Forrester Demands Sen. Diane Black Fire Staffer Who Sent Racist Email
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Sen. Diane Black
Tennessee Democratic Party Chair Chip Forrester denounced an email sent out by Republican staffer Sherri Goforth depicting Barack Obama as two eyes peering out of a black background.
“Is this indicative of what Senate Republicans think about our Commander-in-Chief?” Forrester asked. “This email is reprehensible, insults the office of the President, and is embarrassing to all Tennesseans regardless of political party.”
Sen. Diane Black’s staffer sent an email with an attached collage of traditional presidential portraits, except that President Obama was depicted as two eyes peering from a black background.
“When I ran for Chair of the Tennessee Democratic Party, I said that no longer would our Party sit idly by and allow Republicans to make bigoted attacks on Democrats in our state and our country. Well, once again, a Tennessee Republican has earned national attention for a racist, hate-filled attack on our President,” Forrester said.
Unfortunately, Sherri Goforth’s email joins the list of shameful episodes by Tennessee Republicans, from the infamous “Birds of a Feather” (PDF) direct mail piece that featured black crows with the heads of Barack Obama and Rep. Nathan Vaughn (who is also African-American), to the “Barack the Magic Negro” song that former Tennessee Republican Party Chairman Chip Saltsman sent to RNC members during his failed campaign for RNC chair.
Since her aide’s email has come to light, Sen. Black, the chair of the Senate Republican Caucus, has merely reprimanded Goforth.
“I am calling on Sen. Black to reject this racist smear and fire this staffer who, on state government time, on state government computers, using a state government email account, launched this bigoted attack on our president,” Forrester said. “Keeping her on the staff would send the message that this type of behavior is condoned by the Senate Republican Caucus.”
“Ms. Goforth does not seem to understand what she did wrong. She has apologized for ‘sending [the email] to the wrong list of people.’ I believe that any list of people would have recognized this email as offensive and hateful. The fact that a state employee would not understand that indicates that she is not fit for employment by the state of Tennessee.”
“We have hundreds of state employees facing the possibility of losing their jobs due to the budget deficit and no fault of their own. I think we could save at least one of those jobs by firing Sherri Goforth.”
Link: Newscoma, Nashville is Talking
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The photo emailed by Sen. Diane Black's staffer, Sherri Goforth, under the subject "Historical Keepsake Photo" (credit: Newscoma)
If this image makes you mad, donate to our SOS training events and help us Save Our State from the GOP.
June 15th, 2009 at 4:53 pm
Good on Chip Forrester.
June 15th, 2009 at 5:16 pm
and ironically … i think that Casada’s staffer who created the fake Nathan Vaughn websites (and plead no contest) is still working for Casada.
in other news, John Rich is raising McCain and Kix Brooks is helping out with a fundraiser for the TNGOP at the Factory with Sen. Jack Johnson - how about we boycott them like they boycotted the Dixie Chicks?
June 15th, 2009 at 5:34 pm
[...] 5:33pm - The Tennessee Democratic Party issued a release calling on Sen. Black to fire Sherri Goforth. Here is a brief excerpt: “I am calling on Sen. Black to reject this racist smear and fire this [...]
June 15th, 2009 at 6:08 pm
[...] 2: Tennessee Democratic Party chairman Chip Forrester calls on Diane Black to fire Goforth. Also, visit here to learn about the training sessions the TNDP is planning [...]
June 15th, 2009 at 6:18 pm
Great job, Chip!
Why, I’ll bet Sherry learned her political tactics from ole former GOP Chair, Mike Duncan, who is now Chair of the Board of TVA! He was the fool that created all those sick videos about Michelle and Barack during the campaign!
And she used State equipment, State e-mail servers! What a nerve! Sherry needs to go…now!
June 15th, 2009 at 7:13 pm
[...] Democratic Party News » Forrester Demands Sen. Diane Black Fire Staffer Who Sent Racist EmailPosted 3 hours [...]
June 15th, 2009 at 7:19 pm
[...] TNDP [...]
June 15th, 2009 at 7:26 pm
[...] Chair, sent out an email calling for Goforth to be fired by Republican Sen. Dianne Black. In the email, he points out some more racist examples from the TNGOP: Unfortunately, Sherri Goforth’s email [...]
June 15th, 2009 at 9:18 pm
We, as democrats, cannot tolerate this type of behavior. Enough is enough.
