Letson denies calling Valley voters racists
By RON SELAK JR. Tribune ChronicleWARREN - A local Democratic state legislator said that he never called Mahoning Valley voters racists.
State Rep. Thomas Letson, D-Warren, was quoted in a Youngstown newspaper article as saying there are ''1,000 reasons to vote for Obama and one reason why you won't - race.''
The newspaper attributed similar comments to state Rep. Robert Hagan, D-Youngstown. Both Letson and Hagan are white.
U.S. Sen. Barack Obama, who is black, is the Democratic nominee for president. He is running against Republican Sen. John McCain, who is white.
Letson, on Wednesday, told the Tribune Chronicle that the comments were not accurate.
''There are too many issues in this race, this contest, for it to come down to one issue,'' Letson said. ''I'm proud of my community for the way they have dealt with this time and time again.''
Letson pointed out that his district, which includes Warren, has repeatedly overcome racial issues and as evidence cited the city's black safety-service director, black school board president and others.
A message seeking comment was left with Hagan.
Letson and Hagan made the comments to the Youngstown Vindicator on Monday while criticizing McCain and his running mate, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, before their rally Tuesday in Vienna.
According to the newspaper story, they also said swing voters, independents and Democrats who are or will support McCain are racist.
Todd Franko, Vindicator newsroom editor, said the paper stands behind the report.
''The story stands for itself,'' Franko said. ''We've had no complaints or calls from either person, Letson or Hagan. They know how to reach us if they had problems with the story.''
Letson said he did not challenge the newspaper because he's not a confrontational man. When asked if the newspaper's headline ''Democrats accuse locals of being racist toward Obama'' was accurate, Letson replied, ''No.''
When asked if the newspaper's quote, "Race - that's the only reason people in the Valley won't vote for him," attributed to Letson was accurate, Letson replied, ''No.''
The Ohio Republican Party said Democrats are smearing Ohio voters as racist and dismissing legitimate issues to play the race card.
''Democrats have dismissed the legitimate concerns of thousands of Ohio's undecided voters,'' said Ohio Republican party Chairman Kevin DeWine. ''These voters have serious doubts of Sen. Obama's experience, his costly agenda and his drill nowhere, tax everything proposals. Ohioans deserve better than these insulting accusations ...''
State Rep. Sandra Stabile Harwood, D-Niles, defended Mahoning Valley voters, said that if Letson and Hagan made those comments, it would be appalling.
''I have faith that my constituents, and all the voters in the Mahoning Valley, can make their decisions based on the important issues, not race,'' Harwood said.
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oldgreenb
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09-19-08 4:00 PM
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sorry, computer froze and i went crazy clicking buttons. that happy dust kicked in!!
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oldgreenb
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09-19-08 3:59 PM
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dsweck- hey, i think bruskii is really the 'volunteer officer' from NFPD!! LMAO. or they must be CLOSELY related.
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oldgreenb
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09-19-08 3:59 PM
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dsweck- hey, i think bruskii is really the 'volunteer officer' from NFPD!! LMAO. or they must be CLOSELY related.
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oldgreenb
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09-19-08 3:59 PM
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dsweck- hey, i think bruskii is really the 'volunteer officer' from NFPD!! LMAO. or they must be CLOSELY related.
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oldgreenb
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09-19-08 3:58 PM
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dsweck- hey, i think bruskii is really the 'volunteer officer' from NFPD!! LMAO. or they must be CLOSELY related.
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oldgreenb
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09-19-08 10:24 AM
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bruskii- shut the*****up, learn how to talk and spell or get the*****off of the computer. are you ignorant or just plain stupid w/b trash?
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GoBrowns
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09-19-08 8:59 AM
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Dschweck, I think bruskii talks (I mean writes) drunken hillbilly. Maybey drunken ghetto hillbilly?
