Acknowledge the double-standard but conclude you should STILL shouldn't do it? I'm OK with that.

But at some point conservatives/Republicans have to directly confront the double-standard and make the left/media defend it. If not now, it has to be a part of the long-term plan. We can't keep letting the other side lob handgrenades (they don't have to be totally accurate to do damage.)

When you have mainstream writers like Dave Barry bringing it up, it's OK to address: (from the sidebar)

….In politics, Barack Obama addresses the issue of why, in his 20 years of membership in Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago, he failed to notice that the pastor, Jeremiah Wright, is a racist lunatic. In a major televised address widely hailed for its brilliance, Obama explains that . . . OK, nobody really remembers what the actual explanation was. But everybody agrees it was mesmerizing.

Whether it's fair or not, it's the way it is, and anyone in our political class had better be smart enough to know that.

But Ace, we have to start changing the rules. We have to live by them as long as they exist as currently written, but we have to start challenging them. Conceding such a large issue is tactical suicide, and won't get any less harmful as the nation grows more diverse. We have to insist on universal rules, at some point.

Fuck 'em if they cant take a joke.

Fuck that, if we surrender at every turn, how can we be taken seriously as a party, let alone as an idealist?  Bush and McCain both refused to defend the GOP brand and look what that got us.  Next leaders have to push back. 

I agree. They both were afraid of doing anything that appeared "racist" and ended up being called racist anyway.

That said, this particular controversy is not the place to start. We have thousands of examples of double standards that don't involve the use of the word Negro.

not really. We do have to watch it, though. Yes, liberals get away with shit like this all the time. We can't.

Whether it's fair or not, it's the way it is, and anyone in our political class had better be smart enough to know that.

But Ace, anyone who has actually *listened* to the parody knows it's mocking Al Sharpton, not Mr. Obama. If you give into the Left here, you are only reinforcing the left-memo that Black radicals can get away with *anything*.

If *anyone* is screaming to be made fun of, it's Al Sharpton.

Hold on, cowboy. Spike Lee is an insufferable asshole, and Barry the magical (or non-magical) Negro hasn't even taken office yet. Its a long way to 2010, much less 2012.

And when were Republican party officials not asshats?

Speaking of the Irish, what's an Irishman's idea of a seven course meal?

A six pack of beer and a potato.

Sorry couldn't help it, carry on.

Curmudgeon,

But Ace, anyone who has actually *listened* to the parody knows it's mocking Al Sharpton, not Mr. Obama.

I think he's implying that it's just not worth explaining. Not at the RNC level. For conservatives in general, I say run with the gag and explain it as necessary. But not for GOP leader wannabes. Just  not worth the trouble.

But the party does have to stop running from race. Obama's association with Wright would have been fatal to a white Republican. The reason Obama did not even have to ADMIT A LAPSE IN JUDGMENT is because the right has not seriously and over time made the argument that there just as many racists on the left, even racists of color.

As long as La Raza gets quoted unchallenged in the media, we have our work cut out for us.

I dunno, that's only true if we let it be. If people stopped cowtowing to the left and the media at every opportunity, it might stop working. If you know what I mean.

Negro. Negro negro negro. The hell with people who think they can order me around and tell me what completely innocent word I can and cannot use. I swear, in a culture where you can say "fuck" as loud as you want in politer conversation, I will never understand anyone getting upset at "negro.."

Eventually, someone is going to be our leader and he will start by refusing to back down. 

As I said, there are THOUSANDS of other examples on which to take a stand. This? You want our first true stance to be over use of the word Negro? No thanks. I'm interested in crushing GOP stereotypes not feeding them.

But I'm an idiot. No, you idiot, you are a Moron (are there no standards here anymore!?)

And to my everlasting shame, I must add (sob)... "Batteries Not Included"

I swear, it was only because I was with someone I really, very sincerely, wanted to bang very much!

Hitting Lefties with double standards does no good. Republicans should focus on the things that produce victories. Pick simple, but powerful ideas and stick to them. It worked for Ronaldus Magnus and for the 1994 election.

eman, it's not 1994 anymore. Running away from the issue of race and race relations is not smart. If you think conservatives are racists, than avoid it. If you think they are the last advocates for a colorblind society, address it. We are on the right side.

It's probably not the best hill to take a stand on but I have a question: are white conservatives going to take a stand on any hill that involves racial misconceptions and double standards?

It's one of the worst hills, and will make it harder to defend all other other hills around us. Let's start with exposing all of the OTHER Rev. Wright's on the left and in the Democrat Party, and work our way from there.

If get that far, we can start tackling the N-words.

If we are always portrayed as backtracking and fumbling, then how is "joe 6 pack" or whatever going to respect us.

Agreed. Just have to pick our spots

Sorry, I ain't playing the navel gazing game anymore. I call anyone anything I want to, and fuck 'em if they can't handle it. I sat through too many graduate seminars where people acted like blacks were enlightened fucking creatures from beyond time and space. You always got the impression from the literature that white people weren't fit to sit in the same room with these angels. It sure as shit doesn't fit with reality, I'll tell you that. Even worse, there was always an attitude of, "Well, you can't really understand what blacks went through no matter what you do." If that's true, what the fuck am I doing wasting my time reading this shit, then? Throw in the tendency to capitalize minority group names (Blacks, Native Americans, Hispanics) while making sure that "whites" remains lower case, often in the same sentence? Suck my white balls, you fucking racist shitheels.

I also came up with this term, back in the 1990s when the film Amistad came out, but I called it the "Noble Negro". That's the concept, similar to the old noble savage canard, that a brown person taken right out of their jungle habitat is light years more advanced in every way (mentally, physically, and spiritually) than poor whitey stuck in the throes of tiresome civilization.

Funny thing is, if all brown people are so advanced in every aspect of their existence, why is that they fall to pieces when someone calls them a name?

Hell no. I want to go pick racial fights with Democrats.
For example, why the hell do Democrats want to keep so many poor black kids in failing public schools when there are proven alternatives? I want to have that fight everyday and twice on Sunday.

Got to do better than that Drew. We need to go after overt racism/racial politics on the left, more than this indirect racial stuff.

There are Rev. Wrights in  every Democrat city, helping electing Democrats every election. The immigration debate is filled with La Raza types slamming the "gringos."

A good start: Every false accusation of GOP "racial politics" (the Obama/Britany ad was racist!) will be treated for what it is, racial politics.

While I agree with ace on the stupidity of a politician distributing this, I'm concerned that while we've been busy trying to win elections, the left has been winning the culture.

Win the culture and the elections follow, not the other way around.

Sooner or later, we're going to have to call the left down on all their bullshit.

So, it's not ideal, but we still need to fight. 

Well, let conservatives fight it. But not the RNC.

Pick simple, but powerful ideas and stick to them. It worked for Ronaldus Magnus and for the 1994 election.

Wow--has everyone forgotten how the results of the Great Upchuck of 1994 were immediately written off as "the rumblings of angry white males"???? And how it was claimed that Uncle Ron had Klan robes stashed away in the closet? Whenever Republicans *do* stick to simple but powerful ideas, they are dismissed as "racist". Border Control? Racist, say the anti-American Che Guevara wanna-bes, and the WSJ cheap labor greedheads chime in too. Smaller government and lower taxes? Charlie Rangel himself called that "the New Klan movement". Strong defense? That's just "hatred of people of color abroad".

I could go on and on, but haven't you learned that already? (sarc)

And the exact same logic will be used to back down in every one of those cases. If you won't defend in this case, why should anyone believe you will defend in any other case?

Well, personally, lmg, everyone who knows me (which is....pretty much no one here) knows I defend the GOP on race all the time. More broadly, as I've said, we have much better examples of double standard to fight than use of the word negro.

Well, Saltzman just opened the door for Steele to get the nod.  A good thing in my book.

Of course, the media will have a field day, proclaiming Steele an "Uncle Tom", or "House N-----", or some other foul term.  But don't point it out, because you can't question the MSM on diversity.

They [Bush and McCain] both were afraid of doing anything that appeared "racist" and ended up being called racist anyway.

So back in 2000, when John McCain kept going on and on about the prison guards in Vietnam, calling them what I thought was the most offensive racist term there was for Asians, and how he wasn't going to apologize for calling them what he called them -- that wasn't racist?

Because it sure appeared racist.

1994 is long gone, but the fundamental power and truth of Conservative ideals are not. We should focus on those things and let the Left hurt itself with its own idiocy.

I actually agree 100%. I would just say that in 2008/9, we have to address race relations openly. WE are on the right side of that issue.

Jim Goad had a good description of Spike Lee. 'The ebony midget'.

This was one parody song out of several on a cd.  All directed at Democrats. 

The CD, called "We Hate the USA," lampoons liberals with such songs as "John Edwards' Poverty Tour," "Wright place, wrong pastor," "Love Client #9," "Ivory and Ebony" and "The Star Spanglish banner."

What the hell are you people arguing about?

We're talking about someone running for RNC chair- a position that's all about political and PR savvy.  Does anyone really believe that distributing the "Magic Negro" bit was savvy? 

Would it really be "giving in to PC" to decide not to distribute it because of the very fucking predictable backlash?  It does not matter whether the backlash is unjustified, or if it was a joke, or if there's a double standard.  He should've known what the response would be, but either didn't know or didn't care and that doesn't bode well for someone who wants to be a high profile chairman.

The position of RNC chair is not to be the anti-PC police.  It is not the job of the RNC chair to battle silly double standards, or justify what's racially insensitive and what isn't.

Posted by: Robert_Paulson at December 29, 2008 04:54 PM (Rmb4y)

Because Tim Robbins is filthy little douchenozzle, and the movie wouldn't have been shit without Morgan Freeman.

And how about a third alternative? Learn to articulate conservative principles.

