Skip to: Content
Skip to: Site Navigation
Skip to: Search

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2009

RSS |

Twitter

Matt Taibbi

Palin: Our First WWE Politician

Pick an asshole, any asshole, and she'll rock the house

Nov 22, 09 10:44 AM CST
analysis

Book Tour Shows Palin
Hitting a Nerve

'Going Rogue' phenomenon may foreshadow something bigger

Nov 22, 09 2:46 PM CST
the big plan

Beck Will Host Conventions
to Educate America

He's shifting toward political organizer, plans big DC rally

Nov 21, 09 5:06 PM CST
editorial

NYT to Blankfein:
Your 'Apology'
Is Bull

Editorial board schools Goldman CEO in true meaning of 'sorry'

Nov 22, 09 4:53 PM CST
NO COMMUNION FOR YOU, MY SON

RI Bishop Disses
Kennedy Over
Pro-Choice
Stance

Spat over Patrick's position on abortion escalates

Nov 22, 09 8:23 AM CST
TALK SHOW ROUNDUP

McConnell:
Dems Proceed
at 2010 Peril

Senators hit the Sunday talk shows after health vote

Nov 22, 09 11:15 AM CST
Palin Pulls in Big Bucks
—for Democrats

'Going Rogue' boosts Dem fundraising to new high

Nov 21, 09 6:50 AM CST
who let the paranoids out?

46 Years After Kennedy, the Virus of Hate Is Back

Republican Rep. Louie Gohmert panders to dangerous paranoids

Nov 21, 09 9:08 AM CST
Eyes on 2010

Lincoln
Swings to
Center of
Health Debate

Dems come calling as GOP eyes her seat in 2010

Nov 22, 09 1:03 PM CST
Senate Democrats Clear
Health Care Hurdle, 60-39

Reid gets 60 votes to open full debate after Thanksgiving recess

Nov 21, 09 7:13 PM CST
Billboard Links Obama to Jihad

Colo. car dealership wants this opinion heard

Nov 20, 09 8:42 PM CST
HE'S GOT A BOOK OUT, TOO

Beck to Unveil
'Big Plan' at
Saturday Rally

Righty pundit OK with destroying Dems and GOP

Nov 20, 09 8:07 PM CST
First State Dinner to
Reveal Obama A-Listers

Mad scramble for invitations

6 hours, 45 minutes ago

|NEXT STORY »

SC Republicans Apologize for Jewish Slur

They praised DeMint by using stereotype of miserly Jew

By Nick McMaster| Posted Oct 20, 09 4:26 PM CDT|

(Newser) – Two GOP county chairs in South Carolina today apologized for a weekend op-ed in which they praised Sen. Jim DeMint by invoking the stereotype of a Jew "watching our nation's pennies." James Ulmer wrote that he "meant absolutely nothing derogatory" by the essay. "I quoted a statement which I have heard many times in my life, truly in admiration for a method of bettering one's lot in life," notes Salon.

"I sincerely apologize for this great error. If I had quoted that great man from Pennsylvania, Ben Franklin, using his, 'A penny saved is a penny earned,' I doubt I would be writing this note." His co-author released a separate apology. DeMint himself issued a statement to CNN calling the original remarks "thoughtless and hurtful."

[Images (2)]

[Quotes (1)]

U.S. Sen. Jim DeMint, R-.S.C., talks to the media about South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford in July. (AP Photo/Mary Ann Chastain)

Sen. Jim DeMint, R-S.C. waits for the start of a news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, June 24, 2009. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

At this time I wish to deeply apologize for any material included in that letter that would be considered antisemitic in any way.
- Edwin Merwin, Jr., chairman, Bamberg County GOP

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

11.20.09

The Health-Care Wars Have Just Begun

11.19.09

Sarah Palin Deserves Some More Attention

50 comments

VIEWING:

BlueAyez
Oct 20, 09 4:27 PM CDT

Just goes to show you -- prejudice is alive and well in America. I wonder if the south will ever change it's hater ways. Reply

IN RESPONSE:

riffran
Oct 20, 09 6:05 PM CDT

the worse haters I ever had to deal with ....were "homies" from Philly and DC....sorry there blue...but hate has no regional distinction...just regional flavors

IN RESPONSE:

2-bits
Oct 20, 09 6:16 PM CDT

When I was in borth Georgia I saw some KKK bumper stickers. Made me wonder: Who makes bumper stickers for terrorist organizations?

