Bob CollinsOccasional NPR political commentator Cokie Roberts put herself in the line of fire this morning when she made a joke about birth control and Latino influence in tomorrow’s election.
It happened when Roberts was asked by Morning Edition host Steve Inskeep about the likelihood that the Latino vote could swing the election.
“It another reason for the electoral college,” she said. “You wouldn’t be paying that much attention to Latinos nationwide. They’re only about 12 percent of the vote. But in states like Florida, Nevada, Texas, Arizona, it’s a much higher percentage.”
Tucker Carlson, the Republican analyst, sounded his own alarm, saying when Texas goes Democrat, “there’ll be no need to have presidential elections; the numbers are just too overwhelming electorally.”
He suggested tightening immigration to prevent Latino influence.
That’s when Roberts stepped in it.
“Well immigration wouldn’t do it,” she said, “you’d have to do birth control.”
Folks, folks, folks! If course you have it wrong. I meant that there are already millions of wonderful Latinos in the country. Thank heaven!
— Cokie Roberts (@CokieRoberts) November 7, 2016
Few of these interviews are actually broadcast live. Most are pre-recorded. So NPR could have edited out the comment, which created an immediate backlash against Roberts. (Update: NPR says interview was live)
On morning NPR, Cokie Roberts claims that Hispanics are not worth any attention nationwide; they receive it now only bc of Electoral College
— Dorothy Tooo (@Dorothytooo) November 7, 2016
Today on @NPR, @CokieRoberts said the only thing that can control the Latino vote is birth control, and that is NOT OK.
— Tina Vasquez (@TheTinaVasquez) November 7, 2016
Need context for why @CokieRoberts' Latino birth control joke wasn't funny, per @riotheatherrr's point: https://t.co/woWF3DzHlZ
— Tina Vasquez (@TheTinaVasquez) November 7, 2016
@AngryBlackLady @TheTinaVasquez @NPR @CokieRoberts was a bit shocking to hear but IMO not an offensive comment
— Glasseater (@glasseeter) November 7, 2016
Eeeek @CokieRoberts abt birth control comment. Press the rewind button & do over. @NPRinskeep was smart not to touch it on @MorningEdition
— Katy McFall (@kmcfall) November 7, 2016
Her points seems to have been that a Republican strategy to tighten immigration to protect their political chances would not work. There were, obviously, better ways to make the point.
Last spring, NPR distanced itself a bit from Roberts when she said Donald Trump “is one of the least qualified candidates ever to make a serious run for the presidency.”
Related: How does the Electoral College work and is it fair? (NPR)
