Marilyn Davenport, who represents Orange County, California’s 72nd Assembly District, is in hot water over an e-mailed photo she circulated to fellow Republicans that contained Barack Obama’s head superimposed on a chimpanzee–with the tagline: “Now you know why no birth certificate.”
Davenport was shocked at the backlash that has come her way. She characterized it as “just an internet joke” and said to the Orange County Weekly: “You’re not going to make a big deal about this are you?”
Davenport sits on the Central Committee, and Chairman Scott Baugh was quick to denounce the actions of his colleague: “It’s just highly inappropriate, it’s a despicable message and it drips with racism. I think she should consider stepping down as an elected official.”
That really took the joke perpetrator by surprise. The OC Weekly published her response: “I simply found it amusing regarding the character of Obama and all the questions surrounding his origin of birth. In no way did I even consider the fact he’s half black when I sent out the email… That being said, I will NOT resign my central committee position over this matter that the average person knows and agrees is much to do about nothing.”
A similar firestorm brewed in February 2009, when Los Alamitos Mayor Dean Grose, another Orange County Republican, emailed the White House watermelon image with the tagline “No Easter egg hunt at the White House this year.” Ironically, while many demanded that he step down, Marilyn Davenport defended him.
So tell us what you think … should Davenport resign?
Check out a video to hear what her colleagues have to say:
Photo: OCWeekly