Wis Democrat Congressional Candidate Apologizes for ‘Injun Time’ Remark

Posted on October 24, 2006

Via AP

Democratic U.S. House candidate Steve Kagen apologized Monday for commenting that he was late for a meeting on an Indian reservation because “we’re on Injun time.”

“I did not mean any harm by my words and I humbly apologize if I offended anyone. That was not my intent,” he said in a statement hours after the National Republican Congressional Committee released a tape recording of the comment.

Kagen attended a meeting Friday on the nearby Oneida Reservation and at his next stop in Green Bay he made the following remarks:

“Appreciate getting here almost on time. Our excuse in Oneida was, well, we’re on Injun time. They don’t tell time by the clock. Our excuse here is that I am a doctor and that we’re never on time.”

Kagen, a 56-year-old Appleton doctor, is involved in what political observers call a very close race against Republican John Gard, a 43-year-old veteran state lawmaker, for the two-year seat in District 8 in northeast Wisconsin. The two are seeking to replace GOP U.S. Rep. Mark Green, who is running for governor.

District 8 has one of only 29 open House seats in the country, making it a prime target for Democrats who need to pick up 15 seats on Nov. 7 to gain control of the 435-member House.

Kagen’s spokeswoman Stephanie Lundberg said he heard the term “Injun time” used by Native Americans.

Yes, just as the word “nigga” is used by African Americans amongst one another. I’m sure the MSM will run with this like Macaca. Meanwhile they are laughing about all the telephone calls over the comment and wondering why people are more interested in his insult than the issues like health care, education, and jobs.

Bobbi Webster, a spokeswoman for the Oneida Nation, said Monday that Kagen’s comment was not being taken as disrespectful by tribal members. No apology was sought, she said.

“Tribal members say that themselves. It is not uncommon to hear somebody come in late and say, ‘Oh-Oh. I am running on Indian time.’ The time you get there is the time to do your thing,” Webster said.

The term “Injun” also is not necessarily disrespectful, she said.

Right, the term “Injun” isn’t insensitive at all. It could have been worse, honest injun! I wonder what the reaction would have been if the opponent had said this?

Freedom Eden:

Would that be alright with Danforth and Washinawatok, or would they be on the warpath ready to scalp him?

Oops! Is that offensive?

I’m sorry. Let’s pass the peace pipe and let bygones be bygones. Let’s talk about what a racist scumbag George Allen is.

Wow! And now we have Harold Ford Jr.’s dad calling pro-life activists “crackers”!….o.k. strike this one out…he actually said “trackers”. My bad.

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2 Responses to “Wis Democrat Congressional Candidate Apologizes for ‘Injun Time’ Remark”

kender on October 24th, 2006 1:36 pm

OK…That is pure COMEDY!!!!

“Native Americans” I know joke all the time about “injun time”…….it’s kinda like the word “nigga”….how can it be an insult when the group in question use it themselves all of the time?
Jay on October 24th, 2006 1:38 pm

Of course its comedy, a Democrat said it.