Not Cool: The Racist Things Politicians and Public Officials Say

A look at racist offenses used to make political points.

Can't Help It - Comparing things they don't like to slavery and other historically racist parts of American history has become a thing for politicians, political officials and pundits. Here's a look at some of the most recent offenses. – Joyce Jones(Photo: AP Photo by Justin Hayworth)

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Can't Help It - Comparing things they don't like to slavery and other historically racist parts of American history has become a thing for politicians, political officials and pundits. Here's a look at some of the most recent offenses. – Joyce Jones(Photo: AP Photo by Justin Hayworth)

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(Photo: Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

She's No Judge - "She wasn't a particularly good vice presidential candidate," Holder said of former Alaska governor Sarah Palin's call for Congress to impeach President Obama. "She's an even worse judge of who ought to be impeached and why.” (Photo: Andrew Burton/Getty Images)

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Sarah Palin - "Our free stuff today is being paid for by taking money from our children and borrowing from China," said Sarah Palin, former Alaska governor and 2008 GOP vice presidential candidate at a Faith and Freedom Coalition fundraiser on Nov. 9. "When that money comes due — and this isn’t racist — but it’ll be like slavery when that note is due. We are going to beholden to the foreign master."(Photo: Andrew Burton/Getty Images)

Sen. Vicki Marble - "When you look at life expectancy, there's certain problems in the black race. Sickle cell is something that comes up. Diabetes is something that is prevalent in the genetic makeup. Although I gotta say, I've never had better BBQ and better chicken and ate better in my life then when you go down south, I mean, I love it. Everybody loves it," said Colorado state Sen. Vicki Marble.  (Photo: Courtesy of Vicki Marble)

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Sen. Vicki Marble - "When you look at life expectancy, there's certain problems in the black race. Sickle cell is something that comes up. Diabetes is something that is prevalent in the genetic makeup. Although I gotta say, I've never had better BBQ and better chicken and ate better in my life then when you go down south, I mean, I love it. Everybody loves it," said Colorado state Sen. Vicki Marble. (Photo: Courtesy of Vicki Marble)

Ken Emanuelson - “I’m going to be real honest with you, the Republican Party doesn’t want black people to vote if they’re going to vote 9-to-1 for Democrats,” said Texas Tea Party leader Ken Emanuelson in June.  (Photo: Courtesy of Ken Emanuelson)

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Ken Emanuelson - “I’m going to be real honest with you, the Republican Party doesn’t want black people to vote if they’re going to vote 9-to-1 for Democrats,” said Texas Tea Party leader Ken Emanuelson in June. (Photo: Courtesy of Ken Emanuelson)

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Jim Bonsall - Detroit CFO Jim Bonsall was forced to resign in October after asking in a meeting if he could "shoot somebody in a hoodie" during Angels' Night, a volunteer neighborhood patrol event that takes place in the days leading up to Halloween.  (Photo: Courtesy of Jim Bonsall)

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Jim Bonsall - Detroit CFO Jim Bonsall was forced to resign in October after asking in a meeting if he could "shoot somebody in a hoodie" during Angels' Night, a volunteer neighborhood patrol event that takes place in the days leading up to Halloween. (Photo: Courtesy of Jim Bonsall)

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Larry Klayman - "Put the Quran down," said Larry Klayman of the conservative political advocacy group FreedomWatch, in a message to Obama.(Photo: Stefan Zaklin/ Getty Images)

Rep. Alan Grayson - "If the hood fits, wear it," said Florida Rep. Alan Grayson in response to conservative outrage over his comparing the Tea Party to the KKK in a fundraising email.   (Photo: Mark Wilson/Getty Images)

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Rep. Alan Grayson - "If the hood fits, wear it," said Florida Rep. Alan Grayson in response to conservative outrage over his comparing the Tea Party to the KKK in a fundraising email.  (Photo: Mark Wilson/Getty Images)

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Judge Edith Jones - According to a complaint filed by a coalition of civil rights groups, Judge Edith Jones of the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals is alleged to have said that that certain "racial groups like African-Americans and Hispanics are predisposed to crime" and are "prone to commit acts of violence."  (Photo: AP Photo/5th U.S. Court of Appeals)

Leonard Battaglia - "I flew with Black pilots. I'd say 'break' (suddenly turn right or left) and they'd hesitate. They'd miss it because they think slower. They have an African-American mentality. They can't help it. It's the way God made them," said West County Wastewater District director Leonard Battaglia, a former Korean War fighter pilot.   (Photo: Fox Photos/Getty Images)

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Leonard Battaglia - "I flew with Black pilots. I'd say 'break' (suddenly turn right or left) and they'd hesitate. They'd miss it because they think slower. They have an African-American mentality. They can't help it. It's the way God made them," said West County Wastewater District director Leonard Battaglia, a former Korean War fighter pilot. (Photo: Fox Photos/Getty Images)