June 15th, 2009 at 9:57 pm
[...] Democratic Party Chair Chip Forrester, condemned the hateful smear and is calling on Sen. Black to publicly condemn the racist email and fire [...]
June 16th, 2009 at 12:48 am
Thank you Chairman Forrester for confronting Sherri Goforth’s vile behavior. Ms. Goforth is a shinning example of why there is so much hatred and mistrust between the races in the south. If Golforth sent out those racist emails on the tax payers dime, she should be fired. I could less what she does in her private life, but if she participated in such moronic behavior while being paid with “my” money as a tax payer, I want her fired! I would feel the same way if she were a Democrat committing such a despicable act.
June 16th, 2009 at 9:12 am
Things I know:
1) If you are too stupid to realize that racist, bigoted drivel is unacceptable in the 21st century, and
2) you are too stupid to know that anything you email, tweet, blog, or say in front of an open mic will become public knowledge faster than a 14 year old boy can find porn on the internet, and
3) you think saying “gee, I sent that to the wrong list” is an apology, then
4) you are too thick to be a public servant. Or a telemarketer. Or a Weekly World News reader.
Thank you, Chip!
June 16th, 2009 at 9:37 am
This should not settle quietly. I think the TN Democratic Party and we fellow Democrats need to picket Black’s office and hound her until Sheri Goforth is fired. Sheri admits she’s not sorry she sent it, she’s sorry she sent it to the “wrong list” of people. I’d like to now who exactly is the RIGHT list of people to get this? Our Chairman needs to ask that question. Who is the “right list” of people to get this racist image? Who are the “right people” who would get this and chuckle along with Sheri? What is WRONG with them and Sheri that they’d think this crap is funny?
Enough of this racist crap from these people. It needs to be chronicled, and it needs to be shown publicly in TV ads, on billboards, everywhere in this great state, with the Scarlet R attached to these people who do these things. From Chippy Saltzman to Goforth, from Obama Waffles to “just some of Michelle’s ancestors” these people need to have a light shined on them so they will scurry like the cockroaches they are, and have their racism exposed. If people want to be racists, they have that right, but they shouldn’t be cowards about it. Show your true colors so the people, especially those calling themselves Christians, can make an informed vote about voting to support racists leaders.
June 16th, 2009 at 10:21 am
[...] Tennessee Democratic Party has called on Sen. Diane Black (R-Gallatin) and Senate Republican leaders to fire an aid who admitted to sending a racist email to [...]
June 16th, 2009 at 11:19 am
…Now just don’t let it rest with this denunciation.
Follow through and bring this up at ever possible opportunity. If the outrage stops with a public rebuke it will seem like nothing more than another passing statement of outrage.
This is good stuff to use against the Repig goobernatorial candidate in the next election. Especially as a tool to rally Democrats in the Western part of the state.
June 16th, 2009 at 11:50 am
Anything can be racist if you want to make it so. Black bowling ball? Black 8 Ball, Master white CUE ball? A flag? A piece of rope? A child wearing a ghost outfit on Halloween somehow confused with a Klan member? The list goes on and on…. my ALPHABET SOUP IS RACIST because it spelled out K K K so now Campbells has a 2 K limit on the K pasta that goes in each can, WTF PEOPLE, STFU and get a life please… instead of crying about stupid crap, how about doing something useful and help the ECOSYSTEM instead of breathing out yet more Carbon Dioxide with your worthless rants on how a picture is racist or a flag held you back from you dreams, unless you are chained to a wall, no one is holding you back from accomplishing anything you set your mind to.
June 16th, 2009 at 12:15 pm
why should those of you from tennessee give one dime to goforth’s well-being?…she should resign…let your tax dollars go to something of greater value than her unemployment monies.
June 16th, 2009 at 12:21 pm
this is, at the least, the third myopic, rascist, sophomoric remark coming out of tennessee’s governing body…and let’s not forget debass’s gorilla remark out of south carolina…i am proud to be from the south, but i am oh so ashamed of these people in political power…so much for the party of family values and “christian” behavior…christ must be so proud right about now.
and while the comments are appalling and disrespectful to the office of president, what is more discouraging is the mindset of these dolts…very skewed idea of what is right and wrong.
June 16th, 2009 at 12:53 pm
Zee Says:
Are you really going to copy and paste that drivel everywhere today, Zeero?
