Political staffer taking heat after controversial Tweet
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SEATTLE -- There's another social media mess in the race for governor, but this time it came from a staffer for Sen. Maria Cantwell's campaign.
The Tweet and picture in question were actually commentaries on a different political gaffe by a Republican staffer. However, they have one thing in common: racially charged comments about the Asian community.
Not every joke will get laughs, and Cantwell staffer Kelly Steele's attempt at humor fell flat in some circles. Steele posted a picture of a dour-looking Rob McKenna with the words, "Why aren't they speaking English -- #Asians."
The picture was taken at an Asian-American summit last week where gubernatorial candidates McKenna and Democrat Jay Inslee had to wait for translations.
Steele posted the picture as a satirical reference to McKenna's own controversy earlier this summer when a former McKenna staffer Tweeted, "Hhut up and speak English -- #Asians."
McKenna came under fire for not removing her from the campaign, and she eventually resigned.
Tony Lee doesn't like any of this.
"As an Asian-American, I would feel uncomfortable any time there's an attempt to use race," Lee said.
Lee was the moderator at the summit and said Steele's Tweet is in poor taste.
"I think it's very unfortunate," he said.
On Friday, Steele stood by the comments to KOMO News, but later apologized in a statement to the Seattle Times.
Despite the apology, McKenna staffers pounced on the Tweet.
"I'm not convinced that he understands the offense and the hurt that was caused," said McKenna spokesman Charles McCray.
But Lee isn't convinced the Tweet is racist.
"I don't know. To be honest with you, I'm not sure I can make that kind of judgment," he said.
Cantwell's senate opponent, Michael Baumgartner, said it is.
"In this instance you have someone seeking to use a racial stereotype deliberately. Not a volunteer on a campaign, not an intern," he said.
Steele didn't respond to emails, calls and Tweets asking for clarification. The Cantwell campaign didn't respond to questions about the Tweet and the Inslee camp had no comment.
The Tweet is still up online and has been for four days.
The Tweet and picture in question were actually commentaries on a different political gaffe by a Republican staffer. However, they have one thing in common: racially charged comments about the Asian community.
Not every joke will get laughs, and Cantwell staffer Kelly Steele's attempt at humor fell flat in some circles. Steele posted a picture of a dour-looking Rob McKenna with the words, "Why aren't they speaking English -- #Asians."
The picture was taken at an Asian-American summit last week where gubernatorial candidates McKenna and Democrat Jay Inslee had to wait for translations.
Steele posted the picture as a satirical reference to McKenna's own controversy earlier this summer when a former McKenna staffer Tweeted, "Hhut up and speak English -- #Asians."
McKenna came under fire for not removing her from the campaign, and she eventually resigned.
Tony Lee doesn't like any of this.
"As an Asian-American, I would feel uncomfortable any time there's an attempt to use race," Lee said.
Lee was the moderator at the summit and said Steele's Tweet is in poor taste.
"I think it's very unfortunate," he said.
On Friday, Steele stood by the comments to KOMO News, but later apologized in a statement to the Seattle Times.
Despite the apology, McKenna staffers pounced on the Tweet.
"I'm not convinced that he understands the offense and the hurt that was caused," said McKenna spokesman Charles McCray.
But Lee isn't convinced the Tweet is racist.
"I don't know. To be honest with you, I'm not sure I can make that kind of judgment," he said.
Cantwell's senate opponent, Michael Baumgartner, said it is.
"In this instance you have someone seeking to use a racial stereotype deliberately. Not a volunteer on a campaign, not an intern," he said.
Steele didn't respond to emails, calls and Tweets asking for clarification. The Cantwell campaign didn't respond to questions about the Tweet and the Inslee camp had no comment.
The Tweet is still up online and has been for four days.
A simple case of "mouth in drive, brain in neutral" it seems. With the creation of Twitter, Facebook and such it makes it more difficult for people to simply use their inside voice rather than just impulsively blurt out their thoughts without realizing consequences.
For real news about something that matters, please press #1.
If any of you have ever seen a group of Asians trying to learn English and cracking on each other about it, then you know why a lot of Asians prefer their native tongue in public here. Where we know that American English is one of the hardest languages to learn, these Asians are a proud people that take issues of intelligence and technique very seriously both within their communities and on the public streets. You want to call a R or a D politician or staffer a racist over some stupid thing like this? Whenever you race baiters get done, Asians in San Fran, Portland and Seattle WILL BE cracking on each other today about their difficulties with English.