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GoBrowns
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09-19-08 8:58 AM
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The sad thing is, there are many voters who are Democrat in many states that wont vote for a black man or a woman. I am not one of them, but racism is still out there. I have heard, "I will not vote for a (racist term)" enough in this state. Wasnt it in Brookfield that someone put up a racist sign? Small minded nimits!
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Tonelli
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09-18-08 3:43 PM
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Letson was correct!
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oldgreenb
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09-18-08 1:09 PM
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The Valley is not racist, they typically hate EVERYONE.
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antdeb
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09-18-08 10:15 AM
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Clownposse, don't forget about the car that was "stolen" and burned in Youngstown the night before it was supposed to be turned in for a milage check...We the voters do notice this clear lack of judgement. People need to be informed.
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antdeb
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09-18-08 9:49 AM
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Ok Tom, If you are non confrontantional you should not be in office. Also, as an attorney I would not want you defending me in a court of law if I were on trial. Sometimes, people should think before they open their mouths. If you did not say this you should call a major press conference and defend yourself. I am offended to be accused of being a racist if I don't vote for Obama, I actually have a mind and think for myself. I just don't like the man and would consider him a Marxist and don't want him as president of the United States. It actually has nothing to do with race. Why don't you grow some big boy pants and at least admit you said this.
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burgman21
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09-18-08 9:40 AM
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People do not realize how poor of a leader this guy is. He was given these talking points and doesnt even know he was call his people racists. If you are serious about change you should vote people like him out of office now.
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zipcityboy
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09-18-08 9:30 AM
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Stop walking on eggshells when it comes to race. Of course, race is a factor, a big one, in the presidential race. So is gender. Last time I checked, racism and sexism are alive and well in America; and they still will be after we get our first black president or woman vice-president. What is appalling is the utter hypocrisy and denial of our so-called representatives.
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clownposse
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09-18-08 9:00 AM
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And then people wonder why we have the same old politics in this area. It seems to me that the democrats have done a wonderful job for us in Trumbull county. Money stolen out of pants pockets, cleaning supplies over spent on, and you all know the rest of the story.
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djg44484
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09-18-08 8:46 AM
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As of right now, I don't see any news retractions written. Plus, the same story was presented 2 days in a row. If he's non-confrontational, why is he a legislator? Thank you Trib for at least doing a follow-up story.
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Billdog
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09-18-08 8:28 AM
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What a bunch of illinformed crap. Maybe if people wouldn't respond to such nonsense and doucebockery, the Tribune wouldn't write articals of information that only a blindman wouldn't already know.
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DramaFree
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09-18-08 8:17 AM
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Dschweck - you can not be the naive; color does matter. Some people are more vocal about it than others. This election will not solely be based on the issues, because you'll have some that won't vote for Obama because he's black regardless of the fact that they may side more with his views.
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TomSmith
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09-18-08 8:17 AM
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Many many people will not vote for Obama because he is black and not just in Ohio, but around the whole country. Problem is, he is just as much white and he is black. So he really is not a true "N E G R O".
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warrenguy
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09-18-08 7:32 AM
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where is Mr.Bruskii? his comments are always of interest . We must select a special day in honor of Mr. Bruskiiand declareit a holiday for all concerned in the valley
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therev
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09-18-08 6:26 AM
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Yes the voters in Mahoning Valley are racists. I am a white voter and let the truth be told. I'm a Republican but this election I will be switching over to vote for Barack Obama, who is black. Period!
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my2cents
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09-18-08 6:19 AM
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Who is the racist? "My grandmother is a typical white woman" says Obama. I want to know what this means? "My Muslim faith, I mean my Christian faith"!!!! says Obama. OPPS !!!! As a Christian I would NEVER mistakenly call my Christian Faith, my Muslim faith! Would you?? I think NOT!
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MD1533USMC
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09-18-08 4:30 AM
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There you go again...Democrats playing the race card! Shame on you, Letosn! We're life long Democrats and since Congress was taken over by the Democrats the economy has gone down. Congress has it's lowest rating ever! That's a couple of the reasons we're voting for John McCain! Period!
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