"What is the background of Leshia Utsey, the city’s $101,000 director of public relations, and what does she do beyond issue news releases?" -- Kevin Fisher, on the hiring of a PR firm to handle the North Main project
With a bead of sweat rolling down the side of his face outside a Columbia bar, Republican S.C. Sen. Jake Knotts called Lexington Rep. Nikki Haley, an Indian-American Republican woman running for governor, a “raghead” several times while explaining how he believed she was hiding her true religion from voters.
“She’s a f#!king raghead,” Knotts said.
He later clarified his statement. He did not mean to use the F-word.
Knotts says he believed Haley has been set up by a network of Sikhs and was programmed to run for governor of South Carolina by outside influences in foreign countries. He claims she is hiding her religion and he wants the voters to know about it.
“We got a raghead in Washington; we don’t need one in South Carolina,” Knotts said more than once. “She’s a raghead that’s ashamed of her religion trying to hide it behind being Methodist for political reasons.”
President Obama’s father is from Africa. His mother is a white woman from Kansas.
On her website, Haley says, “Being a Christian is not about words, but about living for Christ every day.”
Knotts, a former boxer and cop from West Columbia, said he wasn’t worried about being called a racist for the remarks he made. He says he was elected to the Senate to represent his constituents which he says he does well. He says many of his supporters are black.
“This is Jakie Knotts trying to let the people know,” he said about his motivations for leveling the inflammatory charges against a minority Republican frontrunner for governor just days before the June 8 primary elections. He says he’s called her a raghead before.
Knotts is backing Republican Lt. Gov. Andre Bauer for governor.
Bauer this week fired one of his lead consultants, Columbia lobbyist Larry Marchant, for what he called “inappropriate conduct.” Marchant told the media shortly after that he’d had sex with Haley at a conference in Utah while they were both married. The claim comes after blogger Will Folks said he’d also had a relationship with Haley in early 2007.
Knotts showed up unexpectedly at the Flying Saucer bar in Columbia’s Vista for a live taping of the online political talk show Pub Politics, which is co-hosted by Senate Republican Caucus political director Wesley Donehue and his Democratic counterpart, Phil Bailey. Democratic S.C. Rep Boyd Brown of Fairfield County was a guest.
Knotts initially made the racial slur on the show.
Neither Donehue, Bailey nor Brown challenged Knotts on his remark during or after the broadcast.
“I was floored,” Donehue said after the cameras were off.
“Senator Knotts took it a step too far,” Bailey said afterward. “I don’t agree with it … [but] it’s not my job to question Jakie Knotts.”
After the broadcast, Knotts stood in a corner on the deck of the bar and defended his remarks.
“This isn’t the first time I’ve said it,” Knotts said. “I’m not on a crusade to downgrade her, but if someone asks me I’ll tell ‘em. And look here, someone wants to vote for her knowing the truth, vote for her.”
Knotts said that South Carolina is a religious community.
“We need a good Christian to be our governor,” he said. “She’s hiding her religion. She ought to be proud of it. I’m proud of my god.”
Knotts says he believes Haley’s father has been sending letters to India saying that Haley is the first Sikh running for high office in America. He says her father walks around Lexington wearing a turban.
“We’re at war over there,” Knotts said.
Asked to clarify, he said he did not mean the United States was at war with India, but was at war with “foreign countries.”
By around 7:30 p.m., comments about the slur had made their way around political circles through social media networking sites.
Donehue and Bailey both spoke with CNN and The State newspaper by 8 p.m., and a story was posted on CNN.
Asked if he was going to edit the video of Pub Politics, Donehue glanced at Knotts who immediately said he didn’t want the video edited.
Knotts later apologized for his comments, which showed up in the morning papers.
“My ‘raghead’ comments about Obama and Haley were intended in jest,” Knotts said in a statement. “Bear in mind that this is a freewheeling, anything-goes Internet radio show that is broadcast from a pub. It’s like local political version of Saturday Night Live."
How ignorant Americans are and how clueless some people are ?? Almost 100% of the men who wear turbans in this country are Sikhs- unlike the impression that you get from the media images of Osama and Taliban and terrorists. In fact Sikhs have made unprecedented sacrifices in opposing the kind of fundamentalism/intolerance and hate that we are fighting in Afghanistan and Middle East. Their religion is most accepting and respecting of all humankind.
My grand father was all praise for Sikhs and fought along with them in WWII who were part of the Allied and British forces. More than 85,000 of them died bravely in fighting fascism and Nazism and won large number of Victoria Crosses. Knotts is a shame and disgrace and SC will be much better place without these fat clowns.
Andy Smith
June 4th 11:42am
I love it. S Carolina - your state is the white trash neighbors on the porch fist fighting and screaming at each other while the children cry in the yard. We are all aghast, and its funny sometimes in the telling, but deep down we are horrified. Obama wakes up and thanks God each day for you all and Rand Paul.
John Wall's Ghost
June 4th 12:04pm
Thank God for free speech
Thank God for the truth
And thanks Senator Knotts but I this may set off the brainwashed masses
dan
June 4th 12:10pm
Every day, republicans and tea partiers(same people, really) show just how willing they are to use race as a fear, hate and divide tool during election campaigns. It's utterly disgusting. They've cut their teeth on Obama and fostered much racial & cultural resentment since the presidential election, and now they think they can do it with impunity much more aggressively, and they think they will profit from it. So no matter if it's right or wrong: if they think they will gain, they will spit on their nation's flag. That is how much respect they have for the vast majority of Americans and her values. Conservatives my behind - they're just nasty, hateful, cruel little bigots.
They actually think that the loudest, meanest, most racist people within the republican party(whom they represent perfectly) are a majority in America. They are a tiny minority who seem much larger in number due to their media machine(Fox, Limbaugh, Levin, Savage etc) and the volume and severity of their hate rhetoric.
