This time Omaha’s Congressman wants an apology

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Joe Jordan| Nebraska Watchdog

Lee Terry, Omaha’s Republican congressman who knows a thing or two about apologizing, is now demanding an apology.

Rep. Lee Terry

Over the weekend New York Congressman Steve Israel, the man in charge of getting Democrats elected to the House of Representatives, told CNN that “not all” Republican lawmakers are racists.

Terry has called the comment “repugnant.”

Here’s what happened:

During a recent news conference House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi said, “I think race has something to do with the fact that (House Republicans are) not bringing up an immigration bill.”

That begged this question to Israel.

CNN’s Candy Crowley: Do you think your Republican colleagues are racist?

Rep. Steve Israel, Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee Chairman: Not all of them. No, of course not.

According to Terry, if Pelosi and Israel don’t apologize they should both resign their top party posts.

The DCCC tells Nebraska Watchdog it has “no” comment on Terry’s apology demand.

Of course during the last six months Terry has found himself in the apology bulls-eye, twice.

Two weeks ago he issued a mea culpa for his admittedly “off-handed” comment during a nationally televised House hearing on safety problems at General Motors—a faulty ignition switch is linked to 13 deaths and dozens of crashes resulting in 2.6 million cars being recalled.

Terry showed up late for the hearing and announced, “I’m sorry for being late, but my plane was canceled for mechanical reasons. Probably an ignition switch.”

Sorry number one occurred last fall during the federal government shutdown when Terry was asked if he’d continue to take his paycheck.

“Dang straight,” the 8-term incumbent told the Omaha World-Herald. “I’ve got a nice house and a kid in college, and I’ll tell you we cannot handle it.”

A few days later Terry apologized.

Contact Joe Jordan at joe@nebraskawatchdog.org and listen to Joe every Monday morning at 7:40 on KFAB radio in Omaha.

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