Lawmaker Color Bind?

Grapevine: Lawmaker Color Bind?

Rep. James Clyburn objects to interview quote about Obama's race

And now some fresh pickings from the Political Grapevine:

Color Bind

House Assistant Minority Leader James Clyburn is objecting to a McClatchy interview that quoted his views on Pr esident Obama and race.

In the original interview, Clyburn was asked about President Obama's re-election chances. He went on to say -- quote -- "the fact of the matter is, the president's problems are in large measure because of his skin color." Clyburn then described hateful mail, phone calls and faxes he receives and suggested Obama receives similar items.

But now the South Carolina Democrat says the reporter sensationalized his perspective -- quote -- "I have always abhorred the word 'racism.' I never use it," going on to say -- quote -- "I do believe President Obama faces challenges other presidents have not, due to the color of his skin."

McClatchy's James Rosen -- not to be confused with Fox News correspondent James Rosen -- stands by his original article.

Driver's Ed

Democratic National Committee (DNC) Chairwoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz was caught -- as the L.A. Times put it -- in a drive as I say, not as I do moment.

The Hill reports the Florida Democrat ripped into Republican presidential candidates who opposed the 2009 auto-bailout saying -- quote -- "If it were up to [them] we would be driving foreign cars; they would have let the auto industry in America go down the tubes."

But according to Florida's DMV records, Wasserman Schultz owns a 2010 Infiniti made in Japan.

The DNC responded, calling the issue a distraction, charging that Republican researchers were snooping around garages. But, the story was first reported, as we mentioned, by The Hill newspaper.

Dairy Queen

And finally, Laurel Gordon of Washington state is her county's dairy ambassador -- which means she promotes milk products all across the county.

But she doesn't actually enjoy the dairy products she pitches because she is lactose intolerant. Her body can't process milk unless she takes special pills.

That is not stopping her from competing next month to be the Washington State Dairy Ambassador.