From: "Rich Gauszka" 

I think Bennett chose his words carefully to be provocative. He could have
easily left out the 'black'  in the abortion quote and lost no difference
in the context. No I don't think he's a racist but he does like to zing the
Black Caucus and there is a  history of animosity between them


"Mark"  wrote in message
news:433ef61c{at}w3.nls.net...
> There's no reason for Bush to get involved in this overblown kerfuffle,
> nor to give it any more legs by taking any substantial position on it,
> hence a simple statement in the middle of the gaggle by the usual
> spokesperson: "The president believes the comments were not
appropriate."
>
> Imagine if Bush gave this any amount of attention at all, such as
> "Bennett's explanation sounds reasonable and plausible"
(which it does to
> me too, especially given the extra effort that Media Matters joint went
> to, to quote selectively and out of context). Rangel would be screaming
> Bull Connor again (well he still is, but louder), Farrakahn would weigh
> in, as would Sharpton, Jackson and the rest of the ones that should be
> facing a lot more scrutiny for their various statements over the years,
> than Bennett should for radio conversation with a caller -- hell, he's
> pro-life, he doesn't favor abortion for anyone, anywhere, anytime.
>
> I think the vast majority of us are way past all this racist stuff, but
> that doesn't play well for the "leaders" out there.
>
> "Rich Gauszka"  wrote in message
> news:433eedc7$1{at}w3.nls.net...
>> Fox News Hannity & Colmes did damage control for Bennett last night -
>> you'd think Bush would have listened to that 'fair and balanced'
>> explanation  :->
>>
>> http://washingtontimes.com/national/20050930-115608-8518r.htm
>>
>> The White House yesterday criticized former Education Secretary William
>> Bennett for saying that "you could abort every black baby in this
>> country, and your crime rate would go down."
>>    "The president believes the comments were not
appropriate," White
>> House Press Secretary Scott McClellan said.
>>    Republican National Committee Chairman Ken Mehlman also denounced the
>> comments as "regrettable" and "inappropriate,"
but said the party will
>> not be deterred in its efforts to expand its base within the black
>> community.
>>    "The other side has nothing but scare tactics," Mr.
Mehlman said. "One
>> side offers solutions and the other side offers scare tactics and
>> insults, and I am confident the American people will take solutions every
>> time."
>>    The former education secretary, who now hosts a daily radio talk show,
>> said Wednesday that "if you wanted to reduce crime, you could
-- if that
>> were your sole purpose -- you could abort every black baby in this
>> country, and your crime rate would go down."
>>    "That would be an impossible, ridiculous and morally reprehensible
>> thing to do, but your crime rate would go down. So these far-out, these
>> far-reaching, extensive extrapolations are, I think, tricky."
>>
>>
>>
>
>

--- BBBS/NT v4.01 Flag-5