IN RESPONSE:

Stasis
Oct 20, 09 10:32 PM CDT

Yee-Haw COUNTRY BUMPKINS!!!!! CLEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEETUS! The Slak-Jawed Yokel!!!!

IN RESPONSE:

BleeBloo
Oct 21, 09 9:33 AM CDT

The racism and sexism we deal with today are the most insidious, because they aren't coming from people who say "I hate black people and am going to kill me some" or people who sincerely think women are less intelligent. It's tiny attitudes and statements like this that betray it. Just because someone says "I am not a racist" doesn't mean they're not.

IN RESPONSE:

schmidtkoff
Oct 21, 09 1:00 PM CDT

@blue - never.

| 0 minutes ago

myvoice
Oct 20, 09 4:32 PM CDT

Hmmmm Imus got fired for racists remarks, shouldn't these guys? Probably wont happen cause politicians can do anything they want... pick up men in a bathroom, hire prostitutes, lie under oath, be racists etc etc etc! Reply

IN RESPONSE:

Jayster999
Oct 20, 09 4:36 PM CDT

...and don't forget they can also take as much of your money as they want and give it to others, keep us in a state of perpetual war, and suspend our constitutional rights if they feel like it.

-5

IN RESPONSE:

ronimaca
Oct 20, 09 4:49 PM CDT

Jayster999 tell me are you blaming Obama for the wars Bush and Cheney pushed us into for there own profit.

IN RESPONSE:

Jayster999
Oct 20, 09 4:53 PM CDT

@ronimaca. No. But you're naive in thinking that Obama isn't more of the same in most respects.

-10

IN RESPONSE:

RockyPneumonia
Oct 20, 09 6:38 PM CDT

"I'm unsure why the stereotype of Jews being 'good with money' is somehow hurtful." because stereotypes dehumanize people.

| 0 minutes ago

GenuineJames
Oct 20, 09 4:34 PM CDT

How is that statement thoughtless and hurtful? Not only is it generally true of many people in the Jewish community, but it's a GOOD thing. I'm Jewish and proud of it. At a time when almost everybody is incredibly irresponsible with a buck, it's a compliment when somebody is described as fiscally prudent. Reply

IN RESPONSE:

Jayster999
Oct 20, 09 4:42 PM CDT

Yeah. I read the statement and it's really kind of a compliment. They simply made a mistake by not making the example generic. I'm unsure why the stereotype of Jews being "good with money" is somehow hurtful. It's sort of like Asians being "smart." Well, if you look at statistics, they are. More Asians per capita obtain higher education than anyone else in America. Go ahead and thumb me down for saying so.

-3

IN RESPONSE:

Silverbow7
Oct 20, 09 4:46 PM CDT

I don't think 'fiscally prudent' are the words objected to. Can you say, 'racial profiling'?

IN RESPONSE:

alkaseltzersammich
Oct 20, 09 4:59 PM CDT

Stereotypes are stupid and insensitive.

