George Allen and Macaca

[Extra Stout]

Another Republican candidate opens mouth, inserts foot...



- Republican front runner Tramm Hudson (R) Florida's 13th congressional district race, for the seat being vacated by Rep. Katherine Harris (R-FL)

Context, please.

[ChumpDumper]

Does it matter?

[DarkReign]

Does it matter?

Honestly, it doesnt. And if you, ES, could postualte a verbal situation where a citizen running for public office could believably say something like that and it have no overtones....

My man, you are in the wrong business.

[Extra Stout]

Well, here's the full context:

1984 we were in Panama. Our unit was doing a two-week training down there. I commanded an infantry company and we were practicing crossing a river. You know, an infantry company has 140 some-odd soldiers. A large number were black. I grew up in Alabama and I understand and I know this from my own experiences that blacks aren’t the best swimmers or may not even know how to swim. But we were crossing this and wanted to make sure every soldier could swim and if they couldn’t we’d get them across the river. We had the line across the river and we were making our passage way and one of the black soldiers with his ruck-sack on his back, his weapon and fell from the line…he let go. Sunk down to the bottom of the river. And I’ve got to tell you, it took my breath away. Two of the sergeants manning the boats immediately jumped into the river and pulled that soldier out form below. They gave him mouth-to-mouth resuscitations and we called in a medivac helicopter to take him to the hospital. That soldier could have died. I believe it was divine intervention. That was a Saturday afternoon. And that next morning we had a worship service among our NCOs and our officers. And I led that worship service. And I think, in terms of answering your question that if we allow congress or the federal government to remove that from the chaplain’s corps, that would be just terrible. And I believe that being able to worship and to express our religious beliefs, if it’s in the military, so be it. Or if it’s alone as individuals, you would find me defending that. I’ll just pass this around because this was manifold when I read about the law that someone was trying to pass.

[Extra Stout]

Hudson apologizes:

"I said something stupid. I apologize for it and would apologize in person to anyone hurt by my comments. To those who are understandably offended, you have my deepest apologies and I want you to know that it was out of character for me and those who know me know that to be a fact. This was a thoughtless remark that does not reflect my lifetime commitment to treating everyone fairly and without bias. I apologize to everyone who is offended by this comment."

Black leaders rally around him:

"I have known Tramm Hudson for many years and I have seen the entire video of his remarks to the Christian Coalition. I do not consider what he said to be a racist remark. Tramm has apologized to me in person, although I don't think one is necessary, but I accept his apology without reservation. He is a good, decent, family man with a good heart"
- Trevor Harvey, President NAACP of Sarasota County

"I've known Tramm Hudson for over 5 years, I lead an interracial Bible study that Tramm has participated in these past 5 years. I know Tramm and I know Tramm is a good, honest man who treats everyone fairly. I have seen Tramm's entire statement and believe he was attempting to express something that just came out wrong. I accept his apology and value his friendship."
- Pastor Kelvin Lumpkin - Abundant Life Ministries

So to summarize:
Tramm Hudson said something thoughtless while telling a story about the Chaplain Corps, has taken full responsibility for it and apologized profusely, and has people vouching for his character.

George Allen said something intentionally derogatory in a language he thought nobody would understand so that he could get away with it, and has dissembled in owning up to it.

Two Republicans: one probably a decent man who misspoke, one probably a mean-spirited jackass.

Guess which one is running for President?