Democrats refuse to accept resignation of party chairman who called Sen. Tim Scott a racial slur
The chairman of the Lamar County, Texas, Democratic Party announced Tuesday he was resigning from his leadership post after suffering fallout for his racist attack on Republican Sen. Tim Scott (S.C.), who is black.
But his fellow Democrats refused to let him leave and rejected his resignation.
What happened?
Chairman Gary O'Connor attacked Sen. Scott last week with a racial slur following the senator's response to President Joe Biden's address to a joint session of Congress.
During his speech, Scott told viewers that America is "not a racist country." The hue and cry from Democrats and other leftists was deafening. They went on the attack and labeled Scott "Uncle Tim" — a play on the racist term "Uncle Tom" — all the while ignoring that Vice President Kamala Harris and President Biden just hours later agreed with Scott's assessment that the U.S. isn't a racist nation, though there are still race problems.
Not to be outdone by his fellow racists in the party, O'Connor took to Facebook to write in a since-deleted post, "I had hoped that Scott might show some common sense, but it seems clear he is little more than an oreo with no real principles."
The term "oreo" is used as a slight against blacks who are considered "black on the outside but white on the inside."
Republicans and other observers went after O'Connor with demands that he apologize for his remarks and step down — which he did Tuesday.
Or, at least he attempted to do.
The told the Washington Examiner, "I am deeply and sincerely sorry for my inappropriate and hurtful use of [the] racist term I used to describe Sen. Tim Scott on my personal Facebook page. It was insensitive, and I have embarrassed myself and my party by its use."
He added, "I feel compelled to offer my resignation as chair of the Lamar County Democratic Party for consideration by the County Executive Committee."
But the Lamar County Democrats refused to accept his resignation.
In a statement on the local party's Facebook page Tuesday, the county's Democratic leadership said they talked with "Black Democrats" and decided O'Connor's remarks did not warrant giving the chairman the boot and that his apology to Scott was enough.
What else?
Not only did the party reject O'Connor's resignation, they praised his "activism for racial justice."
"On May 4, 2021, representatives of the Lamar County, Texas Democratic Party met to consider the resignation tendered by Party Chair, Gary O'Connor," the statement began. "Our local Democrats have taken the last few days to reflect upon this incident. After much discussion—especially among our local Black Democrats—we chose not to accept Mr. O'Connor's resignation."
"Mr. O'Connor has written a public letter of apology to Sen. Tim Scott, and Lamar County Democrats join him in this apology," the statement continued. "Gary O'Connor has led Lamar County Democrats for seven years and his life of service, collaboration, and activism for racial justice is well known throughout this community. His recent remark is incompatible with his core values."
But don't worry, the county Democrats have vowed to "recommit" themselves to conducting their "private conversations" and "public social media discussions with anti-racist, pro-reconciling attitudes and language."
Oh, and they "strongly condemn bigotry of any kind" — just so you know.