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'Imperfect Christian Lady' Davenport Sorry for Obama-as-Chimp E-mail, Insists She's Not Racist
Orange County GOP leader Marilyn Davenport has made a more official and contrite apology for being the mastermind behind the "joke" e-mail she sent out containing a doctored family portrait of chimpanzees with President Obama as the baby. Though Davenport initially balked at criticism of her attempt at political humor, she told the OC Weekly yesterday that she needed to say sorry "with different words."
During her interview with the Weekly, 74-year-old Davenport wearily described her ordeal, and her reaction: "I wasn't wise in sending the email out. I shouldn't have done it. I really wasn't thinking when I did it. I had poor judgment." She noted that she had no plans to resign her job, despite calls for her to do so from others in the Orange County Republican Party organization. Davenport re-emphasized that she is not a racist.
Davenport issued an official statement last night, in which she refereed to herself as "an imperfect Christian lady," willing to accept the "rebuke" of her party and others. However, the Tea Party activist who represents the 72nd Assembly District "did not say sorry not in person, but through a statement read to the Orange County Republican Central Committee by fellow member Tim Whitacre. Davenport said she didn't show up at the committee meeting because she feared for her life," notes the NY Daily News.
While some in the party are willing to forgive Davenport and move on, others are still pushing for her resignation.
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