BET co-founder apologizes after mocking Deeds’ stammer
Published: October 6, 2009
Updated: October 6, 2009
In another candid-camera moment for Virginia politics, one of Republican Bob McDonnell's most prominent backers for governor has been caught on video mocking Democrat R. Creigh Deeds' stammer.
Sheila C. Johnson of Middleburg, the billionaire co-founder of Black Entertainment Television, imitated Deeds' halting speaking style during a recent appearance in Norfolk with McDonnell.
"We need someone who can really communicate, and Bob McDonnell can communicate," began Johnson, who supported fellow Democrat Timothy M. Kaine in the 2005 race for governor.
"The other people I talked to, and especially his op-pop-pop-pop-pop-pop-pop-ponent -- di-di-di-did this all through my interview with him," Johnson said to a smattering of snickering.
"He could not articulate what needed to be done. So, communication is extremely important."
The Deeds campaign, which had supplied the video to at least two partisan bloggers, demanded that McDonnell renounce Johnson's mimicry. The Republican refused, choosing instead to attack Deeds for a failure, in the words of McDonnell spokesman Tucker Martin, to "express any vision for Virginia's future."
Johnson issued an apology by e-mail late yesterday afternoon.
"Two weeks ago, I made reference to Creigh Deeds' inability to clearly communicate effective solutions to the serious problems facing Virginia," she said.
"I shouldn't have done it in the manner in which I did and for that, I apologize for any offense he, or others, may have taken."
The episode, captured by a camera-equipped Deeds staff member assigned to tail McDonnell, was another reminder of the Internet's power to magnify in the public's consciousness otherwise-overlooked slip-ups by candidates and their supporters.
Among the best-known examples is then-Sen. George Allen's "macaca moment" in 2006. It contributed to his defeat for re-election, scuttling as well his presumed ambitions for the Republican presidential nomination in 2008.
Recently, Deeds was stung by Republican video of his stumbling response on whether he would raise taxes for transportation. The footage of Deeds speaking to reporters after a Sept. 17 debate in Fairfax County has become fodder for GOP advertisements.
Johnson and her then-husband, Robert Johnson, founded BET. In 2000, they sold it to Viacom for $3 billion.
Before she chose to support McDonnell, Johnson was one of Virginia's most prominent Democratic donors. She was the top individual contributor to Kaine, giving his 2005 campaign, inaugural treasury and political-action committee about $600,000.
Johnson has yet to make a donation to McDonnell, according to the Virginia Public Access Project, an online watchdog of money in politics.
In a conference call with reporters after distribution of the Johnson video, Deeds strategist Mo Elleithee branded her remarks "pretty offensive" and "openly mocking of those who stutter."
Elleithee stopped short of saying Deeds had been diagnosed with a disability, saying: "It's something he's dealt with his whole life." Elleithee said Deeds had "never sought any medical attention for it."
The Deeds campaign also relayed to reporters a written statement by the National Stuttering Association, which asked Johnson, "Do you also make fun of people in wheelchairs, or do you believe that stuttering is the only disability it's OK to ridicule?"
The organization estimates that 77,000 Virginians stutter and said those who have overcome the disability include Rep. Frank R. Wolf, R-10th, one of McDonnell's top allies in Northern Virginia.
Contact Jim Nolan at (804) 649-6061 or
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What many of the posters here are implying is, because Sheila Johnson is prominent african american woman supporting a republican, that her mockery of a Democrat (the party who can’t win elections without african american votes) was appalling. If the mockery was on McDonnell, I’m sure Larry Sabato and the rest of your following would be congratulating Ms. Johnson. Hypocrites.
Cynthia… I guess this is why men and women think on the opposite sides of their brains. I had these same thoughs about Creepy Deeds.
Wow paperlady, you must really know these folks well. Been spending a lot of time in Middleburg? I’d say from the content of your comment that the last four letters of your moniker *do not* denote your level of class.
I am so tired of Republicans and supporters of Republican candidates apologizing for un P.C. comments and statements. Democrats and their supporters are never called out (by those in the media) when they make comments that are off color or politically incorrect. If people are going to be censored, then it should go both ways, but I would like to think that the First Amendment is still sacred here in the U.S.
When Tim Kaine was running against Jerry Kilgore for Governor, Kaine’s camp mocked Kilgore’s southwestern accent. It did not come from Kaine’s mouth, but clearly did from his campaign, yet, no one from Kaine’s camp apologize for the mockery nor did Kaine himself denounce it. The mockery of Kilgore’s accent could have been seen as offensive to not only Kilgore but to other Virginians from the southwest with similar accents. Yet, the way that it was portrayed in the media, it was used against Kilgore with the implication(s) that he was unpolished and incompetent, which, in my humble opinion a caricature that was way off-base. If that same superficial standard could be used against Kilgore, then maybe it could be used against Deeds. Deeds’ debating style and manner of speaking could place him into the same category as Kilgore. He is from a part of Virginia that those in Northern VA (a very important electorate) do not necessarily identify with and he certainly was not a favorite of the elite Democrats in the party (hence why McAuliffe was supposed to be a shoe-in for the Democratic nomination). So, realizing that disadvantage, Deeds’ campaign has not focused on the issues affecting Virginians—the economy, transportation, healthcare reform, etc.—but rather on personal attacks. Such a strategy will not work this time. Social issues usually matter when there is stability. This is not that time. The entire country is experiencing a recession, unemployment has skyrocketed to 9.8%, Virginia has to borrow federal funding to supplement Virginians currently receiving unemployment benefits, our part-time Governor has not even secured funds from the stimulus plan for the state despite his connections to the President and his position as DNC chair. The Dems are in a bad situation politically and for Deeds (and he seems like a good guy), it is a matter of bad timing for his candidacy.
So, did you all find her ignorant, chilidish, small, etc. when she was supporting democrat candidates for political office? Just curious…
The article implies the McDonnell was present when this happened. Everyone but Bob has an opinion. The news media wouldn’t allow a Democrat to get away with that.
MrRight is Mr WRONG. I don’t think anybody is “looking forward” to Bob McDonnell. The man is a homophobic, chauvinistic, right wing Republican clod. He makes my skin crawl.
As for Sheila Johnson…well, her parents should have taught her that it’s ignorant and juvenile to mock someone who has stammers. In fact, those are the two words I think can best describe Ms. Johnson: ignorant and juvenile. Her behavior is that of a backward middle school child.
This is just childish and unnecessary. This is the type of things children on the playground do to each other. Please act like adults, I don’t know what has been happening but there seems to be a shift that its ok for adults in the public eye to act like spoiled children and the public doesn’t call them on it. This is not about politics but adults acting like adults.
This just goes to show what a small person she is (and, no, I am not mocking her height).
Deeds has done nothing in his campaign except try and smear Bob Mc Donnell.
No ideas,just criticism.But don’t you dare say an ill word about a democrat or out come the crying towels and the ‘offended’ special interest groups.People are getting tired of that well worn tactic.
I think what you can look forward to is Governor Bob McDonnell.
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