Kelley in KY-4 attacks Davis' record, not 'boy' comments

The campaign of Oldham County physician Michael Kelley today released an official statement on the controversy surrounding his opponent's use of the word "boy" to describe Senator Barack Obama.

At Saturday's 4th Congressional District Lincoln-Reagan Day Dinner, Congressman Geoff Davis remarked, “I’m going to tell you something – that boy’s finger does not need to be on the button.”

Amid an uproar, Davis apologized to Senator Obama shortly thereafter.

In his statement, echoing earlier comments made to PolitickerKY.com, Kelley does not attribute the remark to racism on the part of Davis.

"Since racism is such an important issue, charges of racism should not be leveled lightly," said Kelley, in the release. "We do not know what was in Geoff Davis’ heart when he used the poorly chosen word 'boy', but at this point it is fair to say we do not have the appropriate weight of evidence to judge this as an intentionally racist remark. Poor judgment? Yes. Deliberately intended to diminish Mr. Obama as an individual and denigrate his experience? Self-evidently. Fanning the flames of partisanship that paralyze our government? Absolutely. But racist? We can not afford to make a snap judgment in such a weighty matter as labeling someone racist."

The candidate also suggests more attention should be paid to Davis' record.

"It seems regrettable that a possible verbal gaffe has drawn national disapproval to Representative Davis when his voting record in Congress, which is clear and incontrovertible, should be far more influential in helping folks form their opinions of Mr. Davis," said Kelley in the campaign statement. "Representative Davis has voted against providing healthcare for children via SCHIP. Mr. Davis has voted to protect the payday lending industry, an industry which rewarded him with the dubious honor of donating more money to his campaign than to any other Representative or Senator. And Mr. Davis has continued to carry George W. Bush’s water in defense of the disastrous ongoing occupation in Iraq. I strongly feel that Geoff Davis’ votes give any reasonable observer ample reason to disapprove of his performance, without requiring us to speculate about his recent controversial comments."

Check back with PolitickerKY.com shortly for an interview with Kelley discussing his campaign for KY-4.