April 24th, 2014
12:00 PM ET
7 years ago

Politicians denounce Bundy's racist remarks

Updated 9:29 p.m. ET 4/24/2014









What Cliven Bundy's comments on race reveal









'Comments are completely beyond the pale'



Some top national Republicans quickly condemned the remarks.








Questions about media coverage















Battle over land rights


What made Nevada rancher fight the feds?














Filed under: Dean Heller • Nevada • Rand Paul
soundoff (1,537 Responses)
  1. andy ordway

    Gotta love how race always gets involved in issues, to blur what is really going on.

    April 24, 2014 10:05 pm at 10:05 pm |
  2. Logan Collman

    Whether he has racist views or not, doesn't change the fact that what the BLM was doing was wrong. I don't agree with his ideals on race, but I do believe that no one should be strong armed by the federal government like they had attempted to do to him. Whether your considering the stand taken by many at the bunny ranch, or another down the road, if we stand together we can get what we want. If the federal government isn't fulfilling our wishes, we the people have the right to force their hand, given that they supposedly work for the people.

  3. jinx9to88

    So I guess Bundy is against farm subsides that farmers and ranchers get. What a hypocrite!!!

    April 24, 2014 10:06 pm at 10:06 pm |
  4. keyser

    Events like this are Russian dash cam videos. ......You always suspect something bad will eventually happen. These days when a character is postured as 'standing up for rights against the tyranny of a government' you can almost always be sure he is some anti Obama guy and it just takes a lil' while for the race hate to come out. By no means does a punk like this represent the vast majority of ranch-for-living workers/owners.

  5. Beth

    Why must every word that white people write or speak be pleasing to the eyes and ears of minorities?

  6. SeauxGood

    Let's posit this one question: Does generational dependence on government subsidies create a different type of slavery?

    I may like the way he worded it, but it's an interesting question. Let's something else a thought, though. Which has a greater effect on discouraging minorities from entering the workforce: receiving welfare, or being repeatedly turned down for jobs because of the color of their skin?

  7. Roberto

    In response to 'Vee': I understand your point. The fact is that minorities–African-Americans, Latinos–have historically been underprivileged. However, the population trend is that whites are going to be the minority in a very short time. So, many things are taking place over time. And I'll bet you that in twenty years you are going to see more white folks sitting in front of the government doors looking for subsidies and handouts than 'today's minorities'. Get ready for a big shift, socially and cultural. "For God's sake, man, learn to keep time!"

    April 24, 2014 10:08 pm at 10:08 pm |
  8. Jake

    The man gave an opinion based on what he saw yeas ago and compared the generational dependency on welfare programs while he was growing up to the slavery of history and stated they were BOTH a form of slavery! How many Black Leaders of today and the recent past have said basically the same thing...urging Minorities to educate themselves and learn skills that would allow them to FREE their families from dependence on 'The Government'. They were hailed by people of many races as 'Great Men' because what they told their people was true. Poverty crosses ALL Races and genders and the 'Government' intends to keep as many under their thumb as possible. It is a tool of CONTROL.
    This is more evident today than ever before and anyone who thinks that saying this is 'racist' just because a 'White Man' also sees it and states it openly are the REAL Racists!

  9. Jib76

    Cliven Bundy's comments, especially "I don't recognize the federal government," mirror gun owner comments cited by the Publisher of The Week magazine: "They believe that they have the 'right of revolution.'"

  10. YoonYoungJo

    Dude seriously? People wonder many things and its fine to have a sense of wonderment. It's another thing to say something, you must know is offense in public. It's like knowing your best friend has all their toes missing on one foot. The difference being asking your friend in private what happened and blasting them at a sports venue over the intercom system. Its one thing to wonder and another to insult.

    April 24, 2014 10:09 pm at 10:09 pm |
  11. Mnsteb

    This is disgusting and shows the self destructive and violent mentality the GOP party tends to encourage.

  12. Name

    I think they would all be better off back from in their homeland. Et...Africa

  13. ken

    Why am I not surprised. This from the same guy who was willing to line up women and hide behind them so the Feds would have to shoot the women first.

    April 24, 2014 10:10 pm at 10:10 pm |
  14. rs1201

    He's either fall down drunk or he's lost the little brain he may have had at one time. In either case, he's not newsworthy and the liberal press should really stop making a big deal out of this lunatic's rants.

    April 24, 2014 10:11 pm at 10:11 pm |
  15. are122

    Actually I think he's half right about generations of welfare and fatherless kids...he just doesn't know how to say it correctly,

  16. wrdtoyrmama

    Mr. Bundy is a believer in Posse Comitatus, the power of the country. He doesn't recognize the federal government. I'd like Senators Paul and Heller to tell us whats so heroic and patriotic about a guy that doesn't believe that the duly elected government of the United States should exist, and why, being elected officials, they'd support folks who believed that.

    April 24, 2014 10:12 pm at 10:12 pm |
  17. rooney

    I would like to see the evidence that blacks are the majority on welfare. Its not true its prejudice. yes there are a lot of black people that are out there selling drugs or gang banging. and there are also a lot of whites and Mexican doing the same. I am a proud black man, I have a masters degree I work for 16 hours a day and make 6 figures a year, my kids go on trips to exotic destinations and speak multiple languages. I work hard everyday I have never received a single penny from welfare and I do not judge those who have either. I recognize there are genuine cases. Reality check for all those anti black people on here. People of white race were the largest recipients of welfare for the year 2013 at 69 percent. Know your facts please. those figures are open to the public. Meanwhile this 'lazy black man on welfare' is going on spring break to Buenos Aires with his family tomorrow.! btw thats in Argentina.

  18. jinx9to88

    Yep all these right wing crazies are against blacks for free loading but when this clown freeloads they embrace and call him a patriot. And yes GOPers he has been doing this long before Obama so don't say it Obama fault. What a joke!!

  19. dabve

    Freedom of speech is freedom of speech even if you disagree. He's not right but he may be on the land issue.

    April 24, 2014 10:13 pm at 10:13 pm |
  20. Dorothy

    Manure happens routinely around the Bundy farm. Unfortunately, our city boys, all dressed up in their finest cowboy regalia (armaments included), just didn't see it until it was too late.

    April 24, 2014 10:15 pm at 10:15 pm |
  21. Sandra

    I agree with Vee. I am so SICK of any reference to an African American being called anything less than those two words, as being a racist!! Bundy actually said a lot of truths. Blacks would rather collect government money than work, but so do whites...Blacks do seem to populate the prisons, but so do whites. I could go on but one thing is for sure. This is between the politicians and the news stations!! Bundy is just the scapegoat. Our government sucks and everyone knows it. Bundy is just standing up for his rights!! I would stand beside him anytime.

  22. shellbell

    Bundy has survived on government subsidy his entire life. Feeding your cattle for free is the same as taking welfare.

  23. navaJohn

    This guy and his "militia" are a bunch Republican parasites.

  24. richard

    It's interesting how CNN wasn't really covering this guy until he said something racist they could hang their hat on. Typical.

    April 24, 2014 10:16 pm at 10:16 pm |
  25. Jerry

    I tell you. All of you rich people have so many problems. My my my.
