GOP official to resign after racial e-mail
UPDATE: State GOP Chairman Jim Greer tells Buzz he had a series of conversations with Carter last night and this morning, and she wound up giving her resignation to him. He put out a statement: Carol Carter has been a hard-working, loyal Republican for many years. I appreciate her many notable contributions to our party, but this action I have no tolerance for, regardless of the circumstances or intent. It is unfortunate that these types of emails, spread by just a few, distract others and dilute the message of the vast majority of Republicans throughout Florida and across the nation who are working hard to build and grow our party.
As I join Party leaders and our new RNC Chairman Michael Steele in Washington today to move forward with the transition of the Republican National Committee, I am encouraged by the strength of our new leader and look forward to working with him as we spread our Republican message to ALL Americans.
Carol Carter, a Republican state committeewoman representing Hillsborough County, will resign her post after the St. Petersburg Times reported she sent an e-mail attacked as racist. (Backstory here)
"I've known Carol for many, many years and I know she doesn't have a racist bone in her body," said Janice Torgersen, corresponding secretary for the Hillsborough County Republican Executive Committee.
However, Torgersen said Carter made an error in forwarding the e-mail, which questioned how "2,000,000 blacks get into Washington, D.C. in 1 day in sub zero temps when 200,000 couldn't get out of New Orleans in 85 degree temps with four days notice."
"We can't condone it. There's no place for it in our party," Torgersen said of Carter's behavior. "At the same time, I'm tragically sad to be losing someone like her. Why do intelligent people do dumb things? That's the question."
Hillsborough Republicans also took heat in the days before the presidential election when the group's former chairman David Storck forwarded an e-mail warning of the threat of carloads of black people going to the polls to vote for Barack Obama, and former state party finance chairman Al Austin apologized for forwarding an e-mail joke referring to the assassination of Obama.
"Our party is is the party of Abraham Lincoln, is the party that has fought traditionally for African-Americans," Torgersen said. "And now for the third time this year to be accused of racism is a stake in our heart."
Backstory: Hillsborough GOP official rebuked for racial e-mail joke, Feb. 5
Janet Zink, Times Staff Writer
*
From the writers of the St. Petersburg Times, The Buzz offers the latest news in Florida politics. This is a public forum sponsored and maintained by the St. Petersburg Times. When you post comments here, what you say becomes public and could appear in the newspaper. You are not engaging in private communication with candidates or Times staffers.
She resigned before she was given the boot by Greer.
Posted by: | February 05, 2009 at 01:16 PM
She should have stuck to someecards, this was ridiculous:
http://www.friedgator.com/2009/02/carol-carter-apology-i-hope-that-the-new-black-president-doesnt-mean-i-have-to-stop-making-racist-jo.html
Posted by: FriedGator | February 05, 2009 at 01:18 PM
"...and that's why
'repiglicanus 'merikunus'
died out, suzie.
they were simply too stupid to grasp the consequences of their disdain for anything not white, wealthy and male in the nation.
THEY EVEN THOUGHT RACIST JOKES WERE FUNNY!!
IMAGINE THAT!!
that stance drove all intelligent people away from them and finally they were left to breed only with their own offspring.
the gene pool rapidly declined, leaving only a few pathetic and demented survivors who babbled endlessly about "ronnie ray-gun" and "tax cuts for the wealthy"!"
"gee, thanks for explaining that to me, mr. wizard!"
Posted by: | February 05, 2009 at 01:20 PM
"Why do intelligent people do dumb things?
That's the question."
maybe because they are
IGNORANT RACISTS....hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm??
Posted by: | February 05, 2009 at 01:22 PM
"not a racist bone in her body" ...unbelieveable it seems that her friends have racist blinders on as well. Torgie - you better resign too, or didn't you get caught?
Posted by: Abe Lincoln Obama | February 05, 2009 at 01:26 PM
What seems to be the problem? What she said is true.