Exactly, but sadly anyone who tries will immediately be hacked to death by elements in his/her own party, let alone the opposition if s/he doesn't do it *just right*, no matter how clear the intentions. I am beginning to understand why so many give up and go with the RINO flow.

I believe I will be abstaining from any comment whatsoever of any type on this topic, except to say that I am abstaining...from commenting on this topic*.

*Footnote: This post is 100% racism free. No racist codewords, inferences, slurs, slanders, myths, libels, slang, or shibboleths were used, planned, or considered.

True... but why start out with this hard-to-win battle?

Uhmmm.... No I wouldn't choose this hard-to-win battle, but once the dumbass distributes the recording, you can't take it back so you may as well respond to press criticism with, "I'm sorry, what was Obama's position on Rev Wright's racist sermons again?"

We're talking about someone running for RNC chair- a position that's all about political and PR savvy.  Does anyone really believe that distributing the "Magic Negro" bit was savvy? 

True, HP...and I believe that is Ace's point...what he did (Saltzman) was stupid in light of his pursuit of the RNC chair.

(Too much talky-talky, like someone else said way too far back there, so I will not pretend this advances the verbal ping-pong...)

I knew for sure Barack was a hypocritical sack of shit when he used the famous "and did I mention he doesn't look like all the other Presidents?" line.

McCain should have jumped all over Barry's ass and told him to either identify when any Republican said that, or even implied it, or apologize and admit it was a gratuitous attempt to gin up race as an issue, which it was.  By ignoring it (which as I recall he did) McCain let the MSM spin the remark as implicit truth.  McCain's conduct of his campaign was in general half-assed, but this was an exceptionally clue-free moment!

I believe I will be abstaining from any comment whatsoever of any type on this topic, except to say that I am abstaining...from commenting on this topic*.

So in your silence you refuse to condemn this blatantly racist!!!11!!! behavior and thus condone it?

RACIST

#111 Bunny Boy is right on! 

I understand that all these myriad liberal double standards and etc do get old but in this case the upside (a few chuckles?) doesn't warrant the considerable downside (easy to caricature Republican's as racists).  If you just want to fight on the principle of the thing then why not start defending that turf on substantive things and not on a joke that many black people are going to find offensive whether I think they should or not.  There has to be other situations where this type of liberal double standard making and race baiting can be brought out and discussed (Bill Bennet comments on minority abortions, Tony Snow tar baby etc) without trying to defend something that is questionable in taste and.depending on your point of view, offensive. 

We can't just reflexively defend every piece of racially questionable humor even if it's mainly just Democrats and the media (BIRM) deceptively extending their Republican=Racists meme.  We would be doing exactly what they want us to do, you've got to pick your battles and the battles that we pick should be instances where liberals have overextended and don't really have much of a defensible claim of racism as in the Tony Snow tar baby nonsense.  Over time this type of attack will lose effectiveness when it is called upon by liberals who can be counted on to go to the well too often.  To a certain extent it seems it already has. 

Again, right away, you start in the hole -- you spend time and capital first explaining you're not racist before getting to the actual thing you want to talk about.

Only if you feel the need to apologize for something that doesn't need to be apologized for.  We now have a black president, a large percentage of the cabinet is black, there are blacks in leadership positions in virtually every walk of life.  It's well past time we stopped ceding the moral high ground on language in the really stupid and patronizing belief that if we talk nicy nice to black people that will somehow make them think more highly of our positions.  Hasn't worked, well ever so maybe we can put that myth to bed.  I also don't believe for a second the "people of perpetual rage" actual give a damn about the term, they just want a reason to bitch.  You are never going to win them over so why worry what they think?

I'm not advocating going out of our way to insult or belittle anyone.  Well ok that's not true.  But I'll be damned if I will let people who have no compunction about insulting me or people on my side of the aisle with any language they want (take a good hard listen to Howard Dean, Al Sharpton, Jesse Jackson, Spike Lee, etc, etc,  sometime) dictate to me what is and what isn't funny and what words I can and can't use.

But then, I'm just a typical white person.  Right Barack?

Ahh!! Let Dummycrats and Repubnicks define what we say.  So, we can't say Negro because it can construed as racist.  But blacks can say any negative terms cause, well, their black.  And so can former Grand Kiegels (sp?) of the KKK because, well, their liberal (Robert Byrd's famous "white n*****r" comments with Tony Snow on Fox News).

Boys and girls, it is time we figuratively grow up and grow a pair.  Who attacks blacks, latinos, gays, AND women??  It is LIBERALS -- Remember Michael Steele (Thrown oreo cookies??), Mark Foley, and Sara Palin?  Hint:  Compare Foley's treatment to Gerry Studs)  If you are conservative -- you deserve destruction - no matter what you say and do. 

It is time to fight back.  Remind them that the parody is based on the LA Times column.  Remind them of Joe Biden's comments regarding those of color (Hint:  Indians).  Remind them of BJ Clintons attempts to compare Obama to Jackson.  Remind them  of O's supporters urging "Bros over Hos".  There is overwelming evidence of liberal racism and bias.  Time to fire back.

Go on the offense.  Stop being a bunch of wusses.  Good thing the founding fathers were raised from a tougher stalk than those today.  We would still be kissing Brit's ass.

Posted by: joeindc44 at December 29, 2008 06:13 PM (QxSug)

The only way to "win" this battle would have been to say, "I'm sorry if anyone is offended by this I didn't perceive it as racist but I can see how some would be offended.  In the future I'll be more discerning.  However, it was neither mine nor the artists intent to make any kind of racist statement. "  Fighting to get this song taken of the liberals "racist" list would be preaching to the choir and would do nothing to dispel the notion that Republicans or conservatives are racist. 

It's one of the worst hills, and will make it harder to defend all other other hills around us. Let's start with exposing all of the OTHER Rev. Wright's on the left and in the Democrat Party, and work our way from there.

If get that far, we can start tackling the N-words.

Posted by: CJ at December 29, 2008 05:23 PM (9KqcB)

Memo to CJ:

The MSM loves Sharpton, Jessie Jackson, Rev. Wright and all of the OTHER Rev. Wright's on the left.

"Exposing" them is unpossible. Buy yourself a clue.

Ace-

I don't disagree that the leaders of the party probably shouldn't be talking like this if for no other reasons than 1) they are leaders and in theory not morons and 2) they have funny chops and can't pull it off.

But to the larger point, you're right, we are winning less and less of the black vote.  I take your point that we don't need to piss off people needlessly but there is another point that needs to be examined.  WE ARE ONLY WINNING 8% OF THE BLACK VOTE.  What we have been doing for the last 50 years isn't working, maybe its time we tried another approach.

I'm not saying we need to be needlessly hurtful but how about a little less walking on egg shells.  I have black friends that I can joke with about the magical negro thing while they taunt my lack of rythym.  Why is it that we think on a national level blacks don't think we are pretty wimpy for rolling over for the language police when some "leader" cried foul.  Bush actually went up in the black vote when he did the whole soft bigotry of low expectations. 

Well I think it is just another for of low expectations when we think blacks can't take a joke.  Worse, they probably think we are cowards and actual racists when we only joke about this kind of thing when they aren't around.  Sure some will be offended.  But those who see the humor in Hollywood always inserting a magical black man probably see a lot things the way we do and who knows, might even have some more respect for our honesty and willingness to treat them as equals in humor.  Again, what we do know is the approach we have been using isn't working.

Nothing is gonna change that barring some catastrophe or act of God.

What cracks me up is this is supposedly going to disqualify this guy from leadership when you had Howard Dean saying racist stuff and much worse about republicans in general, and he's perfectly fine in his position.

Barack, the Magic Negro is about the idiotic, servile, sycophantic, and worshipful attitude of his supporters, not Obama. Maybe that's the kind of thing Baldilocks means by truth.

joeindc44,

First of all I think that prominent Republicans/conservatives should probably shy away from possibly controversial stuff like this as a rule.   We have enough trouble fighting liberal and media patently false racism accusations without having to defend stuff that is questionable.  And yeah we are going to be spending the next at least four years fighting off accusations of racism for opposing Obama on stuff like nationalizing health care, trillion dollar economic stimulus plans and the fairness doctrine so it would probably help to not start out his term defending calling him a magical negro.  As a practical matter the sooner we give the race baiters and the media (BIRM) their apology the faster it fades from public view the better.   We'll get plenty of chances to fight false racism accusations, lets fight the ones that matter.  

joeindc44,

First of all I think that prominent Republicans/conservatives should probably shy away from possibly controversial stuff like this as a rule.   We have enough trouble fighting liberal and media patently false racism accusations without having to defend stuff that is questionable.  And yeah we are going to be spending the next at least four years fighting off accusations of racism for opposing Obama on stuff like nationalizing health care, trillion dollar economic stimulus plans and the fairness doctrine so it would probably help to not start out his term defending calling him a magical negro.  As a practical matter the sooner we give the race baiters and the media (BIRM) their apology the faster it fades from public view the better.   We'll get plenty of chances to fight false racism accusations, lets fight the ones that matter.   

Obama is pretty much the complete opposite of anyone's servant at this point

I disagree.

Hey Seattle-

Does this mean you asshats on the left are going to stop calling Bush a chimp, a mass murderer, an idiot, etc. ad infinitum?

You're a dishonest cartoon.  You would never dream of stating the plain truth, Obama benefited enormouly in both the press and the electorate simply because of his color. No white man or woman would have gotten away with having a blatantly racist minister.  No white man or woman would have gotten away with a term like "typical black person".  No white man or woman has ever or will ever get a complete pass on any serious scrutiny of their background. 

You're a perfect example of why nobody on the right should listen to a damn thing liberals, regardless of color, have to say.

