These town hall meetings are becoming dangerous in more ways than one. As you can see in this video obtained by Think Progress, any person with a camera can catch you saying something you’d probably like to have back. Need some evidence? Ask Rep. Lynn Jenkins (R-KS), who made the following comment (last week) while trying to encourage some conservatives to stay positive and stay focused on great things she feels her side of the political spectrum can still accomplish.
“Republicans are struggling right now to find the great white hope,” Jenkins said to the crowd. “I suggest to any of you who are concerned about that, who are Republican, there are some great young Republican minds in Washington.”
Uh, this is one where you’d hit the reset button it was a video game.
Here is a follow-up statement to her remarks (which her spokesperson insists weren’t about race):
Mary Geiger, a spokesperson for Jenkins released this statement:
“There’s no doubt the Republican Party has gone through some dark and challenging times in recent years, but thankfully bright young leaders have stepped up to lead the party into the future and she hopes to be a part of it. That was the intent of her comments — nothing more and nothing less. Congresswoman Jenkins apologizes for her choice of words.”
Here is another excerpt from a story published in the Topeka Capital-Journal:
Mary Geiger, a spokeswoman for Jenkins, said the reference to a great white hope wasn’t meant to denote a preference by Jenkins for politicians of a particular “race, creed or any background.” Jenkins was expressing faith fellow GOP representatives in the House would be key players in returning Republicans to a leadership role in Washington, Geiger said.
Maybe it wasn’t about race and maybe it was about race. I tend to think she just had one of those slips that happen from time to time when you’re speaking in public and you say something trying to inspire an audience. It’s obviously a statement she would like to have back, but probably not something she should be bashed too harshly for.
