Dan Rather Makes 'Watermelon' Quip in Depicting GOP Attacks on Obama (crickets from the MSM)

Foxnews ^ | 3/9/2010 | Staff

[Red in Blue PA]

Former CBS News anchor Dan Rather, speaking on the GOP's expected strategy against Democrats in elections this fall, said Republicans would describe President Obama as "a nice person ... very articulate" but an ineffective leader who "couldn't sell watermelons if you gave him the state troopers to flag down the traffic."

Rather prefaced the comments, made Sunday on the "Chris Matthews Show," by saying, "The Republicans will make a case and a lot of independents will buy this argument."

Rather is known for his homespun anecdotes, though his choice of language in this instance already is raising some eyebrows on media blogs, which note the potential "racial minefield."

[ClearCase_guy]

Matthews jumped in real fast when he realized what Dan was saying about Obamie.

If Sarah Palin had been the guest and had made a gaffe like this, I bet Matthews would have stopped everything and declared, "I've been around a long time, but that is perhaps the most racist statement I have ever heard in my life."

[MBB1984]

Always amusing when a Marxist steps in a deep pile of PC orthodoxy.

[randita]

Remember when Fuzzy Zoeller got pilloried for mentioning that Tiger Woods liked collard greens (or something to that effect). How is this any different?

[Travis McGee]

I think “watermelon” might have been a Freudian slip in referring to Obama.

Green on the outside, RED inside through and through.

[STONEWALLS]

“Now the mention of Watermelon is Racist.”

...other ‘racial minefield’ words that will soon be banned
rope
gold tooth
chitlins
Kools
malt liquor
fried chicken
niggardly

[AzaleaCity5691]

What does fried chicken have to do with race?

[Scotsman will be Free]

“The mayor apologized and resigned, claiming he was unaware of the stereotype that blacks like watermelon.”
I like watermelon, and love fried chicken. Does this make me black?

[Condor51]

*** rope ***

Arrrrrgggh!. 'Rope', ROPE?!? Oh nooooooo. You said ...'rope'.

For years and years I'll now be having nightmares of lynchings.
Or.. being dragged by a pickup.
...............

'SERIES", these people need to get a life.

[reg45]

“Niggardly” means frugal and 0bama is anything but “niggardly”.

[STONEWALLS]

...I know what it means...and I also know that it was also used in black city worker’s annual review in DC and the result was a civil rights lawsuit.

[snoringbear]

“Matthews jumped in real fast when he realized what Dan was saying about Obamie.
If Sarah Palin had been the guest and had made a gaffe like this, I bet Matthews would have stopped everything and declared, “I’ve been around a long time, but that is perhaps the most racist statement I have ever heard in my life.”

Yeah, additionally, Matthews and his merry band of elitist, condescending snobs enjoy making fun of Palin’s public school background. Danny boy graducated (well, I assume he graduated) from Sam Houston State University. I doubt that they’ll poke fun of his school having the word “State” in it.

[Mobties]

The last time I heard “watermelon” used as a metaphor it was a “green on the outside, red on the inside” reference to radical lefty “reds” masquerading as “green” environmentalists. I don't recall any shouts of "racism" in connection with that syntax.

I think the main racist aspect of this recorded exchange was Chris Matthews getting the vapors the instant he heard the mention of “watermelon” in the context of a discussion of Barack Hussein Obama’s incompetence.

The vegetable I associate with Obama is the coca leaf and, of course, its more popular powdered extract.

[Niteranger68]

Before it’s over, Rather’s words will be depicted as Republican’s being racist.

Winner winner....chicken dinner!!!

[freebird5850]

And I like collard greens and boiled turnips too.

[Neverforget01]

I dare any public official to create a cartoon depicting Obama on the side of the road selling watermelons. His or her career would be over instantly.

I still find it incredulous Clinton got away with his coffee fetching comment.

[mickie]

You bet-ya!

[ErnBatavia]

We shouldn’t ignore his old sidekick Mike Wallace and his “tacos and watermelons” gaffe of several years ago.

[Scotsman will be Free]

“And I like collard greens and boiled turnips too.”
Gag me with a spoon! I don’t mind deep fried okra, but keep those stinking brussel sprouts away from me.
Fried gator is good, too.

[Inspectorette]

Oooh - brussels sprouts only stink when they're overcooked, just like other cruciferous veggies like cabbage and broccoli. For the record, I never would even look at them until I was 50 years old.

Just steam them gently for 4-5 minutes, then saute them in olive oil and garlic until crisp-tender. They can also be oven-roasted. They're dee-lish!

[Scotsman will be Free]

“They’re dee-lish!”
Nope! Nothin’ doing. I’m over 50. They suck. End of story.
“cruciferous veggies...” You got ‘er spelled wrong. It’s luciferous veggies.