Saltsman, an idiot, it's too bad because his Tennessee party didn't do so bad. He makes Katon! Dawson look smart by comparison, and I didn't think that was possible. Let's not try to hold this hill. Either Steele or Blackwell, would be fine at this point, the latter because it would drive the moonbats in Ohio insane Regardless, they wil try to race bait. Remember the McClatchy op ed that said that the 'socialism' charge was racist, and other complaints that Sarah's white blouse, and black skirt, with matching boots (let that image linger for a moment) was some kind of race coded signal.  Let's not give them any more ammunition if possible. By the way, was that linked Daily Mail piece insane, on the corner.

Seattle the day I listen to you will be the day I pack it in.  For the record, I never wanted Palin, still don't think she is the best we can do and it's because of her ability and record not her sex.  Jindal is pretty promising and is already more accomplished and qualified than Obama but I still don't think he has enough experience.

You clowns won an election when 1) by every historical precedent you should have won 2) when you had a duplicitious press covering your ass 3) widespread voter fraud and you somehow think you have won a huge mandate.

Here's a clue chuckles, the fun part is coming in about a month when the most unqualified, untested empty suit maybe ever gets tossed into the fire with two wars he is manifestly unqualified to manage and an economy in the toilet with impossible expectations that you Yes We Can drones have heaped on him.  It's gonna be great watching his popularity sink like a lead ballon.  Jimmy Carter here we come.

Maybe one day we'll have an African-American president and then we can put all this double standard nonsense behind us once and for all.

... or just ammend the Constitution with a list of "forbidden words", assuming such words can even be written?

And, for added fun the Governor of New York may be sending Caroline "you know" Kennedy to Washington as Lady Hillary's replacement. Between “Capt Mumbles” and “Princess You Know”, the national media will have to invent new ways to turn total inarticulateness into a virtue.

For all the teeth grinding about republicans poking fun at 'Magic Negros' the democrats should be worried about the health of the New York Times and their loyal wannabes across the land - it's going to take an unbelievable amount of ink to make Barack, Caroline, Barney, Chris Dodd, Harry Reid and the Twinkies at MSNBC look marginally intelligent.

Makes me wonder when the NYT’s bailout check is written and for how much.

Getting back to sales, isnt that what politics is, sales.

I sell mattresses. (Kill me now.) Anyway, you know what people do on mattresses. They fuck. They fuck like crazy. They get blow jobs, they eat pussy, they lube up and see if they can do anal.

That is the truth. People have sex on mattresses, and it is one of the primary uses for the product.

But during my sales presentation of my product, do you think that I bring up all the fucking that can do on the nice Sealy I'm showing them?

Do I go to the nice middle aged married couple that calls each other 'mom' and dad', "Mr. and Mrs. Wilhouby, do you like to have sex? Because due to the excellent innerspring system on this product, you have the support to fuck like college kids, and still get the properly aligned sleep you need to start the day right."

No. I don't talk about sex unless expressly brought up by the customer, and even in those rare situations, I do not use terms like 'fuck' or 'hand job.'

Even though it is "true."

Likewise, when the GOP presents it's product to it's potential consumers, it might be wise to avoid terms like "negro."

Even if it's true it's being used in a properly ironic fashion. There are better ways to make your point and sell your product without such a high risk factor involved.

Holy crap how many times do I have to say it?  That most Republicans/conservatives are not racists.

Maybe I'm wrong

You're not wrong.  I think we have too many Republicans who are suffering from battered wife syndrome.

This really isn't about any specific term or issue.  It's a matter of respect and treating everyone the same despite race, color, ethnicity, whatever.   Republicans have spent decades being told by the press and the other side what we can and what we can't say despite what they say or do and we have been conditioned to accept things as truths.  The truth we are being asked to accept in this case is that we aren't allowed to make sarcastic references about a group of people who make the same sarcastic references themselves, but we are all equal.  Square that circle if you can.

I have long been a proponent of doing away with groups like the Congressional Black Caucus and the NAACP not because they are evil but because they are an anacronism, they have outlived their usefullness and serve now to divide people instead of promoting equality and tolerance.  They create more resentment at this point than they do good.

Many people see this as a racial issue.  Interestingly enough, many of the same people showered disdain on people like the NYT editors who refused to call Islamic terrorists, er, Islamic terrorists, and prefered to call them something like Upset People Of Undetermined Ethnicity and Stuff.

Magic Negro was a term coined by blacks in Hollywood about silly tendency of movie types to drop blacks into postions where they seemed to have some mystical powers based strictly on the color of their skin.  It is an insult to blacks that they should be treated with such condescension.  Obama is seen by many to achieved his position largely on the same premise.  It is undeniable that he was given lattitude that no white candidate ever would.  But pointing out the obvious gets you called a racist and that makes the average white person, Republican or Democrat, to recoil or avoid the conversation altogether. 

Well screw that.  We are supposed to have a colorblind society and we are a country that enjoys a long history of skewering our leaders with sarcasm and hard truths.  If that is true then everyone is fair game and if there are blacks who value policy and ability over skin color and tribalism, and there are,  then they should welcome an honest give and take and stop we should say the hell with the faux outrage of black leaders like Sharpton and Jackson who are worst sort of race baiters..  If it's not and we are always destined to get only 8% of the black vote then who gives a shit, the country is already lost.

I think the soon to be unemployed David Ehrenstein's use of the term Magic Negro is more an expression of his jealousy because magic Negros make alot more money than he does.  It is also his expression of his feelings of inadequacy in being only half black.

I also think you are giving him too much credit for making people like Will Smith and Samuel Jackson out as toadys.  That is how black people insult each other.  They don't use the N word, but just accuse eachother of being "white."  It doesn't matter whether it is a ghetto thug or an black school child, the biggest insult is being white, like studying or obeying the law. 

Just being a non-threatening black person is usually enough to merit accusations of sellout, so this is why the radical left is so upset about this song, but, of course, they are also upset that someone dares criticizes the Obamessiah, that person must be put down, that is why war has been declared and why the sellout by some alleged conservatives just proves the strenght of the radical left.

We can only take back the language and the culture when we can use humor against the left and blacks.  I hate to see these backstabbers, but you are correct it that this use may have been to soon.  It was better to just let Rush work this issue.

The MSM loves Sharpton, Jessie Jackson, Rev. Wright and all of the OTHER Rev. Wright's on the left. "Exposing" them is unpossible. Buy yourself a clue.

Tinian,

I don't know you or how much though you've given to this, but I can safely say I know more about the issue than you. MSM did not "love" or even embrace Wright. They simply treated him as a non-story. To the extent they were forced to acknolwedge him (because of video) Wright and Obama and their defenders came off poorly.

The problem was there have been Rev. Wright's spewing this shit for years and the right never had the balls to expose them. When we shine the light on those types of Democrats, WE WIN the day. The ability of MSM to cover up for these nuts is fading.

Jackson is marginalized. Sharpton is too. There are plenty more for us to kick around.

So, if anyone reads this site or recommends it to others, they're damaged goods?

I mean, it takes a long time to explain that Ace isn't actually afraid of brown people and doesn't enjoy sodomizing gay retards.  It would be a lot easier to tactically throw him overboard.

Right, because Ace is just as powerful and influential as the Chairman of the Republican National Committee.

Potty-mouthed conservative/humor blogger distributing the "Magical Negro" bit:  OK.

Potential RNC chair doing the same:  Not OK.

Any questions?

Obama got a pass because guilty white liberals want the magic and they want it bad.

This isn't about Obama. The problem predated him and exists independently. Black Democrats, Hispanic Democrats and white Democrats all get a pass for associating with left-wing racists because we haven't taken step one: Making the case that left-wing racists exist.

We can only take back the language and the culture when we can use humor against the left and blacks. 

Amen.

Right, because Ace is just as powerful and influential as the Chairman of the Republican National Committee.

You mean the mighty Mel Martinez?  You might want to rethink that one.  I'm pretty sure Spurwing has more power and influence than Martinez.

Or is that racist too?

You know what, it doesn't matter.  As long as so many of you are ready to throw on the hair shit and give up pre-emptively and allow the left to control the terms of the debate then we will never win.  Let's all agree to say only what the left wants us to and maybe next time we can squeek out 9% of the black vote.

Woo Hoo.

You know what, it doesn't matter.  As long as so many of you are ready to throw on the hair shit and give up pre-emptively and allow the left to control the terms of the debate then we will never win.  Let's all agree to say only what the left wants us to and maybe next time we can squeek out 9% of the black vote.

Why on earth do you want the RNC chair trying to defend the use of the word 'negro'? Yes, let's do the work that needs to be done to change the terms of debate. You don't START with 'negro.' Not if you really want to succeed at changing the terms of debate.

The right can win on the issue of race relations. They are the only ones advocating what most Americans still haven't given up on, a colorblind society. But the RNC and its candidates are not the ones to reframe the issue. The DNC didn't do anything to push the envelop on racial humor. Or any humor. This is a cultural battle. Conservatives too often expect their politicians to fight their cultural battles.

Because you don't just toss political allies overboard when the perpetually offended, shocker!, act all offended.

counter, do you want to SUCCEED in changing the rules over what is 'offense worthy' or just fight the fight? Because establishing when a GOP official can/cannot use the word "negro" is Step 112 on our To Do list in this effort.

The DNC didn't do anything to push the envelop on racial humor. Or any humor. This is a cultural battle. Conservatives too often expect their politicians to fight their cultural battles.

Are you high?  Do you not remember Howard Dean calling Republicans racist?  Does it matter to you or do you think the best way to respond to that is just to cower?  We were infested with the sisterhood of the traveling pants suit this fall because so many Democratic Hillary voters were pissed that the MSM pissed on her while giving Obama a pass and still some of you pretend that the best way to handle it is to beg forgiveness?  How has that worked so far?

Ace said in this very post that he was disappointed that he didn't get credit for the Magic Negro theme, but God forbid we should speak it in public.  Baldilocks, a black conservative woman, has said repeatedly here that it is time to stop with the PC bullshit and say what we mean.  Hell, Rush Limbaugh, the Prince of Conservatism for so many broadcast this thing.  Do you believe what you say or only in private?  Yea, I can see why that's attracting voters to the party.