Whilst this is good for the Democrats in the medium to long term, this is absolutely terrible for America.
But then, so many right wing political leaders don't appear to give a dam about America and trying to rebuild the fractured nation we have become post Cheney/Bush. They want to split us even more, because they think it will help then gain back political power.
Again: this is what they think of America and her population.
cinesimon
June 4th 12:10pm
What's kind of ironic is that Haley and Knotts represent the same area...
yarrr
June 4th 12:13pm
Oh South Carolina. Just when the country was forgetting how absolutely insane your politicians are, Mr Knotts goes and says this.
Ah well, enjoy the stigma of dumbest politicians in the world.
Mike Ross
June 4th 12:13pm
Hey Andy, you DO realize that in accusing Americans of being ignorant as a collective whole, you yourself have done exactly what this genius did.
Way to go.
The rest of your post? I completely agree with. It's the hate speech I have a problem with, much the same way I have a problem with Knotts' hate speech.
Craig Macaulay
June 4th 12:15pm
Good on you Andy.
I, too, find the right's willful ignorance and wild confusion of different cultures & religions and basic geography to be a perfect representation of their knowledge about what they are supposed to at least know the fundamentals of: their own country's values.
cinesimon
June 4th 12:16pm
Sen. Jake Knotts should be run out of office on a rail for calling Rep. Nikki Haley "a f#!king raghead.”
There's no apology he can make that will undo his vile slurs.
I don't even like Nikki Haley, but anybody who would support Sen. Jake Knotts after that deserves the evil government that makes a place for Sen. Jake Knotts.
Mia Kulper
June 4th 12:20pm
Can we all just admit that a big minority in the Republican Party is composed of racists? That the Republicans since Nixon's Southern Strategy has been based on an implicit appeal to the racial resentment of (mostly Southern) white men? That playing footsie with racism after the passage of the '65 Voting Rights Act was the founding moment in the modern Republican Party? 'Cause I can't go about pretending that what is empirically true isn't. And if this is embarrassing to to non-racists in the Republican Party, then it is incumbent on them to call out racism when it appears. I'm done giving the benefit of the doubt - let's see the moderates start reforming the party, or let them all be tarred with the same brush.
Padraig
June 4th 12:29pm
Mr Knotts ( I refuse to call him my Senator) is an embarassment to this State. It is redneck idiots like him that keep South Carolina at the bottom of the pile. and then a lame attempt to say this was all in jest please jake submit your resignation ..effective right now ..Please do yourself & the citizens of Lexington county & the state of SC
chip
June 4th 12:34pm
what an ignorant, small-minded, provincial man he is to make such comments.
His constituents should boot him out.
ash
June 4th 12:34pm
What an embarrassment to the state of South Carolina.
John
June 4th 12:36pm
Wow. Maybe he's just angry because he tried and failed to hook up with her?
Splendid One
June 4th 12:37pm
I agree 100% with Andy S. comments regarding the Sikhs, with one exception.
We really shouldn't insult fat clowns - what would we do for our humor without the fat clowns?
BTW, in today's America, does it really matter what your religion is if you run for public office?
OOOps, sorry - I forgot we're talking about South Carolina politics. Apparently, it does matter.
Slim Chandra-Shekar
June 4th 12:39pm
Sen. Jake Knotts should be run out of office on a rail for calling Rep. Nikki Haley "a f!king raghead.”
There's no apology he can make that will undo his vile slurs.
I don't even like Nikki Haley, but anybody who would support Sen. Jake Knotts after that deserves the evil government that makes a place for Sen. Jake Knotts.
Mia Kulper
June 4th 12:39pm
Sen. Knotts provides a good example of what is wrong with the Republican Party and typical incumbents. They are threatened by true conservatives such as Nikki Halley and Ron Paul. Hopefully his "constituents" will rectify the situation in his next election.
Lebek Johnson
June 4th 12:42pm
Yeah, those comments show how fundamentally ignorant Knotts is. Lumping together completely different ethnic and religious groups with a slur, lumping together different places a "over there."
I'm not commenting on his bigotry (which seems obvious) but just the stupidity.
JT10000
June 4th 12:45pm
Andy,
Not all Americans are ignorant. I think Knotts suffers from Rush Limbough Syndrome. He sounds exactly like Rush Limbough. Everybody on the right if afraid to criticize Rush. I know there are republicans who disagree with Rush, because some have disagreed with him. However, they always issue a retraction within 24 hours of criticizing Rush. Because nobody on the right is able to criticize Rush, some people become ignorant and believe everything Rush says. I have run into numerous people on the right who do not believe newspapers, TV news and news magazines. They only believe what Rush and similar pundits tell them. That is why there are so many ignorant people.
Dave
June 4th 12:47pm
Just another republican doing what republicans do best: denigrating and insulting. Really, the GOP is just a shell of what it once was. We are literally watching the Republican Party implode before our very eyes.
bonncaruso
June 4th 12:47pm
The South will rise again, eh?
Proud Yankee
June 4th 12:49pm
This guy is all sorts of awesome. He's just telling it like it is for a sizable minority of americans. These kinds of beliefs are a festering pustule in our society and sunlight is the best disinfectant.
Joel
June 4th 12:56pm
Once MIGHT be a joke, although still one with no place in modern society, let alone politics. SC is a racist, backward state filled with hateful racist people like him who screw their sisters.
Oh, did I say "racists who screw their sisters"? It was a joke. You know, freewheeliing and all.
A%%hole!
Mark Damico
June 4th 01:00pm
How can people possibly elect human sludge like Jake Knotts to office?
Bob Pritchard
June 4th 01:05pm
It is important that everyone understand that SIKHS ARE NOT MUSLIMS. These are two COMPLETELY DIFFERENT religions, despite the turban appearance.
