Rep. Bobby Rush issued a scathing rebuke of Joe Biden on Friday, calling him “woefully ignorant” of the black American experience, as the former vice president confronts a growing backlash over his comments about working alongside fervent segregationists.
The controversy began after Biden talked about his productive work in the Senate with James O. Eastland of Mississippi and Herman Talmadge of Georgia — both known segregationists. Biden has not apologized for his remarks and stirred up more controversy when attempting to address criticism from his fellow Democratic presidential hopefuls.
Booker called on Biden to apologize for “praising segregationists.” Biden said he wasn’t praising racists, doesn’t “have a racist bone in my body” and called on Booker to apologize instead.