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SC Republicans Apologize for Jewish Slur

They praised DeMint by using stereotype of miserly Jew

By Nick McMaster,  Newser Staff

Posted Oct 20, 2009 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."

U.S. Sen. Jim DeMint, R-.S.C., talks to the media about South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford in July.
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.
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)
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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

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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 39 comments
Doctor-Zaius
Oct 21, 2009 12:23 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)
polstroad
Oct 21, 2009 12:12 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.
riffran
Oct 21, 2009 12:07 PM CDT
OK that was a good one..I haven't seen that word used in quite a while..

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