American Morning
Sherrod regards Obama's call as apology
(CNN) – The former Agriculture Department employee at the center of a political firestorm said Friday that President Barack Obama didn't literally say he was "sorry" when they spoke Thursday, but "by simply calling me," she believed he was apologizing.
Shirley Sherrod - forced to resign from her job based on incomplete and misleading reports about a speech she gave in March - also told CNN's "American Morning" that the department official who asked for her resignation was only a "messenger."
Sherrod said the White House had been trying to reach her since Wednesday night.
"My phone was full, couldn't take any more messages. Finally, I was on the way to the airport in an attempt to get home when I checked my messages and had received one from the White House saying the president was trying to get in touch with me and give them a call," she said. "I did that and I had the conversation with him and, you know, I feel good about that."
Asked whether she was able to enlighten him about her work, she said they didn't have time to get into that.
Sherrod offered new job, but says she is not so sure
(CNN) – A former Agriculture Department employee who was forced to resign from her job based on incomplete and misleading reports of a speech she gave has been offered a new job by Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, but said Thursday she is "not so sure."
"I'm not so sure that going back to the department is the thing to do," Shirley Sherrod told CNN's "American Morning."
Sherrod said she was offered some type of civil rights position in the department's Office of Outreach, and that she was expecting to receive something official in an e-mail from the department. She said Thursday she had not had a chance to see that yet.
But "I would not want to be the one person at USDA that's responsible for issues of discrimination within the agency," she said. "You know, there's a lawsuit by black farmers, there's a lawsuit by Hispanic and Native American and women farmers ... There are changes that would need to happen in order to once and for all really deal with discrimination." Read more
Arizona immigration law faces federal challenge today
Protesters march in front of the White House as Arizona Governor Janice Brewer meets inside with President Obama June 3, 2010. (Getty Images)
(CNN) – A federal judge in Arizona will hear arguments today in two lawsuits challenging the state's controversial new law targeting illegal immigrants, including one brought by the Obama Justice Department. Arizona's law is set to take effect next week and supporters say it's a response to the federal government's failure to secure the southern borders. The feds say the borders are more secure than ever. Could both sides be right? Our Casey Wiann takes a look. Watch 
Shirley Sherrod: 'I worked for fairness'
[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2010/POLITICS/07/21/agriculture.employee.usda/t1main.sherrod.02.cnn.jpg caption="The agriculture secretary will review the case of former employee Shirley Sherrod, who resigned after controversy over a video about her work with a white farmer."]
(CNN) – A black former Agriculture Department official who resigned under pressure after a video clip surfaced of her discussing a white farmer said Wednesday the agency's decision to review her case is "bittersweet," but said she isn't sure she would accept her job back if it is offered.
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said early Wednesday that he will review the case of Shirley Sherrod, who resigned Monday after the video clip first appeared on a conservative website and later on Fox News.
In the video, Sherrod, the former USDA director of rural development for Georgia, seems to tell an audience at an NAACP function in March that she did not do her utmost to help a white farmer avoid foreclosure.
However, Sherrod later said the clip only shows part of her comments, and that she tells the story of her experience - from nearly a quarter century ago when she was not a federal employee - to illustrate the importance of moving beyond race.
"I am, of course, willing and will conduct a thorough review and consider additional facts to ensure to the American people we are providing services in a fair and equitable manner," Vilsack said in a statement.
The USDA's decision is "bittersweet," Sherrod told CNN's "American Morning" on Wednesday. Watch
Agriculture secretary to review resignation of USDA official
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack testifies on Capitol Hill July 22, 2009. (Getty Images)
(CNN) – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said early Wednesday that he will review the case of a former Agriculture Department official who resigned after a video clip surfaced of her discussing a white farmer.
"I am, of course, willing and will conduct a thorough review and consider additional facts to ensure to the American people we are providing services in a fair and equitable manner," Vilsack said in a statement.
Shirley Sherrod – an African-American – resigned Monday under pressure after the video clip first appeared on a conservative website and later on Fox News. In the video, she seemed to tell an audience she did not do her utmost to help a white farmer avoid foreclosure. However, Sherrod later said the clip only shows part of her comments, and that she tells the story of her experience - from nearly a quarter century ago when she was not a federal employee - to illustrate the importance of moving beyond race. Watch
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