Fuck that.  And fuck the strategy that you advocate that continues to get us less and less of the minority vote.  I'm sick and tired of being lectured on what words are acceptable on a blog or in public, what we mean by religious tolerance except when we actually vote.

Was Joe Biden a racist when he called Obama clean, articulate, a fairy tale?  Yea, VP elect Joe Biden, selected by the black man you are so afraid of offending.  But you keep pretending that its ok for them to say things you never would but if you say the words you have been told they want you to say somehow that will translate into more black voters, evidence be damned.

I don't expect anyone to fight my battles but I am not signing on to anymore suicide missions either.

You mean the mighty Mel Martinez?  You might want to rethink that one.  I'm pretty sure Spurwing has more power and influence than Martinez.

Or is that racist too?

You know what, it doesn't matter.  As long as so many of you are ready to throw on the hair shit and give up pre-emptively and allow the left to control the terms of the debate then we will never win.  Let's all agree to say only what the left wants us to and maybe next time we can squeek out 9% of the black vote.

Woo Hoo.

And it would be a controversy if Martinez said it too, even if he is an ineffective douche.

Again- it's not about being PC, its' not about self-censorship, nor is it about throwing one of our own under the bus for a minor transgression.  What's important here is that someone running for RNC chair was too damned clueless to consider that there could be negative consequences with absolutely no benefit before doing something.

If Ace, Rush, or someone of the sort wants to pick this fight- no problem.  It's a legitimate complaint that conservatives- particularly white conservatives- are held to a different standard by the PC crowd and their media allies.  A potential RNC chair too clueless to avoid an obviously bad PR move that carries no upside whatsoever, however, is a problem.

The Chairman of the Democratic National Committee and former Governor of Vermont contrasted the two parties’ presidential candidates, saying that with a woman and an African-American as the two front-runners, the Democratic field “looks like America,” while the all-white male Republican field “looks like the 1950s and talks like the 1850s.”

Howard Dean, Chairman Dem Party suggesting Republicans  support slavery and not giving women any political power decades after Republicans supported and fought for both issues- Feb, 2008

I'm sure you remember the outrage when this statement was made.  No?  Hardly anyone does.  I wonder why?

Good luck with your campaign of trying to disprove what is drilled into the Dem party everyday by saying exactly what they want you to say.

Do you not remember Howard Dean calling Republicans racist?  Does it matter to you or do you think the best way to respond to that is just to cower? 

Cower? I'm the only moron around here who says the GOP needs to make clear that false accusations of racial politics will be treated as racial politics themselves. I want to take them on, every day. Defending 'negro' songs undermines that effort.

Don't think of Ace and the RNC as interchangeable. They aren't. Conservative writers and humorists should argue for context, and the point of the term and the song, and...but not the RNC.Again, the DNC doesn't go out on such limbs. It wouldn't dream of wading into racially charge humor.

But you keep pretending that its ok for them to say things you never would but if you say the words you have been told they want you to say somehow that will translate into more black voters, evidence be damned.

Now not saying 'negro' has morphed into 'saying the words I have been told to say'? I am for MORE brutally honest talk about race relations. The exact opposite of what you suggest. Wading into the "negro" debate puts that off for another day.

Defending use of that word IS a suicide mission.

I'll just say to those who think Saltsman was some kind of genius for sending around that CD and that we should all support him I just think that all the "nuance" of the argument will be deliberately stripped by the MSM and the average "low information" voter of every stripe is just going to hear a snippet of a debate between Republicans and Liberals/Dems/the media (BIRM) over whether it's ok to call black people "negroes".  That's all they'll know because that's all the media wants them to know.   Remember the How Obama Won the Election poll/video?  The media is still very effective at getting out it's propaganda to people who are not discerning news consumers.  

The Democrats and the media want to have an argument on this point, even if they lose they win because they pick the winner.  The get to run snippets of the song and show Republicans or conservatives saying it's OK.  They are never going to widely publicize the context, the LA Times piece none of that.  You'll have to dig for that but all they need is the 20 second soundbite, anyone inclined to look any further into it probably already knows their game anyway.  In any case for most people they don't care to check the truth of it, it's just another false data point in a lifetime of being fed propaganda by the liberal media.  Their too busy with their lives, they don't have the time or inclination to get informed.  The MSM/Libs/Dems rely on them. 

To be honest I don't know how you fight it, alternative news sources, talk radio, books.  Their are probably many ways but what you don't do is have any RNC chairman come out in favor of calling black people negroes.  

It's a legitimate complaint that conservatives- particularly white conservatives- are held to a different standard by the PC crowd and their media allies.  

Only if we let them.  We talk almost daily about the implosion of newspapers and the mass media and the power we are gaining but we are afraid to use it.  You are never going to win their approval anyway so what's the point worrying about what their ever shrinking opinion is?

I hesitate to make this analogy because we sure as hell aren't worthy of the sacrifice our military has made but how many people in this country, hell, how many even here, believed the surge would work?  A very small percentage.  And we were told every damn day by every expert the MSM and left could trot out that it would fail miserably. But it succeeded beyond anyones imagination despite the media blackout because the idea behind it and the principle were sound.  It just required people to stand up and fight for what they believed in.  And it succeeded even if the MSM refuses to report it.  Does that mean it isn't happening?

Look, this idea of the Magical Negro in and of itself isn't important except to the extent that all of us know even if we don't choose to say it now that the MSM gave Obama not only a pass but actively cheered him on because of his color.  Liberals view it as some sort of affirmation that we can elect a wildly unqualified person simply because of the color of his skin.  He has been raised to messiah status for no reason other than it feels good, Magical Negro.  I defy anyone here to dispute that.

So now we are involved in two wars, the defeat in either of which will have dire consequences on this country, and we elected a man who has expressed a desire to quit in one we are on the verge of winning and given only vague direction on the other.  We have an economy that is threatening to spin out of control to an extent we haven't seen in a century and we have elected a man who has never run anything.  But he is viewed as a rock star, male reporters are ltterally swooning over him.  We have essentially zero credibility in the black community despite the fact that the current president not only had more minoritties in his cabinet but both a black man and a black woman as his Sec of State.

And somehow you guys are worried that repeating a phenomena that is both well known and firmly established in the black community is going to get us less than 8% of the black vote we already have?   As much as I never thought I would ever say this, I'm with Rush Limbaugh on this one.   I would be ashamed to say I supported our troops efforts to build a democracy in an Arab country when all the leftys said it was impossible if I wouldn't willing to fight to speak the truth in a free an open democracy I love just because some asshat in the MSM might say something mean about me.

Fuck that.  Barack Obama is totally unqualified and unvetted.  He got elected because he is a Magical Negro.  God help us.

Fuck that.  Barack Obama is totally unqualified and unvetted.  He got elected because he is a Magical Negro.  God help us.

And you don't think it might be a tad harmful for the RNC Chairman or any Republican politician to express such beliefs in those terms?  I mean that argument couldn't be made without saying negro?   

Context matters.

I agree 100% Counter. Intent matters too. And both bolster the defense of sending around the CD.It's just that we haven't done the heavy lifting yet to make it safe, to convince regular voters that the intent is not as it appears on the surface.

Richard Pryor was shocking at first. It took years of liberal context-preaching to make it safe. Similar to bringing up the word "socialism" in 2008. How about laying the ground work before throwing that out there? Of course liberals would love a socialist democracy, but that needs to laid out over time.

Again, I think the right can win the modern debates over race relations. Let conservative writers wage the battle over "Magical Negro" not the GOP.

And you don't think it might be a tad harmful for the RNC Chairman or any Republican politician to express such beliefs in those terms?  I mean that argument couldn't be made without saying negro? 

See previous question to CJ. 

Stop playing defense.  I think supporter of slavery and sexist is a bit worse than negro, you?

And again, this is now morphing constantly, you say "RNC chairman come out in favor of calling black people negroes".  That is simply false.  He did no such thing.  Not even close.

Agreed but you miss my point, that is what most people will take away from having this argument because that's what the media will imply.  Remember in the How Obama Was Elected video when basically all the people attributed the 57 states quote to Palin?  The media never said she said that but they did a good job selling her as an idiot.  They've done a good job of selling Republicans as racists.  They throw out this charge and move on hoping that the average person will square the circle for them.  Clearly many will.

I don't have answers to this problem but I think official organs of the RNC etc should be very careful about these issues.  Leave arguing them to people who have a platform to make sure their entire argument is heard, the Rush's and Coulters, Malkins and etc.   

Drew M. is absolutely correct.  The GOP needs to ignore the issue of race for a good long while.  We need to rededicate ourselves to the concepts of liberty, self-reliance and free markets.  In particular, we need to explain to the young (20- and 30-somethings) how they are getting ripped off and enslaved by the current pension systems and where they are headed.  Our government is headed towards a fiscal cliff and the leftards appear to be determined to go right over the edge and take us with them.  We had damn well better come up with free market solutions to health care, energy and other societal problems or we are screwed.  Whining about cultural crap is a luxury we really don't have right now.  Let Rush make fun of them.  He's better at it anyway.

Just curious CJ.  Are you going to deal with the fact that Howard Dean, Chairman of the DNC during the election, called the Republican party in favor of slavery and sexism as I proved,

YES! I said I consider what Dean did to be playing racial politics. I said the Right should be aggressive and treat ALL such accusations as racial politics. THAT will put liberals on the defensive....

or are you going to pretend that it doesn't exist or matter while you beat up your own team over a parody a candidate for the RNC repeated?

I care much more about the above point than the parody, which puts US on the defensive. Your second point undermines your first.

