Tommy Thompson: Done Before He Started
By Justin Gardner | Related entries in 2008 Election, Race, Religion
Not that he really had a chance anyway, but this seals the deal…
WASHINGTON - Former Wisconsin governor and Republican presidential hopeful Tommy Thompson told Jewish activists Monday that making money is “part of the Jewish tradition,” and something that he applauded.Speaking to an audience at the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism in Washington D.C., Thompson said that, “I’m in the private sector and for the first time in my life I’m earning money. You know that’s sort of part of the Jewish tradition and I do not find anything wrong with that.”
Thompson later apologized for the comments that had caused a stir in the audience, saying that he had meant it as a compliment, and had only wanted to highlight the “accomplishments” of the Jewish religion.
Yeah, and it’s in the African American tradition to be good at sports.
What? Was? He? Thinking?
This entry was posted on Tuesday, April 17th, 2007 and is filed under 2008 Election, Race, Religion. 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.
April 17th, 2007 at 11:16 am
After some recent genealogical research, I learned that 1/4 of my relatives were Jewish. I thought I had finally figured out why I had such a love of making money. But now that a non-Jew has said something like this, I’m highly offended!
Actually, I could care less. We all need to stop being offended on behalf of one another. I’m proud to be part jewish, and I snickered at his comment.
April 17th, 2007 at 2:11 pm
Next thing you know the racist son of bitch will declare that Jews are smart!! We have to put an end to this kind of thinking.
But seriously, as a black, Jew, handicapped lesbian myself…I truly do find this kind of stereotyping disgraceful. Everyone knows that its the Puerticans that control banking and Hollywood.
April 17th, 2007 at 3:01 pm
There was a time in our society when that statement would be made as a compliment. Aren’t we getting a little sensitive?
April 17th, 2007 at 3:16 pm
First off, Jews aren’t going to forget how the “money” meme was used against them during WWII.
So then, if somebody compliments a different culture or race as having specific traits, and those traits have been thrown at them as a bad thing or even as a backhanded compliment in the past, people are going to get offended.
Moreoever, people want a leader that will unite them and treat people equally, not clumsily point out certain historically sensitive “traits” being a good thing. “No, no, but I meant that you’re probably better at basketball than I am.”
I mean, come on people. None of us are stupid here. You all know exactly why Jews would have a problem with this.
April 17th, 2007 at 4:17 pm
If Governor Thompson had a more contemptuous tone when he made that remark, perhaps he could get the support of Al Sharpton’s National Actin Network, or he could sign up for a Kos Diary.
April 18th, 2007 at 11:07 am
In honor of the late KV, I officially nominate Justin as the United States Handicapper General and Sensitivity Tsar. I would kiss your ring, but I might pass out from the whiff of irony.
April 18th, 2007 at 8:12 pm
I think this was basically outing of an ingrained bigotry of Tommy Thompson’s. That’s not to say that everyone doesn’t have them (we all do), but also that’s not to say Jews don’t have a right to be offended. It’s not so easily black and white but you know, politicians choose to play the field by making it their career and you gotta pay to play. He clearly lost this match.
April 27th, 2007 at 9:26 pm
Personally? I wasn’t there, but I think that maybe Tommy G. was trying to make a harmless joke to what he thought would be a relaxed audience. Needless to say, it flopped… I would compare it to John Kerry’s blunder about the military earlier this year. Tommy forgot one thing: He’s not Jewish, and therefore he cedes all right to such jokes. Chris Rock can throw the “N” word around like there’s no tomorrow. What would happen if Nancy Pelosi did it?