On Friday, the day before the South Carolina primary, Ann Coulter responded fiercely to answers Marco Rubio gave about racism when questioned at a CNN townhall only days before. Coulter accused Rubio of running an “anti-white campaign.”
Rubio was asked by Joshua Goodwin, vice chair of the Upstate Young Republicans, “I would like to know how would you simultaneously address the issue of racism, yet unify us as a country?”
Rubio answered:
It’s a difficult issue in this country. I can tell you, and I know a lot of it is centered around law enforcement and police departments. So let me begin by saying very clearly, I know for a fact that the overwomen — overwhelming majority of the men and women who serve us in law enforcement are incredible people, who, every single day, put their lives potentially on the line for our safety and for our security.
He continued, “But I also know, but I also know that there are communities in this country where minority communities and the police department have a terrible relationship. I personally know someone who happens to be a police officer and a young African-American male, who told me that he has been pulled over seven, eight times in the last four years and never gets a ticket. What is he supposed to think?
Segueing to the black community, Rubio added:
So I also know that in this country, there is a significant number, particularly of young African-American males, who feel as if they’re treated differently than the rest of society. And here’s the bottom line, whether you agree with them or not, I happen to have seen this happen. But whether you agree with them or not, if a significant percentage of the American family believes that they are being treated differently than everyone else, we have a problem. And we have to address it as a society and as a country, because I do not believe we can fulfill our potential as a nation unless we address that.”
Moderator Anderson Cooper followed by asking, “On a personal basis, have you ever felt the sting the racism?”
Rubio responded:
You know, let me tell you a couple things, my parents were extraordinary people. My parents raised me to believe that it didn’t matter that they came from Cuba and that he was a bartender and she was a maid. There was nothing that we couldn’t do. I do recall as a child during the Boat Lift in growing up in Las Vegas that some of the neighborhood kids – older kids, one day were taunting my family. The were saying, “why don’t go back on your boat, why don’t you go back to your country, why don’t leave here.” I didn’t know what they were talking about, I was seven years old.
Rubio argued against claiming victimhood, stating:
What I give my parents a lot of credit is that they never raised us to feel that we were victims. They always raised us to believe that our destiny and our future – we lived in the one place on earth where if you worked hard and you persevered, you could achieve no matter what. That doesn’t mean that I don’t deny that there are people in this country that have had a different experience. We need to recognize that. If you look back at the history of this country we have some blemishes in our history that I believe even to this day, we’re fighting through. But what I think is extraordinary about America is that we have fought through that.
He concluded, “If you look at how far South Carolina has come from where it is today to where it was 30 to 40 years ago, simply amazing. In my campaign for president today, I got the endorsement of a governor of Indian decent, who endorsed a presidential candidate of Cuban decent, and tomorrow will be campaigning alongside an African American Republican Senator, all three are doing that here inside South Carolina.”
Coulter started with two tweets on Friday:
Poor Jeb! can’t figure out why Haley endorsed Rubio over him. He’s one of those awful white men! Live by “diversity,” die by “diversity.”
— Ann Coulter (@AnnCoulter) February 18, 2016
On CNN townhall, Rubio claims he’s been the victim of “racism” in the U.S. then talks about the blemishes on “our” country.
— Ann Coulter (@AnnCoulter) February 20, 2016
On Saturday, as the primary was underway, she followed with another series of tweets:
Rubio supports Black Lives Matter at SC townhall after Q from pajama boy, then they both go to a foam party – https://t.co/GP7BCE6IVU
— Ann Coulter (@AnnCoulter) February 20, 2016
The only law enforcement officers Rubio likes are in the Village People. – https://t.co/GP7BCE6IVU
— Ann Coulter (@AnnCoulter) February 20, 2016
Rubio’s “improvement” 4 U.S.: Indian & Af-Am endorse a Cuban! Replace ALL whites w/ immigts & it’ll be EVEN BETTER! https://t.co/GP7BCE6IVU
— Ann Coulter (@AnnCoulter) February 20, 2016
Rubio: “Look at how far we’ve come as a country since the 1960’s!” Cold War?Computers? Cancer? NO! Cubans! Indians! https://t.co/GP7BCE6IVU
— Ann Coulter (@AnnCoulter) February 20, 2016
No wonder white men are committing suicide.Rubio runs anti-white men campaign & their wives & daughters support him! https://t.co/GP7BCE6IVU
— Ann Coulter (@AnnCoulter) February 20, 2016
Imagine a political candidate in Japan calling Japanese “racist”; bragging about support from non-Japanese & attacking Japanese history.
— Ann Coulter (@AnnCoulter) February 20, 2016
“Diversity” = nonwhite; “White supremacist” = Not anti-white. https://t.co/baZl6rb8Ey
— Ann Coulter (@AnnCoulter) February 20, 2016
Rubio says US is better bc we have more Cubans & Indians. I didn’t say U.S. is better w more whites. Who’s racist? https://t.co/baZl6rb8Ey
–Ann Coulter
COMMENTS
Please let us know if you're having issues with commenting.