Republicans talk about Iraq, Obama at N. Ky. dinner

UPDATE 6 P.M. 4/14/08: CLICK HERE FOR AUDIO OF REMARKS BY U.S. REP. GEOFF DAVIS

Republican U.S. Sens. Mitch McConnell and Jim Bunning laid out their case for Republicans keeping control of the White House in the 2008 election during Northern Kentucky's 4th Congressional District Lincoln Day Dinner Saturday night.

McConnell, who is also up for re-election in November, defended the Bush administration's decision "to go on offense" by invading Iraq. And he said presumptive GOP presidential nominee, U.S. Sen. John McCain of Arizona, has the right perspective on what must be done in the Middle East, as opposed to the two Democratic candidates who favor removing U.S. troops as soon as possible.

"We'd be kidding ourselves," McConnell said. "This is a different kind of war. The enemy is not a country, it's a movement ... There's nobody to negotiate with."

Bunning used an even harsher description.

"The people we're fighting against now are worse than Adolf Hitler and Nazis. And we don't know where they live, half of them," Bunning said.

The Republicans specifically skewered Democratic presidential candidate and Illinois Sen. Barack Obama, perhaps as a signal that they expect -- or hope -- that he is that party's nominee against McCain.

"I fear the two Democrats, one in particular, is incredibly naive," McConnell said, adding that five years ago when the U.S. Senate voted to go to war in Iraq, Obama was in the Illinois state senate. "This is the big leagues now. At what point do you turn off the demagoguery and become a serious, responsible leader?"

U.S. Rep. Geoff Davis, a Hebron Republican, compared Obama and his message for change similar to a "snake oil salesman."

He said in his remarks at the GOP dinner that he also recently participated in a "highly classified, national security simulation" with Obama.

"I'm going to tell you something: That boy's finger does not need to be on the button," Davis said. "He could not make a decision in that simulation that related to a nuclear threat to this country."

As for Obama's Democratic rival, McConnell said U.S. Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton of New York seems to be "teetering on the brink."

"I hear she hasn't been this worried since a new Hooters opened" near her home with former President Bill Clinton, McConnell said, prompting laughs from the 400 Northern Kentucky Republicans.

 

- Ryan Alessi

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Comments

[Steve Bittenbender]

Did I really just read that Rep. Davis called Obama "boy"?

Did he really say that?

[BILked]

My eyes about popped out of my head when I read the part of Rep. Davis referring to Senator Obama as boy.

He will get fried over this statement nationally when it goes out to the AP or the other national blogs pick it up

[guess who]

Looks that way. We should make sure that the national media is aware of this.

Also, Ryan, can you confirm that Rep Davis and Obama participated in a "simulation recently?' Sounds fishy to me.

Ryan, I really hope you follow up on that.

[Bill Adkins]

Yes, Geoff Davis certainly did refer to Obama as 'boy.' Could it mean something different in Canada? Davis also called Obama a 'snake oil salesman.' Coming from a snake oil salesman like Davis - wow.

And this, "He said in his remarks at the GOP dinner that he also recently participated in a "highly classified, national security simulation" with Obama." If true, and I doubt Geoff Davis would be permitted to participate in anything that didn't involve blunt scissors and construction paper, doesn't 'highly classified' mean ol' loose lips Geoff shouldn't be talking about it?

Geoff Davis is a dumba-s.

[Peter]

This is crazy, if anything Geoff Davis was referencing Obama's age and inexperience. Anyone that was there knows that the liberals are blowing this out of proportion. Why do the liberals insist on pushing stories about Obama's inexperience??

[BILked]

Everybody with even limited intelligence (this includes Rep. Davis) knows you do not reference a black man as "boy"

There is no explaining this away.

This is an out and out racist reference to Senator Obama.

I hope it goes national but then again I hope it doesn't because it will only re-enforce the sterotypical views of Kentucky as a racist state

[Meg]

I was at the dinner. Given the entire context of Congressman Davis' remarks it was clear what he was saying. He was not making a racist remark. The bigger story is the heart felt ceremony before his speech where he presented the American flag to a couple that had just become american citizens. They work at the hotel and the crowd was in tears, it was amazing.

[Cyberhillbilly]

Bill:

You'll have a hard time spinning Geoff Davis into a good ol' boy. He studied Arabic at West Point, made a career in the Army- the most integrated institution in the U.S.- worked as a volunteer chaplain in prisons for eight years and he and his daughter have been volunteers for years in inner city schools in Cincy.

[Bilked]

Cyber...

And U.S. Senator Larry Craig sponsored anti-gay legislation yet he turned out to be homosexual

So your actions do not always reflect your beliefs.

He made a racist statement no matter the context of his overall remarks

[Cyberhillbilly]

Bilked:

At worst he made a poor choice of words. He certainly did not make a "racist statement."

[BILked]

Lets put your statement to the test.

You walk up to the first black man you see and use the word "boy" in any statement to him and see if you don't walk away with a bloody nose

[Peter]

It's all about context. And clearly Congressman Davis was referencing his youth and inexperience.

