*On this date in 2010, white-American Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid apologized publicly for a racial remark he made in 2008. During the presidential campaign Reid called Barack Obama a "light-skinned" African American who didn't have a "Negro dialect, unless he wanted to have one."
The remark was revealed in the book Game Change by Mark Halperin and John Heilemann; a book about the 2008 run for the white house. Reid said he has already spoken directly to the President about this matter, apologized, saying: “I deeply regret using such a poor choice of words. I sincerely apologize for offending any and all Americans, especially African Americans for my improper comments."
Reid's remarks were made in the context of expressing his belief that the country was ready for Obama's presidency, placing Reid with then-candidate Joe Biden who publicly said during the 2008 race that Obama was "articulate and bright and clean".
Reference:
The Associated Press
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