Black Chamber of Commerce exec Alford angered by Barbara Boxer
Maybe you were too busy the other day watching the Senate hearing for the confirmation of Judge Sonia Sotomayor to the Supreme Court to catch another Senate hearing, this one chaired by California Democrat Barbara Boxer.
Sen. Boxer likes to rule her hearings with a, uh, firm hand. You may recall The Ticket item and video here not so long ago where Sen. Boxer ordered an Army general to stop calling her "Ma'am" and to call her "Senator" instead.
Well, this time Harry Alford, the CEO of the National Black Chamber of Commerce, was about to testify against some climate change legislation when Boxer had him wait and took the occasion to introduce for the committee record a whole bunch of printed statements in support of the legislation, contradicting Alford's upcoming testimony, from groups not at the hearing.
Alford took offense to that (see video below) as disrespectful, dismissive and condescending to his appearance, and there ensued another verbal boxing match. As you'll see on the video, Boxer explained that she'd be introducing all kinds of diverse statements. (As you'll also see, Alford repeatedly referred to Boxer as "Ma'am.")
Surprisingly, this evening Bill O'Reilly, who normally shuns rhetorical confrontations involving Democrats like the ratings booster they always are on Fox News Channel, had Alford on "The O'Reilly Factor," where the black chamber executive had some more to say about the California Democrat:
"It was pure race. It was like down there in Mississippi back in the bad old days when one black preacher would rise up against the big boss. He’d go find another black preacher to fight against that black preacher. Yes, it is – it was ugly and she jumped – she opened up a pit, a mud pit that I wasn’t going to jump into."
Did Alford think Boxer intended to introduce racism to the hearing?:
On the reaction Alford's received since that Boxer hearing:
So, just saying, it doesn't look like Sen. Boxer will get Alford's vote in her reelection campaign next year, even if he did live in California.
-- Andrew Malcolm
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Like Nancy Pelosi she is arrogant, disrespectful! and super-sensitive!!!
Posted by: steve rodriguez | July 20, 2009 at 11:00 PM
Harry Alford was right on the money. Do the liberal Democrats think people are stupid, especially Black People? Keeping the minorities poor and needy fuels the need for the very LIberal element of our Government to enable their continued existence. “Actually, Bill, I think it’s her persona. I don’t think she can help herself. When she gets caught up in a – like that up against the wall, race comes up. Exactly right, she tried race bait a Black Man, with a racist comment, and he instantly saw through it. People like Barbara Boxer have been doing this so long, they are drinking their own bath water.
Posted by: Brad | July 20, 2009 at 11:38 PM
Barbara boxer is being accused of racism when she was presenting facts about a member of the NAACP in a positive fashion...
.In this day and age, is not the National Association of Colored People an organization based solely upon a people's race to promote their private interests? If we are truly a diverse nation, we no longer have the need for racial organizations. I am gay and fighting for my civil rights, so I do not make this comment lightly. I have voted for Barbara Boxer many times as a California citizen, and I would vote for her again. When I see people vote for equality overall, I will then be satisfied with our government. Senator boxer's statement was completely taken out of context and I support her message.
Posted by: Philip M Strait | July 21, 2009 at 02:13 AM
Alford was right on the money in challenging Barbara "Ma'am" Boxer, one of the current socialist senators from CA. She is a committed far-leftist bozo who clearly wants to keep black people in their place. Therefore, she is a committed racist.
Posted by: capcap | July 21, 2009 at 02:40 AM
I'm glad for people like Mr. Harry Alford & Mr. Bill O'Rielly standing up to these extreme left. Where is the media?
Posted by: Ovidia Lisa | July 21, 2009 at 06:01 AM
Two smug people arguing over nothing. We have already had an example of Boxer's arrogant, egotistical, attitude, and now we her arguing with someone with the same self importance.
I would like to establish a White Chamber of Commerce, a White Caucus, and an organization for the advancement of white Americans. How about it - anyone care to join?
Before you call me racist, let me tell you that my family consists of Filipinos, Indians (native American), and Black Americans. We do not recognize African Americans! Those who put Africa ahead of America cannot be true citizens.
Posted by: Lloyd Revalee | July 21, 2009 at 06:55 AM
who in their right mind keeps voting for her.
Posted by: Jose | July 21, 2009 at 12:09 PM
It was very refreshing to see someone stand up against Boxer. You did a great job of defending yourself against her.
It was great to see you push her off her high horse.
For once her rank couldn't help her out of the hole she dug for herself.
Congrats!!
and God bless!
Harry Robertson
Posted by: Harry Robertson | July 21, 2009 at 02:20 PM
On the issue of racism and racist perspectives, one could make a pretty strong argument that Barbara Boxer embraces such views in trying to negate the views of Harry Alford and the National Black Chamber of Commerce’s on particular issues by evoking the statements of other “Black” organization. Although, I believe that Mr Alford’s perspective hold much more merit than Henry Louis Gates, I would also disagree with Alford. On face value it may appear that Boxer is indeed being racially motivated, but I think that naturally results from being associated with an organization which explicitly defines itself within the confines of race. Once an organization limits and defines itself within such confines it should come as no surprise that said organization would be compared to other organization that use race to define themselves also (especially in the eyes of a Politian). I would have much more sympathy for Alford’s feelings of marginalization if he had belonged to the National….Chamber of Commerce.