Just curious CJ.  Are you going to deal with the fact that Howard Dean, Chairman of the DNC during the election, called the Republican party in favor of slavery and sexism as I proved, or are you going to pretend that it doesn't exist or matter while you beat up your own team over a parody a candidate for the RNC repeated?

I don't care what Howard Dean says.  In a fair or perfect world we'd all operate under the same standard.  Unfortunately we don't.  So Saltsman won't be the RNC Chairman now, is that fair?  Nope but what are you going to do?  I'm not asking that Saltsman be expelled from the party and I would defend him to the extent I don't think sending out that CD indicates he's a racist but I don't think it would be wise to have an RNC Chairman who publically supports "Barack the Magic Negro". 

I care much more about the above point than the parody, which puts US on the defensive. Your second point undermines your first.

Nonsense.  There is only one point.  Race is only significant to those who continue to insist it matters over ideas or to those who who are too afraid to take on the race baiters.  And you would do well do spend more time speaking against the blatant racism of the left instead of the inconvenient truth of your own team.

Grow a pair and speak the truth.  I'm told by the reliable sources around here it will set you free.

In this case, I think we're all agreed that this is a self-inflicted wound. I don't agree that Saltsman inflicted it. The only people I saw making an issue of this in the WaPo article were other Republicans. FUCK THEM. Preening asswipes solemnly intoning pieties about imaginary offenses to unspecified third parties - FUCK. THEM.

I agree that you don't pick fights on unfavorable ground. When you have one anyway, go ahead and fight it. Nobody respects a pussy and when you concede the fight you do more than just avoid a confrontation; you concede the other side is right and set a precedent. A very bad precedent.

Saltsman? He was a big shot in Elmer Huckabee's campaign. Gut him for that. But not for having a fucking sense of humor that our own tribe is race-baiting over.

Note to the GOP douchebags: the correct response is, "So what?" or, "I haven't heard that CD, but there are a lot of CD's I haven't heard and I'm told some of them can be pretty unpleasant." Quoting Cheney's line to Leahy would also be OK with me. This bedwetting over the sensibilities of nobody in particular is not adult behavior; it's craven.

I don't care what Howard Dean says.  In a fair or perfect world we'd all operate under the same standard.  Unfortunately we don't.

Yea, I'm pretty aware of that. I'm also not surprissed that you have not outrage over what the opposition leader in the middle of an election  said.  What's important to you is one song on a CD one candidate for the RNC sent out 

Your way has us down 92 to 8.  Once again, how does your strategy, which is more of the same, fix that?

Only if we let them.  We talk almost daily about the implosion of newspapers and the mass media and the power we are gaining but we are afraid to use it.  You are never going to win their approval anyway so what's the point worrying about what their ever shrinking opinion is?

Fucking hell dude.  Do you really think that the RNC chair- the face of the Republican Party- is the best position from which to fight this battle?  Really?  Really?

We've tangled long enough that I know you're pragmatic to know better.  What would have been lost from not sending out a stupid CD with the stupid "Magical Negro" sketch?  And what was gained aside from negative press, unfair though it might be?

Going up against those who buy ink by the barrel is a long-term prospect.  Changing minds and overturning stereotypes takes time.  "Pushing the envelope" might work for stand-up comics, but not for RNC chair.

I would have liked just one person to have defended me for my innocuous  birthday sentiment to a long term senate friend and colleague.  Instead I was crucified by my own party.  Where's a magic negro when you need one!

McKinney relief boat rammed by Israeli navy

http://tiny.cc/AZJA5

Hollowpoint-

Please make sure you show her the respect you would never show a white man when you call her a fucking batshit crazy asshat anti-semite, she is ya know, cause otherwise you will never win the support of the people who voted her into the Congress of the United States.

Yea, that ought to get it done.

Nobody says this was the best time and ground for a fight. Some of us are saying the fight came anyway. Conceding it is not the same thing as erasing it. And when are we not up against the press? If we don't hit the "racial sensitivity" crap head on and forcefully, we are in for a very, very bad 8 years.

Do you really think the parody is racist? Really? If not, then we might as well start explaining our view that mentioning race isn't racism but treating people differently on the basis of race (affirmative action, double standards, etc.) is. Call out the cynical and demeaning paternalism of grievance mongers who obsessively treat adults like deranged, psychologically brittle children. This is an issue we should be ready to engage at all times and in all places.

Mark the GOP dopes who set this up and blew it up on terms we didn't choose. Fine. But engage the issue. We actually have good points to make if the spotlight is on us. We will never make them if we cringe and slink away whenever someone says we're being insensitive. And especially when we try to preempt the bad guys by accusing ourselves first. We just make the other side look like they have a valid point.

JackStraw is right about too many of us suffereing from battered wife syndrome. The other side doesn't even have to start mau-mauing us anymore, we just jump to the part where we're groveling and apologizing for giving offense. Screw that. If you're actually that offended by a parody that has been playing on the radio for a year (and where were your howls during that time?), you are far too delicate to be out in the world unescorted. Nobody is that sensitive.

One of the left's favorite debating tactics is to avoid the debate by intimidating the other side into shutting up. They have been so successful on the subject of "racial sensitivity" that we now do it to ourselves without a second thought. Screw that. The parody is fair game across the board. People who take offense on racial grounds are already looking for a reason to be offended and you'll never take that away from them. I'd rather call them on it than give the impression their accusations were valid.

Accusations of racial insensitivity have been an effective ambush tactic. They will always come up when you don't want them to because they have been so effective. Worried about sub-prime lending? You're racist about housing. Border security? Racist. Fighting illegal drug commerce? Racist. Stricter sentencing? Racist. Against the welfare state? Racist. And we're supposed to run away in terror from a harmless song???? Bullshit. By all means, jerks, show me just how over the top this sense of "offense" is. Be sure to cite the "offensive" lyrics in detail. I want to hear the wailing and see the rending of garments. Demonstrate just how childish and dishonest this racket is so we can better expose, mock and crush it.

We might as well get used to fighting this crap on ground we don't choose because that is almost always where we are going to find it. The first guy who steps up to the plate and aggressively calls bullshit, preferably with a generous dose of sarcastic wit, has my support to lead the party. The rest can go back to looking for their balls and musing over which pastels would be the most soothing for painting out their ideas.

What if we approached this a little differently -- instead of all this political correctness, say we view politics as sales -- after all, politics is one continual sales call to the electorate --

When a sales rep meets with a client, whether existing or potential, he must be dressed appropriately, be prepared to make his pitch, refrain from smoking or drinking, refrain also from off-color humor, not have garlic or onions on his breath, project a positive attitude, and ask for the sale.

In national politics, the client is us -- and the rep must consider all meetings with constituents, colleagues, lobbyists, civic organizations, interest groups and reporters as sales calls. This is all doubly important for someone interviewing for the position.

Has Shanklin done this?

What the hell!?!

Who cares if some idiot "leader" made a mistake and released an offensive song for his Christmas card.

I am not going to argue with my Democrat aunts and uncles this new years eve to justify the actions of some GOP nitwit.

The guy is a professional politician.  He has paid staff that do focus groups and run polls and figure out what a good "media strategy" is. 

I'm a private citizen and I don't tell potentially offensive jokes in public.  I don't cuss when I'm at the grocery store, even though I cuss a lot when I am working in my garage.  I don't tell jokes about "negroes" or even "African-Americans." 

Hell, if a Jewish guy tells me that he only ever wants Jews to be referred to as Jews, I am not going to run around calling him anything else.  Even if it would make for a good punchline.  Even if he calls himself something else.  It's a matter of basic respect.  It's not like they are asking you to lick their feet.  They are only asking for you to use the name they find most appropriate. 

Therefore, I am not going to defend an idiot politician who knows better.  If I am going to alienate my family this New Years Eve, I'd rather do it by arguing over something that actually matters like taxes or national security or morality or something. 

VRWC...

Is this really the battle which is going to determine the tenor of the next 4 years?

I don't think it is. 

But if it were, get ready to lose.  Most people aren't going to research the history and usage of the term Magic Negro.  They aren't going to see that it is ridiculing Al Sharpton by way of the Obama.  They are just going to see a song making fun of a "negro."

So if this really is Armageddon...  the battle to end all battles...  and you are going to stand bravely and valiantly for the rights of white people to make jokes about black people provided they are appropriately ironic...  you are going to lose.  Underlying your argument is the basic idea that too much racial and ethnic sensitivity is going to make the next 4 years unbearable.  I would argue that other actual policies are going to make the next four years difficult.  What's it to you if a black guy wants to be called an African American or even Kunta Kinte?  Is this like the 1960s...  are you upset that Cassius Clay changed his name to Mohammad Ali?  Get over it. 

So, guys like me are going to argue policies.  Meanwhile stubborn doofuses are going to keep fighting for the white man's God-given entitlement to call black people "Negroes".  And, for four years, I will have to live with the accusation that I oppose Obama's policies because he's black.

So why not just let it go.  And get ready for a real political battle.

So Rush Limbaugh's filler music is now an exercise in bad manners, kingbuzzo? Really? Where were you for the last year as it was being regularly broadcast to tens of millions of people and "tarnishing" conservatives?

We usually avoid controversy in our professional and public lives. Violence too for that matter. But politics is all about controversy just as Limbaugh's radio program is about controversy (not just salesmanship, FireHorse) and just as violence is a party of our military's job. Bad comparisons.

We are so fucked..Why are Reublicans such fucking pussies?

We sit by as Democrats steal election after election.We refuse to bring any publicity to this bullshit even as it is happening in front of our faces.Why?We don't want to be called racists.Even though it is a known fact that these motherfuckers have been commiting voter fraud in the inner cities for decades.

We will never get any more than 10 /15 percent of the black vote unless we act like Dems and promise them the moon.Is that what we want?To be more like the fucking scumbags that we detest?

