GOP demands apology for Obama campaign manager's 'chimichanga' tweet

The Hill ^ | 2/15/12 | Justin Sink

[ColdOne]

Republicans are demanding an apology Wednesday from President Obama's campaign manager after a tweet that they argue was insulting toward Latino Americans.

Jim Messina, who is helming the president's reelection effort, tweeted a line from a column written by The Washington Post's Dana Milbank, in which he argues that Republicans will struggle to attract the Latino vote after coming out against the DREAM immigration reform act.

"Line of the day from WAPO's Dana Milbank: 'The chimichanga? It may be the only thing Republicans have left to offer Latinos,' " Messina tweeted.

But the comments drew rebuke from Republicans, who argued the reference to the deep-fried burrito was culturally insensitive.

"The fact that the campaign manager of President Obama's reelection campaign thinks it's appropriate to disseminate insulting jokes about the Hispanic community is a perfect example of the kind of empty rhetoric that characterizes this White House's so-called outreach to Latinos. We demand that Mr. Messina immediately apologize and we ask that President Obama disavow his campaign manager's ridiculous statement," said Jennifer Sevilla Korn, executive director of the conservative Hispanic Leadership Network, in a statement.

[Harmless Teddy Bear]

'The chimichanga? It may be the only thing Republicans have left to offer Latinos,'

The chimichanga may have Mexican ancestry but it was born in the USA.

So he is say that the only thing the Republicans is offering Latinos is to become Americanized.

Why does he say that like it is a bad thing?

[Vigilanteman]

Chimichanga? Chickamauga? If the RAT operator had been thinking clearly, he would just say he meant Chickamuga and intended it as an insult to crackers. After all, Chickamuga was just a speed bump that delayed Sherman’s march into Georgia and its perfectly OK to insult crackers.

[moonshinner_09]

We demand that Mr. Messina immediately apologize and we ask that President Obama disavow his campaign manager’s ridiculous statement,” —Shouldn’t they be saying We demand that Mr. Messina immediately apologize and we ask that President Obama disavow his campaign racist manager’s ridiculous statement,”

[Riodacat]

This is what our guys are focused on?
No wonder we're going down the effing toilet.

[6SJ7]

Heck, if it weren't for fear of offending you, I might just give up and call everyone a brussel sprout.

I prefer the term "trans-vegetable".   ;-)

[dfwgator]

Brussel Sprouts, isn’t that a derogatory term for Belgians?

I s’pose it’s not as bad as “phlegms” or “fat, miserable Belgian Bastards.”

[firebrand]

“Chimichanga” is kind of a humorous-sounding word, but this guy managed to make a very unfunny statement out of it. Do us a favor and don’t quit your day job.