of power and inappropriate war.

ge556

[ge556]

Someone please give an example of a Republican who made a non-racist statement, and was called racist, and it made headlines. I don't recall any.
There have been several recent examples of Democrats in that position, however.

[NotPartyControlled]

When did Americans become so weak and sensitive to be ashamed of race. It's pitiful. It's acceptable to tack on another country, in front of the word American and call oneself an American. It is an insult to Americans who have fought, struggled and built this country. Only Americans should be counted as American citizens, no matter what their race. No matter where their ancestors immigrated from. Their ancestors abandoned another country of origin to become Americans. It's an affront to Americans to call oneself "Something-American" especially when you have never even lived in the other country.

[CompletelyFrustrated]

This comment is far from racist, Obama is very well spoken! Folks need to stop plying the race card - that day is over, the only racist is the one who did the finger pointing and made it so!

[raynetherwood]

http://www.netherwood2010.com/posts/slimey-harry-victim-of-pc

[ge556]

by cidaia January 12, 2010 10:55 AM EST

But the real problem here is that for over a YEAR Dems have been smacking down opponents for "racism" using a set of rules very different than the rule-book you would like to apply to Reid.

You've got it backwards. It's been the conservatives line Glen Beck calling Dems like Obama "racist".

[RedWings_ninety_one]

To my earlier comment from yesterday. White people do but they don't have a word that really offends them. I guess it depends on who you are. I forgot about being called a racist, that is quite a big one. Except for those who openly admit that they are racists, they are just asking for it.

[Aine57]

Also, although the term "Negro" is really old hat, where is the outrage that the NAACP continues to term its constituents "colored people" or the "United Negro College Fund" doesn't change its name? Or are these entities beyond question?