The controversy continues over the Obama-chimpanzee email sent by Southern California Tea Party activist and member of the central committee of the Orange County Republican Party, Marilyn Davenport.
Updated Article: Author Apologizes for E-mail
Davenport has declined to comment and blames the media for the over coverage of what she describes as a harmless “joke.”
The Los Angeles Times reported that Davenport sent an email to central committee colleagues, and described the controversy as "much to do about nothing."
"I'm sorry if my email offended anyone, 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. In fact, the thought never entered my mind until one or two other people tried to make this about race. We all know a double standard applies regarding this president. I received plenty of emails about George Bush that I didn't particularly like, yet there was no 'cry' in the media about them."
FOR MORE INFORMATION | O.C. Tea Party Member Sends Picture of Obama as Ape
As the growing number of colleagues call for Davenport’s resignation, she holds to her promise that she will not resign.
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Los Angeles Urban Policy Roundtable President Earl Ofari Hutchinson, Los Angeles Civil Rights Association President Eddie Jones and four other black community leaders planned to hold a news conference in Inglewood early Monday afternoon to detail their response. Hutchinson said the news conference participants would demand a meeting with Orange County GOP Chair Scott Baugh so they can press him to expel Davenport from the central committee.
O.C. Weekly political blogger R. Scott Moxley reported on the email.
When Moxley reached her for comment, Davenport reportedly said, "You're not going to make a big deal about this, are you? Oh, come on! Everybody who knows me knows I am not a racist. It was a joke. I have friends who are black.''