Republican
June 4th 01:05pm
All of these people are in the same Republican party and it's exceptionally clear what that party is becoming. Is all of this necessary just to slash budgets and cut taxes for the wealthy while talent flees and schools fall apart? Wealth should promote some rudimentary level of refinement.
The Democratic party is messed up, but at least it's culture works actively in the direction of tolerance.
William Hamilton
June 4th 01:07pm
I'd just like to say that not all Americans are ignorant. However, it seems that somehow the most ignorant among us do end up on television quite a bit.
Zaerion
June 4th 01:12pm
This is a text-book definition of xenophobia. Knotts doesn't even know what he's afraid of. "We're at war over there"? And when asked "Are we at war with India" he just says "no", but with foreign countries. I think that speaks volumes about his level of intelligence. There is a HUGE difference between India (a long time ally) and Iraq, Afghanistan, Iran, North Korea, etc. But he's a racist xenophob so he just lumps the rest of the world into one category: not-from-here. As if nothing of value can come from anyone not born and raised in South Carolina. I think he had one too many punches to the head in his boxing days.
I honestly can't believe the crap Haley has had to deal with during this run-up to the primary. It almost proves the point that she is the one to vote for since everyone seems so afraid of her all they can do is fabricate a State wide smear campaign. Knotts should step down immediately - and I mean that. We don't need washed up drunken boxers in our legislature. You're a disgrace to your job, your family, and this State.
Matt Wilson
June 4th 01:22pm
What a fucking idiot
Scott
June 4th 01:25pm
Wow I'm sure he does represent his constituents well if they're all Klan Members. I understand that rank stupidity and racism may fly with some people, but I really don't think there is any room for this bigotry in 2010. Seriously, how stupid can you be? "We're at war with furriners!!!!" It's scary to think a guy this ignorant would be given any type of government authority. Even a 3rd grader knows the difference between a Sikh and some scary Arab boogeyman.
Rachell
June 4th 01:30pm
"Jakey" needs to retire. The big boys club needs to make way for a more tolerant group of leaders. His slanderous comments are a disgrace to our state and a perfect example of why the rest of America thinks South Carolina is a place for morons and racists!
kelly
June 4th 02:15pm
Why hasn't the GOP demanded his resignation? A trite apology just doesn't cut it. It isn't like it was a one slip up.
I hope the Ron Paul Libertarians/Republicans can step up and take over the GOP from the inept, corrupt RINOs or else the GOP will have gone the way of the Whigs in a couple of more decades.
libertarian
June 4th 02:54pm
What a douche bag!
QQFarmer
June 4th 03:20pm
iBailey: "it’s not my job to question Jakie Knotts.”/i
What a shining beacon of integrity.
kc
June 4th 03:39pm
BAUER SHOULD STEP UP AND SAY HE DOES NOT WANT THIS IDIOT'S SUPPORT. THIS GUY'S LEVEL OF INTELLIGENCE IS SO LOW IT DOES NOT EVEN SHOW ON THE SIGHT GAGE. ALL THE OTHER REPUBLICAN CANDIDATES SHOULD DENOUNCE THIS TYPE OF POLITICS.
SCOTT-E
E. SCOTT
June 4th 03:57pm
What a bigot!
AthenaNYC
June 4th 04:14pm
I love it that you libs are using the same hate speech you are supposedly against. Nice work. What hate speech you ask (because you are blind to your own)?
"Fucking idiot"
"How can people possibly elect human sludge like Jake Knotts to office?"
"Sen. Jake Knotts should be run out of office on a rail"
"I love it. S Carolina - your state is the white trash neighbors on the porch fist fighting and screaming at each other while the children cry in the yard....Obama wakes up and thanks God each day for you all and Rand Paul."
"Every day, republicans and tea partiers(same people, really) show just how willing they are to use race as a fear, hate and divide tool during election campaigns."
"Conservatives my behind - they're just nasty, hateful, cruel little bigots."
"They actually think that the loudest, meanest, most racist people within the republican party(whom they represent perfectly) are a majority in America."
AND THE BEST ONE OF ALL:
"Even a 3rd grader knows the difference between a Sikh and some scary Arab boogeyman."
Uhm....No...they dont even know what a Sikh is. They are still trying to color within the lines and write legibly. Its actually all of you who are the intolerant ones. If someone doesnt agree with you they are called racists, haters, bigots, what else....demigogs, brainwashed...ect...As I said, Nice work. We all see now who you really are.
Rock
June 4th 04:28pm
I should cease to be amazed by the stereotyping of all Republicans as a group of people consisting of only people who think and speak the way Jake Knotts does. However, you liberals never fail to amaze me. You paint all conservatives with the same brush. Jake Knotts is an embarrassment to me as a Republican. A majority of us have common sense and want to see the inept, racist. corrupt "good old boys" who have run the party too long thrown out of office. People are trying to reform the party from within, but of course those in power don't want to give it up.
Greg
June 4th 05:02pm
Wow. This crook just redefined stupid. But then again, the lady he was slandering is a republican so it's like one retard insulting another.
Rico
June 4th 05:03pm
RACISIM should not be tolerated in America. Why he is derogatory towards whole Sikhism. More than 30Million sikhs live around world and they are fifth largest religion. The sikh rights organization should file a case against this racist, who wants to divide and provoke hatred in country on the basis of skin color. Such politicians are black spot on the Americans and their culture.
Alan
June 4th 05:21pm
OMG! This can't be happening! This man is suppose to be a representative of "the people".
Does he realize that his constituents include voters of every race, creed, religion, etc.? The GOP is truly going the way of the dinosaurs. I am so happy that my daughters' group of friends look like the United Nations, and they all refer to me as "Mama B". I'm so happy that in the near future racists fools like Mr. Knotts will be in the minority. I know that racism will always exists, but it will become less and less of an issue in the "not-too-distant" future. It will take a lot longer than 40+ years to cure America of the dreadful, vile disease of racism and bigotry. We're looking at about 3 more generations before we can get truly excited about being a country of diversity; a true melting pot.
