# Republicans remove Rep. Steve King (Racist-Iowa) from committees **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [January 15, 2019, 8:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-remove-rep-steve-king-racist-iowa-from-committees/827787 "2019-01-15T08:55:30Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Akaj](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/akaj/32/145_2.png) [@Akaj](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Akaj)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2019, 8:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-remove-rep-steve-king-racist-iowa-from-committees/827787/41 "2019-01-16T20:49:51Z")
[quote=“Anny\_Middon, post:21, topic:827787”] Dahleen Glanton’s column in today’s Chicago Tribune mentioned Sen. Tim Scott’s op-ed in the Washington Post about King’s comments that said, “Some in our party wonder why Republicans are constantly accused of racism – it is because of our silence when things like this are said.” > [@](#): > > No, Sen. Scott, that’s not why many African-Americans think the Republican Party is racist. It’s because of the racist policies the GOP espouses. > /QUOTE] > > She goes on to enumerate some of those policies, including passing statewide voter identification laws; giving big tax breaks to the wealthy while proposing cuts to Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security and other safety nets for the poor; looking at Pell Grants, student loans and Head Start programs as handouts, rather than steppingstones to a better left. > > The column is behind a paywall, or I’d give a link to it. Gagging as I write this, but I actually sort of agree with \*\*Farnaby \*\*here. Cutting aid to the poor isn’t by definition racist. The impact of these actions – which, I must add, I universally and vehemently oppose – has a disproportionate effect on minorities because minorities are disproportionately poor. But you can favor those policies for many reasons other than outright racism. What’s more, labeling them as racist policies (when they can just as easily impact poor whites) plays into the GOP’s accusations of identity politics. It’s better to oppose them on their merits than label them as racist. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2019, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-remove-rep-steve-king-racist-iowa-from-committees/827787/42 "2019-01-16T20:51:42Z")
> [@Akaj](#): > > But you can favor those policies for many reasons other than outright racism. Okay, like what? > [@](#): > > It’s better to oppose them on their merits than label them as racist. We do. We can do both. ---
**Author:** ![Akaj](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/akaj/32/145_2.png) [@Akaj](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Akaj)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2019, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-remove-rep-steve-king-racist-iowa-from-committees/827787/43 "2019-01-16T21:14:28Z")
> [@ElvisL1ves](#): > > Okay, like what? You can oppose all those policies because you oppose “handouts,” or because you think they distort free markets, or because you oppose public education in general, or because you’re a big believer in supply-side economics. Beats me, I disagree with all that. But I can see where someone could say, “This is what I believe, and I’d believe the same thing even if it only affected white people.” ---
**Author:** ![MandaJo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ac91a4/32.png) [@MandaJo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MandaJo)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2019, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-remove-rep-steve-king-racist-iowa-from-committees/827787/44 "2019-01-16T21:19:02Z")
> [@Akaj](#): > > You can oppose all those policies because you oppose “handouts,” or because you think they distort free markets, or because you oppose public education in general, or because you’re a big believer in supply-side economics. > > Beats me, I disagree with all that. But I can see where someone could say, “This is what I believe, and I’d believe the same thing even if it only affected white people.” Sure. But some people oppose them because they think those programs mostly benefit black people and it just grinds their gears to see black people getting shit they don’t “deserve”. It’s problematic that those people get a pass–and that politicians benefit from sending out dog whistles to them–because the others give them protective cover. It’s what lets them fester, and believe that everyone else in their party agrees with them, you just “can’t say it out loud”. ---
**Author:** ![Akaj](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/akaj/32/145_2.png) [@Akaj](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Akaj)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2019, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-remove-rep-steve-king-racist-iowa-from-committees/827787/45 "2019-01-16T21:39:15Z")
> [@MandaJo](#): > > Sure. But some people oppose them because they think those programs mostly benefit black people and it just grinds their gears to see black people getting shit they don’t “deserve”. > > It’s problematic that those people get a pass–and that politicians benefit from sending out dog whistles to them–because the others give them protective cover. It’s what lets them fester, and believe that everyone else in their party agrees with them, you just “can’t say it out loud”. Agreed. There are lots of racist shitbags out there, and Steve King is one of them. And there’s no doubt that GOP lawmakers are adept at blowing those dogwhistles to drum up support for their policies. Still, just because some people champion policies for racist reasons doesn’t make those policies inherently racist. Millions of people voted against Obama, and they didn’t all do it because he was black. ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2019, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-remove-rep-steve-king-racist-iowa-from-committees/827787/46 "2019-01-16T21:46:35Z")
