Head of GOP club behind 'Obama Bucks' resigns

Diane Fedele, president of a San Bernardino County Republican women’s club criticized over its use of "Obama Bucks," a racially charged illustration of Barack Obama, has resigned her post.

The image of Obama on play money flanked by fried chicken, watermelon and ribs quickly went worldwide, as did Fedele's explanation that she didn't realize the symbolism could be considered racist.

Our own David Kelly has the latest details:

Diane Fedele faced intense pressure from state GOP leaders who called the drawing racist and Democrats who demanded she quit as head of the Upland-based Chaffey Community Republican Women, Federated.

In a sometimes combative apology sent to club members, Fedele said she received the illustration through a chain e-mail and used it for a "satiric" attack on what she sees as Obama’s "socialist" agenda of government giveaways. When confronted by an African American club member, she said she apologized for the cartoon. Despite that, Fedele said the woman took the story to the media.

"For many it may be hard to believe, but some people do not associate certain foods with particular groups," she said. "I do not think like a bigot, and because of that fact I did not view this as racial, because I do not have a racially discriminating point of view."

She accused the media of branding Republicans racist whenever they criticize the Democratic presidential nominee.

Hector Barajas, a spokesman for the state GOP, said the decision to resign was a personal one between Fedele and the 200-member club.

"As far as we are concerned these images and words have no place in this campaign," he said. Ironically, the illustration was created by a liberal blogger as an attempt to make fun of Republicans. Someone e-mailed it to Fedele, who then put it in her newsletter.

Fedele's resignation is effective immediately. Our article about the liberal blogger who created the image as satire — and was startled to find it used by Republicans — is here.

According to the Riverside Press-Enterprise, which broke the Diane Fedele/Obama Bucks story, critics had planned to protest at the club's meeting tonight, but that meeting has been canceled.

—Veronique de Turenne

 

Comments

[DMR]

She is such a liar....Come on just say the truth. You dont want a black president.

[Grey]

This story just keeps getting better. The President of this group claims ignorance. Yes she is the victim here... she is the last of the dying white class, scared women bred. What the hell is going to happen to my blue hair Cadillac driving days?

[Lane Barden]

Everything in that illustration was there for a reason and chosen for a reason. If Fedele is actually saying that she would just as easily have chosen another illustration with no food stamps and artichoke with braised salmon instead of fried chicken and watermelon - she is either incompetent, or lying, or having a major episode of avoidance. Either way it's better she's out of the picture.