UPDATED:
After several stories on Rep. Paul Kanjorski’s statements during a congressional hearing yesterday made waves online earlier today, Kanjorski’s office responded this afternoon.
“Congressman Kanjorski is tired of people, and too often Republicans, criticizing solid and needed government programs that are meant to help Americans who face tough economic times, often beyond their control, as too many people are experiencing right now,” Kanjorski spokeswoman Abigail McDonough said. “In his impassioned plea for conferees to adopt Pennsylvania’s model program to help homeowners facing foreclosure to stay in their homes, the Congressman was stating that many people insinuate that those who benefit from government programs are those not looking for jobs, but that those suggestions are wildly inaccurate.”
“As Congressman Kanjorski stated, these programs are meant to help people and families throughout the country who are unable to afford basic necessities, including those in the Congressman’s district in Northeastern Pennsylvania who he hears from every day. Anyone trying to politicize this issue clearly doesn’t get it. Congressman Kanjorski is fighting for all Americans who are struggling. Any statement saying otherwise is grossly misinformed. The full video clip, rather than an edited version, speaks for itself and doesn’t take the Congressman’s remarks out of context.”
A full clip (the video below is edited) of Kanjorski’s statement yesterday can be seen here: http://www.criticalmention.com/vg/congressmankanjorski/2010-06-24_cspan2_0110.wmv
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U.S. Rep. Paul Kanjorski, during a Congressional hearing on Wall Street reform Wednesday, implied that government aid is not meant for minorities, an apparent gaffe for the longtime Democrat that could hinder his re-election efforts in the fall.
The congressman was describing those who receive help from the U.S. government when he appeared to group “minorities” and “defective” people as those who won’t receive the assistance.
“These are people … and they’re not minorities, and they’re not defective and they’re not all the people you like to insinuate … these are average good American people,” Kanjorski said.
The video was originally posted on Human Events.
Kanjorski faces Republican challenger Lou Barletta in the 11th Congressional District, expected to be one of the closest race in the state this year.
His statement is very revealing, and does highlight the basic difference between the parties in their approach to minorities. The implication is that minorities receiving government assitance is expected, while “regular” people receiving assistance is a tragedy.
And for all of the political correctness usually embraced by democrats, to call anyone “defective” is over the top