By the way, someone should tell Mr. Knotts that we're not at war with India; they're one of our allies.
G. Bell
June 4th 05:35pm
As someone who has studied Sikh history, here's a short discourse on Sikhism. In the late 1600s Indian society was suffering under the atrocities committed by the Muslim Mughal rulers. The muslims were forcefully coverting people to Islam and would kill or penalize people who resisted it. It was during this time that the 10th and last Guru of Sikhs, Guru Govind Singh extoled people to take up arms against the Muslims. The turbans were meant to be used as helmets in comat and as a symbol of pride. Make not mistake, the Sikh turban is a symbol of the reaction against muslim ravages.
Clearly history is not Knott's strong point. Neither is Geography. Goes to show that politician will say just about anything to get votes, not withstanding if its offensive or just plan non factual nonsense.
Morgan
June 4th 05:45pm
I think the Senator should watch this US Government Produced Video on Sikhs in the United States:
http://www.justice.gov/crs/video/ocg-video.htm
Singh
June 4th 05:48pm
What a strange combination of crazy and stupid.
Tommy V
June 4th 05:59pm
question is why is Nikki not talking about her Sikh background? people oughta know. Seems like she is a horny politician, but live a lie and hide your faith?
bucky
June 4th 06:37pm
Why not call the Senator directly and tell him what you think about his remarks?
Jake Knotts is my Senator... but don't expect me to say I voted for him because I didn't. In fact, I wouldn't stop to piss on the fat bastard if he ran past me on fire. Fatboy can't have a heart attack soon enough for me.
michaelp
June 4th 06:59pm
It's obvious that the problem isn't ragheads in power, it's rednecks.
Dave
June 4th 07:22pm
Wow, no way dude thats like totally insane!
Lou
www.Anonymous-VPN.de.tc
Jo Dean
June 4th 07:26pm
I'm a right winger and this guy is a d*bag that should be kicked out of the party.
You morons that group all right wingers together seem to forget who started the KKK and who was the party of Bull Connor and Robert Byrd. I certainly don't think all lefties are like that. Try some critical thinking for a change instead of being so partisan.
ryukyu
June 4th 07:31pm
Even stupidity has a boundary. This goes beyond that. I like to believe most folks in SC do not think or act like Knott. People become more conservative when they don't have much contact with the outside world. But that doesn't mean they need to shut their minds.
Knott's attitude and comments about people who are different from him is a sad story in a modern society. But the saddest thing is some people will still vote for him. This is indeed a free country.
YJ
June 4th 07:36pm
Republicans are always close to dropping their masks. The GOP is now the neo-Confederate party that dreams of seceding and overthrowing the Unites States federal government.
Jim Jo Bob Billy Bob
June 4th 07:56pm
I'm impressed that a few of you know about Sikh history!
I travelled to Miami with three Sikh friends of mine a few years back to celebrate our graduation. I, along with two of my friends, are cut hair Sikhs. The last covers his head with a turban variant that looks like a bandana because it's more fashionable these days. We are all from London, UK.
We were visiting a bar but the main white doormen didn't let my friend with the "bandana" through. I walked off thinking that there was no way we were getting in. One of my friends decided to take a chance and explain that he covered his head because of his religion. The doorman was upset they he caused offense and apologised profusely. He let us all right in without any further issue.
On the other hand, we entered the Big Pink and were met with the most evil death stares one can imagine. One burly tough guy in a tank top and sunglasses stared at us the whole time we were there, as if we were going to blow ourselves up or something. It was really bizarre.
It's a shame that only coasts are more accepting of us, I dread to think of the reactions we would get if we went to Texas.
Parminder Singh Gill
June 4th 08:07pm
ahahhahahahaha hilarious.
who is this guy
George
June 4th 08:08pm
WOW, Knotts' false apology rings hollow in light of these additional comments. Shameful.
Brian O'Connor
www.RedDogReport.com
@RedDogReport
Brian O'Connor
June 4th 08:22pm
i knew a girl named nikki, i guess you could say she was a sex fiend....
prince of minnesota
June 4th 08:45pm
Republicans have shown their true colors over and over again. What is quite funny is that the bigot doesn't know the difference between a muslim and a sikh.
I also find both jindal and haley contemptible for changing what God made them. They are hindu and sikh. they should be proud of it.
john smith
June 4th 08:47pm
Sounds like a MSNBC watcher.
jcush
June 4th 08:49pm
The idea that this "man" was a police officer is very frightening, and very telling of the caliber of people whom we employ as representatives of our communities to uphold the law and/or be looked up to by our children.
The idea that a person such as this would be in any position to wield any sort of power in the life of another citizen is a nightmare in and of itself.
Wearing turbans??? So what? Religious beliefs? Are these people truly still so unaware of the separation of church and state?
Get this huckster out of office, he's an embarrassment to the state and to our country. Even to Andy Smith, the ignoramus that slurs the people of the USA so blatantly.
Kriegar
June 4th 09:11pm
This is why nobody takes South Carolina seriously on the national spectrum of politics. I'm from North Carolina and I'm ashamed that my homestate even shares "Carolina" with SC.
What I find funny is that he claims SC politics need good "god fearing" politicians to represent the community, yet he's broadcasting from a bar, making cultural/racial slurs and using the word "fuck"? What church did he go to? Way to further blemish the Southern Baptist image Knotts, you dipshit!
