McDonnell Proclaims Confederate History Month

Virginia governor Bob McDonnell came under fire Wednesday for declaring April to be Confederate History Month, and making no mention of the legacy of slavery.

In response to swift uproar from civil rights organizations, the governor defended himself by calling slavery only one aspect of the Civil War. Later, he acknowledged that the proclamation contained a "major omission" and he apologized. Confederate History Month remains in effect.

The controversy follows a series of events in which the new Republican governor appeared to backtrack in support for employment protections for gay and lesbian state workers.

Rachel Maddow provides a take on the latest controversy below. Watch the clip starting at 3:30.

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