Salt Lake GOP leader again calls for Rocky apology

A Maryland politician's apology for using the term "slavish" to describe a black Republican candidate's devotion to the GOP has renewed calls by a local black Republican leader that Mayor Rocky Anderson apologize for a similar comment.

James Evans, chairman of the Salt Lake County Republican Party, said Wednesday he has yet to receive an apology for the remark Anderson made during an Aug. 30 anti-war rally.

In that speech, Anderson criticized Evans and the sponsors of an attack radio ad for "slavish, blind obedience and deference to a dishonest, war-mongering, human-rights-violating president."

The Associated Press reported that Rep. Steny Hoyer, D-Maryland, apologized for a remark he made Sunday about Michael Steele, Maryland lieutenant governor and GOP Senate candidate.

"This guy issued an apology," Evans said. "It's the right thing to do, but our illustrious mayor is too indignant."

Anderson reiterated earlier comments that his use of the word "slavish" was not in reference to Evans and that he used the word 50 seconds after mentioning Evans' name. He also pointed out that his speech called the media "slavish."

"James Evans needs to get a dictionary," Anderson said Thursday. "The word 'slavish' was appropriately used. ... It is a term of common use in our lexicon."

He said that while Evans has many times criticized Anderson's use of the term, he has not responded to the merits or substance of Anderson's arguments against the Bush administration.

"This is the worst kind of empty claim of racism I've ever seen. James Evans is completely up in the night, and he needs to look at a thesaurus," Anderson said. "If there's to be any apology, it ought to be from James Evans to me and to this community for making such a big deal out of absolutely nothing."

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