Jackson Lee: Blacks not 'brainwashed' into voting for Democrats

Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (D-Texas) said Monday night that she is insulted by the suggestion of Republican presidential candidate Herman Cain that black voters are "brainwashed" into voting Democratic.

"I have no quarrel with the First Amendment and one's right to speak as one desires," she said on the House floor. "But I take issue with Mr. Herman Cain's very insulting and demeaning comment on a whole body politic of people, African-Americans, when asked a question why they make … political choices as they've made. And he chose to suggest that African-Americans are brainwashed."

Cain made the remark last week on CNN, and said blacks have been "brainwashed into not being open-minded, not even considering a conservative point of view."

Jackson Lee said she took issue with his "very unfortunate choice of words," and said that historically, blacks voted Republican in President Lincoln's time, and voted with Republicans "for a number of years." However, she said that since then, they have voted their interest, which has aligned with Democrats.

"So Mr. Cain, get your facts right," she said. "We are not brainwashed, and I am absolutely insulted by your ludicrous interpretation of African-American intellect in choosing their political party."

---