Posted by: SwampRat | February 05, 2009 at 01:29 PM
OFF TOPIC BUT:
WHY IS THE BUZZ COMMENTS SHOWN OPPOSITE OF EVERY BLOG I EVER SAW??????
Posted by: surfdog | February 05, 2009 at 01:33 PM
What?? She was telling the truth. If you really want to do something you can. It's obvious in this case.
Posted by: Mariltn | February 05, 2009 at 01:34 PM
Do your homework. Lincoln was opposed to racial integration, just like the bulk of so-called liberals. Lots of blah, blah but just put them in a scene where they are the only white faces, like a subway and blah, blah turns to silent prayer.
Posted by: joru | February 05, 2009 at 01:38 PM
Not a rascist bone in her body? Hardly. Or else Carol Carter would've been offended and deleted the email. No, she thought it had enough merit or humor to forward it. Boo.
Posted by: Kathleen20001 | February 05, 2009 at 01:39 PM
maybe if she had written "NI**GERS", she might have thought it racist?
com'on, folks!!!!
just one more disgusting racist mouth fart from a republican.
remember the curious george t-shirts during the campaign...the aunt jemimah picture of the candidate?
REPUBLICANS HAVE NOTHING GOING FOR THESELVES BUT RACISM AND HATRED FOR ANYONE AND EVERYTHNG NOT WHITE, WEALTHY AND RICH!
PERIOD!!!!
Posted by: | February 05, 2009 at 01:42 PM
This woman has battled the white male establishment in the Republican Party for decades. It is a disappointing end to an otherwise unblemished volunteer career for Hillsborough and Florida Republicans. When in doubt, never send that email out!
Posted by: GW | February 05, 2009 at 01:45 PM
Why is everyone so pissed here? The e-mail brings up a great point. Perhaps if these morons would get off their *** instead of collecting a welfare check for buying boos and weed, then the people of New Orleans actually could have made it out.
Posted by: Caleb | February 05, 2009 at 01:49 PM
its know as WHITE PRIVILEGE!
the total unawareness that there is anything other than a WHITE world and a WHITE society, so no matter what a WHITE person does, it will automacially be RIGHT!
it is also monumetnally STUPID, as we have seen....once again!!
no one, other than a
COMPLETE AND TOTAL MORON (see above), would have sent out such a "joke" referencing jews, or italians, or cubans or....fill in the blank....would they?
OF COURSE NOT!
it would be OFFENSIVE, wouldnt it?
but IT IS O.K. for a white person to send it our referencing NON-whites, because WE KNOW they really arent "people like us", DON'T WE,??
Posted by: | February 05, 2009 at 01:54 PM
She should have been fired. Caleb your racist remark is just that racist. what you fail to realize is there are more whites on welfare than black, hell why do you think this program is still going on, not just for blacks for the whtie man. your are such an idiot but most racist are.
Posted by: Cynt | February 05, 2009 at 01:59 PM
WHY DOES THE TRUTH HURT ? SHE MAKES AN EXCELLENT POINT IN HER STATEMENT. I WOULD SUPPORT HER IF SHE RAN FOR OFFICE TODAY.
Posted by: | February 05, 2009 at 02:04 PM
So, what is the answer to the question???
Posted by: Truth | February 05, 2009 at 02:04 PM
Why was that e-mail racist? I think that was a great question. They didn't get out of New Orleans because they simply didn't want to leave when the evac started- and then they blamed the government for their own poor planning.
Posted by: Annie Oakley | February 05, 2009 at 02:04 PM
WHY DOES THE TRUTH HURT ? IS IS A LEGITIMATE QUESTION.... I SUPPORT HER RIGHT TO MAKE THIS OBSERVATION.
Posted by: lonewolf | February 05, 2009 at 02:06 PM
I think that Barclay Harless is not a recist doesnt he just date black women
Posted by: | February 05, 2009 at 02:06 PM
Haha... the Republicans will not stop until they have driven every respectable, intelligent person from the party.
They are already widely referred to as the "angry white person" party. I think they're going for "stupid angry white person" party.
If you don't know why the email is offensive, then you too are racist.
