During the Congressional Black Caucus's recent jobs tour, where Democratic politicians held town halls and job fairs, several members of the caucus made remarks attacking the Tea Party. Miami's own Frederica Wilson made some headlines for telling an audience that "the real enemy is the Tea Party."
Now remarks made by Indiana Congressman Andre Carson during a Miami event, where he told an audience that the Tea Party would like to see African-Americans "hanging on a tree," have caused controversy.
The above video was put together by the Blaze, a website owned by Glenn Beck. The Washington Post reports the video is actually a compilation of remarks made by Carson during several stops of the CBC's Jobs Tour. However, the most controversial statement --that the Tea Part views African-Americans as "second-class citizens" and would like to see them "hanging on a tree" -- was made at the Mt. Hermon AME Church in Miami Gardens August 22.
Carson has since defended his remarks, and a spokesman told the Post that the remarks were "prompted in response to frustration voiced by many in Miami and in his home district in Indianapolis regarding Congress's inability to bolster the economy."
"The Tea Party is protecting its millionaire and oil company friends while gutting critical services that they know protect the livelihood of African-Americans, as well as Latinos and other disadvantaged minorities," Carson's spokesman continued. "We are talking about child nutrition, job creation, job training, housing assistance, and Head Start, and that is just the beginning. A child without basic nutrition, secure housing, and quality education has no real chance at a meaningful and productive life."
Meanwhile, Allen West, one of the few Republicans in the CBC and a Tea Party favorite, says he is now considering leaving the caucus.
Tea Party members seem to be outraged. Yet this is the same group that uses over-the-top, heated attacks such as questioning President Obama's birth country, and calling anything ever-so-slightly to the left "socialist."
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