Spratt, Fowler have warped sense of humor
CONGRESSMAN, FORMER DNC CHAIR JOKE ABOUT HURRICANE HITTING DURING REPUBLICAN CONVENTION
The conservative blog RedState has posted the above video of former Democratic National Chairman Don Fowler and Congressman John Spratt laughing it up on an airplane ride to Charlotte following the Democratic National Convention in Denver this week.
What was so funny? The fact that Hurricane Gustav is likely to hit southeastern Louisiana (already forcing thousands to flee) as a category three or four storm at the same time Republicans hold their convention in Minnesota, prompting a possible delay.
“The hurricane is going to hit New Orleans about the time they start,” Fowler says while laughing. “The timing is, at least it appears now, it will be there Monday. That just demonstrates God is on our side.”
Fowler fumbles through some papers for a few seconds before smirking at Spratt and saying “everything’s cool.”
RedState noted that Fowler and Spratt also took a few distasteful shots at Republican presidential nominee John McCain new running mate, Gov. Sarah Palin of Alaska:
[T]hey made fun of [Palin] for several minutes, Fowler calling her “Dan Quayle” on steroids and Spratt creatively describing her as “just terrible.” They both agreed that, “Other than the simple fact that she’s a female,” she has nothing to offer.
To call these things classless is an understatement. It’s absolutely disgusting that the same folks who attacked President Bush for a slow response to Hurricane Katrina three years ago are now chiding the fact that a potentially devastating hurricane will once again be ripping through New Orleans.
Most folks would feel remorse for saying what Fowler and Spratt said. Especially if this storm stays on its projected course and causes significant damage. But that’s just “most folks.”
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UPDATE: SCGOP Chairman Katon Dawson has released the following statement: “The outrageous behavior of two of the Obama campaign’s highest profile supporters in the south is despicable, a cynical politicization of life and death. I call on Barack Obama to immediately denounce Fowler and Spratt and demand sincere apologies from these members of the Democratic leadership.”
It’s not that ridiculous or classless to say that god is punishing the United States for allowing the Republicans to have a big party. God doesn’t like republicans. What’s the problem?
All that shows is that Fowler is a slimey individual, and who did not know that.
C’mon Adam, don’t let your hypocrisy get too obvious; you routinely say more asinine and less witty things about people you don’t like.
Adam, you set your expectations too high when questioning the actions of pond scum.
cross posted at my own site with helpful links….
Conservatives are all in arms over remarks that Don Fowler made about the Hurricane Gustav being retribution from God against the Republican Party.
My suggestion — get over yourselves.
It is the pure hubris of the Republican Party to even consider taking umbrage over such remarks. For one the party has marketed itself as the Party of Patriotism and God Almighty and last I checked patriotism in this country is not owned by anyone and the Bible doesn’t list The Triune God’s Political affiliation - though Jesus acts like a hippie with all that love and forgiveness stuff.
After all it was only three years ago that Pastor John Hagee said that Katrina was God’s way of punishing New Orleans for welcoming the Gays. AND Yours was a party that only two weeks ago was asked by Focus on the Family to pray for “abundant rain, torrential rain … flood-advisory rain… I’m talking about umbrella-ain’t-gonna-help-you rain … swamp-the-intersections rain.”
I ask, where was your outrage then?
Folwer is a crusty old bastard who is trying as hard as possible to still be relevant in SC politics. His great influence sure did help Hillary earlier this year didn’t it?
Sounds like it’s payback for the Republicans who prayed for rain before Obama’s convention:
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/washington/2008/08/prayer-video-th.html
Having said that, tactless is tactless and knows no party. But your blog would have more credibility if your outrage was consistent.
Palmer,
What the hell happened to you? You’ve always been a credible, moderate, well-thought-out, objective writer.
But lately you’re downing the left-wing Kool-Aid faster than Michael Moore at a Barbara Streisand concert.
You honestly think “praying for rain” is the same as laughing about a deadly hurricane ravaging the Gulf Coast? I would expect that kind of nonsense from a lot of the liberal hacks in the SC blogosphere, but you’re better than this.
- A.F.
I believe South Carolina needs new democratic party management.
Which is worse:
1. That Fowler said it and Spratt laughed about it?
2. That they both meant it?
3. That they are so stupid that they said it in a public place and were taped?
Democrat or Republican I don’t care…not someone I want working for me.
Both presidential candidates from what I can see are compassionate and duty oriented people. I bet they don’t find this funny either.
Not only is there a difference between “rain” and a hurricane, there’s also a big difference between a sitting congressman and the former national chairman of a party, and two preachers that most people never hear of unless they say something stupid.
Back to the first point though, I’ve wished (though never prayed) for rain during a football game when my team was ahead, or when I wanted to get out of working in the yard. Not quite the same as rejoicing in hundreds of thousands of people having to flee their homes.
Republicans say Democrats have no sense of humor, but it sounds like they need to step back and think about their reaction to this video a little more. Katon Dawson is crazy for saying that Obama needs to distance himself from Don Fowler because of this, but what’s new? Fowler and Spratt were obviously JOKING about the hurricane thing. Do Republicans honestly think that they would not be saying the same about God being on their side if the hurricane was approaching before the Democratic National Convention was about to begin?
I dont see a light side to this actually. I’m wondering if it will be so funny for Spratt if Hana builds to a hurricane and smacks Charleston next week?
To back up and look at it like you say..they were just joking..and I certainly hope they were.. I find the lack of discretion more offensive then anything else then. They said it in a close quarters, public space. Traveling where family members of people down there may have overheard…well in this case the entire country overheard
This has nothing to do with left or right this has to do with crass and unthinking.
I’ve already cut a check for the Red Cross and my wife announced that we will be sending money to the Human society down there, who are now transporting all the “first reponders” pets to safety while they stay and endure what is about to happen.
Are these two gentleman going to step up to the plate?
Shame on you McLovin for trying to smear the most intellectual man in Washington via a half-minded comment Don Fowler made on a boring flight back from Denver. If you weren’t so busy going to a 3rd rate college, you probably would have taken a class under Dr. Fowler at WoCo or Carolina, and would realize that he makes quips like this on occasion, not meaning them, just desiring a good laugh.
John Spratt is the only Congressman from South Carolina who ‘gets it.’ While Jim Clyburn is going on Hardball making us look archaic, Joe Wilson is handing out keychains, Bob Inglis is proving himself a stick in the mud on the Colbert Report, Gresham Barrett is posing for a non-factor publication, and Henry Brown is selling his votes… John Spratt continues to fight in their absence for the people of South Carolina.
When Shaw and McIntyre were on the cutlist, Spratt saved the two bases. When the Catawbas were pissed, he smoothed things over. When a [edited] college (like the one you attended) needs a grant, he delivers. When I-73’s plans were being drawn, he made sure people in the areas needing growth the most would feel the new highway’s impact. John Spratt is a good man and a better statesman.
As far as I’m concerned, you’ve lost all credibility for publishing a post that smears such a decent man. If it wasn’t past midnight, I would continue to defend John Spratt, but some of us have to wake up tomorrow and NOT spend all day writing [edited] posts on a Busch league, irrevelant blog.
None of you get it. There is a God and he obviously does not like New Orleans.
Let me remind all of you, God is no respector of political parties, oh, that should be persons should it not. The hatred and evil that befalls America is taking us from a great country to a country of Reprobate Minds!
If the Dan Quayle on steroids statement wasn’t so sad and true, it might actually be funny.