David
June 4th 09:35pm
@mark, we dont all fuck our sisters. asshole
jake knotts has been the laughing stock of our senate for years, but is a prime example of the "career politician" that we as voters need to change. unfortunately, and as a resident of his county i can say this truthully, the vast majority of his constituency will continue to vote for him out of habit, or out of uneducated fear that he preys on with his senseless rants. after the sanford affair, i never thought id be more embarrased by the behavior of our government officials. as a moderate republican (yes we do still exist) i am ashamed of this newest seemingly controlling sect of the party.
canttellya
June 4th 09:40pm
Why do we blame politicians for speaking what they actually feel? Right or wrong, this guy brings what he thinks to the table in an honest and commendable way.
There is no doubt, he does have some hatred for particular races that tend to lean toward a religion that calls for either the conversion OR death of non-believers of particular religion.
adasm
June 4th 09:56pm
William Hamilton why do you think the democratic party is "messed" up?
Vernon Owens
June 4th 10:09pm
Knotts is a former boxer and cop yet after becoming a politician he has become a wealthy man. How does that happen? Where's his money coming from? Somebody ought to be investigating this particular Good Ol Boy or is he protected as a former law enforcement officer by the Bright Blue Line? Unfortunately, he reflects precisely the backward redneck racist attitude of most of his constituents. Mr. Knotts is one of the Good Ol Boys who blocked Haleys Bill to publicly record ALL votes on legislation. Wonder why???
Randy
June 4th 10:09pm
senator, YOU are a F**king C*nt and a F*cking Rag Head.. hell.. ur mother was a Co*ksucking raghead..
who are you to judge others?
Chris
June 4th 10:11pm
Sen. Jake Knotts is a prime example why you don't have sex with your cousins.
Ted
June 4th 10:50pm
Meltdown in SC.
Nothing like watching 300 pounds of white trash go up in flames...and then apologize for it.
W.T Sherman
June 4th 11:33pm
When he dies of fat-ass syndrome chances are he'll come back in a brown body somewhere in one of his "foreign countries" and when he reaches midlife will come to America and meet a white version of himself from his previous life and both will kill each other.
Jimmy L.
June 4th 11:34pm
He's probably pissed that Arizona and Texas are getting all the attention for being ignorant rednecks.
Fucking cracker.
Goober
June 5th 12:11am
RICO! That's the best comment ever:
Wow. This crook just redefined stupid. But then again, the lady he was slandering is a republican so it's like one retard insulting another.
Bugsy Malone
June 5th 12:24am
Before we condemn an entire state on the basis of one amazingly stupid, vile old racist, I suggest we wait and find out who they actually vote for. It's obvious they have a real sewage problem throughout their political establishment. If that's their Senator, they are long overdue for a change.
marianne7
June 5th 12:53am
South Carolina is a cesspool of dumb trashy people voting against their own interests just to openly wallow in their racism. This drag on the nation still wants to wave the rebel flag, elects the trashiest, most racist politicians on God's green earth, and is about a few billion dollars in federal monies away from being a third world state populated by fat, obnoxious white people living in an uneasy detente with black people.
Jason
June 5th 12:55am
"“Senator Knotts took it a step too far,” Bailey said afterward. “I don’t agree with it … [but] it’s not my job to question Jakie Knotts.”"
Yeah, it's your job to sit back and pretend it didn't happen or just tacitly accept his racist, ignorant comments. Is it any wonder that SC is one of our nation's most backward states?
Jason
June 5th 12:58am
I am from SC and he is just a disgrace to our state. Please know we aren't ALL like this!! I am a republican...perhaps more moderate, though...and he just makes us all look racist and ignorant.
His apology should have been a resignation. That would have been the best thing he could have done for himself and SC. And even if she is another religion what does that matter exactly? I don't care what my reps.' personal religious beliefs are - just what they're going to do for their people.
Also - off subject, but if Haley was a man no one would care about this alleged affair. Now they're trying to say she should take a polygraph test? Again - alot less likely if Haley was a man.
Ugh. Yet another disgrace for SC...we're batting 1000.
Stephanie
June 5th 01:24am
Dear Mr. Knotts,
Please die. Quickly.
Thank you,
The Republican Party
G
June 5th 04:16am
This isn't just a textbook definition of xenophobia. It's a textbook definition of what it means to be Republican.
MasterBlaster
June 5th 05:28am
Goodbye Mr. Knotts. The times they are a changing. I don't think Ms. Haley's going to make it, but I do think Mr. Sheheen will make a fine governor.
Roy
June 5th 08:37am
Knotts is related to Don or not? At least Don had an honest job, whereas being a State Senator in S. Carolina appears not to require much above the neck, although in the neck department, Jake weighs in with at least three chins.
Wonder what he was slamming down in that bar before he came outside and made a national fool of himself? I do.
daveinboca
June 5th 08:43am
Matt Wilson, boy did you hit the nail on the head!
And your take on all the negative press towards Haley is interesting and gave me pause. Am I impressed with her? Not particularly. But I have not seen her exhibit any viewpoints or public conduct (the last time I checked, sexual relationships fall in the private domain) that would seem to warrant mudslinging of such intensity! I'm all too familiar with SC racism and religious xenophobia/ignorance, but am also beginning to wonder if some serious sexism is at work! Is that the crux of all this- the good ol' boys' club is horrified by the idea of a woman at the helm?
JulieTeacher
June 5th 08:50am
South Carilina has been stained badly by the vicious, vile attacks on Nikki Haley. The stain will become worse if she does not win a majority vote in the primary.
Why doesn't Mike Huckabee withdraw his support of Bauer?
4 honor
June 5th 09:02am
My grandmother and mother were both born in Charleston, SC and the family left there in 1925 due to the KKK burning a cross on my White Catholic family's lawn. I guess not much has changed in 85 years. Jake Knotts strengthens the stereotype of Southern White Racists. Wow, I just realized that he looks a bit like Rush Limbaugh!
