Following his response to President Joe Biden’s address to a joint session of Congress last week, U.S. Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC) has received a range of Democratic criticism largely based on his race.
One high-ranking Texas Democrat has now resigned from his post after disparaging the Black senator as an “Oreo.”
“Deeply and sincerely sorry”
Lamar County Democratic Party Chairman Gary O’Connor reportedly announced his resignation amid a public outcry over his use of the racial slur. The comment came after Scott issued the GOP rebuttal to Biden’s speech last Wednesday.
In a Facebook post, O’Connor wrote: “I had hoped that Scott might show some common sense, but it seems clear he is little more than an Oreo with no real principles.”
He issued an apology on Tuesday in a statement to the Washington Examiner, explaining that he was “deeply and sincerely sorry” for the “inappropriate and hurtful use” of the term he used to describe Scott.
“It was insensitive, and I have embarrassed myself and my party by its use,” O’Connor added. “As a result, I feel compelled to offer my resignation as chair of the Lamar County Democratic Party for consideration by the County Executive Committee.”
His resignation followed widespread denunciation by political leaders across the state, including Republican Gov. Greg Abbott.
“Saddening to see”
“This is disgusting, hateful, and completely unacceptable,” Abbott wrote in a tweet calling for an apology and resignation, as well as a censure by the Texas Democratic Party.
In a press release on Friday, U.S. Rep. Pat Fallon (R-TX) offered a similar rebuke.
“Gary O’Connor’s comment against Senator Tim Scott is abhorrent, insulting, and unforgivable,” he wrote. “Both he and the entire Lamar County Democratic Party should be ashamed of this racist behavior.”
Scott received praise from many in his own party for the response he offered to Biden’s first congressional address since taking office. He used the opportunity to push back against the narrative that America is an inherently racist nation, highlighting many of the positive social changes that he has witnessed in his lifetime — including becoming a U.S. senator.
He subsequently reacted to the widespread attacks he received on social media, declaring: “The left has lost their mind today. It’s really saddening to see. What the left is doing is fighting bigotry with bigotry, and they’ve exposed their hypocrisy and their true motivation.”
The post Texas Democratic Party leader resigns after disparaging GOP Sen. Scott as ‘Oreo’ first appeared on Conservative Institute.
No comments: