Mass. Gov. Romney Apologizes for Remark
BOSTON (AP) — Gov. Mitt Romney has apologized for referring to the troubled Big Dig construction project as a “tar baby” during a fundraiser with Iowa Republicans, saying he didn’t know anyone would be offended by the term some consider a racial epithet.
In a speech Saturday, Romney, a Republican considering a run for president in 2008, acknowledged he took a big political risk in taking control of the project after a fatal tunnel ceiling collapse, but said inaction would have been even worse.
“The best thing politically would be to stay as far away from that tar baby as I can,” he told a crowd of about 100 supporters in Ames, Iowa.
Black leaders were outraged at his use of the term, which dates to the 19th century Uncle Remus stories, referring to a doll made of tar that traps Br’er Rabbit. It has come to be known as a way of describing a sticky mess, and has been used as a derogatory term for a black person.
“Tar baby is a totally inappropriate phrase in the 21st century,” said Larry Jones, a black Republican and civil rights activist.
“He thinks he’s presidential timber,” Jones said. “But all he’s shown us is arrogance.”
Romney’s spokesman, Eric Fehrnstrom, said the governor was describing “a sticky situation.”
“He was unaware that some people find the term objectionable and he’s sorry if anyone’s offended,” Fehrnstrom said.
White House spokesman Tony Snow sparked similar criticism in May when he used the term in response to a question about government surveillance.
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July 31st, 2006 at 8:22 pm
This honkey really despises the asinine politically correct environment that we live in today. Aaarrgghh! Tar baby! Tar baby! Tar baby! Somehow I doubt that when Romney used the term he was thinking derogatory thoughts about black people. This stuff is getting soooooo old!
July 31st, 2006 at 8:28 pm
I agree. But society can’t seem to get past it. I thought it was funny, but as you are well aware of I’m a bit weird, LOL!
July 31st, 2006 at 9:55 pm
Yes, you are weird my dear. But that is why we get along so well!!
It is an interesting quandary for people who care; Should you eschew use of perfectly good words or phrasis that have no true racist overtones, if you know that neverhtless those words(or should know) offend some people (like niggardly) simply to avoid being offensive? Or should you hope people of decent motives and good will realize that you haven’t a racist bone in your body?
Personally, I don’t like picking fights. So I simply edit myself accordingly. Unlike some people! LOL…..
August 1st, 2006 at 4:36 pm
I just read what the fools over at JABBS are saying about this, and I came THIS close to again telling them how lame they sound. Thankfully, I came to my senses and left without responding. Let them have their circle jerk. lol
I wonder if any of them got upset when Sen. Byrd made that dumb remark that included the words “white n _ _ _ _ _”? Somehow I doubt it, since so many on their side are always saying stupid things like this. Petty people!