IN RESPONSE:

cochiserocks
Oct 20, 09 5:01 PM CDT

That's not the point - the issue is he's expressing a racial stereo type - and just because you see it as positive doesn't mean he's done a 'good' thing. He might just as easily have joked that black people are better athletes or that Chinese people work hard. Both judgements based purely on race, not the merits of which ever individual is being referred to. My point is that Sen. Jim DeMint is good with money because he has his shit together - not because of his mother's bloodline. It's disrespecting the effort Sen. Jim DeMint put in and the skills he has worked to gain if you just put it down to his ancestry - and then of course there is the precedent - in the 1930's there were another bunch of politicians who became convinced that Jews were all to do with money and during that recession things went in another direction. Nope - this guy is bang out of line if you ask me. But then hey, it's just my opinion. - Oh and by the way Jayster - the whole Asian's being good with money thing has a lot to do with how many syllables are in their numbers - check this out: http://www.chineseorjapanese.com/asians-good-at-math/

IN RESPONSE:

Jayster999
Oct 20, 09 5:15 PM CDT

cochise: I didn't say Asians were good with numbers. That's a stereotype that YOU apparently subscribe to though. LOL. See, you didn't mean to, but you slipped--kind of like the guys in the article. BTW: Asians do go to college in higher numbers than other groups, check the stats. Not a stereotype, but actual fact.

-4

IN RESPONSE:

drlarrymitchell
Oct 20, 09 5:25 PM CDT

I once heard of an Republican who squeezed a nickel so hard he got buffalo shit on the Indian. What- can't you take a compliment?

IN RESPONSE:

KennyBoy
Oct 20, 09 5:29 PM CDT

That you genuinely don't know why this is offensive is the problem.

IN RESPONSE:

cochiserocks
Oct 20, 09 6:04 PM CDT

Sorry Jayster - my bad - got a head full of stuff from reading a book called Outliers - fascinating insight into possible reasons for success - and it even presents a theory for your point about college too

IN RESPONSE:

Fondue
Oct 20, 09 6:48 PM CDT

Here's a stereotype Jay subscribes to: Gays are destroying marriage.

| 0 minutes ago

cochiserocks
Oct 20, 09 4:37 PM CDT

"meant absolutely nothing derogatory" by the essay. "I quoted a statement which I have heard many times in my life" Hmmmmm....what's that say about the company he keeps and what does that say about his understanding of prejudice in general and anti-Semitism specifically? I thought if you held public office, the whole point was that in return for the honour and trappings of office, you were accountable to the people because you represent the people, by the grace of the people - So educating yourself about cultures and ideas other than your own is integral because THAT"S YOUR JOB!! This schmuck aint doing his job. Reply

| 0 minutes ago

reasonator
Oct 20, 09 4:51 PM CDT

Giving praise to someone for being like a Jew who "watches our nations pennies" is a slur how? He's giving praise for being like a fiscally responsible Jewish person. Now, it's a stupid statement and is racial (though not sure if it is "racist") because it is a generalization about a race of people that is not always true. I'm sure there are responsible and irresponsible Jewish people, just like everyone else. Was it a bit of a boneheaded statement? yes. But was it a negative slur? Not really. Reply

| 0 minutes ago

ronimaca
Oct 20, 09 4:57 PM CDT

Demint can't help it. He is a bigot to the bone. Raised on hatred, tutored by the KKK. He most likely has a fresh ironed white sheet in the closet. Reply

IN RESPONSE:

riffran
Oct 20, 09 6:14 PM CDT

really ?...cite the sources of demints klan affiliation.....now when you look it up you find ....nothing of that sort...Duke on the other hand...now ousted and gone because he WAS a klu klunk kook..lives in austria I do think...but as for demint....sorry you are just spouting stereotypical liberal slander...with no fact in this case

| 0 minutes ago

drlarrymitchell
Oct 20, 09 5:23 PM CDT

Apologize all you want, Goopers- the world is onto your shtick, and is sick of it- and you. Reply

-1

| 0 minutes ago

d3wd
Oct 20, 09 5:28 PM CDT

It's odd that newser didn't include the actual comment. It follows... "There is a saying that the Jews who are wealthy got that way not by watching dollars, but instead by taking care of the pennies and the dollars taking care of themselves," Reply

IN RESPONSE:

reasonator
Oct 20, 09 5:56 PM CDT

If that is what they wrote, then they shouldn't have apologized. Another case of PC ultra sensitivity and race card tactics about comment that wasn't even a racist slur in the least.

