Senator Apologizes for Mimicry of Asians in Reference to Huang

A quip made on Thursday by Sen. Sam Brownback about Democratic fund-raiser John Huang touched off immediate criticism and prompted an apology from the Kansas Republican.

“No raise money, no get bonus,” cracked Brownback in describing a bonus pay scheme that the Democratic National Committee had arranged with Huang.

A moment later, Brownback said that he meant “no slight by my statement previously,” an apparent reference to his mimicking language and failed attempt at humor.

Still later in the day, Brian Hart, Brownback’s spokesman, added that the senator “meant no offense by his statement and apologized for any misunderstanding.”

But Daphne Kwok, executive director of the Organization of Chinese Americans, said: “We’re very disappointed” by Brownback’s comments. “I think it’s a slip of the tongue but unfortunately it was very insensitive.”

Kwok said it was especially disheartening because earlier in the week, several Democratic committee members had expressed concerns that the entire Asian American community “not be painted with these allegations” of fund-raising abuse.

Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) also criticized Brownback, saying “The United States Senate is no place for racial stereotyping.” Citing California’s large Asian American population, Feinstein said “this sort of negative stereotyping fuels aspersions being cast on all Asian Americans as a result of the misdeeds of a few people.”