Posted by: Jim | February 05, 2009 at 02:07 PM
OK race pimps... try this one...
"... which questioned how "2,000,000 whites get into Washington, D.C. in 1 day in sub zero temps when 200,000 couldn't get out of New Orleans in 85 degree temps with four days notice."
Let me hear the cry of inequality!
Posted by: | February 05, 2009 at 02:08 PM
no Barclay doesnt date black women he just dates those he works for like janet long
Posted by: | February 05, 2009 at 02:09 PM
Maybe the "Darling of the Right" Rush Limbaugh will hire her to write some of his scripts for him. I know he loves "Black Humour".
Posted by: politically incorrect | February 05, 2009 at 02:09 PM
Once again, when the truth is exposed, that certain "demographic" within the democrat party shouts racism! Who here is surprised? Not I.
I would have picked up what little belongings I could and walked with my family north to higher, safer ground.
"Feed me!"
Posted by: Truth | February 05, 2009 at 02:13 PM
The answer to the question Ms. Carter posed is, "Not all people are the same, and not all black people are the same. The black people who attended the inauguration are not all the same people stranded in New Orleans in 2005."
The real question: how can 2,000,000 central Floridians (myself included) elect an eloquent, reform-minded, charismatic and smart president, but find ourselves unable to quit sending embarrassing people out to represent our own region?
Posted by: Mike Boomshadow | February 05, 2009 at 02:15 PM
WE all need to lighten up......sheesh!!!!
Posted by: TOM | February 05, 2009 at 02:19 PM
Annie Oakley -- it's racist because one was a natural disaster that affected many African Americans and the other was a Presidential inauguration that while many African Americans attend was an audience of many races and people like the majority of Americans that elected him. One was something that was tragedy and the other was not in any way. To compare them is distasteful and only makes sense if you are trying to make fun of black people. Making fun of black people is racist. Pure and simple.
Posted by: FriedGator | February 05, 2009 at 02:20 PM
and we're off to a GREAT start for the Hill GOP! lol.
Posted by: | February 05, 2009 at 02:21 PM
This "racist" thing has gotten out of hand and no matter how or what someone says about or to black people it can be construed to be "racist" and frankly I thought the "joke" was a legitimate question not something that anyone black or white or yellow should resign employment over!!
Posted by: Bud | February 05, 2009 at 02:21 PM
The new blog format SUCKS.
Posted by: | February 05, 2009 at 02:21 PM
what's funny is that republicans pretend they have class!
Posted by: | February 05, 2009 at 02:21 PM
Bud is a racist too...he just don't know it
Posted by: | February 05, 2009 at 02:22 PM
Caleb Are you like descended from
a lynch mob? What are the job opps like for one with a 5th grade education in this economy?
Posted by: | February 05, 2009 at 02:24 PM
This "racist" thing has gotten out of hand and no matter how or what someone says about or to black people it can be construed to be "racist" and frankly I thought the "joke" was a legitimate question not something that anyone black or white or yellow should resign employment over!!
Posted by: Bud | February 05, 2009 at 02:27 PM
On some great and glorious day the plain folks of the land will reach their heart's desire at last, and the White House will be adorned by a downright moron.
HL Mencken
Posted by: | February 05, 2009 at 02:29 PM
There are no more Americans left!
Posted by: | February 05, 2009 at 02:43 PM
"On some great and glorious day the plain folks of the land will reach their heart's desire at last, and the White House will be adorned by a downright moron.
HL Mencken"
that was 2001 -- 2009...and he IS A DRUNK ON TOP OF ALL THAT!!
since 1.20.09, the nation is in recovery despite the gop-enablers and deniers!!
Posted by: | February 05, 2009 at 02:48 PM
Ms. Carter should -NOT- resign!
---------------------------------------->
Ms.Torgensen-&-Mr.Greer SHOULD!
========================>
It was a: TONGUE-IN-CHEEK ob-
servation. That's ALL IT WAS!
Ms.Carter did~NOT use a racial
slur, implied or...explicit!