Frank
June 5th 10:06am
Look! I am a republican and a tea party perso. I am not a racist. Just because there are stupid peop[le in the repblican party doesn't mean that all republicans are stupid. Most conservatives are in the republican party because republicans were noted for being strong against murder like abortion and corruption and racism. President Abraham Lincoln fought to end slavery the hard way. He had to allow a Civil War because of people like this man. Remember democrat Governor Wallace?He was just like this man.
I am not officially a republican because The republcans are changing into liberals and not standing up for what is right anymore. However I do vote republican if the person stands up against abortion and corruption of our and espelcially if I believe that they with every bone in their body and passion defend and protect our law, The Constitution Of The United States Of America and The Bill Of Rights and The Declaration Of Independence. Incidently, Roe vs Wade is unconstitutional because it makes murder the law of the land. The people who corrupted Our Constitution turned our country into a country that all of our Presidents From George Washinton until now except for President carter and President Clinton and President Obama would be ashomed of. They would be crying out against this horrible destruction of America and it's values that honor God and all human beings. I judge each candidate by their their love for God and The Sanctity Of Llife and Justice. These values are not based on the color of one s skin but on the moral backbone and love for "Life, Liberty And The Pursuit Of Happiness." Remember Reverend Martin Luther King Jr. when he said: "There will come a day when a man will not be judged by the color of their skin, but for their character. " I won't vote for anyone who does not worship God, The God who gave His Only Son so that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting Life. John 3:16
Patricia Spillman
June 5th 10:18am
We who live in other states are often desperate to find state legislators with even less intellect and lower moral values than our own. On behalf of all of us, thank you Jake.
Rob
June 5th 10:29am
Ms Spillman may not be a racist, but her words sure confirm she is stupid!
tman
June 5th 12:08pm
Nice, Morgan. But weren't the Moguls, Under Akbar the Great, known for religious tolerance?
I have the highest regard for the Sikhs I know.
scott
June 5th 01:39pm
Although Jakie is a bit flakey, at least he's honest when it comes to revealing his racism in the same in-your-face way he reveals his grotesque obesity.
We need to consider who is truly worse, a revolting character like Knotts who publically admits what he is, or a charming closet racist, who publically denounces racism while privately doing everything possible to deny minorities the opportunity to live the American Dream.
PetranoEsq
June 5th 02:15pm
This is a bold move for South Carolina in its competition with Arizona to be our national toilet.
alex
June 5th 03:36pm
Reason number 4353 I'm not a Republican anymore.
George
June 5th 04:06pm
There are many bigoted politicians from both parties in SC. Knotts is an excellent example. There are a lot of good ol'boy rednecks in the state. Most don't vote anyway. But there are also many, many forward thinking, educated citizens who see whats going on here. We don't really care if there is a D, R or whatever after the incumbents name. They rarely listen to their constituents wants on matters of importance. We can't wait for the next elections or the terms of most of the "elected folks" to end. The feeling on the streets is..if there is "incumbent" after the name or the person running is a lawyer or a farmer (gov't subsidies)..vote for the businessman or the teacher. Businessmen know the struggles of trying to earn a dollar, taxes, fees, regulations, etc. Teachers see the gov't interference in educational restrictions, silly programs, horrible school breakfasts & lunches, lack of ability to discipline students and parents. We need new blood that is touch with reality in all of the local, state and fed. gov'ts. Before it's too late..please pay attention to who and what you vote for. Most of all..go vote! It's time to end the good ol' boy syndrome and current ideologies that are destroying the fabric of this country. Today is why the founding fathers wrote the constitution, the B of R's yesterday so we will have and cherish a tomorrow. A government of, by and for the people.
Jasha
June 5th 05:12pm
Well, here's some more color for this story. I found this on a local Columbia blog:
"I ordered another beer and watched as Corey cornered Jake furiously typing on the qwerty keypad on his phone, while Wes Donehue was trying - unsuccessfully - to dissuade the Senator from speaking with the local reporter. I imagine the Free Times will have something up soon with the treasure trove of quotes that Hutchins received from the free wheeling Senator."
TCFUB
June 5th 05:50pm
Seeing how the all the Republicans are determined to make a mockery out of our state and even bigger asses out of themselves, I'm voting for the democratic party and then moving to a DIFFERENT state.
Marie
June 5th 07:18pm
John Wall's Ghost: I can't understand why anyone would be thankful for such abhorrent behavior.
It sickens me, and I am a South Carolinian.
When you paint us with such broad strokes, Mr. Ghost, you are no better than Jakie Knotts.
Do you think we are all the sum of imaginary geographic lines?
If so, you should move to Mr. Knotts' district.
Shame on you.
scott
June 5th 07:21pm
"Raghead", huh, Jake? Here's a little history lesson for you and everyone in the lowest levels of stupidity & obviously of little education. Different Native American tribes in the Eastern US (i.e. Cherokee) used to wear turbans. Jake probably believes the Columbus discovered America...even though people had been living here for thousands of years...Then, explain how someone can discover a place where people already live...Jake is also probably one of those people who thinks the world is only 2000 years old. Sounds more and more like Jake was "educated" in the SC public school system. Way to show the world how complete ridiculous you & those you represent truly are, Jake! Bravo! (big round of applause)
Highly Educated NDN
June 5th 07:37pm
lol and the republican party wounders why my african american race and others don't vote for them...
this just shows...knox is a good ole boy and u know he got paid for saying this low down remarks allegedly...as a south carolina native it is sad we have this kind of low down trash in office allegedly...i hope lexington wakes up and get low down people like this out of office...it looks like it will take us 20 somethingS to keep this state from standing still and start to advance...
get these good ole boys and girls out of office SOUTH CAROLINA!!!!!!!! LETS DO IT !!!!!!!! WE CAN DO IT!!!!!! VOTE!!!!!!
