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Memo Pad

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WATCH: Maine GOP Chairman Upset After ‘Dozens’ Of African-Americans Vote

November 15th, 2012 2:47 pm Henry Decker

According to Charlie Webster, the chairman of Maine’s Republican Party, a group of unknown black people committed voter fraud in the Pine Tree State on Election Day.

“In some parts of rural Maine, there were dozens, dozens of black people who came in and voted on Election Day,” Webster told a local NBC affiliate on Wednesday. How does Webster know that they weren’t registered voters performing their civic duty?

“Everybody has a right to vote, but nobody in town knows anyone who’s black,” Webster explained.

Later, Webster told the Portland Press-Herald, “I’m not talking about 15 or 20. I’m talking hundreds.”

“I’m not politically correct and maybe I shouldn’t have said these voters were black,” he added, “but anyone who suggests I have a bias toward any race or group, frankly, that’s sleazy.”

Of course, just because Webster doesn’t know any African-Americans in Maine doesn’t mean that they don’t exist. While Maine is one of the whitest states in the union, 1.3 percent of the state’s population is black. Considering that President Obama won Maine by over 100,000 votes, it seems unlikely that dozens — or even hundreds — of black voters went to rural Maine to commit the nearly non-existent crime of voter fraud on his behalf.

Webster’s comments are just the latest in a long line of incidents that seem almost specifically designed to drive black voters away from the Republican Party.

To the Maine GOP’s credit, it seems to realize this. The Press-Herald reports that after Webster spoke out, Republican strategist Lance Dutson immediately called for his resignation, and Megan Sanborn — spokeswoman for Secretary of State and Republican Senate candidate Charlie Summers — publicly rebuked Webster’s theory.

UPDATE: In an interview with Talking Points Memo on Thursday evening, Webster defended himself against charges of racism.

“I regret saying the word black because it wasn’t like I was singling out black,” Webster told Ryan J. Reilly. “The reason I said it, ’cause I don’t know where you live, but where I come from in rural Maine, it’s a small percentage of the population. I think we’re the whitest state in the country. So if you go to the polls and see people who are black, it’s unusual.”

Webster concluded with perhaps the least helpful statement possible: “There’s nothing about me that would be discriminatory. I know black people. I play basketball every Sunday with a black guy. He’s a great friend of mine. Nobody would ever accuse me of suggesting anything.”

Hat-tip: Kevin Robillard, Politico.



  • http://twitter.com/MortAlcoil1 Mort Alcoil

    So Republicans are reduced to basically saying “I don’t personally know any African Americans, so they don’t exist”… IS THAT the level of idiocy they are selling today? I thought they couldn’t get worse… and yet there they go inventing a whole new level of sub-moronic.

    • foolsdance

      hahahaha! sub-moronic, I LOVE it. Can I borrow it please? I was particularly tickled by the ‘delphi mind control Obama used on the voters’ story – that’s sub-psychotic. While one would have hoped that they would gracefully accept defeat – if for no other reason than to regroup their party and gain the respect of our now very diverse nation – they remain very apparently incapable of grasping the logic of a saner approach.

    • http://profile.yahoo.com/ZJ5BBSQIGTUMERPZFALES6HQNY Bill

      Of all of the idiotic and whining complaints about the election this is by far the most assinine and hilarious at the same time. I saw a polling place that had thousands of blacks waiting to vote, oh yeah that was Harlem. I like a musical group called the Sub-Dudes so why not a new group of morons – the Sub-Morons. They have raise their IQ a number points before they can be raised to Morons.

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_KIWHMI7F72WDWGDVPREEL7FPDI Richard Holmes

    If they were black they were committing voter fraud.

    • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_Y5Z57KWGSZEKDLYGZAG7AYJST4 whataguy100

      I once saw a white guy voting in a predominantly black neighborhood. Obviously he was committing voter fraud.

    • ralphkr

      No, Richard, it is only voter fraud if they vote for Democrats. You really must bear in mind the mere existence of a vote for a Democrat is proof that there is voter fraud whether the fraud is committed by Black, White, Green, or Purple people.

      • http://profile.yahoo.com/HFYZP2APYPP7H6PWS2ZDQRWFEQ Hillbilly

        Or space aliens.

  • http://www.facebook.com/luthere.corbett Luther E Corbett

    The Republican Party is Losing it’s mine big time, Mittens,Boner,Ryan can’t stop crying we don’t need the water in the North-East. Here we go again. Stop already, you lost big time,get over it,
    They are still walking around,in Confederate uniforms,having these balls like,they did in the 1800th century, get a life, for Christ sakes. move the freak on.

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_Y5Z57KWGSZEKDLYGZAG7AYJST4 whataguy100

    Something tells me that his Sunday basketball games with a “black guy” will be coming to an end.

    • http://www.facebook.com/william.armstrong.7737 William Armstrong

      Ya think? LOL.

