Artur Davis, the former Democratic congressman from Alabama who abandoned the party this year, condemned Vice President Joe Biden on Wednesday for his remarks that Republicans will “unchain Wall Street” and “put y’all back in chains.”
Davis claimed Biden’s Tuesday remarks were intended to invoke slavery, an accusation the Romney campaign has also leveled in press releases and media appearances.
“Every black person in that room knew who the ‘y’all’ was, they knew what the ‘chains’ were, they know what the metaphor is,’ Davis told CNN Wednesday.
He called the remarks a “divisive tactic” and “insulting to African Americans.”
“It was wrong and the president ought to be embarrassed by it,” he said.
Davis, who ran unsuccessfully for governor of Alabama as a Democrat before switching parties, is reportedly set to stump on behalf of the Romney campaign.
Benjy Sarlin
Benjy Sarlin is a reporter for Talking Points Memo and co-writes the campaign blog, TPM2012. He previously reported for The Daily Beast/Newsweek as their Washington Correspondent and covered local politics for the New York Sun.
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