Liberalism needs to be fought wherever it is found!Do not shrink from the fight because the odds are against you.Take up the challenge and do the best you can.Personally,I think it is too late as proven on these pages.Republicans are just too fucking pansy to stand up to these assholes.Most of you have been turning the other cheek for so long you no longer realise when you are being bitchslapped.

And what was gained aside from negative press, unfair though it might be?

Nothing, as long as people like you cheer it on in private but act like its some sort of crime in public.

Obama got a free ride from the press for the most important job in the world.  You know it.  You said it as much as anyone.  Why?  Because he gave a thrill up the leg of white liberal guilt which basically describes our dying MSM.  Hell, even McCain was too politcally correct to point out that Obama's longtime pastor is a fucking racist of the worst kind cause he was afraid of being divisive by being honest.  How did that work out?

You were strident in your support of your candidate this past election and even more strident in those you didn't support (even when you didn't know what the fuck you were talking about).  You never stopped telling me, nor did a prominent white politician running for president even if he was using code, that a Mormon could never win in the south.  That was ok in your eyes, that was just politics.  Everyone was white.

The issue here isn't any specific words.  Magical Negro is a term that was coined by a black man and has been talked about endlessly in the press.  It is a product of white guilt and it refers to the practice of white people affording blacks mythical powers simply because of the color of their skin.  It is not so much an indictment of the person as it is of the people who allow the phenomenom to go unchallenged.  That would be people like you and that is racist.  Saying Magical Negro is no more racist than saying Northeast RINO but that term is tossed around daily.  I'd be willing to wager you even say it in public.

Obama is the messiah.  Obama has a presidential-elect seal.  Obama has the body of a god.  Obama's soaring oratory makes up for the fact that he has zero accomplishments.  Obama has books and cable TV stations dedicating their entire agenda to promoting him even before he has taken office.  He has been given the most important job in the world and you, I and just about everyone else knows what one of most significant deciding reasons was but nobody wants to talk about it.  Not in public anyway.  Super.  Tell me again how that advances racial equality.

What has been accomplished by a candidate for the RNC head bringing this issue to the front?  We are talking about it.  And the more we talk about it, hopefully more people will realize that what is really wrong is to think and say one thing in private but pretend to think and say other things in public.  Particularly when it involves life and death and the most important job in the world.  For once, I agree with Bill Clinton.  Obama is a fairy tale.  A Magical Negro.

Oh and, for the eleventeeth time, your way has gotten us 8% of the black vote.  You guys wringing your hands keep avoiding that sort of crucial point.  Somebody up top compared politics to selling a product.  Well I employee sales people and anyone who has a hit rate of less than 10% gets canned.  So how about instead of telling me what might happen by being honest you try to defend what your strategy has gained us.

"And, for four years, I will have to live with the accusation that I oppose Obama's policies because he's black." kingbuzzo

This is exactly what I'm talking about.buzzo thinks that if he plays by thier rules he will be respected for his opinion.Well,buy a fucking clue king.You will be accused of that no matter what.But keep living in your dream world.

Oh and, for the eleventeeth time, your way has gotten us 8% of the black vote

Quite. I do wonder what in the world the Republican Party could do to earn FEWER black votes.

The MSM loved the message Rev. Wright delivered. That's why they never really criticized him for what he said. They knew their only recourse was to (disingenuously) separate Wright from Obama.

And they knew they COULD. Because the right/GOP hasn't been building a case for this over the years. We burst on the scene with what the MSM could dismiss as “endless video loops” of Wright’s rants. Every major city in every state has Rev. Wright active in Democrat politics or liberal movements. We didn’t make an issue of it until the middle of a presidential campaign. American voters have barely considered the possibility that there are liberal racists, and racist blacks and Hispanics.

When we change the rules of the debate, reframe the issue so that it’s accepted as fact that racism exists on both sides, the MSM will have to change how it covers it.

You know less of this "issue" than me. The only people who came off poorly in the MSM were the detractors who tried to link Obama to Wright.

See above. Trust me. I know more about this. I’ve been arguing that the GOP should take on Democrat racial politics for years.

BTW -- Were you a member of the McCain campaign? You really sound like one.

Of course. Since I don’t want to waste time defending a “negro” song, I must be a McCain insider.

People like this culture war stuff because it gets their blood up.  It activates and energizes the base because it makes them feel like they are losing something.  But if you look at this kind of identity politics stuff, it is polarizing, and it shrinks your share of the electorate over time.

So, fine, you can worry about letting black people tell you, a white man, what word to say.  Get all bent out of shape.  Rally the handful of white people that actually get upset when a black person wants to be called "African American."  Raise a big stink about it.  Have a rally.  Get yourself on TV.  And enjoy your moment of disgruntled, impotent rage.

And then go home and sleep well.  It will feel good to you.  But if won't do a damned thing for anyone else.  You aren't going to put anyone in their place.  You are going to get put into your place.

The culture war stuff is stupid.  It makes sense, maybe, to turn people out on election day.  But every other day of the year it is a waste of time.  It gets people thinking about their "identity" and their victim status instead of actually thinking with their brains and propogating their ideas.

Whatever, Limbaugh is supposed to be some kind of hero because he's on our side.  But he is nothing but a comedian and a shock jock.  This "Magic Negro" song isn't freaking elevator music, it is calculated to attract listeners BECAUSE is it controversial. 

So, like, whatever.  Sinead O'Connor can rip up a picture of the Pope and call it a profound statement.  But it is just a stupid media stunt that expresses her little sliver of rage.  It doesn't convince anyone to accept her idea.  It just gets people to watch.  Rush Limbaugh is no different.

But I suppose that's why the Republicans lose elections and our leaders distributed racial jokes for Christmas...  because we think that pathetic emotive outbursts are the same thing as good ideas.  And when someone catches us acting childish, we start crying victim and proclaiming our self-righteous outrage like every other special intererest group.

I think we'd actually start winning if we stopped copying special interest groups.  (And I'm not talking about electing people with Rs behind their names...  I'm talking about people actually accepting conservative ideas as an alternative to the typical political nonsense).  But we've been fishing in the sewer so long that we mistake the turds for trout.

And you would do well do spend more time speaking against the blatant racism of the left instead of the inconvenient truth of your own team.

I'm damn sure I do that more than anyone here. 

Your approach simply makes my job harder.

Ace,

I'm sure this has been said already but let me add my 2c worth.

The Democrat and the MSM hate us, not disagree with us, they HATE us. Anything we do or say that doesn't go along with their plans for a Marxist Utopian will be cast as being racist!

That is just the way they do things!

Bush has spent the last 8 years trying to play nice with these morons...

It doesn't work! It never will.

employee employ

New Years resolution number 187.  Must read what I type before posting.

You know what the Republican Party could do to get more black votes?

Stop digging your heels in every time some racist idiot makes a joke that black people don't like.  Stop judging black people every time their is a disagreement.  If you want their votes, you need to meet them halfway. 

Start with aggressive outreach into inner-cities.  Community building.  Programs that help black people start successful businesses.  Charter schools.  Charity-based after school programs.  It's work. 

The GOP needs to get their hands involved in breaking the cycle of poverty instead of just talking about what black people are doing wrong, making racially tone-deaf comments, and then blaming black people whenever you step on their toes because YOU are to ignorant to even notice where they are standing.

Nuts and bolts conservativism is what is going to sell conservativism.  Not fighting over a stupid song.

Whatever, Limbaugh is supposed to be some kind of hero because he's on our side.  But he is nothing but a comedian and a shock jock.  This "Magic Negro" song isn't freaking elevator music, it is calculated to attract listeners BECAUSE is it controversial. 

kingbuzz,

I’m pretty much on your side, but one point: The term and the gag is not just for shock. It touches on a truth about white liberals and how they see minorities. It is fair game, long overdue. It’s just not something the RNC needs to involve itself in.

Beyond that, I do think that many of the posters just want the FIGHT. They don’t seem to care if we actually win it.

The GOP needs to get their hands involved in breaking the cycle of poverty

Careful. One of the two major parties needs to take the unpopular – but accurate – stance that much of problems facing black Americans is the result of things government can’t fix. We don’t help ourselves or black Americans by mimicking Democrats.

Bill Cosby opened the door. We can appeal to blacks who agree with him. We can pledge to defend equal opportunity, and to treat black Americans like adults.

Of course there is truth in the song.  Rush Limbaugh's career would end abruptly if he pulled a Kramer and just launched into a racist diatribe.  Thus, he needs to always couch his racial humor in subtle and ironic terms.  He always needs an alibi.  Larry Flynt does the same thing....  publishes the most hideous filth...  but is careful to make sure that the most profane stuff (incest, rape, etc.) has just enough satirical content to give him an alibi.  Subversives have historically used this approach to attack what they hate and then hide behind the rules whenever they get called on it.  The same thing is true of shows like South Park, which really do have a deeply nihilistic, anti-religious, counter-cultural message....  they basically trash America...  but do it with enough irony that they can always accuse people of overreacting.

I can understand why people are intrigued and emotionally satisfied by Limbaugh's subersive appeal...  especially when the status quo that he is subverting is so nefarious.  But this kind of a nihilistic strategy is ultimately dangerous.  Revolution is only worthwhile when there is a finite objective.  But the constant successive waves of revolution (which is what the communists considered more important to their goals than the actual planks of their manifesto) condition people to embrace identity politics, to fight for their personal sense of entitlement, and to reject everything, leaving themselves open to persuasion and manipulation.

We have lived through generations of cultural warfare...  and now the right has embraced this revolutionary strategy, too.  Why do you think "formerly" committed Leftists like Michael Savage would suddenly have a change of heart, but would keep the same essential Marxist strategy?  (Why would a guy like that stay in San Francisco, unless he liked it?)  They are at war against traditional American culture...  the Left can only ever destroy American values by instilling a culture of constant revolution. 

And they are succeeding.

