Rep. Lamborn apologizes after "tar baby" remark

DENVER - Rep. Doug Lamborn's office says the Colorado Republican regrets any misunderstanding over his comments on a Denver-based radio show.

Lamborn spoke to KHOW-AM Friday. He was responding to comments about whom voters would hold responsible for actions on the nation's debt ceiling when he said he thought voters would blame the president. Lamborn said: "Now I don't want to even have to be associated with him. It is like touching a tar baby and you get it — you're stuck, and you're part of the problem now."

Some people consider the term "tar baby" to be a racial epithet.

Lamborn's spokeswoman Catherine Mortensen said in a written statement Monday that Lamborn simply meant to refer to a sticky situation. She says Lamborn sent an apology letter to President Obama.

[preetigill1]

Re: Response to cattiej (August 2, 2011 11:10 PM EDT) by
writious_prose (August 2, 2011 11:15 PM EDT):

"...people such as yourself just look for anything of a discriminatory manner just because that's how gossipwh*res roll - you could care less about the truth of a matter, all you care about is creating conflict and upheaval...and who the hell are you to determine 'he is NOT forgiven' based on a comment that has nothing to do with black people...lolol...you're an idiot"

Your response belies the very real presence and pervasiveness of racism in the English language, and provides an example of a delusional, see-no-evil approach which denies that a problem exists, rather than working to fix it. You are certainly entitled to your opinion. Yet I can't help but wonder: Why is it so important for you to deny that Lamborn's "tar baby" comment is racist? And why do you feel such a strong need to insult and demean those who do not share your opinion that you respond with namecalling and personal attacks?

[0812wa]

The term "tar baby" has been used to describe a circumstance where an argument or circumstance puts the speaker in the position of being stuck with a position they can not get away from. I practiced law before a federal judge who frequently used the "tar baby" example. He never intended an insult to people of color. Where the reference runs into difficulty is with people who have their own agenda and want a basis to feign outrage hoping it will get them some press or media air time. This ofcourse fits the media objective of something to make up a story. The same applies to "boy"."Wow, can that boy play ball" The referenced player may be white as a ghost but to someone like Sharpton its fuel for the fire. So what do we do now--"Wow, that kid in center field---?" Now will we hear from someone representing goats?

[jjawacs]

As a resident of Colorado Springs...and this Congressman who I never voted for...goodbye to him. When will this ultra conservative town/city wake up and join the rest of America...this country is a melting pot...if you want isolation move to Alaska

[MontrosMan]

As a fiscally conservative white person who sides with the forgotten Libertarian Party (not sure yet if I'm a Tea Party person or not as I never saw their full agenda), and who is against big government, complex regulations, and Robbin Hood "Steal from the Rich, Give to the Poor", there is no way in hell that what Rep. Lamborn said could, in any way, be contrived as anything but a racist comment. To even think of the term "tar baby", let alone use it, belies a racist underpinning. I don't use the term in public or private. It just does not belong in the venacular of any normal person, black or white. Unlike DC aid David Howard's use of the term "*********" a decade ago which highlighted the sensitivity or, as some would claim, the hypersensitivity of terms, the term "tar baby" is, in modern context, 100% perjorative. It is similar to "porch monkey". It is awkward for me to even type it, let alone use it, let alone use it in a public speach. Rep. Lamborn has no more political future, and that might not be all that bad.

[Lindag10]

Nice post and I agree with you. I mentioned the matter to my sister a couple of days ago (she doesn't pay much attention to the news) and the second she heard the term (and I was careful to repeat the context in which it was said) she immediately called it a derogatory remark and said it showed how Lamborn viewed the President. We are white people, so are not "hypersensitive" to racial slurs. So if we see it as awful, I can only imagine how insulting a black person would consider this sort of thing coming from an elected Congressman.

[preetigill1]

by packadoo (August 3, 2011 5:37 PM EDT): "preetigill1 -- plain and simple, you're a moron. Instead of copy pasting all that crap.. go play with yourself and do something useful for once in your life. IDIOT."

Hello packadoo...

Now why do I think you're an ugly little gnome? Hmmm. Could it have something to do with the fact that you present as an angry, vulgar person, who seems to think that calling people demeaning names like
"moron" "idiot" "********" "spineless worm" "aspwipes" "sons of dogs"
"dumbazz" "imbeziles" is an acceptable way of behaving?

Seroquel works wonders on some people's aggression. Try it. It might help you with your issues.

You might also consider taking Haldol to bring your anger and need to lash out at others under control immediately.

If that doesn't improve your behavior try Thorazine, which is good with conditions that cause difficulty with distinguishing between things or ideas that are real and those that are not.

Hope this has been helpful.
Good luck!

[Harden_Tar]

If you are a public figure, especially a politician, and ESPECIALLY a Republican politician in these days of hyper sensitivity to any real or precieved insult, you CANNOT go within a country mile of anything like this. I have heard tar baby used as a term used to described any situation that should be avoided at all costs. Well, Mr. Lamborn should have never gone anywhere near the term tar baby because it is itself a tar baby and he is now forever grouped in with skin heads, and the KKK by the liberal media and hyper sensitive special interest groups that live to play the race card. I don't think he is racist, but I do think he has displayed a politically fatal lack of situational awareness and common sense.

[plattw]

I just need to say that I am appalled that President Obama, President of the United States of America, can be treated with so little respect and we stand for it.

[nanc12]

No one would ever refer to any "sticky situation" with a white man as a "tar baby." You repubs can spin this any way you want, but tar baby is definitely a racist term, whether used consciously or unconsciously. And the apology is useless. It's like hitting someone in the face and saying you're sorry if they misunderstood your fist - no harm meant.

[robham777]

"Uncle Remus is a fictional character, the title character and fictional narrator of a collection of African American folktales adapted and compiled by Joel Chandler Harris, published in book form in 1881. A journalist in post-Reconstruction Atlanta, Georgia, Harris produced seven Uncle Remus books."

Obviously there are many who would like to comment with no historical perspective, however the moral of the story is if you overreact, you will not be able to retract your actions. So it would appear the congressman did indeed find the tar baby!

[dfkl29]

Why should he apologize for nothing?
To appease the Left wing, nitwit thought police?

[retm-w]

To apologize to the African American community, just proves republicans are racist.

[christoph415]

Because he acted like a bigot jerk to the President of the United States. I just don't understand .. the GOP is always shouting "God and Country" .. but they certainly don't have any respect for the President of our country. No matter what "party" has the W.H., the President (whomever it is) deserves respect!

[mikejsr51]

Congressman Lambourn needs to resign. Racial slurs has no place in or around Congress. There is no apology that can be made. This has gone too far. This is such a bad thing for the United States of America. Wake up people!