Reply #4: Sons Of Confederate Vets Split On McDonnell Apology

[RamboLiberal]

Some neo-Confederates aren't happy about Governor Bob McDonnell's apology this afternoon for failing to mention slavery in his proclamation of Confederate History Month.

In an interview with TPMmuckraker, Brandon Dorsey, of the Sons of Confederate Veterans, called McDonnell's move "an insult," and charged that the governor had undermined the purpose of the resolution," and damaged himself with his core supporters. But another member of the group disagreed, saying he supported the apology "one hundred percent."

-----

Contacted this afternoon by TPMmuckraker, Dorsey said he was unaware of McDonnell's apology. After it was read to him, Dorsey said the apology "comes as a shock," and accused the governor of "pandering to people who never would have voted for him nor supported any of his policies."

Making clear that he was speaking only for himself, Dorsey said that the apology "completely undermined the purpose of the resolution." He added: "We would probably have rather not had a proclamation whatsoever, than for him to add a clause that says that everything that we support and everything we hold dear has to do with slavery."

But Brag Bowling, who uses the title Commander of the Army of Northern Virginia, said Dorsey was "off base." "I support Governor McDonnell one hundred percent," said Bowling. "I think he did a courageous thing even issuing the proclamation."

http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/04/sons_of_confederate_vets_split_on_mcdonnell_apolog.php?ref=fpblg