  • atc333

    ” I know black people. I play basketball every Sunday with a black guy. He’s a great friend of mine. Nobody would ever accuse me of suggesting anything.” Wait! Think about this. Perhaps they made up the “Dozens of Black people” who voted in Main? So what was he really trying to say in his absurd “Romneyesqe” manner?

    • http://profile.yahoo.com/ECCL7BDPIAPI6OK4K3SHPZNCUY Nicky P

      Ha,ha…like binders full of women…

  • nobsartist

    Shocking. Black people actually live in Maine?

    • BDD1951

      And if they live in Maine, I should know them??

  • Mimi2kool

    The GOP must have nominated Romney because he was the one most likely to put his foot in his mouth. It seems to be a common and weirdly desirable trait to Republicans. Note to GOP: It is best to think before speaking…

    • imabrummie

      Are you not basing your thoughts on the notion that these idiots are actually capable of thinking?

      • Mimi2kool

        Yes, but I never said they could do it well.

    • http://www.facebook.com/brinn.hemmingson Brinn Hemmingson

      Think before speaking….do you believe it is possible? Then maybe they would have to admit that their party has come to stand for profits before people; profits before the environment; profits before women and youth and elderly and medical access….profits before truth and profits before peace. It is a BIG hurdle to overcome…and if they thought about it they might vote Democratic…

  • BDD1951

    I have never in my 78 years seen such sore losers. You lost an election. Drop it.

    • commserver

      It is hard to drop it when you think that you were going to win (bad economy, remember?). The reason must have been because you were robbed. There was a body at the scene.

      Maybe it is a case for Jessica Fletcher.

      • latebloomingrandma

        Yes—an old sleuth for an old party.

  • dellmartin

    Republicans must be so proud!

  • ARepublicanNorthlandGrad

    I do have a question that kind of relates. When I lived in the south, it seemed pretty equally divided. Why the over whelming vote for Romney? In fact the joke was that there were so many Yankees in Florida and Blacks in Georgia because the governors flipped a coin and Florida lost.

  • http://www.facebook.com/michael.ross.7505468 Michael Ross

    “Everybody has a right to vote, but nobody in town knows anyone who’s black,”

    “I know black people. I play basketball every Sunday with a black guy. He’s a great friend of mine.”

    Taking lessons from the Romney playbook, Mr. Webster?

  • http://profile.yahoo.com/ZEDCQ4URHFFCKH5THB4DT3G54M Brian

    Wow, these republicons are really sick. Maybe, thanks to obamacare, they can get some help.

  • http://www.facebook.com/debbie.kieselryan1 Debbie Kiesel-Ryan

    His last statement are the usual statement that come out of racists mouths!!!!! I’m OK I know black people, I ball basketball with them, I just don’t invite them to my house or go have a drink with them……..

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Ford-Truck/100003735221640 Ford Truck

    Sounds like Charlie Webster needs to got out of the house, pull his head out of his a$$ and look around a little. Maybe he would notice a few of the more than 18,000 Blacks that live in “his” little white state.

  • howa4x

    More lame excuses. Of course it’s not the republican message that voters rejected, it must be those blacks again

  • http://profile.yahoo.com/ECCL7BDPIAPI6OK4K3SHPZNCUY Nicky P

    Oh man…this guy is full of crap…that is why Republicans lose…a lot of Republicans still are amazed to see black people participating in the elections and are upset by it…, and if they have not seen them before it is strange…Why are these people holding office or are in positions of power? It is clear that they will not work for black people if they are part of their constituents…I hope this goes viral and that the people in his hometown see this and becomes a National embarrassment…this racism has to stop…this is not 1950′s but 1850′s…shame on him!!!

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_KOPKDFAUQPIIRAFI3HEXNMSHLQ Ed

    “Nobody in town knows anyone who is black”. Well, at least they haven’t noticed them that is.

  • foolsdance

    I’d bet he’s not your ‘great friend’ in his eyes anymore!

  • http://profile.yahoo.com/3S7SF3VBIUIX7PT2U5DV26BIOI well aware of situation

    This man is apparently an IDIOT

  • anabecoach

    This Charlie Webster “looks” Black, hah ! A product of the American Melting Pot. This Guy looks like the Black people I grew up with in my family. Weird HUH ?

  • alex504

    Unbelievable….2012 and this country is still full of bigots! Webster’s blatant racist remarks should land him on the unemployment line. This country has no time for ignorant people like this. So because you don’t see black people in your neighborhood, they don’t exist right? Just like you’re not a racist…you have a black friend that you play ball with on Sundays….how nice for you. Ass…

  • emadis41

    The Guy made a simple mistake, he apparently saw some black bears lining up to cast their votes for Obama.

  • bstockinger

    With smart phones everywhere, how come this idiot can’t back up any of his claims. Many smart phones come with both GPS and a camera, so it doesn’t seem like it would be too hard for him to document his claims if they were true. Republican politicians are getting dumber by the day.

