The Other McCain

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Obama-Endorsed Rep. Hank Johnson to Participate in Segregated Forum? UPDATE: Johnson Will Not Attend

Posted on | June 2, 2010 | 23 Comments

UPDATE 3 p.m. ET: Da Tech Guy reports that Rep. Hank Johnson’s office says the congressman will not attend tonight’s “Newsmakers Live” forum due to a scheduling conflict.

PREVIOUSLY (11:55 a.m. ET): When Dan Riehl told me about this I couldn’t believe it, but it’s apparently true: Georgia Republican congressional candidate Liz Carter was told by organizers of a “Newsmakers Live” 4th District candidate forum tonight that the event is for black candidates only:

Just informed “Black Candidates” Only Tonight” So because I’m white I’m not invited to participate even though it is a Democrat and Republican debate?

While the organizers have invited Democratic incumbent Rep. Hank Johnson and his two Democratic primary challengers, as well as black Republican candidate Cory Ruth, they have reportedly excluded not only Liz Carter but also two other Republican primary candidates, one white and one Hispanic.

It’s a private event and the organizers are free to invite whoever they want but it’s hard to believe that Hank Johnson — who has been endorsed by Barack Obama — would participate in a segregated event.

Liz Carter is asking her supporters to call the event sponsor, WAOK 1380 AM, at 404-892-2703 and ask why she has been left out of this event.

UPDATE: Da Tech Guy is on da story:

I tried to call the radio station the mail box of the news department is jammed. I reached another person and was told that the station had nothing to do with the event although there were aware of it. It turns out the event is being organized by something called the Newsmakers’ Journal.

If anybody can get to the bottom of this, Da Tech Guy will.

UPDATE II: Twitter friend Kurt Schlichter:

1956 just called, it wants its anachronism back.

Somebody needs to ask Obama spokesman Robert Gibbs about this.

UPDATE III: In the comments, Georgia blogger Obi’s Sister reports:

WAOK claims they are not a sponsor for the event. But they are more than helpful in passing on additional contact information.
Mr. Maynard Eaton, of Newsmakers Live (404.223.5910 and 404.254.8322) claims he’s never heard of Liz Carter. He said the forum had nothing to do with color, even though it is a “blacks only” private event. He said they would have a Republican event later, when when asked why he invited Cory Ruth, a black Republican, he didn’t have an answer.
When I asked if he’d reschedule the event to be able to include all the candidates, he asked, “Why?”
Evidently HopeNChange has nothing to do with making things right.

Eugene Talmadge and Lester Maddox could not be reached for comment.

Category: Da Tech Guy, Dan Riehl, Election, Georgia, Republicans

Comments

23 Responses to “Obama-Endorsed Rep. Hank Johnson to Participate in Segregated Forum? UPDATE: Johnson Will Not Attend”

  1. datechguy
    June 2nd, 2010 @ 4:08 pm

    The forum is actually being held by a group called Newsmakers’ Journal although the radio station might be broadcasting it. The person I talked to at the Station denied they were holding the event or involved in it.

    I’m waiting for a reply from the Newsmakers journal guys to an e-mail on it. I’ll let you know.

  2. datechguy
    June 2nd, 2010 @ 11:08 am

    The forum is actually being held by a group called Newsmakers’ Journal although the radio station might be broadcasting it. The person I talked to at the Station denied they were holding the event or involved in it.

    I’m waiting for a reply from the Newsmakers journal guys to an e-mail on it. I’ll let you know.

  3. Ga-4 Forum: No Irish Whites need apply? « DaTechguy's Blog
    June 2nd, 2010 @ 11:09 am

    […] 2: Stacy and Dan Riehl are all over […]

  4. Obi's Sister
    June 2nd, 2010 @ 4:17 pm

    WAOK claims they are not a sponsor for the event. But they are more than helpful in passing on additional contact information.

    Mr. Maynard Eaton, of Newsmakers Live (404.223.5910 and 404.254.8322) claims he’s never heard of Liz Carter. He said the forum had nothing to do with color, even though it is a “blacks only” private event. He said they would have a Republican event later, when when asked why he invited Cory Ruth, a black Republican, he didn’t have an answer.

    When I asked if he’d reschedule the event to be able to include all the candidates, he asked, “Why?”

    Evidently HopeNChange has nothing to do with making things right.

  5. Obi's Sister
    June 2nd, 2010 @ 11:17 am

    WAOK claims they are not a sponsor for the event. But they are more than helpful in passing on additional contact information.

    Mr. Maynard Eaton, of Newsmakers Live (404.223.5910 and 404.254.8322) claims he’s never heard of Liz Carter. He said the forum had nothing to do with color, even though it is a “blacks only” private event. He said they would have a Republican event later, when when asked why he invited Cory Ruth, a black Republican, he didn’t have an answer.

    When I asked if he’d reschedule the event to be able to include all the candidates, he asked, “Why?”

    Evidently HopeNChange has nothing to do with making things right.

  6. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
    June 2nd, 2010 @ 4:20 pm

    I had a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character.

    We are not there yet.

  7. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
    June 2nd, 2010 @ 11:20 am

    I had a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character.

    We are not there yet.

  8. Dell
    June 2nd, 2010 @ 4:37 pm

    It’s rather elementary, my dear Watson.

    If Johnson doesn’t attend, the island will tip over and sink.

    It’s true! A Congressman told me and a Congressman wouldn’t lie.

  9. Dell
    June 2nd, 2010 @ 11:37 am

    It’s rather elementary, my dear Watson.

    If Johnson doesn’t attend, the island will tip over and sink.

