HUNTSVILLE, Ala.-- Republican congressional candidate Les Phillip, in a statement issued today, called on Representative Parker Griffith, a recent GOP convert, to denounce Senator Harry Reid's racially charged 2008 statements about now President Barack Obama's skin tone and dialect. Phillip likened Reid's statement to that of former Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott (R-MS), who was driven from his post as Senate Majority Leader after remarks about his support for Senator and former presidential candidate Strom Thurmond.

"Parker Griffith has donated money to Senator Reid and aligned with him in the past. I encourage Rep. Griffith to embrace the politics of individuality in the GOP, and repudiate Senator Reid for his insensitive and inappropriate remarks. When the shoe was on the other foot with Senator Lott in 2002, Democrats were filled with righteous indignation and successfully drove Senator Lott out of elected office. If Rep. Griffith is the independent conservative voice he so adamantly claims to be, he should be at the head of the pack in calling for Reid's resignation.

The people of North Alabama deserve a leader in congress, someone who will fight for their values without respect for political friendships, someone who will stand up for what is right, regardless of race, religion, or political party. If Parker Griffith refuses to be that leader, then I believe the people of North Alabama will elect someone who will.

I echo what fellow black Republican conservatives including GOP chairman Michael Steele and others have said about Senator Reid's comments.  Senator Reid's apologies do not change the facts of what was said and he should step down as the Senate Majority Leader.  A position of that esteem and regard should not be held by an individual who even thinks about using language of that caliber in this day and age. Americans should not accept this type of behavior and should join me in calling for Senator Reid to remove himself as leader of the Senate.

Many in the mainstream media and Democratic Party are giving Senator Reid a free pass on this issue because of his record in the past as a civil rights leader in Nevada and his track record.

This comes from a party whose racist roots run deep and wide.  The Democratic party is one of slavery, segregation and now socialism.  Only a few short weeks ago, did I offer the very same Senator Reid a history lesson in politics when he compared those opposing the health care bill to those that supported slavery.

The Democratic Party's policies and platforms have led to a new plantation in America where they are enslaving millions of black Americans with their socialistic ideals.  It began with President Johnson's Great Society programs and continues today as the Left continues to try to push through a health care reform bill that a majority of Americans oppose.

This is the same party that promotes abortion rights and gay marriage, things that black American's are overwhelmingly against, yet racist statements like Reid's and other divisive issues are swept under the rug.

For those of you who vote traditionally as a Democrat,  I ask each of you to vote your values and ideals rather than with a party that promised "change" to benefit all Americans.   With record job loss, inability for individuals and/or businesses to acquire credit to pursue the American Dream, and now the majority of Americans already hurting are going to be hit with even higher taxes, and the inability to make our own healthcare choices.  Whether, Democrat, Republican, or Independent, let's take a stand and work to defend, protect, and RESTORE what we all have worked so hard to achieve.    Join us in our fight to restore America."