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Newt Backs Off 'Racist' Comment

By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff

Posted Jun 3, 2009 11:02 AM CDT
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(Newser) – Newt Gingrich today backed off his remark that Sonia Sotomayor is a “Latina woman racist,” the Boston Globe reports. When he heard the Supreme Court nominee’s now-infamous “wise Latina” soundbite, “my initial reaction was strong and direct,” he wrote in his blog today on Human Events. “Perhaps too strong and direct. The sentiment struck me as racist and I said so.”

Gingrich said criticism from fellow Republicans made him see he’d chosen his words poorly. “The word ‘racist’ should not have been applied to Judge Sotomayor as a person,” he allows, “even if her words themselves are unacceptable,” and he still opposes her confirmation. Jeff Sessions, the ranking Republican on the Senate Judiciary Committee, told CNN he was “very glad” about Gingrich’s backtracking.

Former Republican House Speaker Newt Gingrich looks at the audience before speaking during a Tax Day Tea Party Wednesday, April 15, 2009 at City Hall Park in New York.
Former Republican House Speaker Newt Gingrich looks at the audience before speaking during a Tax Day Tea Party Wednesday, April 15, 2009 at City Hall Park in New York.   (AP Photo/Stephen Chernin)
In this May 21, 2009 file photo, former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich speaks during a conference on health care reform in Columbia, S.C.
In this May 21, 2009 file photo, former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich speaks during a conference on health care reform in Columbia, S.C.   (AP Photo/Mary Ann Chastain, File)
Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich looks on before speaking with reporters outside the White House, May 7, 2009, following his meeting with President Barack Obama to discuss education reform.
Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich looks on before speaking with reporters outside the White House, May 7, 2009, following his meeting with President Barack Obama to discuss education reform.   (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)
In this April 24, 2009 file photo former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich testifies on Capitol Hill.
In this April 24, 2009 file photo former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich testifies on Capitol Hill.   (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta, File)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 5 comments
Caps
Jun 7, 2009 9:17 AM CDT
NutsinNY, I woud not apoligize to Rush Limpballs for anyhing. He does not deserve an apology. A big fat, dope eating, far right, sick person he is.
Derni
Jun 4, 2009 12:15 PM CDT
so much press for so many sick people..
EddyTeach
Jun 3, 2009 6:09 AM CDT
Hey! Politicians! Talk about actual issues!

Gingrich's full post
Human Events

Gingrich 'explain-ogizes'
The Atlantic

 
Newt Gingrich • Republican • Jeff Sessions • racist • US Supreme Court • Sonia Sotomayor • Latina

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