Rokita Asking For Forgiveness Over "Master And Slave" Wordage

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(UNDATED) - Secretary Of State Todd Rokita is asking forgiveness in what he calls “a bad choice of words” at a Republican party event in Washington, Indiana.

On Thursday, Rokita noted to a Daviess County Lincoln Day dinner that African Americans vote Democratic by a nine-to-one margin, then asked "who's the master and who's the slave in that relationship? How can that be healthy?"

Rokita says he stands by the point he was trying to make, arguing that the GOP needs to reclaim its roots as the party of Lincoln, and asserting that African Americans face intense pressure if they go against the trend and vote Republican. But he says it was a mistake to use the slavery metaphor.

Indianapolis NAACP President Cornell Burris is unmoved by Rokita's plea for forgiveness from anyone who was offended. He says Rokita's comment is a "disgrace" and "despicable," and says he's seeking permission from the state and national organizations to picket the statehouse.

Burris rejects Rokita's argument blacks are ostracized if they vote Republican. "He's not African American--how can he tell me what an African American feels? Don't give me that crap," Burris said.

Rokita spent much of the day Monday conducting individual media interviews to explain his comments. Burris says the second-term Republican needs to hold a full-blown public news conference.

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