> [@Akaj](#): > > Cutting aid to the poor isn’t by definition racist. Without context, support for the idea of lower aid to the poor is possibly not racist. In America, in 2019, support for cutting aid to the poor is racist. > [@](#): > > But you can favor those policies for many reasons other than outright racism. “Racism” isn’t fully encompassed by “outright racism.” Much of our racism problem today–possibly the majority–is non-outright racism. > [@](#): > > What’s more, labeling them as racist policies (when they can just as easily impact poor whites) plays into the GOP’s accusations of identity politics. It’s better to oppose them on their merits than label them as racist. That they’re racist _is_ part of the merits. ---
**Author:** ![Folacin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/folacin/32/3195_2.png) [@Folacin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Folacin)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2019, 9:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-remove-rep-steve-king-racist-iowa-from-committees/827787/47 "2019-01-16T21:57:28Z")
> [@Kolak\_of\_Twilo](#): > > Agreed, losing his committee assignments is major. It’s also a clear signal to voters in his district that the party leadership is done with King and they want him gone. But is his hold on the GOP base in his district strong enough that he can survive a primary challenge? I know he came somewhat close to losing his seat, but that was when independents and Democrats could also vote. In a primary, I can see those cranky Iowa farmers voting for him just to spite the Washington establishment. ---
**Author:** ![Akaj](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/akaj/32/145_2.png) [@Akaj](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Akaj)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2019, 9:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-remove-rep-steve-king-racist-iowa-from-committees/827787/48 "2019-01-16T21:59:16Z")
> [@Acsenray](#): > > Without context, support for the idea of lower aid to the poor is possibly not racist. In America, in 2019, support for cutting aid to the poor is racist. > > “Racism” isn’t fully encompassed by “outright racism.” Much of our racism problem today–possibly the majority–is non-outright racism. I agree with you on context. It’s damn near impossible these days to separate merit-based arguments for GOP policies (if they even exist) from the racist, xenophobic hurricane winds swirling around them. I’m curious what you mean when you distinguish “racism” from “outright racism.” And I still maintain it hurts our cause when we, for example, defend Head Start funding by labeling opposition to it racist. Questioning the motives of those we disagree with instead of the merits of their argument is the right’s game, and we suck at it. ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2019, 10:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-remove-rep-steve-king-racist-iowa-from-committees/827787/49 "2019-01-16T22:12:16Z")
> [@Acsenray](#): > > The House Republicans surprised me by actually asking concrete action against habitual racist Rep. Steve King of Iowa But those same Republicans, and those in the Senate, surprised no one by their continued support of habitual racist, misogynist, congenital liar, and national embarrassment Donald Trump. The difference is only that King doesn’t have the national base that Trump does, so there’s no political downside and potential upsides to disowning King. It’s not like Congressional Republicans have suddenly acquired morals or integrity or anything. Or have we already forgotten the Kavanaugh hearings? ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2019, 10:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-remove-rep-steve-king-racist-iowa-from-committees/827787/50 "2019-01-16T22:32:50Z")
The difficulty is that, while there are some forms of aid or “handouts” which disproportionately go to blacks, there are other forms that disproportionately go to whites. And the same people who generally favor cutting the former, are all in favor of keeping or even increasing the latter. Which still might not necessarily be racist. There’s also generally an urban-rural divide here, too. But it sure looks suggestive. ---
**Author:** ![Ancient\_Erudite](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/eb9ed0/32.png) [@Ancient\_Erudite](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ancient_Erudite)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2019, 1:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-remove-rep-steve-king-racist-iowa-from-committees/827787/51 "2019-01-18T01:16:05Z")
> [@Acsenray](#): > > The House Republicans surprised me by actually asking concrete action against habitual racist Rep. Steve King of Iowa > > [https://www.nytimes.com/2019/01/14/us/politics/steve-king-white-supremacy.html](https://www.nytimes.com/2019/01/14/us/politics/steve-king-white-supremacy.html) > > Usually Republicans engage in empty platitudes when one of their fellow party members expresses racist views. But this is actually real action, if minor. > > Let’s see if they go along with censure. > > To recap, King recently wondered out loud why white supremacy and white nationalism should be considered bad things. They should go along with it. Democrats seem to tolerate these types. Keith Ellison, Robert Byrd ( a KKK Man ) etc… ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2019, 1:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-remove-rep-steve-king-racist-iowa-from-committees/827787/52 "2019-01-18T01:26:09Z")
