Ballenger remarks overlooked

HICKORY, N.C. - The racially charged remarks that Republican Representative Cass Ballenger made about a Georgia congresswoman last week have apparently stirred little reaction from his constituents. <br> <br> People in town have shrugged off the controversy as another quirky episode in Ballenger&#39;s career. Supporters say he&#39;s sponsored a day-care center in town that serves poor, mostly black families and has sponsored humanitarian aid projects in Central America. <br> <br> On Friday, Ballenger apologized for comments made in an interview about Senator Trent Lott, the Mississippi Republican whose career melted down after he reminisced about Senator Strom Thurmond&#39;s segregationist presidential run. <br> <br> Ballenger admitted occasional ``segregationist feelings&#39;&#39;-- about Representative Cynthia McKinney, a black Georgia Democrat who was defeated this year in her bid for re-election to the House. <br> <br> Ballenger has apologized for his remarks.

http://accesswdun.com/article/2002/12/201734