This is the third site I’ve read it on.
For everyone’s information, ZEERO is a PUMA dirt-bag from TN Gorilla Women.
A professional Troll.
FYI
June 16th, 2009 at 1:06 pm
[...] Tennessee Democratic Party has called on Senate Republican leadership to fire Goforth. “I am calling on Sen. Black to reject [...]
June 16th, 2009 at 1:19 pm
I saw twitter where someone said, that blacks need to get over it. It was a joke. Unfortunately, this lacks humor and is respectful to everyone. The republican party feel they want to reach out to everyone, this is a sad attempt in their accomplishment. Anyone else would be fired by now. What makes this staffer so special?
June 16th, 2009 at 1:41 pm
Tasteless? Yes
Racist? No
See a story I wrote this morning and stick around for more.
http://libertarianhumor.com/2009/06/16/obama-email/
June 16th, 2009 at 1:52 pm
I saw the joke–and forwarded it to all my friends. i thought it was funny as hell. Get a life people–lighten up.
June 16th, 2009 at 2:25 pm
Is anyone shocked by this story? Really? And, the Republican party keeps asking itself “Why aren’t more minorities joining the Republican party?”
I wonder how Sherri Goforth feels about Colin Powell and Condi Rice?
June 16th, 2009 at 2:30 pm
This is yet another reason in a very long list that I changed my party affiliation from Republican to Democrat…it’s disgusting and anyone that finds humor in it is repulsive…
June 16th, 2009 at 2:34 pm
It appears her website has been taken off line. Here is what I could get from cached info. Please flood Diane Blacks office with a request to fire this staffer. This is appalling and her silence is a code that she condones this behavior.
Email: sen.diane.black@capitol.tn.gov
District Address
819 Plantation Boulevard
Gallatin, TN 37066
Phone: (615) 230-8586
Nashville Address
5 Legislative Plaza
Nashville, TN 37243-0218
Phone: (615) 741-1999
Fax: (615) 253-0207
Staff Contact: Sherri Goforth
Research Analyst - Valerie Yancey
Caucus Press Secretary - Darlene Schlicher
June 16th, 2009 at 2:37 pm
Does the GOP understand anything? Again, we have no credibility to refute the stereotype of Tennesseans as “dumb” southerners.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/06/16/tennessee-gop-staffer-ema_n_216085.html
June 16th, 2009 at 2:54 pm
i don’s see a problem with the email it looks just like that sorry hilter want to be. I,m just waiting for the damnocrates to put on brown shirts and march down the city streets with their sick worship of the dark master they bow before!
June 16th, 2009 at 2:59 pm
As an African-American who lives in rural TN, it amazes me how some people think that what she did was “ok” and even Goforth said she sent it to the wrong people?? Does she not realize there is no such thing as “right people”….and who are these right people anyway?? Anyone who would find this and any other racist comments funny really should be examined. At some point the hate has to stop. And a simple slap on the wrist/bad girl is not going to cut it anymore. This is the 21st century for God Sakes……TN and this country will never move forward with people like Goforth thinking that jokes like these are acceptable. There was an outcry against Letterman for his sexist joke about Palin’s daughters….where is the same outcry against people like Goforth who make racist jokes about OUR PRESIDENT??!!!
June 16th, 2009 at 3:01 pm
Sen. Black should IMMEDIATELY FIRE Goforth, there is no need for this type of racist remarks in politics. To use taxpayers money to send these types of jokes or any for that matter means she doesn’t have enough work to do. She should be helping the Senator resolve issues pertinent to her constituents. For all those who say that we need to get over it and it was a joke. Well why can’t people get over the Letterman joke about Palin’s daughter, we know he was referring to her 18 year old Bristol (if your too stupid to realize that then that’s a personal problem)!!!!!! Just as people are hounding for Letterman to get fired so should we hound the Senator and have her fire Goforth!!!!!
June 16th, 2009 at 3:04 pm
To say it in a somewhat religious manner, racist Sherri Goforth needs to “go forth” from state government for her racist sins. Now, let’s get plain and real. Is Sen. Diane Black, whose district office in located on Plantation Blvd. in Gallatin, also a racist? And this being the real reason for her not wanting to fire that backwards, racist thing, who is being paid by the citizens of Tennessee. And what about Dr. David Black, the husband of the senator? I as a black person, certainly would not trust him for any serious medical care. Of course, my organization will not let this go, until Goforth goes. More in my newsletters.
