Democrats can be racist too. Of course, it adds up to part of the context why he said it, to whom, what else.was being said, how he said it...

Not sure that the 'ruse' makes all that much difference, it's pretty poor. I note that Harpootlian is now a 'former' chairman. So someone got him replaced.

Absolutely correct, Danivon. The KKK was started by southern Democrats.

I would "fire" Harpootlian regardless of political affiliation.

Southern Democrats are not really 'liberals' either, at least not the dixiecrat tendency (but let's be honest, some were welcomed into the GOP post-Civil Rights).

And the Carolinas appear to compete for who has the craziest politicians.

danivon wrote:Southern Democrats are not really 'liberals' either, at least not the dixiecrat tendency (but let's be honest, some were welcomed into the GOP post-Civil Rights).

And the Carolinas appear to compete for who has the craziest politicians.

Now the guy who raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for Obama is crazy?

Okay.

There was no outrage when he tied Romney to drug smugglers. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/01/2 ... 20167.html

It was fine when he said Lindsey Graham was "a little light in the loafers."

It was fine when he compared Haley to Eva Braun.

He's been making vile attacks for years.

But now that he's engaged in birtherism, he's gone too far!

Let's not forget: Al Gore is a southern Democrat. Bill Clinton? A southern Democrat. Jimmy Carter?

Are they all racists?

How did the Voting Rights Act pass? Was it with Democratic or Republican votes?

Largely Republican.

To Democrats, racism is fine--as long as it's not aimed at other Democrats.

How is it 'birtherism'? Consider your point well and truly laboured, by the way.

And no, the racism aimed at Haley (a Republican) is not fine. Hence me being quite happy he lost his job. I have indeed not criticised him before, but I don't recall hearing of him before. Blame the media of you want, but I dont see why that's my concern.

danivon wrote:How is it 'birtherism'?

And no, the racism aimed at Haley (a Repubpican) is not fine.

"Wherever she came from" is the heart of birther thinking.

Except that birtherism is exclusively about Obama. Perhaps you mean 'nativism' (a common populist rallying point in the US)?

danivon wrote:Except that birtherism is exclusively about Obama. Perhaps you mean 'nativism' (a common populist rallying point in the US)?

Nope.

She is the daughter of immigrants from India. When Harpootlian said that he was appealing to the same mentality. You may differentiate if you wish, but you're straining.

I'm just noting that birtherism is specific to Obama conspiracy theories, and yes, it does come from the same mentality as nativism or racism.

danivon

I'm just noting that birtherism is specific to Obama conspiracy theories, and yes, it does come from the same mentality as nativism or racism.

Not just Obama. The original "birther" conspiracy was Chester Arthur... Who was rumoured to have been born in Canada. And whose detractors sought for years to have removed from office.
The next would have been the foofarah around McCain being born in the Panama Canal zone. Now that was taken care of by bilateral actions in Congress to specifically confirm that John was eligible for the position of the President of the US. Its hard to imagine the US Congress being as open, honest and forthright towards Obama to end the malicious nonsense over his birth place.
Ironically, the next person who might be up for this is Ted Cruz. Born in Calgary to a US mother he is said to be considering a run at Presidency.

I don't quite understand why this form of "whataboutery" is given notice. There are Democratic racists. So what. Its a big party and there is no litmus test to join. Although it appears that if you are big enough idiot you can be removed from office.
"We are not defined by our words. Nor can we be defined by our opponents words. Only our actions can define what we are as people".
Can't remember who said this...
But its apt.

I could not find any references to 'birtherism' from before 2008, and only in the context of Obama.

I do think it is a concern, though, that Harpootlian was able to hold a fairly senior position having a history of making outrageous statements. Sure they don't vet party members or volunteers, but surely they are responsible as a State Party for who they elect as their chair, and for keeping him in place. Whether the national party is responsible, I don't know (and that he raised money for Obama is not really relevant).

On words v actions, I see your point, but intemperate words are an action. It's words as in promises and aspirations that don't define us, but certainly how we interact verbally is part of who we are - and even his 'retraction' of the Haley comment to explain how she should just go back to accounting in her family retail firm came across as sexist and patronising.

So it's good that the SC Democrats have finally removed him from office.

danivon wrote:So it's good that the SC Democrats have finally removed him from office.

I am pretty sure he wasn't removed from office. I thought I read he voluntarily decided not to run again.

danivon

I could not find any references to 'birtherism' from before 2008, and only in the context of Obama

The term was coined for Obama. The issue, being born outside of the USA disqualifying one from the Presidency, was the same for the men I noted.
The difference for Obama was that it was proven beyond a doubt he was born in Hawaii. So there was no substance to the debate. But that didn't stop the nonsense and other than John McCain I don't recall too many republicans in leadership positions calling for an end to the so-called issue. It was just too important to the hard core .... even if it was entirely fanciful.
It was always somewhat unclear where Arthur was born, and McCain was definitely born in the Panama zone...
And there is no doubt Ted Cruz was born in Calgary...

That Harpoolitian "volunteered" not to run again, is sensible. I suspect there was a lot of advice coming his way, that he needed to spend more time with his family.
Though in South Carolina Mark Sanford has proven that the people will forgive almost anything....

rickyp wrote:Though in South Carolina Mark Sanford has proven that the people will forgive almost anything....

Actually, Bill Clinton proved that, but thanks for playing.

I believe it was proven by Ted Kennedy.

The Constitutional requirement is that you are a "natural born citizen".

No person except a natural born citizen, or a citizen of the United States, at the time of the adoption of this Constitution, shall be eligible to the office of President

McCain was born in a U.S. territory so he satisfies the constitutional requirement.

Second, since both of McCain's parents at the time of his birth were Americans, one can argue that he is a "natural born citizen". This has not yet been opined on by the S.C. That would be Cruz's argument (and my daughter's as well).