  • 1AmericanHoney27

    Sounds to me like Webster belongs to the “Good ‘Ol Boy Club”….. Not as many in the Club as once was but those left open mouth n insert foot on a regular basis…. Oh he didn’t mean to sound racist n he has that one token black buddy just like all them GOB’s do but his actions n words Don’t go hand in hand… However, they are a dying breed just not dying fast enough…. In their defense we should ask God to forgive them for they’re too ignorant to know what they do…. or they’re to darn hateful to care. Shame on them…. Remember EVERYBODY has a judgement day…. Vengeance is mine sayeth the Lord….

  • Bluebaer22

    I think this man is saying because you do not see any blacks in the small rural towns that the blacks do not exist in the state! I also come from a small town in Illinois that had no blacks. We had a few hispanic families, but no blacks. The next town north had one black family. We went roller skating on Friday nights with their children and we were all friends. This father was an employee of the State. He probably did vote! Should that town have said that I do not recognize you so you cannot vote? This man is wrong! Many of the blacks in these small towns keep to themselves. The reason is usually because they fear the reaction of the whites. If you attempt to become friendly with these blacks in your community you will probable see there are more than you thought!

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_TJNSZD4HIXUCOAKXMQZCIUST34 JOEL K

    How many Black Russians do you know?
    The last time I was on the Pine Ridge Reservation I saw no Blacks as well.
    How many Indian reservations have you visited lately? You will find very few Blacks and Whites on the reservations. We do not know to many of either group.
    He should have said I saw people I did not recognize or know. Race is not relevant as to who is voting. However, being registered and a propewr ID is relevant.

  • http://profile.yahoo.com/PPHJQFXFPE564LFJPGF3SLP57M orangeman65

    First of aqll, The Republican Party knows good and well they could less about the African American Community! I don’t even know why they even had the freaking audacity to form their mouths and lie the way they are right now! Whenever a Republican politican campaigns to a major city that is known for its large population of African American citizens; they always seems to visit the suburbs! They NEVER come to the African American neighborhoods! How can they sit there and swear up and down they are for that community if they never come through there?! The bottom line is they are bitter because their candidate lost this election! Get over it and move on with your life?! End of discussion!

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Jim-Myers/100001512942781 Jim Myers

    AND THE EXTREMISTS ON THE RIGHT CONTINUE TO GIVE ME MORE BELLY LAUGHS THAN A BARREL OF MONKEYS!!

    Keep up the good work. I’m sure all your black “friends” appreciate it.

  • Norcalcheryll

    Prejudice pig

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_Z3Y5JBWFPPJAPEIUAHRIE6U57Q Ronnie L

    Is this the level of public service we receive from our politicians? Is this the level of awareness we are to expect from our GOP? How the hell did we get to this level of idiocy in the 21st century? It is really to ignorant for words.

    • northroader1775

      AM talk radio…and fox news…that’s how it happened…they grabbed onto the tea party thing and gave them a voice they didn’t deserve. Then the tea party got voted in by rampant racists and money grubbers. Now they have a BASE of pissed off red neck bible thumpers and old white guys who think if we just went back to the 50s everything would be cool…cuz in the 50s everything was cool for old middle class white guys…but think how going back to the 50s sounds to latinos, blacks, women, gays, think how that sounds to them….it’s not gonna happen we have to get out the vote in every election and get rid of this clown posse.

  • http://profile.yahoo.com/IV74DGLCXHMSRZYGZIDANUSTGI frank v

    He said he’s not bias toward blacks yet he wants to send out card to confirm if their legal voters . Well if you only send cards to black voters in your state then you are bias .

  • Ayaya Worenwu

    Romney is gone but 47% remains. Learnt Romney might be leaving for Cayman Island to live and run for president there? Is it true?

  • disqus_mFhqGDpJ15

    So he’s not a racist…. just an idiot.

  • http://profile.yahoo.com/VMMSUH74Z46AIUN3UPZUUHKLY4 Gilbert

    This is pitiful! It shows just how simple-minded republicans are. Republicans lost because the American people were not buying the crap they were selling, by a margin of 332-206!!!

  • http://profile.yahoo.com/HFYZP2APYPP7H6PWS2ZDQRWFEQ Hillbilly

    Sure seems racist to me. If all these people came out of no where how did they get to vote?They were on the voter rolls weren’t they? and had the proper id to vote.

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_OTGEIZKCXZKGUOGFIPRFB7NU6A Kennith

    Black people voting ? What is this country comming to.

  • commserver

    It is true that Maine has a small African American population. At least he didn’t say anything about the Hispanic voters, considering that they are even smaller in numbers.

  • RobertCHastings

    If it walks like a duck, and if it talks like a duck, and if it smells like a duck, there is a pretty good chance that it is a duck.

  • sparkyracer100

    Maybe your “black friend” brought his black friends and relatives to vote.