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‘A Vestige of Slavery’: Rep. Steve Cohen Says Holder Wouldn’t be in Contempt if He Looked Like… Al Pacino?

Rep. Steve Cohen on Current TV Says Eric Holder Wouldnt Be in Contempt If He Looked Like Al Pacino

In a bizarre segment on Current TV’s “The Young Turks,” Rep. Steve Cohen (R-Tenn.) argued the contempt charges against Attorney General Eric Holder are a “vestige of slavery and Jim Crow” and Congress wouldn’t have pursued the charges if the attorney general looked like actor Al Pacino. No, really.

It really didn’t take long for the Left to pull the race card after the House contempt vote Thursday. While Holder is undoubtedly a black man, to my recollection lawmakers have never cited that as a reason for the contempt charges.

(Related: ‘Tragic Witch Hunt’: Rep. Sheila Jackson Jackson Lee Says Holder Contempt Charges Are Racist)

Buzzfeed reporter Michael Hastings kicked off the segment and told host Cenk Uygur that Holder is an “enticing target” for Republicans because he is not only the first “African-American” attorney general but also very close to President Obama.
Rep. Steve Cohen on Current TV Says Eric Holder Wouldnt Be in Contempt If He Looked Like Al Pacino

Uygur asked Hastings to clarify whether he was insinuating that there was a racial element to the contempt charges.

“He is one of Obama’s guys,” he said. ”Is it a coincidence that the first contempt vote was brought, for an attorney general, was brought against an African-American attorney general… I don’t think so.”

“Michael, I agree with you,” Cohen interjected. “And i think it was race. And i think it was the second step in Joe Wilson: ‘You Lie.‘ That wouldn’t of happened if the President of the United States looked like John White and if the attorney general looked like Al Pacino, or whoever.”

Cohen was most likely referring to the previous instance where Rep. Joe Wilson (R-S.C.), who after hearing Obama promise that illegal immigrations wouldn’t be covered under the Affordable Care Act, shouted “You lie!” in the middle of the president’s address.

“And I think there is a racial element and it’s a vestige of slavery and Jim Crow, we need to rectify those problems and we’re not doing it,” Cohen added.

Hastings agreed and replied, “It just doesn’t seem like he did anything wrong, that’s the strange thing. There is no smoking gun tying Attorney General Holder, as far as I can tell to this operation.”

Rep. Darrell Issa (R-Calif.), chairman of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, has repeatedly said the contempt charges do not indicate the attorney general was involved in Fast and Furious only that he has refused to comply with a duly issued subpoena.

Watch some of Cohen’s questionable assertions via Current TV here:

Comments (101)

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  • MrButcher
    Posted on June 29, 2012 at 7:48pm

    Al Pacino is a racist.

    Report Post » MrButcher  
    • db321
      Posted on June 29, 2012 at 8:22pm

      Really, people in Tennessee voted for this idiot Steve Cohen. You’ve have got to be kidding me. Come on Tennessee!

      Report Post » db321  
    • Bluebonnet
      Posted on June 29, 2012 at 8:31pm

      This yokel is just another racist. Getting sick of ‘em. THEY are the racists, not us.

      Report Post »  
    • rickbob
      Posted on June 29, 2012 at 9:13pm

      DB, I agree with you totally. After all, AlGore didn’t win his home state in 2000. I am a TN native and I can’t think of a district that would elect this racist. . .

      Report Post » rickbob  
    • Treaty
      Posted on June 30, 2012 at 7:33am

      We should stop enforcing the law if a black person is suspect. That’s just plain racist!

      Report Post » Treaty  
    • barryd
      Posted on June 30, 2012 at 12:22pm

      Please dont think all, or even many Tennesseans are so ignorant as to elect this left wing nut. He is from the 9th District and must pander to coloreds for votes.

      Report Post »  
    • MCGIRV
      Posted on June 30, 2012 at 10:05pm

      Holder may not look like Pacino but he acts like a gangster!

      Report Post » MCGIRV  
  • Mike Benton
    Posted on June 29, 2012 at 7:47pm

    This white guy is getting very sick of this race crap!

    Report Post » Mike Benton  
    • oneshiner
      Posted on June 29, 2012 at 10:35pm

      DITTO, and by golly, I’m not gonna take it any more! I’ll just turn the tables and call them the Real Racists. But, I’m dam sick and tired of hearing it, I’m not a slave owner, nor were any of my ancestors. Go back and see which of your own countrymen captured your ancestors and kept them captive until they could sell them to the Dutch who did the slave trading. So there!
      Go talk with the African nation and the Dutch Nation. They are your enemies, not us.

      Report Post »  
  • JRCancio
    Posted on June 29, 2012 at 7:45pm

    Give me a break and race card my ssA; this is about cold blooded murder of some 307 people now of which his actions aided, abetted and is complicit in those murders and black, white, red or green he should be brought to justice. By his actions, people were killed, and there is no way you can separate his finger from the triggers. More people will die because of him, because of him his action reflect poorly upon the United States. If there is justice in this land – arrest him, give him a fair trial, if found guilty excute him just as fast as we killed McVey, the white guy who only killed about 160.