IN RESPONSE:

Rocket448
Oct 21, 09 2:27 AM CDT

D3wd: I don't understand the uproar: that's a badly quoted saying of Benjamin Franklin, who said, "watch the pennies and the dollars will take care of themselves." All this unhappiness could have been avoided had the speaker simply attributed a very germane quote to its originator. Idiot.

| 0 minutes ago

Doctor_Zaius
Oct 20, 09 5:42 PM CDT

If you made this stuff up nobody would believe you.... Reply

| 0 minutes ago

Enoughie
Oct 20, 09 6:02 PM CDT

I'm not so sure what these Republicans said is actually racist, or even mean spirited. But I do see that some people on Newser hearing the words "Republican" and anything potentially bad associated with them are very quick in lighting the torches, sharpening the pitchforks.. Reply

IN RESPONSE:

riffran
Oct 20, 09 6:23 PM CDT

of course...it's the tell a lie often enough it becomes the truth method...what one does that may be wrong applies to all, unless it's liberal, then it's ok because repubs have done the same, or it only applies to that individual......as seen evidenced earlier...all repubs seem to live only in the south, all are white and all have klan cards, and all are rascist, and have starched hoods and nooses at the ready..and.the typical "Lets go hand us a nigra" mentality..and up north they are all angels living in peace and harmony, and brotherly love......but here in the real world...it is vastly different

-1

IN RESPONSE:

drlarrymitchell
Oct 20, 09 6:32 PM CDT

Um, yeah. Republicans fucked up the country, and we're pissed about it. Republicans lie, cheat and steal at every opportunity, and expect everyone in the world to be as stupid as they are, and Republicans cry like little babies when called on their bullshit.

IN RESPONSE:

Enoughie
Oct 20, 09 6:41 PM CDT

You mean Republicans like Hillary Clinton, who supported the war in Iraq... and is now our Secretary of State?

-1

IN RESPONSE:

Enoughie
Oct 20, 09 6:47 PM CDT

Or maybe the Republicans who passed the two bailouts? (both passed in Democrat majority congresses)

IN RESPONSE:

Jayster999
Oct 20, 09 10:00 PM CDT

Damn, ain't that the truth though. I used to think liberals were all about tolerance and what not.

IN RESPONSE:

Face-Of-RNC
Oct 21, 09 12:05 PM CDT

I'm unable to tell if you've ever had a thought of your own. It all strikes me as ditto head BS.

| 0 minutes ago

SPH
Oct 20, 09 6:52 PM CDT

I'm surprised Demint didn't use the word "niggardly"...And before you thumb down me, may I suggest you look this word up.... Reply

IN RESPONSE:

riffran
Oct 20, 09 7:07 PM CDT

OK that was a good one..I haven't seen that word used in quite a while..

| 0 minutes ago

riffran
Oct 20, 09 6:58 PM CDT

dont forget ole flppity flop himself.."I voted for the war before i voted against the war"...sorry notdoc..but the war was voted on and passed by a bi-partisan agreement and off the information that was supplied and given to ALL of them....if the evil Bush and Cheny cartel did in truth lie why pray tell why arent they in jail, or impeached, or any other punitive actions taken?????? But ole Bill was impeached wasn't he...(of course a majority democrap capitol hill gang so nicely just swept it under the rug)...you are just an angry lib, looking for an outlet to vent...and the bad ole republicans are the cause of all that is wrong in you're tiny world..*sniffles*..Im so sorry..waaahahaha..I be a good liberal from now on PLEASE FORGIVE ME AHHHHHH Reply

-2

IN RESPONSE:

