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Some animosity against Obama is 'race-based', says Brown

Sen. Sherrod Brown talks to business leaders Friday, Sept. 18, before his speech at a Dayton Area Chamber of Commerce sponsored breakfast at the Crowne Plaza Hotel.

Staff photo by Jim Noelker Sen. Sherrod Brown talks to business leaders Friday, Sept. 18, before his speech at a Dayton Area Chamber of Commerce sponsored breakfast at the Crowne Plaza Hotel.

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By Tim Tresslar, Staff Writer Updated 8:51 PM Saturday, September 19, 2009

DAYTON — Sen. Sherrod Brown drew a few boos Friday, Sept. 18, at what otherwise should have been a low-key event when he suggested that some who oppose President Obama do so because of race.

The Ohio Democrat spoke to about 250 business people at a Dayton Area Chamber of Commerce breakfast. During a question-and-answer period, an audience member asked Brown about U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s recent call for political leaders to cool down overheated rhetoric before it leads to violence.

The Ohio Democrat said the animosity aimed at Obama, America’s first black president, was “pretty amazing” and it came at the president almost as soon as he was sworn in.

“I think some of the animosity against Barack Obama is race-based,” Brown told the audience.

Brown said those who oppose Obama because of race rather than policy are a minority. But the senator added that he thinks it is a factor because of racist sentiments expressed against Obama in the letters, e-mails and phone calls sent to Brown’s office.

Following the formal program, several attendees expressed concern about the response Brown received during the Q&A, noting that dialogue surrounding race and politics has taken on a disrespectful tone.

Ed Stanek, who attended the breakfast, said he was embarrassed and shocked by the reaction to Brown’s comments.

“Not everyone there felt that way,” Stanek said.

Chamber president Phil Parker said his organization doesn’t mind lively debates or conversations over issues, so long as they stay civil. Parker said after the incident he apologized to Brown twice and both times was assured there were no hard feelings.

“He was very gracious as he always is,” Parker said.

During his prepared remarks, Brown said he believes President Obama should have a health reform bill — one with a government-run insurance plan and universal coverage — on his desk by late fall.

Brown said he would be “hard-pressed” to vote for a bill that does not include a government insurance plan as one of the care options.

Brown said a health care bill written in the Senate’s Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, on which Brown sits, includes insurance exchanges, a public insurance option and tax credits for small businesses that provide health coverage.

Under the committee proposal, those who like their current insurance would not have to switch coverage unless their employer drops coverage or changes policies, which is no different than the current system, Brown said. Congressional analysts have estimated that a public insurance option would draw somewhere between 5 million and 10 million people, he said.

In other remarks, Brown said Ohio has the opportunity to become a Silicon Valley of alternative energy, adding that he has supported a revolving loan fund that manufacturers can use to transition away from automotive work and into making products such as glass for solar panels. He also has introduced legislation that would increase the federal funds available for business incubators in areas that are struggling economically, he said.

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