GAFFES

Congresswoman Backtracks on Shock Remark

Rep. Lynn Jenkins looked to "great white hope" to defeat Obama.

Republican Rep. Lynn Jenkins is backtracking on remarks made last week that some critics say suggested a racial element to opposing President Obama. Discussing the GOP's prospects for 2012, the Kansas congresswoman told a crowd that "Republicans are struggling right now to find the great white hope." The phrase is associated with racism faced by the first black heavyweight boxing champion, Jack Johnson, in which whites openly pined for a Caucasian challenger to emerge. A spokeswoman for Jenkins, Mary Geiger, issued a statement apologizing for the choice of words and added that the Congresswoman was only discussing how, despite tough times for Republicans, "bright young leaders have stepped up to lead the party into the future and she hopes to be a part of it."