Doctor_Zaius
Oct 20, 09 7:23 PM CDT

It wasn't for the war it was for the war funding. And for the record the reason Kerry voted for the funding and then against it was the riders that were put into the funding bill. And also for the record most republicans voted against the bill before they voted for it, McCain included and also because of the riders. And also for the record Bill was acquitted which means not guilty. And also for the record the only reason Bush wasn't impeached was because the people calling the shots thought it would look like a cheap political stunt to independent America (which is how it looked during the Clinton Impeachment which is why during the impeachment Clinton's popularity was sky high, look it up)

| 0 minutes ago

polstroad
Oct 20, 09 7:12 PM CDT

riffran: Congress voted for the war based on false info supplied by administration and a distortion of NSA andCIA info, which ils now declassified and available. Butthis is all straying from the post and turning into a spit contest. South Carolina has to have more dumb pols than any other state in the nation. Reply

| 0 minutes ago

yoeydude
Oct 21, 09 1:33 AM CDT

the south elects pols that reflect their perceived self image , of arrogant ignorance , religious theater , and limited perspective ,.... unless we improve public schooling ,... the south will always be a cheap labour pool for the rest of the country ,.....and a nursery of resentment and imagined entitlement , incubating the timmy mcvieghs of tomorrow Reply

| 0 minutes ago

yummines
Oct 21, 09 1:47 AM CDT

It doesn't matter if the compliment is good or not, stereotypes are dumb and should not be a part of society. Besides i think that it actually is kind of offensive, "A Jew watching our nation's pennies." Basically he is saying that Jewish people pinch pennies and are miserly. Geez what a nice compliment... Reply

| 0 minutes ago

Its_ironic
Oct 21, 09 2:25 AM CDT

I find it ironic that these guys love comparing the President to Hitler when it was comments and stereotypes about Jews and money management that Hitler used very effectively to convince the German's to support building the ghettos and eventually the concentration camps. Reply

| 0 minutes ago

Its_ironic
Oct 21, 09 2:41 AM CDT

I find it extremely ironic that the Republicans are quick to compare the President to Hitler without realizing that the very comments they made and are trying to defend about Jewish people and their supposed control of money and the economy are the same comments that Hitler used to justify to the Germans the need for the ghettos and eventually the concentration camps Reply

| 0 minutes ago

Its_ironic
Oct 21, 09 2:48 AM CDT

That and they are the proud state that brought us Joe Wilson who ushered in a new low in how elected officials should treat each other regardless of party--and then there's their governor who's wife and sons moved out because he called his mistress his "soul mate" and spent father's day with her in Argentina and then lied to everyone to cover it up--so really nobody should be too surprised over how politicians from this state tend to open mouth-insert foot and then continue to chew the leather for awhile. Reply

| 0 minutes ago

Its_ironic
Oct 21, 09 2:49 AM CDT

sorry I did not realize it posted twice :P Reply

| 0 minutes ago

Adapt-Overcome
Oct 21, 09 12:47 PM CDT

Franklins comment wasn't racist, dumb ass. So of course there wouldn't have been anything said. But what he said was a typical racist comment like the others along with their posters and email jokes that come out of the GOP offices on a regular basis. Reply

| 0 minutes ago

schmidtkoff
Oct 21, 09 1:23 PM CDT

stereotypes, profiling etc, are endemic to south carolina. It is genetically ingrained, validated by by the master slave mentality. If you are lucky enough to be member of the exclusive gentry of the south carolinian ruling class you have carte blanche to say and do whatever you damn well please, the law be damned. this is an amoral double standard state that preaches morality to the masses. I again repeat: TRY LIVING HERE. Not only would you be enlightened but you would also be appalled at the hypocrisy. Reply

| 0 minutes ago

View all 50 comments »

Republican • GOP • anti-Semitism • Jim DeMint

from our news partners

Sexual Hijinks Abound in Adam Lambert AMA Performance
(21 minutes ago)
Steve Perry Talks About 'Believin'' on 'Glee,' 'Sopranos'
(43 minutes ago)
Rihanna, Gaga Show Lots of Skin at AMAs
(1 hour, 35 minutes ago)
Jennifer Lopez Falls During AMAs
(2 hours, 10 minutes ago)