Posted by: Vlad | July 21, 2009 at 04:17 PM
liberals, like boxer, come as no surprised. They love ignorant and victimized black people. Intelligent blacks anger liberals. they want blacks dumb and stupid. hell, if she had more time she would had been quoting rappers like 50 cents and ludicrous and saying they were proud to get recognition from a white Californian gir like her tool. Boxer is no different from slutty white singers who sleep with rap and r&b producers and then think they can group all black men based on these losers they slept with. I am glad this intelligent black man put her ignorant behind in her dumb white girl place. He's no rapper and now she knows .
Posted by: johnq | July 21, 2009 at 06:36 PM
Gimme a break---he was confrontative and pugnacious. He was just as rude as he claims she was.
Posted by: LKitsch | July 21, 2009 at 06:46 PM
@ Everyone. Watch the entire video. She took the stage in all her glory and set him up to demean him. She is an arrogant whiter than though bitch.
@iPhillip.
Wake up. Barbara boxer is destroying this country. She wanted to pit Black against Black. That is vile and if you respect her, you are also what is wrong with this country.
You are being used like a pawn. Barbara Boxer doesn't give a flying crap about your rights. She wants to appease you long enough to retain power. As the son of a longtime Democrat politician, let me give you the inside on an old saying: When you find a horse that will pull, hitch your wagon to it. You are her horse. But what to you care, you are getting your civil rights. What civil rights is it that you are being denied? I am gay and I can marry just like my straight brother. He can't marry a guy, nor can I. So in essence, we both have equal rights.
We are doomed as a nation with people like Boxer in power.
Posted by: Tim Buck | July 22, 2009 at 06:31 PM
What incredible stupidity. A few months back, Gen Walsh showed great class in calling you Senator Boxer when mam wasn't good enough. But you might be better addressed as bigot in recognition of your ignorant use of racial groups in what was clearly a racial based argument.. What a hypocrit. Post that in the record with the rest of your letters.
Posted by: DBC | July 22, 2009 at 07:30 PM
He's right. If you are talking about energy policy what expertise does the NAACP bring to the table? The NAACP is a social organization, with absolutely no right to be pitted against a policy-related think-tank such as the Pew Organization.
It was done solely to mild down the opposition of a black organization that is against Senator Boxer's opinions.
Alford may be confrontational and rude, but he right.
Posted by: john | July 22, 2009 at 09:52 PM
This is the one time I would think Rev. Sharpton should have been there! Sen. Boxer gave a real lynching!!!!
Posted by: steve rodriguez | July 22, 2009 at 11:43 PM
I'm glad people are seeing what liberal Democrats are all about.
Posted by: Carla Johnson | July 23, 2009 at 08:50 AM
To Lloyd Revelee: What exactily is your rambling, incoherent post saying? i agree that there is no need for a national "black" chamber of commerce and that black americans is the appropriate term to call patriotic black people. But that has nothing to do with the rude, arrogant treatment Mr. Alford received from Senator Ma'am Boxer! If you can't see that she was clearly race-baiting the man to dilute his argument against climate change regulations that maybe you should start a new organization: The DUMB AMERICAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE!!
Posted by: Kelly Ebron | July 23, 2009 at 09:11 AM
I think it's amusing to read the LA Times twist on this story. I watched the entire exchange and Ma'am Boxer certainly got what she deserved. By the way, what the heck does Bill O'Reilly and Fox News have to do with this story? I'm just glad they brought it to the public eye. Boxer's been a loose cannon for years. If the rest of the media would just report the news instead of selecting those stories that favor their ideology Fox News might not be the only "fair and balanced" news around!
Posted by: Jennifer | July 23, 2009 at 02:21 PM
Both displayed a confrontational, I'll-show-you attitude, but when Alford's argument wasn't getting traction, he decided to divert the conversation by attacking Boxer personally. A ploy used by the weak, along with shouting down your opponent. I would have respected his argument a lot more if he hadn't felt the need to start shouting "racial" and stayed on topic. Did that help his argument? Had Boxer not cited a black organization, Alford would likely have taken offense at that.
btw, Fox "News" is a misnomer. It's a neo-con tool, nothing but spin and lies.
Posted by: CeCalTerr | July 24, 2009 at 06:12 PM
Who is voting for her? I mean really. I can't take it anymore. Boxer is an ass, Pelosi is an ass and Feinstein is an ass. They all lie, they don't listen to any difference in opinion, they are power hungry and beilgerent. Throw them out! (Yes I am a female).
Posted by: FedUp | July 25, 2009 at 12:43 PM
Senator Boxer suffers from an affliction shared with numerous Liberals and Conservatives alike- unless you agree with her completely and defer to her judgement and intelligence you are ignorant and misguided. People with her personality believe that they are the only defense for the huddled masses from barbarianism. Whether I agree or not with Mr. Alford's views or his demeanor, I applaud him for being willing to express his displeasure with her actions.
Posted by: East Coast | August 07, 2009 at 11:01 PM
Harry Alford, You are a TRUE AMERICAN, I heard you speak at the Energy rally at Verizon Center yesterday. You are a great speaker with God in your heart. This country needs YOU, it isn't just Energy at stake, it is America, this country and all it stands for at stake. I admire you and think you have a calling Sir, a calling to speak out for God and country and help stop the TAKE OVER of the country and the abuse of the Constitution for which this country was built on. I just wanted to give you my thanks for the most wonderful and heart warming speech ever. Keep it up Mr. Alford.
Posted by: DeathofFreedom | August 19, 2009 at 09:36 AM