By Pamela Gentry, Senior Political Analyst

June 17, 2009 – It doesn’t look like Rusty DePass’s half-hearted apology for calling an escaped gorilla an “ancestor” of the first lady is going over well in the state of South Carolina.

Monday began with an outpouring of apologies across the state from Republicans who realized this was a political barn fire that needed to be put out.

The South Carolina NAACP president Lonnie Randolph is demanding a “proper” apology.  I think he wants one from DePass that doesn’t include remarks Mrs. Obama said the same thing first: understandable.   

I’m not surprised Randolph is outraged, but I am surprised there are Republicans who have realized this isn’t a win for them and they need to avoid creating another “wedge issue” that will leave the GOP on the outs with the folks infuriated by the comment.

I was glad to hear from Gov. Mark Sanford who said, “The comment was offensive, uncalled for, and completely inappropriate.”   This is the same guy who did a little name calling himself when he declined stimulus package money for his state.   

Even the newly-elected GOP chairperson in South Carolina, Karen Floyd, said, “Comments like the one in question are unacceptable, run contrary to the spirit and ideals of the Republican Party and have no place in public discourse.”

But the mayor of Columbia, where DePass resides, went even further.  Mayor Bob Coble issued a statement over the weekend condemning DePass’s remarks, and on Monday he sent a letter of apology to the first lady:

Dear First Lady:

I want to apologize for the comment that was made this past Friday by a person from my City. The comment was both hateful and inappropriate. The comment has been condemned by numerous fair minded people of all races and political parties. I want to personally express my deep disappointment that such a terrible statement would be associated with Columbia, South Carolina.

Columbia is a City of the New South. We have a history of working across all racial and ethnic lines to seek common ground and purpose. We take pride that our City has been held up by the noted author Richard Florida as an open and accepting City that is part of the global economy. We have a track record of building a diverse community. In the 1960’s, leaders came together to create the Greater Columbia Community Relations Council to guide us through integration. In the 1990’s, we filed a lawsuit to remove the Confederate flag from the Statehouse grounds.

We know that you, President Obama, and your family have been to South Carolina and Columbia many times. Please know that we welcome you back anytime. I apologize on behalf of Columbia for the comment that was made. While the comment was made by one individual, we know that in this internet and twenty-four hour media cycle, impressions can be made quickly. I wanted to state firmly and emphatically that we reject such a hateful and insensitive comment that does not reflect our City.

Very truly yours,

Mayor Bob Coble

The city of Columbia and state of South Carolina owe Coble a high-five.

By Pamela Gentry, Senior Political Analyst

 June 15, 2009 – A South Carolina Republican has apologized for posting a comment on his Facebook page he called a joke  suggesting the gorilla that escaped from a local zoo was an ancestor of First Lady Michelle Obama.

But no one is laughing. The comment was racist and unacceptable.

Rusty DePass, a former state Senate candidate, is a former chairman of the Richland County Republican Party and the former State Election Commission chairman in South Carolina.   DePass posted the controversial comment shortly after hearing of the gorilla’s escape, saying: “I’m sure it’s just one of Michelle’s ancestors — probably harmless.”

Following outrage over the remark, DePass removed the comment from the social networking site and apologized, claiming the comment was a joke and he was only referencing Obamas past comments on evolution. 

When the local news station WIS TV 10, caught up with DePass about his comment  he admitted it was a direct reference to the first lady, “I am as sorry as I can be if I offended anyone.”

The comment was clearly in jest,” DePass added.  “The comment was hers, not mine,” he said.  DePass contends the first lady made statements in the media that humans are all descendants of apes. 

So far no one has found a comment by Mrs. Obama.

Facebook decided to “un-friend” DePass and has removed his Facebook page from the site when I checked late Sunday night.  DePass’s comment struck a nerve among other Republicans in the state.     

Columbia Mayor Bob Coble released a statement saying: “You know, I don’t think there’s anything funny about that comment. That is the first lady of the United States. We’ve had a long tradition of wonderful first ladies, and I don’t think any of them deserve that type of comment.”

I think everyone would agree, DePass was way out of line.