    Report Post »  
  • barber2
    Posted on June 29, 2012 at 7:39pm

    Ah, the old Race Card. Sort of makes me nostalgic for the 2008 election…..back when we didn’t know that “ Yes We Can ” stood for : divide the country, blow up the deficit, help to destabilize the world, and trash our allies. Back when we had “ hope ” … Yes, the old Race Card . We heard it a lot but not as much as the number one card in the Democrat campaign deck : Blame Bush . Ah, 2008..those were safer, calmer, more secure times in America…

    Report Post »  
    • SickOfSociety
      Posted on June 29, 2012 at 7:49pm

      Keep in mind – the liberals are using 2 cards these days… (1) the obvious RACE card. That one’s getting old, but they still obviously rely heavily on it when they have nothing else. (2) the HATER card. I’m sure you all have seen this one… “Why do you have to be such a HATER?” It works in their arguments for gay marriage, abortion, etc. It’s just this time it was the RACE one..

      Report Post »  
  • KingCoal59
    Posted on June 29, 2012 at 7:36pm

    Have you no shame Mr Cohen. This is your fallback to every crisis Obama faces when all else fails cry racism. It’s getting old, it’s been old. We don’t care anymore if you call us racists we know the truth no matter what you try to call us, we know who we are. You will not deter us with this tired old mantra.

    Report Post »  
    • Aynwzrite
      Posted on June 30, 2012 at 1:06am

      Help Charlotte Bergmann, a courageous, black republican, defeat this horror. Charlotte is running against Steve Cohen and needs help with TV and radio ads. The TN 9th district has receintly been redistricted to include many more Republicans and Independents and she has a great chance in defeating him. If you remember, Charlotte was the candidate that was featured on the Blaze when she was berated by the racist talk show host. http://mrctv.org/videos/charlotte-bergmann-thaddeus-matthews-interview Many of the people in the 9th district are tired of this racist behavior and are ready for a better choice. Charlotte is gaining support across party lines. Please help us get send Charlotte Bergmann to Congress in his place.

       
    • Aynwzrite
      Posted on June 30, 2012 at 1:18am

      Sorry I neglected to give Charlotte Bergman’s web address. If you can, please donate at http://www.charlottebergmann.com

      Report Post »  
  • science teacher
    Posted on June 29, 2012 at 7:35pm

    If he looked like Pacino he would be undergoing impeachment proceedings.

    Report Post »  
  • SnowballDidIt
    Posted on June 29, 2012 at 7:35pm

    Could you liberals PLEASE try to see beyond skin color. Just give it a try. Seriously. Listen to people’s words. That is what is important – not skin color.

    Report Post »  
  • KeystoneState
    Posted on June 29, 2012 at 7:33pm

    If Obama had an Attorney General for a son, he’d look like Eric Holder.

    Report Post » KeystoneState  
  • vaughan
    Posted on June 29, 2012 at 7:33pm

    What does color have to do with it? Lets face it, if you have Contempt for Congress you’re a jerk, and a jerk is a jerk, is a jerk…regardless of what color his skin happens to be…sorry pal that’s life.

    Report Post »  
    • Mike Benton
      Posted on June 29, 2012 at 7:49pm

      But he would want him to look like me, so he could be above reproach!

      Report Post » Mike Benton  
  • Tom
    Posted on June 29, 2012 at 7:30pm

    LOOK ……………….Sheila Jacka$$on Lee in a white boy suit.

    Report Post » Tom  
  • Pontiac
    Posted on June 29, 2012 at 7:25pm

    [Rep. Steve Cohen Says Holder Wouldn’t be in Contempt if He Looked Like… Al Pacino]
    No, if he looked like Al Pacino and was a republican appointee he would have been in jail a long time ago.

    Report Post » Pontiac  
  • countryfirst
    Posted on June 29, 2012 at 7:24pm

    The only race issue that needs to be talked about , is the race to bankruptcy we are in.

    Report Post » countryfirst  
  • Nemo13
    Posted on June 29, 2012 at 7:24pm

    Bored with blacks and their racism card, and the medicated libs who chap their lips on their arses. You can all shove it up your kenya.

    Report Post »  
    • RepubliCorp
      Posted on June 29, 2012 at 7:50pm

      Ditto……….. I would like to ask these fools: Is Eric Holder incapable of a crime because he is black?

      Report Post » RepubliCorp  
  • progressiveslayer
    Posted on June 29, 2012 at 7:21pm

    Your article states Cohen is a republican,he’s a democrat you fools.

    Report Post » progressiveslayer  
    • Mess23
      Posted on June 29, 2012 at 7:38pm

      The “Rep” in front of his name means he is a Representative. The (D) after his name means he is a Dumba$$.

