MSNBC Host Melissa Harris-Perry Apologizes for Attack on Mitt Romney’s Adopted Black Grandson

MSNBC host Melissa Harris-Perry apologized Tuesday for openly mocking Mitt Romney’s black adopted grandson, after Sarah Palin led the chorus of conservatives who criticized the cable news host.

The Romney family Christmas card was among the items featured in the “Nerdland plays Caption That!” segment on the cable news show Sunday.

In the photo, the former Republican presidential candidate and his wife Ann, who are both white, sit in the center of their 22 grandchildren. Nestled on Mitt’s knee is one toddler grandson and on his other knee he holds baby Kieran James, the adopted infant son of Mitt’s son, Ben, and his wife, Andelyne. His adoption was announced in September.

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After the image flashed on the screen during the show, actress Pia Glenn broke out in song, singing, “One of these things is not like the others, one of these things just isn’t the same.”

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Daily Beast’s Dean Obeidallah, also on the panel, chimed in that he thought the photo was “great.”

“It really sums up the diversity of the Republican Party and the RNC, where they have the whole convention and they find the one black person.”

The host called the baby “gorgeous” and revealed her pipe dream for 2040 would be the wedding between Kieran Romney and North West, the infant daughter of rapper Kanye West and celebutante Kim Kardashian.

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Calling the segment “holy (sic) unbelievable,” Palin praised Romney for “embracing the spirit of adoption” with the addition of their new family member. Slamming the “lamestream media” for the prejudice, Palin said, “This latest attack from the Left is despicable,” in a Facebook posting to her 3.9 million followers.

Palin published her reproach early Tuesday morning and hours later, Harris-Perry tweeted to “apologize to the Romney family for hurting them.”

“I am sorry. Without reservation or qualification,” she tweeted.

At noon Tuesday, the news host posted an official apology to her show’s website.

“On Sunday’s program, we showed a photo of Governor Romney holding his adopted grandson, who is African-American. The intent of featuring the photo was to celebrate it — I often speak to the issue of the increasingly diverse American family.

“Whatever the intent, the segment proceeded in an unexpected way that was offensive. Without reservation or qualification, I apologize to the Romney family and to all families built on loving transracial adoptions,” the statement said.

Obeidallah also published a blog posting to commend the Romney family for the adoption and apologize for his remark.

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