Congresswoman Apologizes for ‘Great White Hope’ Comment

A Republican congresswoman apologized Thursday for saying that her party is looking for a “great white hope” to counteract President Obama’s political agenda.

Kansas Rep. Lynn Jenkins told the Lawrence Journal-World that she did not intend to make a racist comment, and was simply saying that “Republicans have been suffering in recent years and we need a bright light.”

“{snip} [Jenkins said,] “I was unaware of any negative connotation. If I offended somebody, obviously I apologize.”

Jenkins had been criticized for saying at an August 19 forum in Kansas that the GOP needs “to find the great white hope” to help the party succeed in the future.

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