[Bill Adkins]

When did 'context' become important when Republicans and Hillary are attacking Obama for stating the truth?

[KYJurisDoctor]

Calling Obama a "boy" should be going too far, even for a man named JEFFERSON DAVIS!

http://polwatchers.typepad.com/pol_watchers/2008/04/republicans-tal.html

[hank]

Hey Mitch,

As least Bill likes girls.

[davisneedstogo]

On top of his patently racist pandering, perhaps Geoff Davis needs to be investigated for disclosing information from a "highly classified, national security simulation" as he calls it. Why a senator would be doing this with a congressman is beyond me, but if they were involved in a classified simulation, doesn't it compromise our security for Davis to be disclosing this?

Geoff Davis is a Racist and a Traitor. Wow!

[Nicholas Stevens]

Davisneedstogo;

That is the same type of comment as if a senator who said they had a "highly classified meeting with the President" is in some way jeopardizing our national security, give me a break! If Davis were to come out and explicitly state our steps as a nation in this "security simulation", then yes he should be in trouble. That is not what happened here. As for him being a racist... it does not add up. What he said was a poor choice in words and not racism in the least bit! This is the real Geoff Davis that the citizens of the 4th district have twice elected and will follow the same result in Nov.

Geoff Davis: enlisted in the Army following Graduation from high school, was appointed to West Point where he studied Arabic Language, Southwest Asia and Eastern Europe cultures. Certainly a racist would not bend over backwards to study other cultures, racists are close minded individuals who live in their own bubble. Not what an American soldier is. Geoff Davis and his oldest daughter Becky helped to tutor and mentor students in the inner city schools of Cincy. One would not be a racist if they declined that position, but Congressman Davis accepted it and did what he and his daughter knew was the right thing. Davis also was a volunteer chaplain for the Kentucky Corrections.

Let us change the name of "Geoff Davis" to "John" and see what people say. Does this well rounded background in any way perpetuate a closed minded individual with racist ideals - I think not. He should say the truth which is; it was a poor choice of words, he learned from the mistake and he will move on to honorably serve Kentucky's 4th District. I understand the climate is ripe for trying to bring the opponents down especially when the Obama camp can hardly find a positive news story. The answer to his probems; I guess it is to change the course of debate from policy of a man running for Presidents with comments he is STILL sticking to with calling us all "bitter", instead try and bring down a man who just mis-spoke. Obama was given ample chances to take back his comments, he has declined. Let us give Davis the same opportunity, we are trying to be fair.

[P]

I cant believe this is being run as a "racist" story. Pat Crowley, the liberal pundit from the Enquirer, has picked this up. The Dems must be having trouble finding anything positive now that the their governor has been exposed for selling out the state to the casino interests, and then not being able to ram his corruption down the people's throats.

Boy being a racist remark, GROW UP PEOPLE!

[Weatherman]

This was not a racist remark, is was an obvious dispersion on Obama's youth. It appears that all you folks getting upset are as uppity as Obamasamalama (Ted Kennedy's nickname for him) himself.

[Colin Hicks]

Davis is 50, Obama is 46.

I don't think his remarks had anything to do with age.

[James]

Geoff Davis is only three (that's 3) years older than Obama. And he calls him "boy"?

[Alex]

I can't belive you nuts are defending Geofferson Davis. There's nothing defensible about a 50 year old, white, Republican state representative from Kentucky calling a 46 year old, black, U.S. Senator "that boy". If the idea is to paint Obama as a neophyte, you can do that in much more appropriate ways. Geoff Davis, adios to that reelection moron

[Elrod]

Nobody with any knowledge of American history casually refers to an African American as "boy." Obama is 3 years younger than Davis. He could have said, "this guy doesn't deserve to be near the button, etc." and the point would have been the same. Even the word "kid" would have been better, though it still would have been offensive. But boy? I don't know if he intended it that way or if he's just tone deaf but sheesh.

[Nicholas Stevens]

The age has nothing to do with "experience." You can be 30, be well rounded, well educated, understand foreign affairs and have experience.On the opposite end, you can be 50 and have had few if any experiences in the job it takes to be Commander in Chief.

The age of the two men is completely separate from experience they have. BTW Davis is not trying to be the Commander in Chief. Obama is. I sure hope we hold our 435 Representatives in Congress to a different standard than the 1 President we have.

I agree it was a poor choice in wording, no question. But to make it anything more than that is showing desperation by the Dems.

[nsiah7]

This guy has absolute contempt for this "boy" whom millions of Americans have voted to be a likely nominee of a prominent party who is likely to be a commander in chief. This shows how the GOP have no respect for Americans anymore. They twist stories and do not allow people to vote on real issues. They have made Americans coward by constantly playing on their fears. Do you wonder why Dick Cheney said "SO"? when he was referred to current polls about Americans not happy with the war in Iraq? Fellows Americans woke up! These guys (GOP neocons)will destroy America.

