Senator Russ Feingold (D-WI) “became the first Democrat to openly criticize Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid’s (D-Nev.) use of racially insensitive language and declined to endorse Reid’s continued tenure as Majority Leader,” Roll Call reports.
In an interview with ABC affiliate WISN, Feingold criticized Reid’s characterization of President Barack Obama as “light-skinned” without “Negro dialect.” Feingold called those comments “unfortunate and racially insensitive.”
When asked whether he would call on Reid to step down, Feingold said he was still considering that option. “I’m thinking about that and we’re going to be getting together as a caucus next week and the topic will come up. I have not decided whether these comments merit that or not.
“They’re very unfortunate. They should have never been said. So, I need to think about it,” Feingold said.
Update: According to POLITICO, Senator Feingold’s “staff has passed on word that he still backs Reid to lead the Democratic caucus, according to Senate aides.”
(credit image – getty)
Congress in Your Pocket
Senator Feingold is right and very brave to step out against the institution like this. I don’t think Reid is a racist but he definitely thinks he is above the moral and ethical requirements of an elected official. That is what I find appalling. Just like Trent Lott who didn’t mean to offend anyone, yet when he realized he did, he stepped down out of respect for those he felt he offended, Reid should do the same. Senator Feingold is correct t criticize Reid, but we all must understand that it is the action he takes after the statement that makes a statement about Senator Reid. So far, he has failed.