Should Beecher Frasier Be Fired?

Beecher Frasier needs to explain himself, or he needs to be fired.  Right now.

Frasier is the chief of staff to Rep. Lincoln Davis (D-TN), who is a rare breed among politicians--a Christian conservative and Democrat.

Rep. Davis is reluctant to declare his support for Barack Obama for reasons he’s keeping to himself.  That’s fine.  It’s his prerogative.  I have no reason to suspect that it has anything to do with Rep. Davis being hesitant to declare his support for a Democrat or an African American in an overwhelmingly conservative, rural district; after all, Davis campaigned all-out, non-stop for Harold Ford in the 2006 Senate race against Bob Corker.  I personally like Rep. Davis, even if I disagree with a fair number of his political opinions. 

If Rep. Davis has problems with Obama’s policies or experience, I can respect that (even if I strongly disagree with him about it).  If that’s the case, then I appreciate--and even applaud--the fact that Rep. Davis is keeping them to himself rather than torpedo his party’s nominee.

Good people can disagree about policies or individual politicians.  I know too many conservative Republicans to pretend otherwise.  I respect diversity of opinion, and I love to engage in political debate with Republicans and John McCain supporters about their sincere political beliefs.  It makes my day.

But if you think Barack Obama is secretly in bed with terrorists, then you’re an idiot. 

And if you are a Democratic official willing to entertain such bizarre, racist conspiracy theories, then you should be fired.

According to today’s Nashville City Paper:

Beecher Frasier said he doesn’t know for sure if Obama is “terrorist connected” but he assumes he’s not.

There’s no direct quote from Frasier, so maybe it was just sloppy reporting.  Or maybe Frasier was just sloppy choosing his own words.  Either way, Frasier needs to explain himself. 

Is Frasier willing to say that it’s despicable and outrageous to suggest any connection between Obama and terrorists?  Is he willing to stand up and say Obama is an honorable, loyal American--whether or not you agree with his politics?

If not, Frasier has no business serving as chief of staff to a Congressman, either Democrat or Republican.

Let Rep. Davis know what you think about this issue.  Call his office at 202.225.6831 or email him here.

- Calvin Rye

Update:  From Beecher Frasier:

"No one in their right mind, including me, believes Senator Obama has ties to terrorism. It is truly ridiculous for anyone to try to make hay out of these comments.”

There you go!  Was that so hard?  I hope you get it right the first time next time.

Comments

[The Bag of Health and Politics]

He should be fired anyway. It was pure idiocy and press mismangement for it to get to this point. Because of what Mr. Frasier and Mr. Hobbs said, right-wing outlets had a field day and ran news stories saying "Even some Democrats believe Senator Obama is a terrorist." Because of what Mr. Frasier said, right-wing e-mail chains will be able to say, "even senior Democratic aides on Capitol Hill are concerned about Mr. Obama's terrorist ties."

A competent Congressional staff would've put out this statement in a press release: "Congressman Davis said, "I disagree with Senator Obama on many issues, but he is the nominee my party has chosen and I will vote for him in November. However, I am focused on my own re-election and serving the constituents of the District well."

If they had done that, there would've been no news story. People wouldn't have noticed the Democratic Congressman trying to hide from the party's nominee. Congressman Davis wouldn't have irritated liberals in his district and African Americans in the state. And he wouldn't be hurt or harmed by Obama's presence on the ticket in November.

But Frasier tried to get too cute and ended up with egg all over his face.

[slamkitty]

Most grassroots Dems would find some of the for hire Democrats are as self-interested and arrogant as most young Republicans. Frasier makes on average around $130,000 a year and he gets to make the C-level cocktail rounds in DC. I think that a little time spent back in Tennessee maybe shoveling mulch would do his attitude some good. As far as Davis goes, when you've got Democrats like him who needs Republicans. As a middle TN Democratic activist I find Davis' silence telling and will rally Democrats against any statewide run he may dream of. His aspirations are most likely over before they ever began. Pity.