[Alex]

Sorry Nicholas Stevens, that doesn't fly. On the seniority scale, Davis is a lowly representative compared to Obama. He's also around the same age as Obama and I really don't know why you seem to think that doesn't matter. How does the elitism/condescending smear work when Davis is saying this to Obama? Come on, he's an elected official. He needs to be held accountable when the words he uses triggers memories of deep south racism. But way to go, defend this idiot just because you want to see Obama lose. Some class would be a good thing for you and your GOP buds to show here.

[David]

It's not lost on me that Kentucky has never elected an African-American to statewide office.

And it's not lost on me that people rush to your defense when you call a black man "boy" around here.

And we wonder why people think we're bigots.

[MiddleRoad]

"I agree it was a poor choice in wording, no question. But to make it anything more than that is showing desperation by the Dems."
Reall? Do you want to tell the campaign of your candidate that?
You can't have it both ways

[benjoya]

"At what point do you turn off the demagoguery and become a serious, responsible leader?"

this is the question mitch mcConnell asks every morning when he shaves. so far, the answer is "never."

[Legalize]

I can't understand why most people think of the GOP as a racist cult. It's a mystery!!

[yep]

this is up there with "macaca" in terms of unintended racist and bigoted comments. Yes, it is possible that he didnt realize it was a racist term "that boy" in which case he is a moron and not a racist

[Nicholas Stevens]

David;

No doubt there are racial sentiments in KY, along with other states. I have commented on other blogs before how I wish we had more diversity, it is one of the biggest issues I have living in this state. But to link Davis as one of those racists individuals is just not correct or fair to do. Time after time he has shown his ability to look past race and just help his fellow man. Poor choice of wording, that was his mistake.

[Randy]

someone give my friend P the news: not only can you NOT call Black men "boy" anymore, you also can't call Black people "uppity." you have to use the code word, "elitist" now.

[Nicholas Stevens]

MiddleRoad;

Which campaign of my candidate are you referring to? I am thinking you are talking about McCain and Obama?!? IDK. If so, to call McCain "my candidate" is just plain wrong. Mitt Romney and Rudy Giuliani were my candidates, not McCain. In any case, the words that Obama and his Rev spoke (if this is what you are eluding to) have never been apologized for and they even stand by their comments. If Davis decides to make another speech in a wk and says the same thing, then I will be the first to criticize him. I promise! I doubt if that will happen, since Davis does not have a racist bone in his body.

[Randy]

someone give my friend P the news: not only can you NOT call Black men "boy" anymore, you also can't call Black people "uppity." you have to use the code word, "elitist" now.

[abuelita38]

McConnell oozes nastiness. Maybe it's because he was born with chicken lips. Davis knew what he was doing when he referred to Obama as "boy." What is it with neocons? Don't they realize that we are no longer in the 19th or early 20th century? They are the ones who are teetering on the edge of extinction. Pobrecitos.

[jane]

Saturday night's Republican soiree is just one more sad example of a state party that has inbred so much that it no longer recognizes racism (i.e.Davis) or vulgarity (McConnell). John Sherman Cooper must be rolling over in his grave as Mitch destroys the image of the GOP.

[Mike]

Wait! Did this KKK member just refer to a Black man as "boy?"

[Bat Guano]

Yup.

That boy's gonna kick the old man's rear in November.

[Verchiel]

Boy? Seriously?

That's not a dogwhistle, that's a pipe across the forehead. Or, more accurately, a burning cross on the front lawn. Calling a black man "boy" recalls about 150 years of nasty subtext.

[JohnAH]

He probably didn't mean "boy" in a racist way; but he left himself open to it and he shouldn't be calling a grown man and US Senator "boy" anyway. Shows great disrespect and many black men would be offended by this remark without further explanation or context.

[Mark]

He called him a boy?

Wow.

[axt113]

People who are saying he misspoke and didn't mean it the way it sounded, did you say the same thing when Obama made his comments about clinging?

[axt113]

People who are saying he misspoke and didn't mean it the way it sounded, did you say the same thing when Obama made his comments about clinging?

[SN]

Ah, the grand old party. Racist remarks, homosexual solicitations, hooker scandals, and torturers.

[NLC]

For those who say McConnell can't be racist because he's studied other cultures, and worked with inner city kids...

Something common among racists is the phrase 'I have black friends'.

[xargaw]

I wonder how the MSM will tackle this remark compared to Obama's comment's last week that have been completely misconstrued and blown up. This is an obvious example of underlying racism and code use of language.

[John S.]

Come 'ere, boy, and polish my shoes.
OH BOY!
Well, as mentioned, at least he's not soliciting gay sex in bathrooms like other Republicans.

[Luke]

Calling a black man "boy" is about as racist as conversations get these days in public.

The attempts by some of the people in comments here to claim this was a reference to Senator Obama's age are being wilfully obtuse. For one thing, the Senator is only a few years younger than the Congressman!

And while we're at it, where does "Weatherman" get off calling Obama "uppity"?

[Nolaw]

Wow, how can he call a black man boy...