(CNN) - Former Democratic National Committee Chairman Don Fowler apologized Sunday for recently joking Hurricane Gustav's expected landfall on the same day as the opening of the Republican National Convention suggested God was on the Democrats' side.
A YouTube video of the comments posted by the conservative blog RedState.org and showed Fowler joking with South Carolina Rep. John Spratt about the timing of the hurricane while on a flight from the Democratic National Convention back to South Carolina. The person who filmed the conversation is not identified.
“The hurricane is going to hit New Orleans about the time they start. The timing is, at least it appears now, it will be there Monday. That just demonstrates God is on our side,” Fowler said, while laughing. Fowler also told Spratt that “everything’s cool.”
Speaking to the Associated Press Sunday, Fowler said his comments were intended to make light of the late Rev. Jerry Falwell's remark that the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 was God's punishment for abortion and homosexuality.
On Sunday, Fowler told The Associated Press that he was making fun of comments made by the Rev. Jerry Falwell, who after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, said the attacks were God's punishment for abortion, homosexuality and other sins.
"I don't believe in a God that's vengeful," Fowler said. "I believe in a God that's compassionate."
"This is a point of national concern. I think everybody of good will has great empathy and sympathy for people in New Orleans," Fowler also said. "Most religious people are praying for people in New Orleans. There is no political connotation to this whatsoever. This was just poking fun at Jerry Falwell and the nonsensical thing he had said several years ago."
South Carolina GOP Chairman Katon Dawson sharply criticized Fowler's comments, saying, “The outrageous behavior of two of the Obama campaign's highest profile supporters in the south is despicable, a cynical polarization of life and death. I call on Barack Obama to immediately denounce Fowler and Spratt and demand sincere apologies from these members of the Democratic leadership.”
From CNN Politics
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yea i'm sure you guys were all over James Dobson when he wished rain on Obama's nomination acceptance.
God forbid this storm causes any death, its not something to joke about.
But if i remember correctly, wasn't some republican nut praying for rain to wash out the DEMS convention.
what do you expect from the Democrats
They are just plain nasty
Why apologize? Did the right-wing flat-earth society wingnut apologize for exhorting "prayers for rain" to disrupt Obama's acceptance speech?
Maybe it's God. Maybe it's Karma. If you can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen.
You have to admit it is ironic that Republicans were praying for Rain in Denver.
Sorry but I agree with him, the RNC did not have a problem wishing it would rain on DNC convention. Becareful what you ask for.
Only the BRAINDEAD & Republicans would take offense to those statements
AND DON'T FORGET.....
REPUBLICANS STARTED THIS.....
ASKING FOR "GOD" TO RAIN ON OBAMA
BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU WISH FOR FOOLS!
Ms. Dawson, you betcha! Senator Obama will apologize... right after Senator McCain apologizes for voting TWICE against an independent council to investigate how the Bush administration allowed 1500 people to drown and thousands more languish without food or water while he patted Brownie on the back and spoonfed McSame his birthday cake 3 years ago.
What a douche didn't he realize there was a camera on him? he's sitting right next to it..
Sam, GA August 31st, 2008 7:24 pm ET
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During Katrina, weren't Bush and McCain seen eating cake in a hangar?
Then this year all the republicans were praying for rain of biblical proportions on the Obama acceptance speech.
What IS going on here? Is God trying to say something to someone?
the democratic party has gone to hell under the leadership of nancy pelosi, howard dean, and harry reid. there tasteless comments, and sexist attitudes are the reason so many have jumped ship to register independent!
You know, democrats HAVE had to put up with a lot from evangelicals and others, and when we try to say something back, we're moderated out or chastised. I'm tired of it.
As McCain would say about almost anything–"You have to have a sense of humor". The hurricane has not hit yet and no one knows what the damage will be but the Repubs have already gone into spin mode, who are they kidding with these outrageous reactions....to nothing. They will try to turn anything into a political opportunity. Oh that's right, it's because they messed up soooo horribly with Katrina.
The ones who should be denounced are Focus on the Family for asking their supporters to pray for rains of biblical proportions on the democratic convention.
Fowler said he was kidding. Focus was seriously calling for doom.
Pray for peace in America
I don't accept what the guy did but here comes the GOP, righteous than right judge everybody trying to link Obama to this, less than a week ago one evangelical pastor and his right wing followers were praying for rain to disrupt the DNC convention , hypocrites as usual.
but it's OK for Dobson's people to pray that God rains on Obama's acceptance speech. Unbelievable.
WHY IS HE APOLOGIZING ?
THE RIGHT WING SLEAZOS PRAYD FOR THE STORM
TO DISRUPT THE DEMOCRATIC CONVENTION. I GUESS
THE LORD WORKS IN MYSTERIOUS & DELIBERATE WAYS.
Here come the thought police. Where were they when the GOP lunatics were asking for prayer to rain out the DNC?
Thats 'almost' as ignorant as Focus on the Family suggesting that evangelicals pray for Obamas nomination to be rained out.
I seem to remember some Republicans praying for rain last Thursday over Ivesco Field.
Good! That was so not funny!
Katon Dowson should call Rev. Jerry Fallwell – first. / Sic/
Did GOP forget Katrina ? Yes – Bush & GOP you are cynical.
What a sick man. I hope this hurts the Democrats big time!
PUMA
How is Obama brought into this?
He didn't say anything that regular folks haven't already said..he apologized..no need to go further...the GOP weren't denouncing anyone last week when their surrogates were "praying for rain of biblical proportions" at the DNC...