MSNBC host offers tearful apology to Romneys
Updated 1:49 p.m., 1/4/2014
(CNN) - MSNBC host Melissa Harris-Perry made a tearful apology to Mitt Romney’s family on her show Saturday, after she and a panel poked fun at a photo of the former Republican presidential candidate with his wife and 21 grandchildren by zeroing in on his adopted African-American grandson.
"Whatever the intent was, the reality is that the segment proceeded in a way that was offensive, and showing the photo in that context, of that segment, was poor judgment. So without reservation or qualification, I apologize to the Romney family," said the anchor at the open of her show, "Melissa Harris-Perry."
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Harris-Perry became emotional as she went on to apologize to all "other families formed through transracial adoption," saying, "I am deeply sorry that we suggested that interracial families are in any way funny or deserving of ridicule."
She highlighted her own interracial background, as the daughter of an African-American man and a white Mormon woman. But, she said, families are always "off limits," and the Romneys' grandchildren should never have been a topic of discussion.
"Adults who enter into public life implicitly consent to having less privacy. But their families, and especially their children, should not be treated callously or thoughtlessly. My intention was not malicious, but I broke the ground rule that families are off limits, and for that I am sorry," she said.
Harris-Perry first apologized on Twitter and MSNBC's website Tuesday, offering a similar mea culpa "without reservation or qualification."
During the segment last Sunday, Harris-Perry asked a panel to come up with a caption for the Romney family photo, and two panelists made jokes about the infant standing out.
Actress Pia Glenn began singing lines from the song popularized by Sesame Street, "One of These Things Is Not Like the Others." Comedian Dean Obeidallah said the picture "really sums up the diversity of the Republican Party."
Obeidallah appears frequently on CNN and writes a regular opinion column for CNN.com.
Harris-Perry described the baby as "gorgeous" and joked that in 2040 he would marry North West, the daughter of Kanye West and Kim Kardashian.
"Can you imagine Mitt Romney and Kanye West as in-laws?" she said, to laughs.
Criticism was swift across social media, with prominent Republicans from Sarah Palin to former Sen. Scott Brown weighing in.
A spokeswoman for Romney told CNN he was on a family vacation this week and unavailable for comment. On Sunday, Romney will appear on “Fox News Sunday,” where he is likely to be asked about the episode.
MSNBC has been in some hot water recently after a handful of their hosts have made controversial comments. Alec Baldwin and the network parted ways in November after his homophobic outburst against photographers, and Martin Bashir resigned in December for his suggestion that Sarah Palin deserved graphic punishment for comparing U.S. foreign debt to slavery.
–CNN's Ashley Killough contributed to this report.
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its the reason why i dont watch MSNBC now
Fire her! Journalism is an industry founded on integrity, openness, and respect. If you can't trust the person offering news to you, they do not deserve to be in that chair. Fire her as she can can not be trusted.
I dislike what MSNBC has to say with words. I dislike what Fox News has to say by forcing their women anchors into scanky evening dresses, having to curl their legs into a pretzel just so their thing won't show. I mean, what is THAT all about? Are producers who are that shallow qualified to tell the world what's important and what isn't? I've long since stopped watching them all.
There is no excuse for the behavior of all those involved in this incident nor is there any an apology acceptable. It is my belief that Ms. Harris-Perry voiced the apology only because her job was threatened. She should be fired, apology or not.
That was an apology? It reminded me of a time when I tried out for a high school play. The difference being I offered sincerity and real emotion with it. It was easy for me because I wasn't some paid actor being forced to give a script I truly did not believe in. She should be fired within a few days.
"Whatever the intent was..."
So what was the intent, Ms. Bigot?
.
Am I the only conservative that thinks this is overblown I'm sorry this isn't that big of a deal
isn't it shocking how tolerant and accepting the people who Demand tolerance REALLY are?
Man, she tried as hard as she could, but not a single tear was produced.
The Media again starts a fire that it can't handle. Words only hurt if you let it.
This is just like the Martin case, The Media throwing fuel on nothing to make something.
Mitt Romney and his family most likely don't give a dam what this person said.
Remember she and all her co workers well report anything to make the News.
Don Imus LOST his job over a "joke" that did not last nearly as long as this foul display of racism. Paula Deen lost her empire for answering questions UNDER OATH about words said YEARS before. Phil Robertson LOST his job over honest answers to direct questions. This girl get to make a "tearful apology" and get absolutely NO real consequence?
Anyone else tired of preferential treatment for "victims"? Does anyone else detect a different set of standards for the "downtrodden"?
Never would have happened if I had anything to say about it!
now next week she will be blasting someone for a hate crime
I've read the comments on here, and how the heck are you people talking about Duck Dynasty?
Didn't you read the dang story?
This is about a Liberal RACIST, its not about Duck Dynasty
A disgraceful example of media BULLYING. Fire her!!
Crocodile tears.
So she hates anyone who doesn't obediently goose step to the DNC/Obama drum and she's a liar as well.
What a surprise.
You people in the USA are so funny, You will condemn the actions of people on the opposite side of the political spectrum from your own while forgiving the same actions by people who have the same political orientation as you. Both sides are guilty of this. A lot of opportunistic double standards in US politics, and it is amazing that people engage in this hypocrisy without a shred of awareness.
Who are we to judge these people, or anybody else for that matter?
Why isn't she fired yet?
When will Fox apologize for all of their racist comments about the President give me a break , she is fine keep up the great job ! MHP
So the city of Fallujah has fallen to Al Qaeda, I would think that would be big news, wouldn't you?
Standing up and admitting a mistake is admirable. Giving a heart felt apology is the right thing to do. And a greater attribute is forgiveness. Let's move on people.
I'm sure all the outraged people on here were just as outraged when the republicans doubted the POTUS's birth certificate and are actively protesting against Duck Dynasty for saying blacks had it better during Jim Crow. She owned up to it and apologized even though an apology wasn't necessary. The segment had comedians on and they were captioning pictures while the only thing she said was that the baby was gorgeous. What a monster.
Such a fake apology. Tearful?? Great acting!!! She was reading off a script. I wonder how many hours she spent rehearsing it with her producers. Fire her now