Sure, people are going to make fun of me for attributing such a strategy to the Left...  But you have to ask yourself, why is it so laughable?  If the Left is so dangerous that we should insist on our right to call black people "negroes" for fear of "losing" the next eight years...  is it really so laughable to think that they might actualy have a real agenda besides a war over terminology?

CJ,

I'm not saying to use government to help solve people's problems.  I am saying that if conservatives have practical values that are self-evidently good, we should be engaged in the hand-to-hand transmission of those values.  Instead of giving millions of dollars to "the Club for Growth," why not start a "Club for Urban Growth" which uses its money to support research and provide private grants for inner-city business.  If conservatives can go to bat for a company like Dow Chemicals or Exxon, why not dedicate lobbying efforts to tax breaks specifically targeting inner-city redevelopment projects?  Rich conservatives should do like Andre Aggassi, and adopt a charter school and focus giving on expanding enrollment, building relationships with established local business to train students for employment in that industry in exchange for corporate support for the school.

Every single opportunity that you create will have long-term generational effects.

If conservatives can go to bat for a company like Dow Chemicals or Exxon, why not dedicate lobbying efforts to tax breaks specifically targeting inner-city redevelopment projects? 

Do you really think no one has thought of that? I mean, this is good politics and the GOP does need to show that it cares, inner cities have had tax break zones for years. Enterprise Zones. Companies that locate there pay no state and local taxes for 12 years. But it means nothing if there are no skilled workers to fill the plants. So, programs to teach job skills? We’ve had those too for years. They haven’t really helped. You can’t force someone to learn a skill. It’s hard. The rewards are not obvious to the student. Doesn’t mean we give up, but some inner city communities have 90% illegitimacy rates. The level of dysfunction is staggering. The solutions are, ultimately, cultural, as Bill Cosby is saying. He needs our support more than another redevelopment project. Maybe both. But conservatives are absolutely on solid ground and can’t give in. Generations of inner city kids have been lost to the liberal, top-down approach.

Stop digging your heels in every time some racist idiot makes a joke that black people don't like.  Stop judging black people every time their is a disagreement.  If you want their votes, you need to meet them halfway. 

1- While some here are against it, the GOP never fails to underbus those accused of the hint of racism.

2- Meet blacks half way? Do you mean by advocating a society which judges people on merit? Done. Or do you mean by advocating for individual freedom? Done.

I suspect that you mean somthing else.

I say again, that I would like to know what it would take to get fewer black votes.

Yeah, if the GOP did something like that it might lose the presidency, several governorships, the legislature in several states, and both houses of congress. Oh wait.

I say again, that I would like to know what it would take to get fewer black votes.

Maybe we could start a civil war against the other party to end slavery.

Or maybe we could fight the other party to pass the Civil Rights Act of '64.

I'm sure if we did things like that we would earn lots of black votes for generations and stuff.  No?

Here's a thought.  How about we stop worrying about the "black vote" as if it is some monolithic creature and instead be honest, treat people as individuals and equals, speak our minds and our values.  Those who agree will join and those who don't, won't.  Even if they are green.

Here's a thought.  How about we stop worrying about the "black vote" as if it is some monolithic creature and instead be honest, treat people as individuals and equals, speak our minds and our values.  Those who agree will join and those who don't, won't.  Even if they are green.

That is my point exactly. Here we have one more instance of handwringing that we might offend blacks. That has been the GOP stance for my adult life. Fear of minority backlash. To which I say, how could the backlash be worse than the normal state of things?  Could a Donk candidate actually get 100% of the black vote?

The concrete things that were done which you mention have been lied into nonexistence. That is the crux of the issue. We need to stop responding to every cry of racism and begin to address blacks as our fellow Americans and attempt to convince them that they have been lied too.

Someone up-thread hit it on the head: Show people how the policies of their supposed benefactors have hurt them. Did handing out loans like candy so that minorities could by houses benefit them? What klansman's daibolical plan could have hurt more blacks?

"buy"

doggonit!

You know what the Republican Party could do to get more black votes?

Here's a thought.  How about we stop worrying about the "black vote" as if it is some monolithic creature and instead be honest, treat people as individuals and equals, speak our minds and our values.  Those who agree will join and those who don't, won't.  Even if they are green.

Posted by: JackStraw at December 30, 2008 12:28 PM (VW9/y) 

A-freaking-men.

You're right, Jack Straw.  We shouldn't treat black voters as a monolithic group.  But, on the other hand, if you are trying to make inroads with large numbers of voters, it is a good idea to get to know the actual people as individuals and to avoid language that tends to lump them into a group.  As long as Republicans view black people as a special interest group who they need to stand up to, they are not going to treat them as individuals.

I mean, in general, as a Christian, I expect a certain amount of criticism from Jewish people over a film like the Passion of the Christ...  because, no matter how well intentioned the movie is, there is a history there when you talk about Passion Plays and their role in instigating attacks against Jews.  Now maybe that's too PC of me...  maybe I am letting "them" walk all over "me."  But I don't really see it that way.  Given the history of the world, it's only logical to think that an emotionally charged representation of the Passion could inspire misguided people to think or do evil things.  I don't lose anything by acknowledging that.  I am not "losing" by debating this with Jewish friends.  It would be dishonest and immoral for me to deny that history.  I want to get along with people where I can.  I still think it is one of the greatest movies ever made.  It still speaks to me in a way that helps me understand my life and faith.  But I am still going to go out of my way to disavow anti-semitism and the history of Christians persecuting Jews.  What's wrong about that?   

This idea that NOT broadcasting a song about a "magic negro" is the same things as letting "them" walk all over "us" says a lot.  It says that for all our talk of treating people as individuals is not necessarily honest.

If you know that there is some particular part of a person's history, race, or ethnicity or whatever that they don't want to see treated as a joke...  an intelligent person studiously avoids mocking it through direct references to this aspect of their life.

Kidney...

I think that advocating a racial holy war and preaching a doctrine of white supremacy might be more disturbing to black voters than easy access to credit.  Not to be contrarian, but I think this might be one reason that black people would support a Bill Clinton over a David Duke.

Again, not to refer to black people as a monolithic group...  but here Republicans would benefit from going out of their way to talk to black people.

Again, not to refer to black people as a monolithic group...  but here Republicans would benefit from going out of their way to talk to black people.

You're right.  The RNC should not communicate with black people for any reason. 

Are you serious!?!...  one benefit is that people like Chip wouldn't come across as tone-deaf morons or ignorant know-nothings.

For instance, if you were to communicate with black people, you might understand why they would be proud of having an African American president.  You might understand why they would take mocking references to his race as disparaging comments about black people in general. 

When you have a weakness...  for instance, that your political party seems to be conspicuously repellent to a certain group of people...  it only makes sense to try to understand this weakness. 

If I have a party and no women show up...  I have to ask myself why not?  Did I invite them?  Is there something about my party that is offensive to them?  Did I forget to wear pants?  Do I make offensive passes on a regular basis?  Do I want women at my party?

These are all logical questions to ask if your intention is to have a large and enjoyable party.

It could be possible that the problem is with women, in general.  But if I blame women for the lack of women at may parties, then I am pretty much resigning myself to a life without women.

Baldilocks...

People belong to groups.  The GOP is a group of people that shares some set of beliefs. 

In principle, it is good to treat people as individuals.  But, when a whole bunch of individuals who all share one characteristic in common do not want to associate with you, you gotta ask why.  Why not dispense with all the PC platitudes about color blindness and just ask a black person what they think of the GOP. 

Is it that overwhelmingly black people reject the GOP because they are incapable of recognizing that we are such great people?  Or is it because the GOP unintentionally (or intentionally) seems to send messages which discourage people of a particular background to join the party?

Ask and see.  And if it seems worthwhile to change, change.  If not, have a party without black people.

Sorry, counter.  I can't speak as a black man, so I am going to have to talk to other people for that perspective.  Big deal.

I am not Jewish, either.  But when I heard that some Jewish folks were upset by Passion of the Christ....  I didn't just assume that I knew the full deal because I had read about the history of anti-semitism.  I asked a Jewish friend, "Hey, why the big deal about Passion of the Christ." 

Sure, it makes for occasionally awkward moments, for instance, when I asked a gay friend why "civil unions" aren't as acceptable as "gay marriage" or when I tried to tell another that I think, from a philosophical perspective, it is impossible for two people of the same sex to be married. 

But I would much rather live in a society where people talked about stuff respectfully than to pretend we are all "individuals."  Everybody has biases.  Nobody can look at another person and see a perfect mirror of themselves.  It's best to deal with these differences directly, but with an amount of care and deference.  If you really think that we are all inherently worthy of respect as individuals, then it is doubly necessary to treat the other person's perspective as potentially superior to your own, even if it is based on a group experience.  It's a cop out to use this kind of new-agey, PC, I'm colorblind, we all are equal, language to make excuses for our own failures.  Maybe you can make excuses for other people, but it is a dangerous path to make exceptions for yourself as a consequence of this relativistic thinking.  That's how people become weak and decadent.

For instance, if you were to communicate with black people, you might understand why they would be proud of having an African American president.  You might understand why they would take mocking references to his race as disparaging comments about black people in general. 

We need to “communicate with black people” to understand this? That they were proud of the election of someone who looks like them, has the same, kind of, ethnic background?

 Again, the CD parody was targeting white liberals and how THEY view black Americans. Still, not something I want the RNC to waste time on defending.

If you know that there is some particular part of a person's history, race, or ethnicity or whatever that they don't want to see treated as a joke...  an intelligent person studiously avoids mocking it through direct references to this aspect of their life.

I think you are missing the point of the term Magical Negro and instead rushing to avoid it as patently offensive to every black person.  That, in my opinion, is not only wrong but demeaning.  You might have noticed the person who posted just ahead of you, baldilocks.   She is an individual, a unique person, who just happens to be a black woman and seems to understand the humor in the term just as I, a white man, do.  See how that works?  We may disagree on a number of things but on this we seem to agree.  Not because of the color of our skin but because of the content of our ideas.  I'm pretty sure that's the basic idea of our country.

