Mitt Romney has drawn the ire of the Sons of Confederate Veterans for his “That’s not a flag that I recognize” rant at Wednesday’s CNN/YouTube GOP debate.
“This will kick off a concerted effort by the SCV to let scalawags and carpetbaggers know that the road to the White House hits a dead end when they smear the good name of our Southern ancestors,” Don Gordon, an official with the state division of the organization, said in a statement.
Romney’s South Carolina spokesman did not immediately return a message seeking comment.
The flag, long seen as a symbol of racism by some and as an emblem of Southern pride by others, once flew atop the Capitol in this early voting state. A 2000 compromise removed it from the dome, though it remains on the Statehouse grounds and flies next to a Confederate soldier memorial beside one of the busiest streets in the city. [AP]
In most states, Romney’s comments wouldn’t be a problem. In South Carolina however, this could be the kiss of death for a candidate relying on conservative voters.
And don’t be surprised to see a few more groups make statements along the same lines as the SCV in the days to come.
Sphere: Related ContentThis entry was posted on Friday, November 30th, 2007 at 5:32 pm and is filed under Primary Season, Republicans. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
One would think Mr. Romney’s candidacy was strong enough that he wouldn’t have to smear one group to court the favor of another. He won’t get the black vote, now he won’t get the good-old-boy vote. And as someone with ancestors who fought in Southern armies, he sure won’t get mine.
Many of my ancestors fought in the Southern armies. One was an officer in Stuart’s cavalry, gravely wounded at Chancellorsville.
As we all know…after the war, angry people brandished the flag while killing innocent civilians. Because of this, the memory of the rebel flag will be forever tainted in the minds of many Americans.
This doesn’t, however, take away from the honor of those who gave their lives to the Southern cause.
An understanding of the flag’s history allows us to be empathetic towards those whose sentiments are contrary to our own. Undeniably, the flag is a divisive symbol, but that doesn’t mean it should be hidden.
Romney, who was born and raised above the Mason-Dixon line, shouldn’t be chastised for his views. He’s not running for president of the C.S.A. He’s running for President of the United States of America.
And, because he’s the only candidate who holds an unapologetic stand on conservative issues (social and fiscal), he’ll be getting this Southerner’s vote on January 19!
As we all know…after the war, angry people brandished the flag while killing innocent civilians. Because of this, the memory of the rebel flag will be forever tainted in the minds of many Americans.Greer, you don’t know your history. I know of no case (outside of Hollywood) where “angry people brandished the (Confederate) flag while killing innocent civilians”. I can recount hundreds of times when Yankees brandished the United States flag, while killing innocent civilians. Brian Cisco’s book, Union War Crimes against Southern Civilians (Penguin Books, 2007) recounts them.If you are going to talk about history, learn it.