[Doglips]

Hillary Clinton Regrets Gandhi Joke at Fund-raiser
Tuesday January 06, 2004 2:47pm


St. Louis (AP) - Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton apologized for joking that Mahatma Gandhi used to run a gas station in St. Louis, saying it was "a lame attempt at humor."

The New York Democrat made the remark at a fund-raiser Saturday. During an event here for Senate candidate Nancy Farmer, Clinton introduced a quote from Gandhi by saying, "He ran a gas station down in St. Louis."

After laughter from many in the crowd of at least 200 subsided, the former first lady continued, "No, Mahatma Gandhi was a great leader of the 20th century." In a nod to Farmer's underdog status against Republican Sen. Kit Bond, Clinton quoted the Indian independence leader as saying: "First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win."

The director of a U.S. center devoted to Gandhi's teachings said the remarks amounted to stereotyping and were insensitive.

After being approached by The Associated Press to clarify the remarks, Clinton suggested in a statement late Monday that she never meant to fuel the stereotype - often used as a comedic punch line - that certain ethnic groups run America's gas stations.

"I have admired the work and life of Mahatma Gandhi and have spoken publicly about that many times," Clinton said. "I truly regret if a lame attempt at humor suggested otherwise."

Michelle Naef, administrator of the M.K. Gandhi Institute for Nonviolence, a Memphis, Tenn.-based organization founded in 1991 by a Gandhi grandson, credited Clinton and her husband, former President Clinton, with long having "supported the Gandhi message." But she said Saturday's remarks "could be incredibly harmful."

"I don't think she was, in any way, trying to demean Mahatma Gandhi," Naef said. "To be generous to her, I would say it was a poor attempt at humor. Perhaps I'm overly sensitive, but I find it offensive when people use stereotypes in that way."


» Find More Articles Related To This One






Copyright 2004 by The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

[Shaun]

Heir Klinton - should have the same uproar going that Trent Lott did for his problems - but hold it the Dem's are held to a double standard

[MAX7.62]

:right:

[whirlwind]

every word out of her mouth is well thought out,she is the one who made slick willie so slick after all. it seems to me she may be laying down uncharacteristicly "un-p.c" sound bites to gradually sway more right wing voters thus laying a good foundation for her run for the white house in 2008. watch and see if her words dont get more to the right.

[PAPA G]

the Democrap same old stuff. its wrong unless they do it and thats ok. ba, fooey on them.

[Rufus Rhastus J]

Quote:      

Originally posted by PAPA G the Democrap same old stuff. its wrong unless they do it and thats ok. ba, fooey on them.

Hey, come on, be nice to the 'Hoe!

[PAPA G]

if i posted what i think in actual terms, i'd probably be banned from the internet