GOP Activist Apologizes After Joking That Gorilla Is Related to Michelle Obama
BY Helen Kennedy
DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER
A prominent South Carolina Republican killed his Facebook page Sunday after being caught likening the First Lady to an escaped gorilla.
Commenting on a report posted to Facebook about a gorilla escape at a zoo in Columbia, S.C., Friday, longtime GOP activist Rusty DePass wrote, "I'm sure it's just one of Michelle's ancestors - probably harmless."
Busted by South Carolina political blogger Will Folks, DePass told WIS-TV in Columbia, "I am as sorry as I can be if I offended anyone. The comment was clearly in jest."
Then he added, "The comment was hers, not mine," claiming Michelle Obama made a recent remark about humans descending from apes. The Daily News could find no such comment.
"'Humor' like this is nothing new for South Carolina Republicans - even as the party claims to be focusing on 'outreach' efforts to minorities," said Folks, a former gubernatorial spokesman and widely read blogger. "The fact that Palmetto [State] Republicans don't get that this is a serious problem for them baffles us."
Columbia's mayor called on DePass to apologize properly. "The comment is reprehensible. There's nothing funny about it," said Democratic Mayor Bob Coble. "What he needs to do is simply apologize in a straightforward manner."
DePass, former chairman of the Richland County GOP, was an early backer of George W. Bush and co-chairman of Rudy Giuliani's 2008 campaign in Richland County, the state's largest.
"Most of us, of course, particularly in South Carolina, never gave a damn about New Yorkers, but somehow the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, made those people Americans again," he wrote in a 2007 Op-Ed endorsing Giuliani.
Eric Davis, the current chairman of the Richland County Republicans, said his predecessor should get a pass. "Everyone says stupid things they regret later. I think the world should move on," he said.
Reader Comments
Give me a break -
Regarding the comments about Michelle Obama - Y'ALL need to gete a life!! Who cares WHO smears Whom?? I don't think the "gorilla" comment was appropriate, but, I also don't think comments about being "proud of my country" by MO were so hot, either - either way - it doesn't add up to a hill of beans!! We NEED to be focused on much BIGGER things here -
SC GOP DePass racist comment
I don't care how you put it, one can say oh if it were democrat or no one cared about the comment on Palin (not true lots of outrage) or that the 1st Lady made a comment about being proud (which was her statement about her own person feelings and many can understand it, but it was in fact about herself)..the undeniable fact is that racism is alive and well. To shove it under the rug as one suggested, don't comment allows it to continue as if it is ok. Interestingly when the President had problems with the reverand Wright it was expected and demanded that he speak out....but when Palin underhandedly by the dimness of night made her insinuations and fed on racism and fear, others said oh it's the campaign and McCain was not demanded to speak out.....interesting how racism is perceived in this the UNITED states of America. If you aren't part of the solution (calling it out) you are part of the problem. So people, don't get outraged about DePass alone, get outraged about the continued and allowed racism in many places.
GOP S Carolina
It amazes me to read this GOP official's arrogant comments. Who elected both of these insensitive idiots?
Give them a pass ? I will give the GOP a wide pass.They will enable anyone who considers themselves a conservative to move away from their Revisionist beliefs.
The people of S. carolina should be embarrased.
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