Calling Congressman Emanuel Cleaver II the "n-word" and spitting on him isn't the way to winning his vote. Go figure. Cleaver wouldn't be bullied and voted for health-care reform, which passed the House 219-212 last night, sending the bill to President Obama to sign into law.
Earlier this weekend. tea party protesters chanted "Kill the bill, nigger" at Cleaver and members of the Congressional Black Caucus who attended a speech on health care by the president on Saturday.
"It was a chorus," Cleaver told McClatchy Newspapers. "In a way, I
feel sorry for those people who are doing this
nasty stuff -- they're being whipped up. ... I decided I wouldn't be angry
with any of them."
The Washington
Post reported that Cleaver was spit on while walking to the
Capitol to vote, which led Capitol Police to escort him inside the
building "out of concern for his safety." The spitter was arrested, but
Cleaver declined
to press charges.
"This is not the first time the congressman has been calledthe "n" word and certainly not the worst assault he has endured in his
years fighting for equal rights for all Americans," said Danny Rotert,
Cleaver's spokesman. "That being said, he is disappointed that in the
21st century our national discourse has devolved to the point of
name-calling and spitting."
The ugliness wasn't just racist. It was homophobic. Congressman Barney
Frank was also reportedly called
a "faggot"
Republicans and Tea Partiers are disowning
the spitters, racists and homophobes. Although there are deniers who
claim this was all orchestrated by Democrats or a fabrication by
Cleaver. By the way, Congressmen John Lewis, Andre Carson and
House Majority
Whip James Clyburn all confirmed the story.
Here's how Missouri and Kansas lawmakers voted (via the New
York Times).
A "yes" vote for health-care reform
Russ Carnahan
William
Lacy Clay
Emanuel Cleaver II
Dennis Moore
A "no" vote
against health-care reform
Todd Akin
Roy Blunt
Jo Ann Emerson
Sam Graves
Blaine
Luetkmeyer
Ike Skelton
Lynn Jenkins
Jerry Moran
Todd
Tiahrt
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