      Civics 101

      Report Post »  
    • donh2
      Posted on June 29, 2012 at 7:51pm

      Lets go back to one of the CREEPIEST interviews of a US politician you will find ….Steve Cohen DEFENDING his use of Nazi propaganda on the house floor….> http://youtu.be/UyX1tSAhBqA Pay special attention to the 3:00 mark where he starts to rattle off referances to obscure nazis like boxer Max Scneiling and submarine commander Donitz….and how he slobbers over Gobels with a ghoulish fawning as the “ master ” of lies. This man is FAR too steeped in fascist history to be serving as an elected representative. His father must have been in the Khaki shirt American Fascist movement of Art J Smith in the 1930s.

      Report Post »  
    • progressiveslayer
      Posted on June 29, 2012 at 8:26pm

      DONH2 I’ve seen the Nazi in other interviews and his dem cohorts are a mixture of communists and socialists who have no business in congress.It just reflects the mentality of the electorate that puts these idiots in office.

      Report Post » progressiveslayer  
  • Dallasmarine
    Posted on June 29, 2012 at 7:21pm

    I wouldn’t care if he looked like Al Molinaro from “happy days” or Al Jolston. The sooner we can get the slime out of the government the better we will be in the future.

    Report Post »  
  • liesnomore
    Posted on June 29, 2012 at 7:17pm

    Hey Cohen- Did you ever stop to think that if Holder didn’t lie to congress, didn’t stonewall the committee, and had complied with the multitude of requests that maybe, just maybe, he would NOT have been held in contempt?
    And Mr. Cohen, are you implying that the 17 or so democrats who voted FOR contempt are also racists?

    Report Post »  
  • Watermain
    Posted on June 29, 2012 at 7:15pm

    Holder would need to be held in contempt even if he had the misfortune of looking like me. The race card is the liberal pukes’ best friend.

    Report Post » Watermain  
    • Shasta
      Posted on June 29, 2012 at 7:24pm

      If this was a white AG under Bush, the democrats would be going nuts if the situation was reversed. Nancy would even get her chance to try to arrest someone. Democrats suck.

      Report Post » Shasta  
  • MeteoricLimbo
    Posted on June 29, 2012 at 7:14pm

    What in the world does color have to do with about 200 dead people. Good Heavens.

    Report Post » MeteoricLimbo  
  • JEANNIEMAC
    Posted on June 29, 2012 at 7:14pm

    The race card is old and worn. Toss it out.

    Report Post »  
  • Red Meat
    Posted on June 29, 2012 at 7:14pm

    The article text is wrong…COHEN IS A DEM.
    and Allen West is still a loud mouth fraud.

    Report Post » Red Meat  
  • Red Meat
    Posted on June 29, 2012 at 7:12pm

    I’m sorry, Cohen is a Republican?
    Geez. Yup, we’re doomed.

    Report Post » Red Meat  
    • liesnomore
      Posted on June 29, 2012 at 7:19pm

      the screen shot of the screen shows him as a DEM

      Report Post »  
    • drbage
      Posted on June 29, 2012 at 7:23pm

      Rep. Cohen is, indeed, a Democrat. He is the one who referred to the Republicans in the House as Nazis during the debate on healthcare. In his apology the next day he said he did not mean to say that they were actually Nazis. Typical non-apology apology or as this regime would call it a kinetic apology.

      Report Post »  
  • garbagecanlogic
    Posted on June 29, 2012 at 7:09pm

    Who is this kook? Look at the ancient glasses, the coat looks like it came out of a carnival werlfare basket. And his thinking – racist!

    Praise Be To Obama. Psalm 109:8

    The U.S. Out Of The U.N.
    The U.N. Out Of The U.S.

    Report Post »  
  • I.Heart.America
    Posted on June 29, 2012 at 7:09pm

    I just read THIS over at the Daily Caller

    Colonel Allen West: Black Caucus liberals judged Holder by the color of his skin NOT by the content of his character.

    Report Post » I.Heart.America  
  • EqualJustice
    Posted on June 29, 2012 at 7:08pm

    OH geez…. ANOTHER RACE CARD.. run out already.

    Report Post » EqualJustice  
    • Calimann83
      Posted on June 29, 2012 at 11:17pm

      Dude, they have stacks of them in a warehouse somewhere.

      Report Post » Calimann83  
  • The_Cabrito_Goat
    Posted on June 29, 2012 at 7:07pm

    …….seriously? A Republican said this? No, no, I shouldn’t be surprised. I can’t be surprised anymore by politicians of ANY stripe.

    Report Post » The_Cabrito_Goat  
    • cosette
      Posted on June 29, 2012 at 7:27pm

      The information is accessible via the internet using any search engine. Google “Rep Steve Cohen, Tenn. He is a Democrat.

      Report Post »  
    • Bluebonnet
      Posted on June 30, 2012 at 1:19pm

      Geeze! How many of you saw Republican behind Cohen’s name? I didn’t see that and went back to look………all I say was Rep. Cohen (which stands for Representative, meaning he’s a congressman on the House side………a representative who serves for 2 years.(if he’s lucky)
      For those who scan and don’t read: Cohen is NOT a Republican

      Report Post »  
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