Her original acknowledgement
of sadness that some O V E R
RE-ACTED~&~JUMPED! a conclu-
sion does = 100% ADEQUATE!
WE SHOULD ALL GET A LIFE AND
STOP BEING NINNY-ING ARSES TO
ONE ANOTHER...! Yes GOD Amen.
---------Bonus~freebie---------
...Since we all have banker
global defacto Fascism with
a democratic face here's a
f r e e bumper sticker:
--------------------------------------
JUST SAY NO TO F A S C I S M
--------------------------------------
AmericanWisdom.org/bstick.htm
Posted by: Citizen Z | February 05, 2009 at 02:50 PM
It took a George bush to elect a black guy named Hussein!!
ha ha ha ha ha ha I LOVE IT!!!
Floriduh!
where the record number of jerry Springer guest's reside
and they STILL have them
confederate traitor's civil war reenactment delusion's
Posted by: surfdog | February 05, 2009 at 02:52 PM
I'm not sure which is worse; this woman's actions or the defense of her by GOP apologists who apparently believe "racism" is just some myth created by black folks and "liberals" to keep the white man down!
Posted by: Godless Heathen | February 05, 2009 at 02:53 PM
---------Bonus~freebie---------
...Since we all have banker
global defacto Fascism with
GWB last 8 years here's a
f r e e bumper sticker:
--------------------------------------
JUST SAY NO TO F A S C I S M
--------------------------------------
citizen z where ya been??? ,copykat,
i've had this sticker for last EIGHT YEARS
Posted by: surfdog | February 05, 2009 at 02:59 PM
this just in:
a recent gallup poll notes that
ONLY FIVE STATES have a
self-identified REPIGLICAN MAJORITY of voters.
ONLY FIVE STATES!!
GOPers on the fast track to nowheresville!
IS IT ANY WONDER??!!??
Posted by: | February 05, 2009 at 03:03 PM
kinda makes one wonder, dont it:
WHERE are the rocks some of these people live under and
WHERE do they go to church, presuming the do go?
i mean, how do they manage to live in a relatively sociable society and avoid voicing such hatred that is clearly so close to the surface and where do they get support for such attitudes?
and, with such attitudes, how do they go to a church with any credibility, if they do, indeed go to a church or some sort of place of worship?
where does such IGNORANT HATRED come from and how is it NURTURED?
Posted by: | February 05, 2009 at 03:18 PM
Man people get a life. All you politically correct liberals are so high and mighty, but you still slam Bush. Where is your outrage for REV. Wright/or Jessie Jackson. I guess it is a double standard for all you liberals
Posted by: Steve | February 05, 2009 at 03:21 PM
Another one of the jokes was of all the people in attendance only 14 had to actually take the day off from work....
Posted by: | February 05, 2009 at 03:35 PM
I thought the email was hilarious and true! Has a black person never forwarded dumb Bush jokes before? Wait, I bet if Chris Rock stood up and said that joke it would be okay. And we would pay him alot of money to do so. But someone forwards that through an email and she needs to resign??! STOP THE WHINING NOW!!! Ms. Carter..I stand up for your RIGHT under the Constitution of the United States of America to say whatever you want to!!! That goes for Democrats and Republican's alike!
Posted by: Amanda | February 05, 2009 at 03:39 PM
Anyone has a right to say anything considered offensive about anybody. In the similar vein anyone has the right to demand the resignation of someone who said something considered offensive. So, let each person exercise his or her right! Now, that is the Bill of Rights!
Posted by: George | February 05, 2009 at 03:42 PM
A sad end to an otherwise noteworthy career as a Republican activist. Carol Carter was a Republican decades before it was popular to be one in the South. Godspeed, Carol.
Posted by: | February 05, 2009 at 03:44 PM
Amanda, stop whining like a moron. Your point is indefensible. The e-mail was a "humorous" veil for a nasty hatred. Your inability to acknowledge that is cheap and foolish.
Posted by: | February 05, 2009 at 04:05 PM