Charlie
June 5th 09:34pm
Ms. Spillman says "I judge each candidate by their their love for God"...by which I assume you mean *your* God, and not any of the others. But even aside from that, as a Tea Party member and a supporter of the Constitution, surely you must know Article VI, section 3 of it: "The Senators and Representatives before mentioned, and the Members of the several State Legislatures, and all executive and judicial Officers, both of the United States and of the several States, shall be bound by Oath or Affirmation, to support this Constitution; but no religious test shall ever be required as a qualification to any office or public trust under the United States." Ms. Spillman goes on to say that she judges each candidate by their love for God (again, presumably her own God), and she's entitled to do so...but that obviously goes against the clear intent of the founders in the Constitution they wrote (which, I'd like to point out, never once mentions God, Jesus, or even a Creator).
John Gruver
June 5th 09:58pm
Damn! You made my native state Arizona, look good!
Senorita Bonita
June 6th 03:01am
Way to go Jake,
once more you open your big fat mouth and inserted your big fat foot.
WE NEED CHANGE SOUTH CAROLINA !!!!!!!
The only way to receive said change is to go vote.
I VOTE FOR CHANGE IN THE NEXT ELECTION...........ANYONE WITH ME?????
John
June 6th 07:13am
There's really not much difference between the taliban and mullah jake, is there. I
pprairie
June 6th 08:21am
NON-FACTUAL NONSENSE? I BELIEVE THAT'S THE SAME STUFF WE HEAR COMING FROM THE WHITE HOUSE THESE DAYS.
SCOTT-E
June 6th 08:51am
Morgan
Akbar was tolerant but not his successors. His great grandson made all non muslims pay a tax and he was fanatical compared to Akbar. Muslim rule in India was not benevolent in most instances. Even after trying to coercion the muslim rulers were never able to convert the entire population under their rule
rhmayo
June 6th 09:50am
I'd say from the looks and sound of it Knotts is one fat ass cracker that's been punched in the head too many times. Too bad there are people (if you can call them such) that agree with his lowlife sentiments.
planesdrifter
June 7th 12:21am
The amazing thing is that he seems to have no problem getting away with using such harsh language in his SC distrct. This definitely lends credence to the argument that many right wingers are racist, especially when it comes to SC.
http://therationalreport.blogspot.com/
Ron
June 7th 08:56am
Hey dont matter if nikki is a indian by race she is christian now and well once you convert to christianity from some other religion its because u dont respect the religion u came from enough to stay in it. So why should right wingers hate her. She just dumped her supposedly 'terrorist foreign religion' for yours. And still they cant accept her. Just goes to to show there is the class system among christians as well: top in the chain whites then the rest with indians right at the bottom.
Anand
June 8th 03:54am
Known Jakie for over 40 years. I live in Lexington County, and was born and raised in SC
If he ran for Governor, he would win!
The Republicans who don't like Jakie are NOT from Lexington County or SC.
I have some great Republican friends who live in Lexington County, but they all are from outer state.
A couple of them are Catholic. People in Lexington keep asking them to become Christians.
They think Jakie in an idiot, can't understand how he was elected. They just don't know the most fo the people in Lexington County.
Rich39
June 8th 06:13am
Go back and read what Rock wrote. The Left is so incredibly... tragically... hypocritical.
David
June 8th 08:05am
I don't want a sikh in office personally. I don't want anyone religious, though. I'm tired of politics being about Jesus this Mohammad that Krishna that Abraham this...just because you're religious doesn't mean you'll be a good cop or politician. Where's the beef? Rub myself with tartar sauce. Talk to dogs in French and ride on the back of a cobra to tell the people that master P rules.
Auntie White
June 8th 08:43am
The fact that he tried to downplay his comments by comparing the show to Sat. Night Live is just pathetic and says a lot about what he considers standard, acceptable language.
His "We're at war over there!" thing is just ridiculous. I cannot believe these people are our decision-makers. What a bunch of narrow minded fools our state's most outspoken right-wingers are- not able to see how much this state does not need people saying these things right now. Joe Wilson, Mark Sanford, Andre Bauer, Gresham Barret for his idiotic commercials.. the list goes on.
And, John Wall's Ghost, way to exhibit just the same ignorance/bigotry Jake Knotts does in your stereotyping of S. Carolina.
Chris
June 8th 11:03am
I love the irony of the vast majority of posters here.
Calling someone racist because he uses a slur and sterotypes by using all sorts of vile names that denigrate and sterotype. This man has been called everything in the book all because you all seem to have a need to profess your hatred of "racism". I would venture to guess that most of you could not define racism in the first place. He is wrong in his ideas about Sikh's and clearly prejudicial but he has not demonstrated any racist behavior.
JB
June 8th 11:25am
JESUS WORE TURBAN.. so was he "RAGHEAD"
The made up of images that we see of Jesus in the contemporary drawings is not the reality. Jews used to wear turban which is custom of Middle East and in fact in certain cultures was a mark of Royalty.
What ever little I have read of Sikhism, it is a monotheistic religion believing in ONE God who is for entire humanity. You can call him by different names or worship him by different religious traditions. In fact Sikh religion does not convert people and believes all truthful ways lead to one formless God. Sikhs as per their religious ethics are supposed to protect every one's right to freedom of religion. Therefore it is the ignorance of men like Sen Knotthead that is despicable when without knowing anything he farted from his big mouth.
Gary
June 8th 11:53am
You're not a Good Ole Boy running for the GOP in South frickin' Carolina of all places. What did you expect, Jakie Knotts holding hands and singin' Kumbaya? This is the GOP. See it. If you ain't what they like, the jackboots come out of the closet.