> [@Ancient\_Erudite](#): > > They should go along with it. > > Democrats seem to tolerate these types. Keith Ellison, Robert Byrd ( a KKK Man ) etc… Byrd was in the KKK for a year as a young man and completely disavowed his time in later years. Waht’s your problem with Ellison? ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2019, 1:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-remove-rep-steve-king-racist-iowa-from-committees/827787/53 "2019-01-18T01:38:12Z")
Shall we discuss Trent Lott while we’re at it? I didn’t think you did. ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2019, 1:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-remove-rep-steve-king-racist-iowa-from-committees/827787/54 "2019-01-18T01:54:09Z")
> [@running\_coach](#): > > Waht’s your problem with Ellison? Probably a reference to the recent domestic abuse allegations against him. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2019, 2:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-remove-rep-steve-king-racist-iowa-from-committees/827787/55 "2019-01-18T02:01:23Z")
> [@Miller](#): > > Probably a reference to the recent domestic abuse allegations against him. Missed that, thanks. ---
**Author:** ![Chisquirrel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6bbea6/32.png) [@Chisquirrel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chisquirrel)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2019, 6:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-remove-rep-steve-king-racist-iowa-from-committees/827787/56 "2019-01-18T06:06:41Z")
> [@Miller](#): > > Probably a reference to the recent domestic abuse allegations against him. Which conveniently ignores the whole part about Keith Ellison repeatedly requesting and encouraging investigation by law enforcement. ETA: But hey, if Republicans have to go back to the Forties to find someone even close to the racist bullshit spouted by King last week, it says less about Democrats than they’d think. ---
**Author:** ![FlikTheBlue](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fliktheblue/32/10972_2.png) [@FlikTheBlue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FlikTheBlue)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2019, 4:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-remove-rep-steve-king-racist-iowa-from-committees/827787/57 "2019-01-19T04:12:25Z")
> [@Ancient\_Erudite](#): > > They should go along with it. > > Democrats seem to tolerate these types. Keith Ellison, Robert Byrd ( a KKK Man ) etc… Robert Byrd again? Will you all (Republicans / conservatives) ever get tired of trotting him out when the topic is racist politicians? It must be because he’s a good example of how someone behaves when they are genuinely atoning for previous wrongs, so the people who are just faking it feel they have to bash him. ---
**Author:** ![PastTense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pasttense/32/14550_2.png) [@PastTense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PastTense)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2019, 2:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-remove-rep-steve-king-racist-iowa-from-committees/827787/58 "2019-05-23T02:33:32Z")
The latest: **Steve King implies Clintons should be executed** > [@](#): > > Last week, King posted a meme on Facebook showing Julius and Ethel Rosenberg, who during the early years of the Cold War were executed for treason. The meme also features Bill and Hillary Clinton, noting that they are “still running free,” accompanied by “#LockHerUp.” > [https://www.bleedingheartland.com/static/media/2019/05/RosenbergsClintons.png](https://www.bleedingheartland.com/static/media/2019/05/RosenbergsClintons.png) > > And why does King believe the Clintons should be locked up? He apparently buys the meme’s reference to a conspiracy theory claiming the Clintons sold uranium to the Russians, long-since debunked. How debunked? Even Fox News host Shepard Smith rejects the accusation. > **[Steve King implies Clintons should be executed](https://www.bleedingheartland.com/2019/05/22/steve-king-implies-clintons-should-be-executed/)** > > Ed Fallon: As the radical fringe feel emboldened to act violently, King's meme is not only politically irresponsible, it's morally objectionable. ---
**Author:** ![Ulf\_the\_Unwashed](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/b4bc9f/32.png) [@Ulf\_the\_Unwashed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ulf_the_Unwashed)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2019, 3:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-remove-rep-steve-king-racist-iowa-from-committees/827787/59 "2019-05-26T03:12:45Z")
> [@PastTense](#): > > The latest: > **Steve King implies Clintons should be executed** > > [Steve King implies Clintons should be executed - Bleeding Heartland](https://www.bleedingheartland.com/2019/05/22/steve-king-implies-clintons-should-be-executed/) What, you can’t take a JOKE?😕 (Well, it worked for Curt Schilling. Kind of.) ---
**Author:** ![Chisquirrel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6bbea6/32.png) [@Chisquirrel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chisquirrel)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2020, 4:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-remove-rep-steve-king-racist-iowa-from-committees/827787/60 "2020-06-03T04:11:18Z")
To update: [The House’s most racist member has lost](https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/500703-randy-feenstra-beats-controversial-rep-steve-king-in-gop-primary). I can’t comment any further in forum-appropriate language, but yeah. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-remove-rep-steve-king-racist-iowa-from-committees/827787.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-remove-rep-steve-king-racist-iowa-from-committees/827787.md?page=4)