KLAS-TV Channel 8 News Las VegasLocal Leaders Respond to Dean's Comments

Local Leaders Respond to Dean's Comments

(Feb. 17) -- Some are calling a comment made by the new chair of the Democratic National Committee ignorant and racially insensitive. It was said during a meeting of the Democratic Black Caucus. And now local leaders are speaking out.

Howard Dean is the new chair of the Democratic National Committee. He made the comment the day before he took that office in front of a group of African American elected officials, businessmen and women, and community activists. A Clark County Commissioner was there and gave us her take.

It was one of the most memorable quotes during the Presidential campaign. "We're going to take back the White House! Yee-hah!!" yelled the then candidate Howard Dean.

He's been called outspoken and energetic, but now some are adding the word ignorant to describe what Dean said to members of the Democratic Black Caucus. Dean said, "You think the Republican National Committee could get this many people of color in a single room? Only if they had the hotel staff in here."

Maryland Lieutenant Governor Michael Steele, who is Republican and African American, says the comment was stupid and an apology is in order.

"He could have ended it by saying yeah, can you imagine this number of African Americans at a Republican event? Leave it alone, we wouldn't be having this conversation, but then he has to take it to the next level to show this audience that hey, I get it I'm with you," says Steele. 

But Clark County Commissioner Yvonne Atkinson Gates was there. She is the chair of the Democratic Black Caucus and says Dean received a standing ovation. 

"In the Democratic Party we pride ourselves on being diverse and to have Republican pundits to lecture a Democrat on race relations is laughable," says Atkinson Gates. 

Atkinson Gates says there was nothing offensive about Dean's comment. She believes his words are being misinterpreted.

"The Republican Party needs a lot more diversity and so it was a fact, it was the truth," says Atkinson Gates.

But fellow commissioner Lynette Boggs McDonald, who is a Republican, thinks Dean's statement was an unfortunate stereotype.

"I think Howard Dean is out of touch with the reality of African Americans and African Americans in politics," says Boggs McDonald. 

Boggs McDonalds points to the increasing numbers of African Americans who voted for Bush. While Republicans realize there is a need for more diversity in the party, they say jabs like the one Dean made aren't the way to go about it.

Atkinson Gates has spoken with Dean since the incident. Eyewitness News asked her if there were any plans for an apology. She responded, "For what?" And she calls the whole thing a non-issue.