Also, even as I certainly prefer our language standard, I try to keep in mind that the more closely related languages like the various colloquial Spanish tongues are also difficult to translate effectively. Pair, pare, pear; payer. Our language tends to ride roughshod over itself just like it does other languages in translation, and we have rules and concepts other cultures have never heard of. Now for those who, like me; would like to see all Americans learn functional English all I can say is that almost every last one of our foreign born populace would be willing to learn in a heartbeat if it was fun for them.
 @FreeCoffeeNow! So if it's not "FUN," they shouldn't try to learn it? Huh????
Anything to distract from the real issues this country faces and make ones self look superior by putting the other person down. This is how these politicians blow through millions of campaign dollars every election.
Restrict how much can be spend to get reelected and hold these politicians to talking about the issues and their agendas. I am sick of this "childish" mentality they call campaigning.Â
Please let it be over.
It isn't racism when a Democrat does it. Simple, really. Since Democrats are too dumb to be hypocrites it is even true in a sense.
That expression is worth a thousand words.
rethought my post... not nice to pick on someone you feel you cannot trust.
And this is the reason why you should not allow college aged kids work for your campaign. They say something stupid and you get in trouble. This goes double for every social media business website. Higher someone with some age and experience on what they can and can not say online.
We in America, should not have to press 1 for English. If you want to live in my country learn English.
Really? I thought people with those jingoistic, racist ideas had disappeared; or moved to the deep south. I'm sure your namesake would be rolling in his grave. He was a socialist who was for a world state.
@Alikelystorey Yes, insult people from the south. That's taking the high road.....
Chinese do not speak English? Watch this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=buSv1jjAels
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LOL.
 @ncpga God that was funny....
What is truly lulzworthy is that this is a major story, but the GOP paying millions to a known fraudster who "accidentally" registered a bunch of dead people as Republican voters is below the fold...
Just because a comment or joke references race doesn't make it racist. There's a subtle difference, but it's an important one. The picture is a form of satire, and is making fun McKenna and the comment his campaign staff made. The important detail is that it's framing McKenna, and by extension the comments his staff made, in a negative light, hence why the photo is funny. The picture is aimed McKenna, and doesn't express a single negative thing about anyone but him and his staff. You could figure it out if you komo-sheep took a minute to think about it.
So, mocking the racist comments of a member of the opposing camp is racist? If mocking the ignorance of racists is racist, then apparently I've been a big racist for as long as I can remember. This wasn't a very wise or adult thing to do, but I am pretty sure sardonically making fun of someone for being a racist isn't racist.
Both were racist and this story was kind of slanted to make you think the Cantwell person was somehow less guilty of racism than the first person on the other side. Both are equally guilty of using race, both should have never been said, both should leave the campaigns, you noted the first but didn't really call for the second person to leave the Cantwell campaign.
 @Jinjerella What was the racist part of the tweet in the article above?  The fact that the word "Asian" was used? Â
 @Jinjerella You said "slanted"! That's racist!
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Kidding! By the way, I'm part Asian and I didn't take offense to this Tweet. This is a little ridiculous, and some people really need more things to do if this is the kind of thing that upsets them.
@Illuminati @Jinjerella I'm not voting for Cantwell, but I don't think this was being racist. It's just being stupid, which I suppose is a notch or two above racist.
Wow, and the comment is STILL up? They really don't mind this racism in the Cantwell camp? Unbelievable...Â
https://twitter.com/steelekelly/status/250316357336453120
Which Asian language was being translated at the event? Asian Americans could refer to many uniquely different groups and/or national origins speaking different mother tongues. This type of vague reference is equivalent to folks ignorantly saying they all look alike.
Microinequities. A diversity term where you think it's a joke but don't take into account how it might affect the observer. Like a gay guy calling a gay woman a dike. Or a black person calling another one n_ _ _ _ _ _.
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And, I thought the headline referred to something important.
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If ethical behavior were a requirement to run for office, we would have a vacant capital. Maybe not a bad thing, but difficult to get things done.
Kelly Steele should be fired immediately. There is no excuse for this behavior.
Yeah! What you said.