GOP official defends Obama chimpanzee email; party leader calls it 'racist'
An Orange County Republican Party official is defending an email she sent that portrays President Obama's face superimposed on a chimpanzee with the words: "Now you know why — No birth certificate!"
Marilyn Davenport, an elected member of the party's central committee, described the controversy as "much to do about nothing" in an email and vowed that she would not resign.
"I'm sorry if my email offended anyone, I simply found it amusing regarding the character of Obama and all the questions surrounding his origin of birth," she wrote. "In no way did I even consider the fact he's half black when I sent out the email. In fact, the thought never entered my mind until one or two other people tried to make this about race. We all know a double standard applies regarding this president. I received plenty of emails about George Bush that I didn't particularly like, yet there was no 'cry' in the media about them."
She declined to comment to The Times on Saturday.
County GOP Chairman Scott Baugh has called for Davenport to resign. Baugh said he received it Friday afternoon and quickly responded with an email telling Davenport it was "dripping with racism and is in very poor taste." He said the issue should be referred to the Orange County GOP's ethics committee.
Read the full story: O.C. Republican Party leader slams colleague who sent Obama-chimpanzee email
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EDITOR'S PICKS:
Republicans are just savages, fiends without honor.
Posted by: RJ | April 17, 2011 at 10:21 AM
cruel joke...
Posted by: Van Hattem | April 17, 2011 at 10:56 AM
Sorry...Marilyn Davenport was wrong in using government equipment to forward such rubbish. I don't think it would have cause an uproar had she used her personal computer and e-mail and not on government time!!
Posted by: Toni | April 17, 2011 at 10:57 AM
Does anyone know if there is a John Birch Society connection to some elements of the Tea Party?
Posted by: MFC | April 17, 2011 at 11:01 AM
Oh, she definitely shouldn't resign. Marilyn Davenport represents the Republican Party quite well: stupid and racist.
Posted by: Bob | April 17, 2011 at 11:10 AM
Questions surrounding his origin of birth? I think she means the phony, ludicrous, made up, ignore-every-contrary-fact ones. And the Republican party wonders why it does so poorly in a multicultural state like California? Oh please Marilyn, by all means, fight this injustice and do not resign!!! Never, ever admit to a mistake or poor judgment or your true attitudes and feelings.
Posted by: threeg | April 17, 2011 at 11:22 AM
If you have enough time in your day at work to forward stupid emails like this, than you need to take on more responsibility and put more effort into your job- especially if you have a gov't job that we are paying for. This woman is a lazy joke.
Posted by: Lakers | April 17, 2011 at 11:23 AM
Freedom of expression, sucka
Posted by: Major Variola (ret) | April 17, 2011 at 11:25 AM
When will BOTH SIDES stop insulting each other with tasteless jokes. Worse than that, when will both sides stop hurling lies and exagerated accusations at each other.
Both sides think they are in the right; both sides want what is best for our country; both sides are populated with patriots; and neither side is guiltless in the current circus of political debate (and attempted deceit . . . Can't we agree to disagree, debate the issues with passion but with honesty, AND still show respect for each other.
Posted by: JamVee | April 17, 2011 at 11:49 AM
was it racist to depict George W. Bush as "Curious George"? i sure don't recall any outrage over that. let's be consistent liberal left. if it's fine to depict GWB as a monkey then don't get your panties into a wad when it's done to Obama.
Posted by: stormin1961 | April 17, 2011 at 11:56 AM
Hey Marilyn...!
Donald the Clown is on the line.
He is calling to ask you to be his running mate!
Now you both can be the new happy duo of the Republican
Party candidate for President and Vice President. All the Palin, Bachmann and Limbaugh fans
will be so proud and honored.
Posted by: WillamTell | April 17, 2011 at 12:11 PM
The thing I find most offensive is her calling this petty dustup "much to do about nothing". It's "Ado". Yeah, keep on cutting out funds for education you guys - it's working out all around.
Posted by: teresa | April 17, 2011 at 12:23 PM
She should not be given the chance to resign-- she should be "FIRED" as The Donald would say.
The other GOP should take control of these racist entities and remove them.
Posted by: NorthernCA Teacher | April 17, 2011 at 12:31 PM
Absolutely disgusting! She should be forced to resign.
Posted by: pat | April 17, 2011 at 12:34 PM
Lets get real folks, is there no more humor allowed?? focus on what the real issues are, ignore what isn't
Posted by: mia2cents | April 17, 2011 at 12:40 PM
See, elected officials in CA are just as racist as ones over here!
Posted by: ArizonaGuy | April 17, 2011 at 12:49 PM
If its not true, no one should worry about it! People can say what ever they want, freedom of speech, remember? Keep moving forward and worry about more important things in life. Both parties, show it in action!
Posted by: neprho | April 17, 2011 at 01:09 PM
Is this something that would be of interest to Rusty Kennedy, and the Board at Orange County Human Relations?
If not, why not.
Posted by: Anne | April 17, 2011 at 01:13 PM
What's the big deal? I've seen plenty of Bush e-mails comparing GWB to a chimp, superimposing of Bush's head on a chimp's body. Afterall, Obama has blamed Bush for the failures of the Obama administration, he may as well get the same treatment as Bush.
Posted by: fartface | April 17, 2011 at 01:16 PM
His mom is white, and he's white, how can this be racist.
Posted by: jane | April 17, 2011 at 01:24 PM
Has no one a sense of humor these days? Humor is all it is... lets get serious and focus on the real issues... who cares what someone sends.. focus America..
Posted by: mia2cents | April 17, 2011 at 01:52 PM
Was it racist when similar pictures were circulated about Bush? Do a Google image search for "Bush chimpanzee pictures". Derogatory photographs and politicians are part of the job. Is there any argument that Obama's ears look like they should be on a chimp? The racist card is really old and tiresome, and it is like the little boy that continued to cry, "Wolf".
Posted by: Pete | April 17, 2011 at 01:53 PM
Now I know why.
Posted by: kevin | April 17, 2011 at 02:16 PM
Oh remember the cruel, cruel NPR guy who was forced to resign after slandering the honorable tea party as being racist? Well surprise - he was right! And NO surprise, no one from the republican party will even get punished.
Posted by: SteveAdams | April 17, 2011 at 02:49 PM
FREEDOM OF SPEECH!!!!!
Posted by: u.s. resident | April 17, 2011 at 02:52 PM