US election: CNN camerawoman unsurprised by racial abuse at Republican convention

The black CNN camerawoman who had peanuts and racial abuse thrown at her on the floor of the Republican convention has said she was "not surprised" by the ugly incident.

Patricia Carroll found herself thrust into the news earlier this week after two convention guests hurled nuts at her and jeered: "This is how we feed animals".

The pair, thought be alternate delegates to the Republican convention, were thrown out of the Tampa Bay Times Forum by security but not before creating an embarrassing political incident that was roundly condemned by party officials.

Ms Caroll said: "I hate that it happened, but I'm not surprised at all," although she said she did not think the behaviour was unique to the Republican Party.

The 34-year-old from Alabama said she was one of few black women at the Republican convention but added "This is Florida, and I'm from the Deep South.

"You come to places like this, you can count the black people on your hand. They see us doing things they don't think I should do."

31/08/12