Welcome home Captain. Thank you for serving your country. Get...
(8 minutes ago)
Woman dies after crashing a stolen U-Haul truck. It's a...
(58 minutes ago)
Housing prices, bombs go through the roof in Kabul [Interesting]
(1 hour, 6 minutes ago)
The dream: solo deer-hunting in the heart of the Everglades....
(1 hour, 52 minutes ago)

New Moon's Chris Weitz Gets A New Project
(Nov 22, 09 11:24 PM CST)
Running of the Bulls Ruins Tom Cruise's Next Film
(Nov 22, 09 11:19 PM CST)
Werewolves Are Cool Now, Howling Getting Remade
(Nov 22, 09 11:13 PM CST)
50 Cent Convinces Val Kilmer To Star In His Movie Somehow
(Nov 22, 09 11:06 PM CST)

Associated Press

House Roll Call: How they voted on abortion funding prohibition
(Nov 7, 09 11:46 PM CST)
GOP Chairman Steele hails election results, says GOP 'found its voice again'
(Nov 4, 09 10:42 AM CST)
NY's 23rd House race leaves questions about future of GOP, inclusion of moderate...
(Nov 1, 09 10:07 PM CST)
House GOP leader calls NY special election an unusual situation, says GOP wants...
(Nov 1, 09 8:59 AM CST)

What is Newser?

Face it: there's too much news. At Newser, we choose the most important stories from hundreds of US and international sources and reduce them to a headline, picture, and two paragraphs. And we do it 24/7—you can come back morning, noon, night (and in between) for something new that matters. Read less, know more.

Learn more »

SC Republicans Apologize for Jewish Slur

They praised DeMint by using stereotype of miserly Jew

[Images (2)]

[Quotes (1)]

Jim DeMint Becomes Hill's Top Tea Partier

South Carolina senator throws weight behind conservative insurgents

MORE ABOUT:
primary • conservative • National Republican Senatorial Committee • Jim DeMint • Tea Party • Senate Conservatives Fund

Huckabee: Obama
Attacks 'Shameful'

Republican condemns
knee-jerk criticism

MORE ABOUT:
Republican • Mike Huckabee • President Obama

Limbaugh Loves
Palin Memoir

Right wing's leading light heaps praise on new book

MORE ABOUT:
Alaska • Republican • Rush Limbaugh • publishing • memoir • Sarah Palin • Going Rogue • Sarah Palin Going Rogue

Republican • GOP • anti-Semitism • Jim DeMint

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

from our news partners

Associated Press

About

Help

Tools

Site Maps

What is Newser?

SC Republicans Apologize for Jewish Slur

They praised DeMint by using stereotype of miserly Jew

[Images (2)]

[Quotes (1)]

Related Newser Stories

Jim DeMint Becomes Hill's Top Tea Partier

South Carolina senator throws weight behind conservative insurgents

MORE ABOUT: primary • conservative • National Republican Senatorial Committee • Jim DeMint • Tea Party • Senate Conservatives Fund

Huckabee: Obama Attacks 'Shameful'

Republican condemns knee-jerk criticism

MORE ABOUT: Republican • Mike Huckabee • President Obama

meeting of the minds

Limbaugh Loves Palin Memoir

Right wing's leading light heaps praise on new book

MORE ABOUT: Alaska • Republican • Rush Limbaugh • publishing • memoir • Sarah Palin • Going Rogue • Sarah Palin Going Rogue

Republican • GOP • anti-Semitism • Jim DeMint

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

from our news partners

Associated Press

About

Help

Tools

Site Maps

What is Newser?

MORE ABOUT:
primary • conservative • National Republican Senatorial Committee • Jim DeMint • Tea Party • Senate Conservatives Fund

Huckabee: Obama
Attacks 'Shameful'

Republican condemns
knee-jerk criticism

MORE ABOUT:
Republican • Mike Huckabee • President Obama

Limbaugh Loves
Palin Memoir

MORE ABOUT:
Alaska • Republican • Rush Limbaugh • publishing • memoir • Sarah Palin • Going Rogue • Sarah Palin Going Rogue