http://www.cnn.com/2006/POLITICS/07/31/rom...k.ap/index.html

Massachusetts governor apologizes for 'tar baby' comment

BOSTON, Massachusetts (AP) -- Gov. Mitt Romney has apologized for referring to the troubled Big Dig construction project as a "tar baby" during a fundraiser with Iowa Republicans, saying he didn't know anyone would be offended by the term some consider a racial epithet.

In a speech Saturday, Romney, a Republican considering a run for president in 2008, acknowledged he took a big political risk in taking control of the project after a fatal tunnel ceiling collapse, but said inaction would have been even worse.

"The best thing politically would be to stay as far away from that tar baby as I can," he told a crowd of about 100 supporters in Ames, Iowa.

Black leaders were outraged at his use of the term, which dates to the 19th century Uncle Remus stories, referring to a doll made of tar that traps Br'er Rabbit. It has come to be known as a way of describing a sticky mess, and has been used as a derogatory term for a black person.

"Tar baby is a totally inappropriate phrase in the 21st century," said Larry Jones, a black Republican and civil rights activist.

"He thinks he's presidential timber," Jones said. "But all he's shown us is arrogance."

Romney's spokesman, Eric Fehrnstrom, said the governor was describing "a sticky situation."

"He was unaware that some people find the term objectionable and he's sorry if anyone's offended," Fehrnstrom said.

White House spokesman Tony Snow sparked similar criticism in May when he used the term in response to a question about government surveillance.

If we give him the benefit of the doubt that he didn't realize this was a derogatory term, then the question is: Do people really want someone who's that ignorant of our culture running for president?

I've heard that term "tar baby" many times before and yes it always was meant as a derogatory term against Blacks. Why is it that so many republicans make these 'mistakes' and then say they meant nothing racist. Remember Trent Lott at Strom Thurmond's 100th birthday???

I'm sick of republicans and their racist remarks and then trying to lie their way out of it. How pathetic.

And don't forget Barbara Bush after hurricane Katrina. :bad:

Reagan began his 1980 campaign in Philadelphia, Mississippi, the town where Emmitt Till was murdered.

Could Romney's statement be a manufactured "slip of the tongue" by a yankee, LDS governor attempting to garner favor with potential Southern primary voters inside the GOP?

McCain, a southwesterner, already has had his racial code word moment. He kissed W on the stump during the general election even after being the victim of a vile, Rove push poll in which he was accused of having a "black baby"!

Guiliani cracked down on "crime" in New York while mayor which may provide possible bonifides below the Mason-Dixon. Crime, in many places in the South, may as well be synonymous with black.

All I am saying is that more of these "code word" moments may occur in the next 18 months. Stay tuned.

Shock of all shocks...Smokey Joe Scarboroughs used the term "tar baby" in a silly show of solidarity with Governor Romney while in an interview with Mort Zuckerman on the Israel-Hezbollah conflict tonight. What I wouldn't have given for Mort to have asked if Joe would use that term in an interview with black guests, but Mort loves his TV time...Can't jeopardize that!

Alas, Joe doesn't entertain black guests. Actually, who does these days? Just wondering aloud....