Outraged reaction at race's inclusion in the race

While the candidates promised at the outset of the campaign not to make race an issue, it certainly became one at tonight's debate.

In a night marked by testy exchanges between the candidates, U.S. Rep. Chaka Fattah questioned Michael Nutter's use of race on a question about crime and  then dropped what many saw as a bomb: that Nutter "had to remind himself that he's an African American" after discussing his crime plan and the number of black men being gunned down in the city.

Nutter called it "a silly comment that had nothing to do with any response to the real question," but his campaign spokesperson was a lot less reserved after the debate.

"I'm shocked and appalled that a congressman would pull a race card when he has throughout this race talked about bringing together people in the community," said Melanie Johnson. "I do think it was a very low blow."

The Inky asked Fattah about it afterward:

Fattah rejected any suggestion that he was trying to portray Nutter as not worthy of black support, saying Nutter was the one who injected race.

"As candidates we have to be careful not to make racial appeals," Fattah said. "I felt it was getting too far along that way."

"You've never heard Chaka Fattah talk about his race," said Fattah spokesman Solomon Jones. "He has always talked about his record."

Almost immediately after Fattah made the statement, commenters on this blog and over at the Next Mayor reacted with shock. (Obviously, we don't know if any of the commenters are from a particular campaign.)

"That remark about Nutter having to remind himself that he's African American is the lowest blow of the campaign so far. That was disgusting and uncalled for. Fattah shows his true colors."

"That was a terrible moment for Fattah and for this election."

From the Next Mayor:

"That was the lowest I've ever seen Fattah go. Shameful."

"fattah crossed the line with that comment.  pretty lame."

Comments

[Larry West]

Let's not forget that Fattah supports and organization who has a racist president:

http://larrywestformayor.blogspot.com/2007/04/and-equality-for-all.html

I hope Nutter really hits it hard that Fattah wants to ignore the fact that the murder victims in this city are overwhelmingly black.

wow Fattah looked desperate during the debate!

Clueless, lazy Fattah sure seemed pathetic and desperate.

[Tim]

Why was Fattah attacking Nutter's stop-question-frisk policy anyway? He supports the same policy, according to his position papers available on his website. In fact, Fattah cites the same study about Kansas City's stop-question-frisk program that Nutter cites in his position paper.

[Jack]

I wonder if Senator Obama would still endorse Fattah now.
Perhaps someone should ask Obama's campaign that question.

[brendan]

Jack:

I'm gonna call Obama during lunch.

[Andrew]

Absolutely shameful race-baiting by Fattah. It's exactly this type of dirty, disgusting, and divisive politics which has plagued Philadelphia politics for far too long. Desperate attempts to revitalize poll numbers in the final week of an election do not justify that kind of nonsense. My respect for Rep. Fattah has all but disappeared after seeing his behavior over the past few weeks of this campaign.