Seeit
June 8th 08:27pm
We are still supposed to have freedom of speech. It is not okay to speak what you feel but yet it is ok to have an adulterous as Governor. What about Nicki Haley's alleged affairs? Someone that will not turn over their phone records, texts, and emails has something to hide. Evidently the Republican Party wants more of Sanford. I am a Republican but I will be voting Democrat for Governor this year. I am sick and tired of the Republican party being do gooders and hypocrits and having different set of standards for different people. Its not okay to have freedom of speech but it is okay to run around on your wife or husband and then still call yourself a Christian. Now who is really low class????
Ann
June 9th 02:13am
Jake Knotts doesn't have to worry about his re election. His represents Lexington County people. Born and raised there before I escaped. I know what people in that county are like. White trash trailer rednecks. Always have been always will be. Haley is just as trashy as the rest of them too. If you don't think there isn't proof out there just wait. People don't make accusations like that without it. Think I'm wrong- ask Clinton how he feels about some people's dry cleaning habits.
movedfromlexington
June 9th 04:07am
Favorite part:
“We’re at war over there,” Knotts said.
Asked to clarify, he said he did not mean the United States was at war with India, but was at war with “foreign countries."
Hard to argue with that logic.
JC
June 9th 09:05am
My neurological surgeon is a Sikh with a big black beard and big blue turban. I'd trust him to operate on my brain before I'd trust Knotts to make state law. They used to call Rush Limbaugh a big fat idiot. Knotts should inherit that honor.
Curmudgeon
June 9th 04:25pm
I am amazed that all the tolerant people who rightfully criticize Senator Knotts begin with "fat" (bastard, redneck etc...). Does that kind of comment show your open mindedness and tolerance?
David
June 9th 06:32pm
God, I fear for my country. Ideological differences aside, Knott's attitude and behavior are pathetic, just pathetic.
And with the growing influence of the Tea Party movement, that kind of sad, xenophobic behavior is just gaining in legitimacy. These people don't represent true conservative values. They represent hateful, backwards thinking.
The direction this country is taking really frightens me. This is not the 21st century America I know and love. It's like we've gone back in time, and not to a particularly good time either.
Jackie B.
June 9th 08:34pm
It's hilarious!
First, this imbecile Knotts is politically toast. His career is over. And not merely because of that racial slur, either.
His career is also over because of the abject stupidity his CHOICE of slur demonstrates. He got the WRONG part of the continent and the WRONG religion. Sikhs from Punjab would barely fall into the 'raghead' category under even the MOST expansive definition of the term. Then there's "we're at war over there" -- FURTHER displaying his lack of knowledge about Asia.
Finally, equally hilarious is Carol Fowler's remark. If "there's no room for hate speech" is the best pitch she and her party's 2012 candidate against Mr. Knotts can offer, then all he'll have to do is survive the Republican Primary and he'll be easily re-elected. (Ms. Fowler, try THIS instead: "If Mr. Knotts can't tell the difference between a Sikh and a Muslim, then he's not smart enough to be an elected public official.") You and your nominee will have a MUCH better chance with that line of argument.
R Anthony Botti
June 9th 10:07pm
Is you is or is you ain't his constituents!
susie
June 10th 10:44pm
Aw, John Wall's Ghost, quit picking on SC. Every state has a few idiots in office. Heck, look at our last couple of Presidents. I'm sure you voted for at least one of them.
susie
June 10th 11:06pm
We from South Carolina apologize for ourselves. We are not all like this.
Dr Nan Saye
June 11th 12:49am
If the leaders and people of Lexington County don't have the backbone to run Knotts out of office, then it's up to the rest of us to make sure those that support him feel the economic "pain" of a boycott. Find out who his contributors were and make it known. You don't get my business anymore.
Anyone want to get together a rally at The State House demanding his immediate resignation OR better yet, REMOVAL?. We get 20 to 30 thousand people there and it'll send a message to the entire General Ass-sembly, "Business as Usual ain't USUAL" anymore. All of the incumbents need to GO! Not to mention, an overwhelming outcry by the populace for his ouster would go a long way in changing the attitude most of the rest of the world holds about South Carolina and it's citizenry.
I'm up for it.
Paul Lusk
June 11th 04:59am
Anyone who wants Knotts to resign better kick yourself in the butt. When America is letting a foreign born American sit in the White House. Obama was born in kenya. his father is Kenyan and Obama went to school in kenya. If anybody should resign it is Obama and not Sen. Knotts.
America wake up READ the FREAKING CONSTITUTION, you have to be an American born in the United States to be President, and your parents have to be Americans, Obama 's dad is a tribal Leader in Kenya. America learn the real TRUTH!!!!!!
Dennis DeM
June 12th 05:45am
actually dennis, what you just said makes zero sense. yes, obama's father was kenyan. no, your parents do not have to be american citizens or born in the states for you to become president. obama was born in hawaii, so regardless of where you think he lived later, it is legal for him to be president as long as he spent a certain amount of years in the US.
i am pretty sure presidential candidates get checked out for their eligibility as candidates according to the constitution. i'm not saying you have to like obama, just recognize that he is a legitimate president.
get your facts straight people, and THEN complain. knotts should probably try to learn some facts as well.
room with a view
June 13th 12:08pm
This guy doesn't know falafel from papadum.
I guess that makes him a Knott-zi.
Good thing his religion is teaching him how to respect his fellow Republicans.
Jesus was a raghead.
James Chionsini
June 14th 01:09am
That pig ought to be barbecued. At the very least, his racist, stupid ass should be thrown out of office. What an ignorant, evil piece of dung.
Tom
June 15th 06:26pm
Might I remind you that this was the first state to secede from the union meaning my State South Carolina is one of the most racist states in the US. Every Republican state representative we have are all racists some choose to higher colored folk to boost ratings or they might be like J. Edgar Hoover and use them as a servant. This country will never change until the Senate and the House in minority filled. The House is 10% colored and 1% in the senate. LOL. What a joke.
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