We read:
"Actor Robert De Niro has apologised for a quip he made at a Democratic fundraiser that the US might not be ready for "a white first lady". The Raging Bull star was introducing the First Lady, Michelle Obama, at an event in New York.
"My remarks, although spoken with satirical jest, were not meant to offend or embarrass anyone - especially the first lady," he said.
Republican candidate Newt Gingrich called the remarks "inexcusable".
During his introduction at Monday's fundraiser, De Niro, 68, alluded to Mr Gingrich's wife, Callista. "Callista Gingrich, Karen Santorum, Ann Romney. Now do you really think our country is ready for a white first lady? Too soon, right?" he told the audience.
Mr Gingrich deemed the remark "divisive", and called on President Obama to apologise on the actor's behalf. "On behalf of my wife and on behalf of Karen Santorum and on behalf of Ann Romney, I think that Robert De Niro's wrong," Mr Gingrich said. "I think the country is ready for a new first lady and he doesn't have to describe it in racial terms."
Michelle Obama's press secretary said the joke was "inappropriate."
However, Ann Romney - wife of Republican candidate Mitt Romney - told Piers Morgan, on CNN, that she took the remark for what it was - "a joke". "In politics the fastest way to get in trouble is make a joke. So I think Robert De Niro just learned that."
Source
Any mention of race is said to be "racist" these days so maybe that was the problem.
5 comments:
I was much more disappointed in Gingrich than anything else. I would hope that any conservative would give people the benefit of the doubt for such things, and steer far clear of playing the offensive speech game.
Racial sensitivity is always a hot issue mostly because someone, usually black or liberal, is profiting from it. But only when someone from the Right says something does it become a "national outrage". Leftists, and Robert De Niro is surely one, seem to be immune.
Socially, i've known Bob De Niro for a long time. He has been a privlaged socialist all his life, as were both his parents. Unlike what you see on the screen, in real life, (amazingly) he's basically an introvert who finds it almost impossible to hold a "normal" conversation unless it's been well scripted for him. The term "ultra-private" dosen't even begin to describe him.
He also indentifies far more with blacks than he does with people and causes of his own race, an obvious product of his parents influence. His wife, Grace, is black. Also, you may have noticed that in (every) film he's in, there is at least one black cast member. This is a "demand" he makes prior to agreeing to the project.
So, was his remark just a poor attempt at humor? Well, yes and no. Yes, because he dreads speaking in public, even for the Obama's, who he worships, so he was very uncomfortable. And no, because it was his way of striking out at Republicans, Conservatives, and anyone or thing on the Right. You can bet he won't do it again.
He was basically just admitting the only reason he likes the Obama's is the color of their skin, and should be applauded for that - but he is a racist of the most bizarre kind - the self-loathing variety.
Newt does not speak for Ann Romney. The lady is very capable of speaking for herself and, when she did, she gave her typical classy performance.
"she (Ann Romney) gave her typical classy performance."
Performance? I didn't know she was an actress. Actors do not have to be themselves. She is nothing but show.
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