Democrat Creigh Deeds, in yesterday’s Virginia gubernatorial debate: “There’s a hint of racism in some of the opposition to President Obama. That is crystal clear.”
Republican Bob McDonnell disagreed: “I don’t see it and I don’t feel it. . . . I think these are ideas that are fought over public policy.”
Another voice:
Black Entertainment Television network co-founder Sheila C. Johnson, who endorsed McDonnell in July, also rejected the idea that the anger seen in town hall rallies and conservative “tea parties” is race-based.
“I don’t buy it at all. We’ve really got to stop doing this, stop bringing this up,” said Johnson, who had been a major donor to Obama, Gov. and Democratic National Committee chairman Timothy M. Kaine and other Democrats through 2008.