June 16th, 2009 at 3:36 pm
[...] spoke with Sherri Goforth minutes ago to confirm she sent this email. She confirmed she had sent it and also said she had [...]
June 16th, 2009 at 3:50 pm
This is so sad, people need to get over it. He is our president
i know a lot of you hate the idea of have an African American as your president, the tables are turned now, he have to do what he says. Ms Goforth is just another one added to the list. i know she is not the only one but for the next 4 years you guys just have to deal with it.
June 16th, 2009 at 4:16 pm
goforth should go to the unemployment office….immediately
June 16th, 2009 at 4:18 pm
and as far as the racist on making comments on this blog….yea though i walk through the valley of death…i shall fear no EVIL…….
June 16th, 2009 at 4:52 pm
She should be FIRED!!!!!
The democratic party should set an example and fired this ignorant person who thought this email would be funny.
There are many people out there without jobs, who would love to have her job.
June 16th, 2009 at 5:48 pm
Ms. Goforth is not competent for this job and I don’t think this is the first time she made comments like this. Racist are not born overnight. My hope she realize one day that she is part of the human race! Resign or be fired NOW!
June 16th, 2009 at 6:29 pm
[...] Tennessee Democratic Party has called on Senate Republican leadership to fire Goforth. “I am calling on Sen. Black to reject [...]
June 16th, 2009 at 7:03 pm
What is going on with you people down South?!! And why are you not upset with your hick Sen Black she has her hands in this sh@t also! I’m sure if you go back for enough you’ll locate the person Sen Black hired that then down the chain hired thi awful woman that sent this email. Sen Black probably in private feels the same about Obama as her staffer
June 17th, 2009 at 8:22 am
My suggestion is to not focus on the firing. Rather, there should be a review to determine where the “joke” came from, and where it went. If this is a wholly isolated incident there should be nothing to be found. But one would expect that she has done this before and the evidence will be in her e-mail. She most likely received this or similar e-mails from others in state government, and has forwarded it to others. I suggest you follow the e-mail chain and find out how far this goes.
They have said that this is isolated - prove it!
June 17th, 2009 at 10:36 am
I sure will e-mail Sen. black-and encourage her not to fire this young woman. It’s ok that jokes went around about Bush being “dumb”, and Gerald Ford being “clumsy”. Every president is the butt of jokes. Get over it. These are JOKES, people. What the heck else are you supposed to do with politicians besides make fun of them?
June 17th, 2009 at 12:28 pm
Conove, it’s easy to see why your party is tanking with viewpoints as yours.
And to the keeper of the comment section here; this board states that it is being moderated.
If that’s the case, please consider deleting martin’s disgusting, racist comment on June 16th, 2009 at 2:54 pm.
June 17th, 2009 at 12:50 pm
Quick Summary of Shitbirds who slithered into the site:
conove Says:
I saw the joke–and forwarded it to all my friends.
martin Says:
i don’s see a problem with the email it looks just like that sorry hilter want to be. I,m just waiting for the damnocrates to put on brown shirts and march down the city streets with their sick worship of the dark master they bow before!
Andy Says:
What is going on with you people down South?!!
Just for the record, we don’t care what you losers think.
So don’t waste your time.
June 17th, 2009 at 2:08 pm
[...] to Sen. Diane Black and Lt. Gov. Ron Ramsey, a letter of reprimand is an appropriate sanction for a racist email, paid for by Tennessee taxpayers, that has earned international condemnation. Do you [...]
June 17th, 2009 at 2:09 pm
Losers? Yeah, we were this time. But when you are taxed to the max, and unable to get good healthcare, you might change your thinking. Shame on you for not considering the future of your children and grandchildren.
June 17th, 2009 at 2:11 pm
Hey, lynn winters….martin is entitled to his opinion, and there is also the case for “freedom of speech”…oh, but wait….you people will try to see to it that THAT is taken away as well.
June 17th, 2009 at 2:12 pm
Oh, sorry.
I wasn’t referring to you losing the elections. I was referring to you being “losers” at life in general.
Now go to the zoo, climb into the cage, and throw rocks at the Tigers.
