This was a very interesting week in terms of determining which outrageous comments warrant resignation and which do not. Let’s review, shall we? Samantha Power calling Hillary Clinton a “monster” leads to a quick resignation. Howard Wolfson comparing the Obama campaign to Ken Starr does not. Then there is Republican congressman Steve King, who claimed that “the optics” of a Barack Obama presidency would encourage “the radical Islamists” - and that al-Qaeda “would be dancing in the streets” if Obama wins. Now, imbecility has never been a disqualifier for public office. But rank racism should be. If John McCain and the GOP hierarchy don’t ask King to step down, the optics will be very, very clear indeed.
March 10, 2008 5:37 AM