Colorado Representative Doug Lamborn Calls President Obama a “Tar Baby” Then Later Has To Apologize

Politics

by BMWK Staff | on August 2nd, 2011 | 16 comments

Rep. Doug Lamborn (R-Co.) has apologized for the controversial “tar baby” comment he made on a local radio show last week while discussing President Barack Obama and the debt ceiling debate.

On the 630 KHOW Capils and Silverman radio show, Lamborn said:

“Even if some people say, “˜Well the Republicans should have done this or they should have done that,’ they will hold the President responsible. Now, I don’t even want to have to be associated with him. It’s like touching a tar baby and you get it, you’re stuck, and you’re a part of the problem now and you can’t get away.”

Initially Doug (he doesn’t respect positions so why should we) said he wouldn’t apologize but after this hit ~~Twitter~~ the fan that has changed. From his office:

Congressman Doug Lamborn (CO-05) today sent a personal letter to President Barack Obama apologizing for using a term some find insensitive. Lamborn was attempting to tell a radio audience last week that the President’s policies have created an economic quagmire for the nation and are responsible for the dismal economic conditions our country faces. He regrets that he chose the phrase “tar baby,” rather than the word “quagmire.” The Congressman is confident that the President will accept his heartfelt apology.

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Comments (16)

Anointed 38 Tuesday - 02 / 08 / 2011 Reply

He should loss his job! NOW!!!! Why is this not on National News? CNN, MSNBC, or FOX tv?
guest Tuesday - 02 / 08 / 2011 Reply

I think this is blown way up. The way he stated was not racial, look up the true meaning of Tar baby. He did not mean it to be negative. Let us all gain control. Yes the word has negative use behind it but I clearly did not think it was coming from that place. Now calling someone out their name, so he should have used kind words.
- Eldon Pittman Wednesday - 03 / 08 / 2011 Reply
  
  He meant it as a racial slur. Some of these old racist bastards can't control themselves in the face of competency and self assuredness of black folks!
  - guest Wednesday - 03 / 08 / 2011 Reply
    
    well that is sad, but it's still sad that black people still call each other the N word, and kill each other. So what are white people to think; oh it is ok because they call themselves the N word. How are we teaching and growing as people in this world if we become tolerant for some things and not for other, so backwards and hypercritical. Just know who you are and what ever name someone calls you stand firm and not be so offended. No one can define anyone unless you start believing it or acting like it. Are we not returning hate for hate when we criticize or start persecuting someone for their wrong? If black people would start respecting their own race people on the outside might start watching and learning to do the same. Ignorance is a sad state to be in. I don't support what "alleged" racial comments he may have called Obama, but look at oneself, who have you called our their name lately?
    - Moya522 Wednesday - 03 / 08 / 2011 Reply
      
      Seriously? the majority of crime committed in this country is not of the interracial variety people kill other people. who cares it black people call each other racial slurs that doesn't make it right. and it doesn't make what is congressman said okay. when you learn that black people are people, and the president as a person, an individual who is just as american as you are, then maybe you'll get why we're so offended by the congressman's comment
      - guest Wednesday - 03 / 08 / 2011
        
        I hear where you are coming from but over all this is way bigger then what he said about the president. We can always go back to history but lets focus on today and the future. Change the rhetoric by changing our thinking. History was written and its in the past but we can write the future. Obama is not letting this affect him and I commend him on not making this into a spectacle or reacting.
    - Alfred Wednesday - 03 / 08 / 2011 Reply
      
      You are getting off the subject at hand now, we are talking about Rep. Lamborn. White people kill white people and call each other red neck and poor white trash too. Whites have the KKK teaching and preaching hate, so what are we to think?
      - guest Wednesday - 03 / 08 / 2011
        
        Well I was just commenting on how black people are so angry behind this, but they too use racial slurs at themselves, music, just backwards to me. SO why get so offended when white people say it. Is there a protest going on in the community when racial slurs are used in the black community? It's so hypocritical. It doesn't make it ok.
    - Dezyn_2000 Wednesday - 03 / 08 / 2011 Reply
      
      It isn't just the black race that disrespect each other. All races do. Being from New York, I've heard it all. From one another to one another. Regardless of race, ethnicity and religious background. You'd be very surprised st what people day to each other and call each other.
- leese Wednesday - 03 / 08 / 2011 Reply
  
  Don't be stupid. I am sick and tired of these people making their racial slurs and then apologizing. They know what they are saying, they know the meaning behind it, they get it out there and then apologize. Anyone who thinks this is "blown way up" is just as stupid as the idiots saying it.
Lynda Wednesday - 03 / 08 / 2011 Reply

Everyone with common sense knows that this is a racist statement. This man new exactly what he was saying. If you know our country's history, you know that "tar baby" was used to hurt and humiliate black people. The fact that anything else is brought into this conversation is ridiculous. The fact that "guest" doesn't see this just shows how ignorant he/she is.
- guest Wednesday - 03 / 08 / 2011 Reply
  
  Now are you offended by something I said? Look I did not say it was right what he "alleged" did, just get the fact behind it. Everyone one wants to educate but don't want to be taught first. Obama shows great humility and respect still to those who try to shake him, but i'm sure he is not going to allow what someone said penetrate his soul because only God can define who he is, you me and everyone not other people. Just learning not to be offended. I will be sensitive to everyone who are affected by this so I will not say anymore because people lead to much with emotions.
guest Wednesday - 03 / 08 / 2011 Reply

It looks like some people are intolerant of my intolerance. Deuces
Anitasemien Wednesday - 03 / 08 / 2011 Reply

If the president was white we would not be having this conversation. He knew exactly what he was saying. Why do people think it is alright to say anything as long as they come back later and say they are sorry? If you didn't mean it , you never would have said it. This is probably what him and his friends call our president everyday any way.
Gixxer1000 Wednesday - 03 / 08 / 2011 Reply

regardless of what they call him, he's still their president too!!!!!!!
Anonymous Wednesday - 10 / 08 / 2011 Reply

The â€ tar babyâ€ comment is not a figure of speech, nor is it about the Constitution or freedom of speech. It is however, about a very nasty, horribly offensive racial attack and you know it. This isnt about free speech, not at all. This is about an ignorant bigot who forgot that in this day of modern technology his stupid comments would fly around the world before he could set down to dinner that night. He must have thought he was at his KKK meeting instead of a radio show. This isnt about the Constitution, this is about the lack of respect for the leader of the free world who happens to be a black man. If a black Congressman, during the Bush administration would have called him an ill-educated, ignorant, bigoted cracker, would you still say its about freedom of speech?? Or would you be outraged and call for this congressmans resignation? How dare he insult the President of the United States. Bush made a horrible mess of things and turned and handed it over to the next person. Its like breaking an expensive vase into tiny pieces and handing it over to the next person saying â€œhere, fix thisâ€. I didnt here racial attacks when Bush was in office, nor any other president, why now? Nayâ€¦. this is not about freedom of speech. Which by the way â€¦.is where bigots go to hide their close-minded comments about a person of a different race. Its called freedom of speech until you offend them, then its called being rude.