If you have been following U.S. news reports, then you already
know that Congressman Doug Lamborn accidentally put his foot in
his mouth when he used the expression ”tar baby” in reference to
President Obama. Immediately after the congressman used the
expression, he was accused of racism. Yet, the congressman did
not intentionally say anything racist. The Wikipedia entry “tar
baby” states the following: In modern usage according to Random
House, “tar baby” refers to any “sticky situation” that is only
aggravated by additional contact. So, originally the expression
”tar baby” simply referred to something very sticky, which is
why Congressman Lamborn used the expression. That is why U.S.
Senator John Kerry used the expression ”tar baby” during a 2008
TV interview. He said the following: I think John [McCain] is
trying to throw that big tar baby out there. You want to lose,
you don’t want to win. Of course Barack Obama wants America to
be successful. In short, neither politician used the expression
“tar baby” in