He prefers appliances. ;)

BTW, concerning the OP (which I didn't address earlier), I think it was a stupid thing to say.

Actually, my dear Scrooge, if he signs a bill which included raising the ceiling I'll be screaming more loudly than anyone. It's not about party for me.....it's about certain things I believe in - and do not believe in. I do not believe in raising taxes, but in lowering them.

Most certainly prefer appliances, yes. :)

Yeah, you liberal derailer - we're talking about the head of the DNC being a racist, not social security. :p

I just thought he was being wry and funny!

Actually, I agree with you 100%. The difference is that should a Republican have said it, which is the subject of the OP, the dems would be calling for his head because of the implication in what he said.

I am fully willing to say that I do not believe Dean to be a racist. However, there are such double standards in the area it amazes me. For example, Trent Lott can praise Strom Thurmond at a party in Thrumond's honor and be categorized as a racist who wants segregation, but Chris Dodd can praise Robert Byrd, a former leader in the KKK, and receive no such condemnation.

I am certain that if a republican said it, it would be a huge media story splashed all over the front pages of newspapers everywhere and be the lead story on the nightly news of the big three, and the thrust of the stories would be to have the individual resign his post and to reign condemnation on the republican party for promoting to leadership someone who thinks this way.

Totally! In these times, I guess you do have to express EXACTLY how you feel about this kind of stuff, lest you get lumped into some pidgeonhole you don't fit.

Truth is I "could" have said the same thing just based on the few years I spent working hotels, restaurants and a cruise ship. Most of the staff was black or hispanic. That's just the way it was. But that was 20 some years ago and things may have changed. I don't know. But I don't think I WOULD have said it.

And I'm not a politician; someone who has to speak to all peoples' concerns all the time. I'd expect a politician to exhibit a little more polish.

So, yeah, I'm disappointed he said it. I had to stop and shake my head. Do I think it approaches what Lott said a few months back? No, not for me. But, that has more to do with my opinion of Thurmond.

But when in God's name would a Republican have an opportunity to make a statement like that?

A Republican wouldn't have said it. You can't compare apples and oranges of these two parties. Certain parties have certain "reputations" that make for great fodder for jokes. What would be funny said about a republican would fall flat being said about a Dem and vice-versa,

Perhaps when talking about minorities in high level positions, like being in the cabinet or a top advisor. How about this - Bill Frist, immediately prior to the Senate vote on Condy Rice, says he's glad to see a minority nominated to the position by Bush because Bill Clinton only had minorities in the White House to serve hors d'oeuvres (sp?) at parties.

You see, that's the problem. When Dean says it, it's a joke because he's a dem. If a rep says something similar, it's not a joke because, well, he's a rep.

And the funny thing is I can't see any minority in the dem party ever promoted up the chain of command or appointed to a prominent cabinet position.

Either it is racially insensitive or it is not. I do not think it is, like I said. But if a republican had said it, you can bet it would be portrayed as such.