Politician Behind Obama-Chimp Email: It's 'Much To Do About Nothing'

Posted on Apr 18, 2011 @ 02:05PM

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By Adam S. Levy
RadarOnline.com Staff Writer

It's the outrageous photo that's fueling a firestorm, yet the California politician behind it is offering only a lukewarm apology!

Republican Marilyn Davenport, a top ranking GOP official who represents Orange County in California's State Assembly, e-mailed a shocking picture of three chimpanzees with President Barack Obama's face superimposed on one of them. The caption: "Now you know why no birth certificate!"

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Davenport told the OC Weekly the e-mail was "just an Internet joke," also asking them: "You're not going to make a big deal about this are you?"

A big deal it's become, and as the story grew, Davenport on Saturday offered up a pseduo-apology, telling the paper: "I'm sorry if my email offended anyone.

"I simply found it amusing regarding the character of Obama and all the questions surrounding his origin of birth," she told the paper. "In no way did I even consider the fact he's half black when I sent out the email. In fact, the thought never entered my mind until one or two other people tried to make this about race.

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"That being said, I will NOT resign my central (Republican) committee position over this matter that the average person knows and agrees is much to do about nothing."

Scott Baugh, the Republican Party of Orange County Chairman, thinks it's time Davenport steps "down from the committee."

"It's just highly inappropriate, it's a despicable message [and] it drips with racism," Baugh told the AP of the e-mail.

Despite the fact that Obama was born in Hawaii, a movement whose members claim he was born in Africa has surfaced. Being born overseas would have prevented Obama from becoming president. Those people behind the movement, called "birthers," included billionaire would-be presidential candidate Donald Trump.

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Racist woman. I hope she has to resign. Not a funny joke...very 1865.

by JYIANjma
Posted Tue, 04/19/2011 - 12:04pm

Wow Big Deal!! When they would do this to former president Bush people laughed and those same people are the ones who thing this is Offensive? Hypocrites!! Yeah its offensive but be fair in both sides.

by mccake
Posted Tue, 04/19/2011 - 12:48am

How embarrasing to those two handsome chimps to be associated with their half brother. Political Corectness has ruined this country. Lighten up libs. Accorn probably originated this and their taking royalties from it

by barneyrubble
Posted Mon, 04/18/2011 - 11:11pm

Aren't we in the USA in 2011? WHERE DO WE GO, WITH YOU AS POLITICAL LEADER, HYPOCRITE DAVENPORT? WOMEN'S GLORY AND VICTORY? HUMANITY'S PROGRESSION OR REGRESSION?
SHAME ON YOU POOR DAVENPORT!

by Hallevy1
Posted Mon, 04/18/2011 - 9:50pm

She is disgusting - as is this picture. The woman who did this should step down in shame. How offensive.

by everythingmenot...
Posted Mon, 04/18/2011 - 9:47pm

This thing is hilarious. You liberals need to lighten up-it's just a joke.

by Banana Lohan
Posted Mon, 04/18/2011 - 6:43pm

I want the Teashirt

by gardenpatti
Posted Mon, 04/18/2011 - 7:28pm

I am not an obama fan either.But I think this sucks what this woman did.(democrats do
the same type of crap and I think that sucks too.) Its no wonder our country is going down the tubes with
morons like this in charge of our government.

by gedrast
Posted Mon, 04/18/2011 - 6:27pm