there’s no way to take “great white hope” as not racist.  Where does she think the phrase came from?  It was always intended as racist, it’s just that racists then didn’t mind being called racist.

...”Republicans are struggling right now to find the great white hope,” Jenkins said to the crowd. “I suggest to any of you who are concerned about that, who are Republican, there are some great young Republican minds in Washington.”

That was mighty white of her to say; mighty white, indeed.

What Caren said. It’s fucking obvious.

You know, it’s entirely possible she could have meant it innocently, but come on. Own it—if you turn it upside down and look at it from a strange angle under just the right wavelength of light, it *might* be interpreted in a non-racist manner, but we’re not talking about “niggardly” or “black hole” here. It’s a term that came directly out of racial tensions and it’s foolish to deny its origins or the fact that it is an inherently offensive term.

But it’s completely over-reacting for people to react to her using a phrase which specifically references a historical example of racism as racist.  Some people are just so sensitive!

And some people are just so stupid they need a keeper to make sure they don’t leave the house with their underpants on their heads.

Sweet suffering diety of your choice on some example of an amusing mode of transportation but this shit gets old.

The modern GOP.  Too stupid to know they’re quoting parody.

Spouse: “And this should prove she isn’t it. 
...Though, I’m sure she meant it the way it sounded.  Even if she didn’t know what it meant.”

She should have said the GOP needs a ‘Grand Dragon’ or ‘Grand Wizard’ as leader to attract the public interest. Cos’ dragons and wizards are cool.

I am so frustrated with you libs.

Next you’ll be saying that her annual Christian Barbecue, held on the front lawn of a person she doesn’t know (who happens to be black) featuring a ten-foot-tall crucifix set alight to represent Christ’s grace is not a celebration of faith. Get a grip, people!*

*I rarely do rightwinger parodies. I am not good at it: I am a compulsively accurate speller and typist. My apologies.

This woman holds a fairly high office?  And she can’t even google a historical phrase before she makes it a centerpiece of her stupidity?

Of course not.  That would mean gathering information, not manufacturing misinformation!  God forbid!

At the rate things are going South (Dixie) for the GOP, Obama should win reelection by at least 57-43 in 2012. Jenkins et al…Rope.Hang.Self.

The new book about the Republicans:  <u>The Clueless and The Proud</u>.

It’s an either/or.  Either she used it without knowing its origin or realizing it’s racist, then she’s to stupid to be a congressperson. Or if she used it knowingly, then she is too racist to be a US congressperson.

This woman is clearly very stupid, but (or, so) I do think that the racial antagonism component may very well have been subconscious on her part. “Great White Hope” is a very common expression. A quick Google News search produces, from this month alone, two articles profiling a Hispanic boxer and a white Motown singer as “Great White Hopes.” And here’s one (again, from August ‘09) that begins by remarking how many white heavyweights have been called the next Great White Hope.

And back in primary season, The Washington Post called Obama “The Great White Hope.” It’s not some obscure term that only hardcore racists like George Allen use.

I’m not even saying this woman isn’t a hardcore racist, but the charitable interpretation seems more plausible than usual when a GOP rep says something like this.

...and he never had to say yes sir, or no sir to the white folks as they passed him by, or as he passed them by…
-This Bike is a Pipe Bomb “Jack Johnson”

I think in the Republican’s minds, this is what bothers them the most about having a Black President, just like it bothered white boxing fans way back when.

Yes, the phrase “Great White Hope” is sometimes used in other contexts, but it’s a big, fat dogwhistle for racists, and pretending it isn’t is just silly.

I’m not pretending anything, and the racial character of the remark is either unintended or an overtly racist appeal to replace the black incumbent president with a white person. I never said the latter was an impossibility, but “dog whistle” is not on the menu.

I’m not even saying this woman isn’t a hardcore racist, but the charitable interpretation seems more plausible than usual when a GOP rep says something like this.

Who cares if this person isn’t a hardcore racist.  She’s claiming to point out the “bright lights” of the GOP, potential national leaders.  Folks this deliberately unaware sound a lot like a President to called for a “Crusade” into a Muslim country - and we all know how good that made us look to the rest of the world.

Republitards.

Before this post, I honestly didn’t know the origin of that phrase.*  However, if I were speaking in public as a person of some consequence and I got called on it, I sure as hell would actually, you know, APOLOGIZE.  Something along the lines of, “Please forgive me for inadvertently using a racially-charged phrase.  My mistake was made out of ignorance, not malice; and I promise to be more mindful of the implications of my words in the future.  Here’s what I meant to say, without the horribly inappropriate gaffe…”

*And upon reading the title of this post, my first thought contained the word “overreaction.”  Then I actually read the post and I am now properly horrified and hoping to FSM that I’ve never actually used “great white hope” in conversation.