NYTimes Downplays Rep. Carson's Smear, Suggests Rep. West May Leave CBC Because He's 'Taking Issue with Criticism'
Rep. Allen West (Fla.), the only Republican member of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC), is considering leaving the CBC after a fellow member of the caucus practically compared Tea Party members to lynch mob members.
Rep. Andre Carson (D-Ind.) recently told a gathering in Miami that Tea Party members "would love to see us as second-class citizens" and to see blacks "hanging on a tree."
New York Times staffer Jennifer Steinhauer reported the development yesterday on The Caucus blog. Today the Times ran a condensed version of that blog post on page A16 and headlined it "Taking Issue With Criticism," as though Rep. Andre Carson's comments were legitimate critiques of the Tea Party movement.
"An e-mail to the spokeswoman for Representative Emanuel Cleaver II of Missouri, who is the chairman of the caucus, was not immediately returned," Steinhauer noted in the August 31 Caucus post.
No mention was made in today's print edition about whether Cleaver had since returned the phone call to give the Times a comment about West's complaints about Carson and his threat to resign from the CBC.
Cross-posted from MRC's TimesWatch.
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Comments
Actually, as it has been made
Submitted by Beukeboom on Thu, 09/01/2011 - 12:53pm.
Actually, as it has been made abundantly clear on multiple forums, the Tea Party membership takes great issue with the lies, malice, hatred and racism coming FROM the CBC.
The Obama Era's legacy.....
Submitted by almostacowboy on Thu, 09/01/2011 - 12:56pm.
Setting back race relations 60 years. Just one of many "hopey-changey" things we can thank him for......on his way out.
As far as the NYT is concerned...."Hey! I'm a scorpion. What'd you expect?"
West should stay in the CBC
Submitted by JeffC... on Thu, 09/01/2011 - 1:09pm.
If West stays in the CBC, he can remain a thorn-in-the-side of those racist jerks, and there's nothing they can do about him. I prefer to see him confront those asshats in person.
Whether he leaves/stays
Submitted by Blonde on Thu, 09/01/2011 - 1:15pm.
...is for him to decide.
I'll back him either way. The silence of the liberal democrat leadership regarding all of this racist sliming and race baiting by the CBC is rather telling, though.
Handy Reference Guide to Obama's Gaffes and Goofs ~ Currently Numbering 200 (and Counting)
CBC and West
Submitted by Agnostic on Thu, 09/01/2011 - 1:17pm.
I just wrote his office a letter offering support either way but requesting that he stay on behalf of over half the nation that is not represented in the CBC and as the lone opinion that may be of relevance to so many people and their livelihood.
If he remains in the CBC he gives it credibility
Submitted by Rover on Thu, 09/01/2011 - 3:32pm.
I can see it either way, but realistically I don't think he'll be able to affect CBC actions, policy or statements in any way, being a single voice in an organization that is not inclined to open debate of ideas or even, necessarily, of rational thought when it conflicts with liberal theology.
If he leaves for cause, and it's clear to informed Americans that there are NO Republicans in the CBC, than it will be recognized as just another source for left-wing and Democratic rhetoric rather than an organization that speaks for and looks after the best interests of African-Americans. Certainly walking out on them sends a strong signal that their words lack credibility.
If Jesus Christ himself returned and joined the CBC,
Submitted by SickofLibs on Thu, 09/01/2011 - 3:34pm.
it still wouldn't have any credibility.
Then again, I'm RAYCISSS!
Leaving the CBC
Submitted by Agnostic on Fri, 09/02/2011 - 8:12am.
To the average non-political junkie Col. West leaving the CBC will mean nothing more than the media tell them it means (he can't handle criticism). I would like to see him stay because this is a duly elected lobbying group and little more. It is not that he will change their minds or even have a voice but he will be representative of a large portion of the population that does not have a voice or even a clue as to what this elected group is capable of doing.
I too would understand if he steps down; after all, he will not be able to really accomplish any more than perhaps cause the CBC to be more cautious in their plans because his dissenting voice may get air time even if it is on conservative media. I would love to know what the members of the CBC opining about the words of Rep. Carson there is a potential the Col. West could know. There is no chance without him we will ever learn any of the actions of this very liberal, race baiting, (imho) illegal and unaccountable lobbying group.
It really doesn't matter if
Submitted by Beukeboom on Fri, 09/02/2011 - 10:39am.
It really doesn't matter if Col. West leaves the CBS or stays -- the drive-by liberal MSM will spin it in the most negative way to try to discredit West. Bank on it.
Beuk,
Submitted by Agnostic on Fri, 09/02/2011 - 10:44am.
Of course, it is the natural state of media and politics. Isn't it odd how the media of any pov never talks about their 100% reliance on tax dollars? Never even a disclaimer.
The Congressional Black
Submitted by killa37 on Thu, 09/01/2011 - 1:19pm.
The Congressional Black Caucas (NOT to be confused with the Congressional White Caucas) IS a racist organization - whose only function, as far a I can tell, is to flap their jaws and make stupid comments.............how far is West going to get by hanging around with this bunch of morons??? Plus - he'll have to be trying to do whatever he does with the tinge of 'race' around it. I think the guy can do what he does by just being himself - the CBC isn't going to accept him, regardless of his color, because he's not 'one of them'. I say screw'um, Allen - we all know you're 'black', but that's got nothing to do with why we respect and support you.
Hell, we all knew that Boy Barry was 'black' (well, sort of), and that had nothing to do with why we wanted him to 'fail' -to use such a disrespectful and controversial term.
Is there a CLC (Congressional
Submitted by Beukeboom on Thu, 09/01/2011 - 1:48pm.
Is there a CLC (Congressional Liberal Caucus)? :-)
Yes
Submitted by shferg on Thu, 09/01/2011 - 3:42pm.
Yes, it's called the Media.
Noose
Submitted by miss911ninja on Thu, 09/01/2011 - 1:48pm.
Truth be told, Rep. Andre Carson would like to see Allen West "hanging on a tree."
And here is the "Epitome of Assholery"
Submitted by Blonde on Thu, 09/01/2011 - 3:06pm.
The CBC is refusing to respond to Allen West's scathing letter. Link to the full report.
Florida Republican Rep. Allen West will not be receiving a response to his letter challenging the chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC), Emanuel Cleaver to condemn recent attacks from its members on the tea party any time soon.
CBC spokeswoman Stephanie Young told The Daily Caller Thursday morning the CBC is likely not to respond to West in the coming weeks due to its hectic schedule and the CBC current focus on jobs.
Young issued a statement Wednesday in response to inquiries about West’s letter and threat to leave the CBC, which made no reference to the aforementioned snafu.
“Members of the CBC are in the midst of the final event of the Congressional Black Caucus’s ‘For the People’ Jobs Initiative in Los Angeles,” Young said. “Throughout the month of August, over 20,000 people have attended a CBC Jobs Initiative event in Cleveland, Detroit, Atlanta, Miami, and now Los Angeles. Real people are hurting, and the members of the CBC remain focused on getting Americans back to work.”
They know they stuck their foot in it, up to their necks, this time.
Handy Reference Guide to Obama's Gaffes and Goofs ~ Currently Numbering 200 (and Counting)
→ CBC
Submitted by Cool Arrow on Thu, 09/01/2011 - 8:30pm.
Members of the CBC are focused on perpetual regurgitation of ancient grievances.
I'm reminded of the training baby elephants receive. Stoutly chained by the leg to an immovable post, they eventually come to believe any tether to any stake is sufficient to bind them.
Much of the CBC have surrendered their spirits to the comfort of being cared for.
On some level, upright human beings must feel deep sadness.
PWNED