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About The skanner. (Portland, Or.) 1975-2014 | View Entire Issue (Oct. 10, 2012)
Opinion Romney Co-Chair’s Racism is Showing H ave you ever known that something was going to happen, but still was shocked when it actually hap- pened? Well, to my dismay, I have just had that happen to me. I have been telling my fellow Republi- cans for months that by October, our party would start playing the race card in an effort to gin up the White vote. Romney’s campaign co-chair and former New Hamp- shire Gov. John Sununu, is the personification of this. Last Thursday, he appeared on MSNBC with Andrea Mitchell. She asked him to give his post- debate analysis on Romney. Sununu immediately digressed into this tirade about the presi- dent. Mitchell was visibly stunned when Sununu said, “What people saw last night, I think, was a president who revealed his incompetence – how lazy and detached he is and how he has absolutely no idea how serious the economy problems of the country are and how he has failed to even address them.” Mitchell tried to give Sununu a NNPA C OLUMNIST Raynard Jackson chance to correct his statement by asking him, “Governor, I want to give you a chance to maybe take it back. Did you really mean to call Barack Obama, the president of the United States, lazy?” Sununu replied, “Yes. He didn’t want to prepare for this debate. He’s lazy and disengaged.” A stunned Mitchell responded, “I think there certainly was a performance issue there and whether or not he was in his best form last night, a lot of people are questioning that,” said Andrea. “But I think to call the president lazy and disengaged is another whole question.” Sununu’s response was, “Whatev- er, Andrea. Whatever you want.” This is not an isolated incident with Sununu; he has a history of being a blowhard, especially when it comes to Obama. A few months ago on a campaign conference call about small businesses, Sununu stated, “I wish this president would learn how to be an Ameri- can.” Sununu said on Fox News that Obama. “has no idea how the American system func- tions, and we shouldn’t be surprised about that, because he spent his early years in Hawaii smoking something, spent the next set of years in Indonesia.” On another Fox News Channel program, Sununu said, “When you’re not that bright you can’t get better prepared.” If Sununu was speaking as a private citizen, I would just ignore his ignorance and hatred. Howev- er, because he is functioning as one of Romney’s national co- chairmen, I hold him to a higher standard and level of scrutiny. And Romney should, too. Therefore, Romney should demand that Sununu to step down from any involvement in his campaign. If Romney has any modicum of decency and principles, this should be non-negotiable. To his credit, even John McCain took a principled stand in his 2008 presidential campaign when a woman, Gayle Quinnell, crossed cipled stand. I challenge all Republicans to denounce Sununu and demand his immediate removal from any involvement in If Sununu was speaking as a private citizen, I would just ignore his ignorance and hatred. However, because he is functioning as one of Romney’s national co-chairmen, I hold him to a higher standard and level of scrutiny. And Romney should, too the line. During the Q & A session at a McCain rally in Minnesota, Quinnell accused Obama of being an “Arab.” McCain quickly snatched the microphone away from her and said, “No ma’am.” ”[Obama’s] a decent family man, citizen, that I just happen to have disagreements with on fundamental issues.” McCain was roundly applauded for taking this principled stand. Will Romney do the same? I strongly doubt it. Romney doesn’t have the spine to take such a prin- not only the Romney campaign, but any other Republican activi- ties. Sununu’s rhetoric is not what the Republican Party should be about and if my party cannot or will not take a principled stand, then I can- not and will not support our nomi- nee for president. Raynard Jackson is president & CEO of Raynard Jackson & Asso- ciates, LLC., a D.C.-public rela- tions/government affairs firm. Letter to the Editor To the Editor: o those choosing NOT to vote this time because nei- ther candidate is perfect: especially those who would otherwise vote for Obama, “except that he” (fill in the blank). It seems the premise underlying your decision is that voting is ALL one has to do to insure fairness, social and economic justice, marriage equality, fair and compre- hensive immigration policies, working wages, environmen- tal justice, an end to Human sex trafficing and advancement of a civil and human rights agenda. I point out that voting, while extremely significant is tak- ing only ONE step toward building the world we say we want to see. Voting can help ensure the presence of an envi- ronment in which we are allowed to work to bring about T If your vote is not important, why are ‘they’ trying to take it away? change. For the last thirty (40?) years, people who recog- nize the limits of voting have been organizing, giving money, getting elected to public offices etc. etc. etc and have been disproportionately influential in elections across our country. Recently, they have presented John McCain, Sarah Palin, Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan for our country’s consideration as leaders. It is beyond arrogance to dismiss them or their representatives as unable to win because they are ignorant, stupid or simply out of touch. This would be denial about what they have been able to accomplish. They have pushed their policies into the public discourse. Our denial leaves us vulnerable to their next steps and our refusal to vote insures their ability to take those steps such as getting rid of Roe vs Wade. To push for change, we must retain rights currently being eroded or redefined. Among them, the right to peaceably assemble, the right to be secure in our person, the right to a speedy trial, the right to vote! Get a “big picture” clue... without those rights we lose the tools that we need to move towards the concept of “a more perfect union”. Elect the governmental environment that will be most conducive to continuing the work of social and economic justice, then get to work to stop the drones, unjust imprisonment, poverty, tax benefits for corporations etc. I want you to vote (If your vote is not important, why are “they” trying to take it away?) and help retain an environ- ment in which we can continue to write, speak, march and otherwise contribute to moving forward a human rights agenda. The day after the election, regardless of who wins, I want to know that everyone who supports human and civil rights is engaged in the next significant phase of democracy, active participation in some aspect of civic life that directly influences changes designed to improve the lives of all peo- ple. Week on the Web Video: Nicki Minaj and Mariah Carey Caught in Taped Tiff …in Entertainment For The Skanner News on your smart phone go to www. theskannermobile.com or scan this QR code with your app. VIDEO: Shared Hope Aims to Build Consensus on Sex Trafficking of Minors …in NW News ‘Break it Down’ Explores Eco- nomic Roots of Hip-Hop …in NW News Film Review: ‘Six Mil- lion and One’ …in Entertainment Lark Voorhies’ Mom Claims Actress Has Bipolar Disorder …in Entertainment Red Tie vs. Blue Tie — Impressions of the Debate…in USA News www. October 10, 2012 The Portland Skanner Page 5
