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US Senate leader 'won't resign' US Senate leader 'won't resign'
(about 4 hours later)
The Democratic leader of the US Senate, Harry Reid, says he will stay in office despite calls for his resignation.The Democratic leader of the US Senate, Harry Reid, says he will stay in office despite calls for his resignation.
Racially insensitive remarks he made privately about President Barack Obama appeared in a new book.Racially insensitive remarks he made privately about President Barack Obama appeared in a new book.
Senator Reid has apologised for saying two years ago that America would accept Mr Obama because he is "light skinned" and doesn't have a "negro dialect".Senator Reid has apologised for saying two years ago that America would accept Mr Obama because he is "light skinned" and doesn't have a "negro dialect".
President Obama has accepted his apology, but Republicans say Senator Reid should step down.President Obama has accepted his apology, but Republicans say Senator Reid should step down.
President Obama said on Saturday that as far as he was concerned the issue was now closed.President Obama said on Saturday that as far as he was concerned the issue was now closed.
But several prominent Republicans have suggested that's not good enough.But several prominent Republicans have suggested that's not good enough.
MARDELL BLOG There has been a lot of nudging and winking about the comments, but few have come out and said what they find offensive Mark Mardell BBC North America editor Mark Mardell on Harry Reid
The party's chairman Michael Steele said there should be consequences for talking about race using what he called "anachronistic language that harkens back to the 1950s and 60s".The party's chairman Michael Steele said there should be consequences for talking about race using what he called "anachronistic language that harkens back to the 1950s and 60s".
He also complained about a double standard noting that when a Republican Senate leader, Trent Lott, made racially controversial remarks in 2002, he was forced to resign his position.He also complained about a double standard noting that when a Republican Senate leader, Trent Lott, made racially controversial remarks in 2002, he was forced to resign his position.
Senator Lott appeared to suggest that America would be better off under segregation.Senator Lott appeared to suggest that America would be better off under segregation.
Senator Reid spent much of the weekend calling African-American politicians and civic leaders and several have joined senior Democrats in expressing their support for him.Senator Reid spent much of the weekend calling African-American politicians and civic leaders and several have joined senior Democrats in expressing their support for him.
He is a popular target for Republicans as he is vital to President Obama's legislative agenda and he is facing a tough re-election battle in his home state of Nevada.He is a popular target for Republicans as he is vital to President Obama's legislative agenda and he is facing a tough re-election battle in his home state of Nevada.
But Senator Reid's office insists he won't step down.But Senator Reid's office insists he won't step down.