(Memphis) Call it a political double down on racial remarks.
Mississippi Congressman Bennie Thompson’s comments on a new Nation of Islam webcast some call inflammatory.
Thompson recently phoned into the program saying alleged criticism and disrespect of President Obama is simply based on the color of his skin.
“I’ve been in Washington and seen three presidents now. I’ve never saw George Bush treated like this. I never saw Bill Clinton treated like this and with such disrespect,” Thompson said.
Many however point to numerous incidents where both of those presidents were called names, burned in effigy and made the butt of many jokes.
The Second District Democrat denigrated Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell and opponents of the Affordable Care Act or Obamacare in general as “racists.”
“Mitch McConnel had the audacity to tell the President of the United States, not just the chief executive, but the commander-in-chief, that I don’t care what you come up with we are going to be against. Now if that’s not a racist statement, I don’t know what is,” Thompson said.
Thompson’s comments don’t stop there.
He also took aim at Mississippi Governor Phil Bryant for turning down millions in dollars in Medicaid funds Thompson thinks would benefit the state..
“But he turned down resources that could help his citizens, who are documented with some of the worst health care conditions known to man, just because a black man created it,” Thompson said.
Governor Bryant is firing back.
In an email to WREG, the governor said quote, “we are working hard to overcome the devastating effects of the April tornadoes. It is disappointing to see a United States congressman make inflammatory remarks that only serve to divide people at a time when we should all be working together to recover.’
Joe Nosef is the state chairman of the Mississippi republican party, “I’m from the Delta, Clarksdale, his district. So, it was particularly disappointing to me.”
Nosef calls Thompson’s comments unfortunate.
“The issues being argued today really don’t have anything to do with race. What they have to do with is a disagreement with policy and politics. I don’t know what his motivations were, but I sure wish he hadn’t said it, ” Nosef said.
The Thompson criticism isn’t just limited to one race.
He also had harsh words for Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, a black conservative.
“There’s Uncle Tom Clarence Thomas. When I look at his decisions he`s been a part of, it’s almost to the point where he doesn’t like black people or doesn’t like being black because every decision where color has something to do with it, he went against it,” Thompson said.
While others call his words divisive and hurtful as America continues the ongoing debate over race and racism, Thompson is not backing down.
WREG did try contacting Congressman Thompson, but our calls were not returned.