June 17th, 2009 at 5:13 pm
In a quote from Whoopi Goldberg, she agrees that an apology is not enough, especially in light of what happened last week at the Holocaust Museum. http://www.newsy.com/videos/e_hatred
However, racism should not, and cannot be deemed as something only in the Republican party. You would completely wipe out everyone associated and racism would still exist in this country. It runs much much much deeper than that.
June 17th, 2009 at 7:26 pm
[...] have the same courage and presence of mind as the House leadership,” Forrester said. “As I stated Monday, there is a pervasive pattern of racist behavior condoned by Republican leadership in Tennessee, [...]
June 18th, 2009 at 7:31 am
[...] would have the same courage and presence of mind as the House leadership,” Forrester said. “As I stated Monday, there is a pervasive pattern of racist behavior condoned by Republican leadership in Tennessee, [...]
June 18th, 2009 at 8:34 am
geez, captainkona…it may be considered racist to throw stones at the tigers…what would the lions think? And then the tigers would have more stones, oh my! Not to worry, though…socialism will now be the trend, and the stones will have to be shared. I’m through with this forum. You cannot have a battle of wits with unarmed opponents.
June 18th, 2009 at 5:46 pm
[...] 5:33pm - The Tennessee Democratic Party issued a release calling on Sen. Black to fire Sherri Goforth. Here is a brief excerpt: “I am calling on Sen. Black to reject this racist smear and fire this [...]
June 18th, 2009 at 5:47 pm
[...] 5:33pm - The Tennessee Democratic Party issued a release calling on Sen. Black to fire Sherri Goforth. Here is a brief [...]
June 18th, 2009 at 7:40 pm
Should have put big ears on the eye balls. And a red hammer and sickle across the whole thing. If anyone is a racist its Obama and his terrorist preacher and friends. Worst choice for President in American history.
June 18th, 2009 at 8:04 pm
The trouble with Democrates is that they live in a dreamworld left over from the after effects of LSD and Cocaine. Then when they come off that the real world hits and they cant deal with it so they need to destroy all the good that others do and all the greatness that Americans create. If Demos cant steal it from others then they take it away for themselves. There is not anything more pathetic than a Democrate.
June 19th, 2009 at 12:10 am
Admin note: I am approving almost all of the comments on this post, unedited, due to their sheer lunacy. The comment above, by Santini, is a sterling example.
June 20th, 2009 at 4:07 pm
Senator Diane Black is a disgrace to the State of Tennessee. Her staffer was reflecting a point of view that was condoned, supported, and reflected by the her staff.
Such horrid racism along with moral and educational ignorance accompanied by total insensitivity, is exhibited in the comments of S.Santini.
He might benefit from a bit of grammatical or literary education.
I suggest that he start with turning off the rightwing radio nonsense and read a few books written by people who can express themselves in complete sentences with rational progression of thought.
June 20th, 2009 at 7:05 pm
Devin,
I see your point. Pathetic person can’t even SPELL!! It would actually be funny if it weren’t so overwhelmingly sad!
June 22nd, 2009 at 8:47 pm
[...] Olbermann featured Sen. Diane Black, the racist email scandal, and the tepid letter of [...]
June 27th, 2009 at 1:07 am
I think it is amazing how companies have a so called zero tolerance for racism and/or sexual harassment but that doesn’t mean much - If a senate staffer can get away with sending a dispicable and clearly racist email about or PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES and NOT get fired, shows that no one is really protected by this policy. I’m so angry about this! Racism needs to F***ING STOP ALREADY! No one is better than anyone else because the color of your skin… Our President Obama is brilliant! Don’t hate, appreciate - he’s the one who is helping your racist @sses too! “Don’t bite the hand that feeds you”!
June 30th, 2009 at 9:07 pm
[...] Will Lefty bloggers condemn this Democrat and call for his firing? Will the Media cover this on the news like they did the story of the GOP staffer? Will the Left police their own? Will this be written up and front paged at Daily Kos, Wonkette, and Think Progress? And what will the TNDP do? Will Chip Forrester lead the way and not merely call for the firing of this staffer but fire first a…? [...]
July 2nd, 2009 at 9:50 am
[...] Yesterday, ABC’s The View discussed the Tennessee GOP’s racist email controversy. Elizabeth Hasselbeck joined Ron Christie in saying that Sen. Black’s staffer should lose her job for sending the email portraying President Obama as a ’spook’. [...]