    It’s true! A Congressman told me and a Congressman wouldn’t lie.

  10. TomR
    June 2nd, 2010 @ 4:41 pm

    It’s a private event for some values of private event, but all broadcasters are licensed by the FCC. The FCC maintains a record of all communications in a public inspection file that MUST be considered when station license renewal comes around. Unfortunately you must use snail mail. Information on how to submit comments are at http://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/pubacc/prod/sta_list.pl?Facility_id=63775.

    WAOK is licensed to CBS Radio East Inc. The name, address, phone number, and e-mail address (as well as other details) are publicly available in the license at https://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/cdbsmenu.hts?context=25&appn=101194742&formid=323&fac_num=0

    Maybe someone should be asking CBS Radio East why one of their stations is practicing racial discrimination.

    While who they have on a debate is not employment they do have an EEO person responsible for the station. Contact information for that person is on this mid term EEO report at https://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/cdbsmenu.hts?context=25&appn=101222458&formid=397&fac_num=63775

    Links to all of this and lots of other (mostly boring) information can be dug out of the FCC database at http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/amq?list=0&facid=63775

    I think comments to the FCC and the station owners about this racist act are in order.

  11. TomR
    June 2nd, 2010 @ 11:41 am

    It’s a private event for some values of private event, but all broadcasters are licensed by the FCC. The FCC maintains a record of all communications in a public inspection file that MUST be considered when station license renewal comes around. Unfortunately you must use snail mail. Information on how to submit comments are at http://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/pubacc/prod/sta_list.pl?Facility_id=63775.

    WAOK is licensed to CBS Radio East Inc. The name, address, phone number, and e-mail address (as well as other details) are publicly available in the license at https://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/cdbsmenu.hts?context=25&appn=101194742&formid=323&fac_num=0

    Maybe someone should be asking CBS Radio East why one of their stations is practicing racial discrimination.

    While who they have on a debate is not employment they do have an EEO person responsible for the station. Contact information for that person is on this mid term EEO report at https://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/cdbsmenu.hts?context=25&appn=101222458&formid=397&fac_num=63775

    Links to all of this and lots of other (mostly boring) information can be dug out of the FCC database at http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/amq?list=0&facid=63775

    I think comments to the FCC and the station owners about this racist act are in order.

  12. Back to the Salt Mines « Obi’s Sister
    June 2nd, 2010 @ 11:53 am

    […] The Rep. Hank Johnson Segregated Forum, and you know who is NOT invited. […]

  13. No, Liz Carter, this is for black candidates only « The Minority Report
    June 2nd, 2010 @ 12:07 pm

    […] A high-level source from Carter’s campaign stated she was told directly this morning that this forum is for “black candidates” only, despite the campaign trying to secure a seat in the forum for some time.  According to my source, Liz will be permitted to attend and be recognized in the crowd, but she will not be permitted to speak as part of the forum.  The Other McCain reports two other Republicans, one white and one Hispanic, were also barred from the event. […]

  14. No, Liz Carter, this is for black candidates only | RedState
    June 2nd, 2010 @ 12:22 pm

    […] A high-level source from Carter’s campaign stated she was told directly this morning that this forum is for “black candidates” only, despite the campaign trying to secure a seat in the forum for some time.  According to my source, Liz will be permitted to attend and be recognized in the crowd, but she will not be permitted to speak as part of the forum.  The Other McCain reports two other Republicans, one white and one Hispanic, were also barred from the event. […]

  15. gus
    June 2nd, 2010 @ 5:26 pm

    Yes it may be separate, but I’m sure it is EQUAL.

  16. gus
    June 2nd, 2010 @ 12:26 pm

    Yes it may be separate, but I’m sure it is EQUAL.

  17. Bob Belvedere
    June 2nd, 2010 @ 9:14 pm

    No conservative should be complaining to the FCC or any other government entity. This is a private event being conducted by a private organization to be broadcast on a privately-owned radio station.

    Where energies should be concentrated is on exposing any candidate that attends such an event.

  18. Bob Belvedere
    June 2nd, 2010 @ 4:14 pm

    No conservative should be complaining to the FCC or any other government entity. This is a private event being conducted by a private organization to be broadcast on a privately-owned radio station.

    Where energies should be concentrated is on exposing any candidate that attends such an event.

  19. The Ga-4 Forum story makes the news: « DaTechguy's Blog
    June 3rd, 2010 @ 10:15 am

    […] the controversy not being there was likely a wise move considering blog headlines like this: Obama endorsed rep Hank Johnson to participate in segregated forum The Other McCain […]

  20. just bob
    June 3rd, 2010 @ 5:39 pm

    “I had a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character.”

    We are not there yet.

    When judged by the content of their character they demand to be judged by the color of their skin.

  21. just bob
    June 3rd, 2010 @ 12:39 pm

    “I had a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character.”

    We are not there yet.

    When judged by the content of their character they demand to be judged by the color of their skin.

  22. ‘Just One Tweet’: Conservative New Media Get Results in Georgia 4th District Story : The Other McCain
    June 3rd, 2010 @ 9:37 pm

    […] on | June 3, 2010 | No CommentsReaders may remember the headline here Wednesday morning:Obama-Endorsed Rep. Hank Johnson to Participate in Segregated Forum?It was Dan Riehl who tipped me to that story, which originated with a Facebook post from Republican […]

  23. A New Source Of Energy « The Camp Of The Saints
    June 4th, 2010 @ 7:29 am

    […] Obama-Endorsed Rep. Hank Johnson to Participate in Segregated Forum? […]