Dan Rather blasts ‘openly racist rhetoric’ from political figures

Longtime CBS News anchor Dan Rather on Wednesday blasted “openly racist rhetoric” from political figures, saying the current climate reminds him of years spent covering the civil rights movement.

Without naming any specific names or incidents, Rather, a frequent critic of President Trump, called out “elected officials and candidates” for their “shocking” rhetoric.

“Openly racist rhetoric from elected officials and candidates brings me back decades to covering the civil rights movement,” Rather tweeted. “It’s shocking – a potent reminder of our troubled time. But I believe most Americans will reject hate, eager to embrace a more inclusive and just future.”

Openly racist rhetoric from elected officials and candidates brings me back decades to covering the civil rights movement. It’s shocking – a potent reminder of our troubled time. But I believe most Americans will reject hate, eager to embrace a more inclusive and just future.

— Dan Rather (@DanRather) August 29, 2018

Rather’s comments come hours after Florida GOP gubernatorial nominee Rep. Ron DeSantis (Fla.) sparked massive backlash for his comments about the Democratic nominee, Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum.

{mosads}Earlier Wednesday, DeSantis told Florida voters not to “monkey this up” by voting for Gillum. Gillum, a progressive candidate backed by Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), would be the state’s first black governor if elected.

Critics and Democratic figures were quick to call DeSantis’ comment racist, with Gillum’s campaign manager saying it was more like a “bull horn” than a “dog whistle.”

DeSantis’ campaign defended the comments, saying it was “absurd” to say the expression was racist.

Gillum tied his opponent’s comments to President Trump’s rhetoric, saying DeSantis was “taking a page directly from the campaign manual of Donald Trump.”

Trump has also been accused of racism in past comments. He has repeatedly attacked the intelligence of black athletes and lawmakers and has been criticized for his comments on immigration, especially from Mexico, and crime in low-income communities.