GOP Co-Majority Leader of OK State House Said Customers “Try to Jew Me Down”

NJDC — April 18, 2013 – 11:50 am | Republicans Comments (0) Add a comment

On Wednesday, Republican Co-Majority Leader of the Oklahoma House of Representatives Dennis Johnson used the phrase “try to Jew me down” on the House floor. He offered an apology afterward that reportedly included the line “Jews run good small businesses, too.” The Tulsa World reported:

Debate over whether small businesses can compete with big box chains produced an embarrassing moment for House of Representatives Co-Majority Leader Dennis Johnson on Wednesday. 

In debating in favor of a bill that would repeal a 70-year-old ban on “loss-leader” selling, Johnson, a small business owner, said service and not price were the key to success. 

He then acknowledged that some customers “try to Jew me down.” 

Johnson, R-Duncan - who, with Rep. Fred Jordan, R-Jenks, is the third-ranking member of the majority leadership - immediately apologized, adding that “Jews run good small businesses, too.” 

“Jew down” is a slang term for haggling and is generally considered derogatory. 

Through spokesman Joe Griffin, House Speaker T.W. Shannon, R-Lawton, said Johnson “is not the first person to make a comment they regret. The chamber accepted his apology and has moved on.” 

Derogatory remarks like “Jew me down” are always unacceptable, and the true test of Johnson’s apology is to make sure that comments like this never happen again.    

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