Instead, a truly studious person would understand that the term was first coined by a black man to mock, well, you.  And me.  And anyone who has ever enjoyed a movie like The Green Mile that features a black man improbably dropped into a circumstance where he can lead white people based on nothing but the color of his skin.  That is why it has been applied to Obama by those who see him as an intelligent and ambitious man who has been catapulted to the most powerful position in the world and showered with terms like messiah based largely on the color of his skin.  It is a term of humor, irony, sarcasm and it is most definitely not being used to describe an entire group, just one single man.

Some people find the term offensive.  You know what I find offensive?  That we have become so polarized by political correctness that we are unwilling to speak the truth even to the extent that we will elevate a wholly unqualified man to the presidency.  Yea, I find that deeply offensive.  What victim group is going to take care of me?

As to the term negro, yea, I know, offensive.  Accept when it's used as say part of the title United Negro College Fund, right?  Or can only black people speak the name of that organization?  Am I know longer allowed to read the speeches of Martin Luther King without inserting the term African American where he proudly used negro?  I'm told colored person is offensive too.  So I guess we can no longer speak of the NAACP.  Exactly when does this luancy end?

What if I told you I would be offended if you called me white because I am really more of a beige tone except in the summer when I progress from bright pink to brown?  Would you care?  If I told you I wished to be called German American with a touch of Swiss would you give a damn?  You know what, neither would I. Likewise, I don't give a damn if your Christian, Muslim, Eskimo or a pygmy from the outback.  If you and I agree on ideas I will support you.  But if you try to get in a position to run my life claiming victim status because or your pygmy stature, I will mock you till my mocker falls off.

It is amazing the delicate flowers you run across in a blog that is devoted to making fun of everyone and everything under the sun.

Posted by: counter at December 30, 2008 02:08 PM (A0+qu)

A few times?

People live by making presumptions.  You presume the sun is going to come up until you see evidence to the contrary.

I presume that Chip is a fool (or, worst case scenario, a bigot).  And I presume that all this high-minded defense of his folly is just a lot of little fools trying to stick up for him....  or, worst case scenario, a lot of little bigots trying to stick up for bigotry.

If I am wrong, then show me.  I don't mind being proven wrong in my presumptiousness... 

Until then, I will go on rightly or wrongly thinking that the GOP is incapable of dealing with questions of race. At the national level, they have platitudes and empty gestures.  On the grassroots level, you have a share of white people who resent black people or are just ignorant.  (If your only discussions with black people about the GOP have gone no further than: "Republicans are racist and/or are for the rich," and, as you say, neither of which are true...  then you think black people are dupes and that there is no merit to their perceptions.) 

But, if you look into a room and see only pirates, and you are a ballerina, a reasonable person is going to think that you stumbled across a party for pirates.  And if, when you ask, why the party is only pirates....  the pirates gang up and saltily tell you that you are being a bigot for asking...  are you going to hang out with them?  Or are you going to wander the halls until you find a room with other ballerinas in it?

When you have a weakness...  for instance, that your political party seems to be conspicuously repellent to a certain group of people...  it only makes sense to try to understand this weakness. 

What’s with this made-for-TV notion that white Republicans are just ignorant and need to turn to minorities to help them ‘understand their weakness’? Do you realize you’ve double-backed and are now suggesting the mindset that prompted the “magical negro” parody in the first place?

We understand why we don’t have many people of color in our ranks:

The answer is in there. Yes, we need to court the votes of black Americans, because they are Americans. We need to make the case that our platform makes sense to anyone who wants a job and wants to keep as much as possible of their pay, and wants to live in relative safety. The GOP should definitely campaign in black neighborhoods, but with the same message it takes to other communities. Liberals are the ones who tailor their message and platform for each ethnic subgroup.

I presume that Chip is a fool (or, worst case scenario, a bigot).  And I presume that all this high-minded defense of his folly is just a lot of little fools trying to stick up for him....  or, worst case scenario, a lot of little bigots trying to stick up for bigotry. If I am wrong, then show me.  I don't mind being proven wrong in my presumptiousness... 

The parody in question targeted white liberals. So it can’t be a matter of bigotry.

Proven wrong.

baldilocks,

I work in GOP politics and have given this a lot of thought through the years. It’s a struggle to get everyone to bring race relations into the 21^st century. I think the Right can win the day with this topic. (Maybe not elections, right now, but the overall approach is better than the Left’s.)  Conservatives are the last defenders of the notion of a colorblind society. The last defenders of judging people on the content of their character. Of treating black Americans like adults. Of fully expecting civilized behavior from black youth. The last defenders of e pluribus unum. We kick-ass on this subject. Or we could. I think. Unless I am missing something.

That’s why I don’t want the RNC getting bogged down in defending use of word “negro.” Leave that to the conservative writers/humorists. The point behind the parody is out there. It’s not going away. But with so much ammunition when it comes to the debate over improving race relations, I hate to waste any on that word.

I don't think the term Magical Negro is inherently offensive.  I don't think the term Negro is offensive.  But, if someone says that don't want to be called a Negro, I'm not going to call them Negro.  I treat everyone this way.  I have a friend whose name isn't "Bella" but insists that I call her Bella...  so...  I'm gonna call her Bella.  I know a guy name Mario who wants everyone to call him Maria...  fine, done. 

As far as Chip goes...  I just think what's the point of sticking up for some guys misplaced effort to pander to people's underlying racism.  It's a racial joke.  Maybe the song-writer is some super awesome grad-student lefty who is raging against depictions of innoffensive black men.  But most people respond to popular culture in a very basic way.  For instance, you could argue that spreading elephant dung on an image of the Virgin Mary is really a gesture of reverence, because elephant poo is sacred in India, but that's not why most people focus on an image like that.  They tune into it because it is shocking and irreverent.

It's the same with this Magic Negro bit.  You can tell yourself that ol' Chip is just making a witty comment with his Christmas present...  but you gotta question the wisdom of a leader whose Christmas gift requires a Ph.D. in Ethnic Studies to understand.

If I have a party and no women show up...  I have to ask myself why not?  Did I invite them?  Is there something about my party that is offensive to them?  Did I forget to wear pants?  Do I make offensive passes on a regular basis?  Do I want women at my party?

Or, just perhaps, it is because your rival who is also having a party, made up 2000 pamphlets on Police Department letterhead accusing you of being a rapist.

Nah, you just need new deodorant.

Chip didn't write the parody.... He can still be a bigot.  And, even if he did write the parody, it still doesn't mean he's not a fool.

But is being a fool worthy of the penalties that come with being labeled a bigot?

I don't think so. I also think that inspite of your thoughtful attempts at not offending people you , KB, will in fact some day offend someone. And then, I hope you are not judged by those such as yourself.

Also, this is more about party and the constant smear than about one man. If this incedent had't happened another would and not because so many R's are closet racists as you appear to beleive, but because the greavance mongers lie in wait for just such moments.

Thanks for acknowledging the flight of racists from the Democratic to the Republican Parties.  Any analysis of the RNC's record of failure with black voters MUST take this historical fact into account.

Any revisionist view of the GOP which ignores this history and simply concludes that black people are ignorant for voting Democratic is insulting.  If the GOP cannot confront this history honestly, there is no reason to believe that the GOP is some kind of post-racial utopia.

Kb I couldn't even quote a current Senator with a D behind his name without running afoul of the comment filter on this site. Remember Robert Byrd? How is it that David Duke is ever mentioned while Robert Byrd sits in the Senat?

There is plenty of racial guilt to go around in both parties but only one ever pays for its sins.

When I make a foolish mistake, I do my best to take it back and apologize, lest people think I am defiantly owning my error as an intentional act.

Maybe this means I will lose the war.  But I think when the conflict circulates around a group of people who you are not at war with, why would you try to win that war?  I don't want to win the war against "African Americans."  I want to win the war of ideas against inferior ideas.  That means disavowing bad ideas and ideas formed in error, and embracing good ideas and putting forward more good ideas.

Identity politics suggests that you defend your ideas because you are you.  But traditional conservative politics have always held that you defend good ideas, protect proven ideas, and when a bad idea becomes apparent, to just let it go.

The reason why Byrd gets to be in the senate is because he seeks absolution for his sins.  Apologize, try to correct, and move on. 

The reason why people refer to David Duke is because he is an unrepentant racist.

Americans, black and white, tend to be pretty forgiving people.  But it is wrong to demand forgiveness if you are unwilling to acknowledge the grievance.

ANd I think the GOP's Southern Strategy went a long way to woo voters who were disgruntled by the Democratic party's inclusive message.  They saw the opportunity to win some elections, and, unfortunately, they couldn't resist the easy win.  Until the GOP makes a clean break with this, people are going to be suspicious.

When I make a foolish mistake, I do my best to take it back and apologize, lest people think I am defiantly owning my error as an intentional act.

What you don't seem to understand is that the cry of "racist" has become a bludgeon and that should you ever find yourself on the recieving end your appology will be so much spit in the wind.

The reason why Byrd gets to be in the senate is because he seeks absolution for his sins.  Apologize, try to correct, and move on. 

Right- and That moving on includes the only instance in which I have seen a politician use a racial slur on live TV. But hey, move on.

The reason why people refer to David Duke is because he is an unrepentant racist.

Who was summarily tossed out of the party, unlike sheets Byrd.

Americans, black and white, tend to be pretty forgiving people.  But it is wrong to demand forgiveness if you are unwilling to acknowledge the grievance.

ANd I think the GOP's Southern Strategy went a long way to woo voters who were disgruntled by the Democratic party's inclusive message.  They saw the opportunity to win some elections, and, unfortunately, they couldn't resist the easy win.  Until the GOP makes a clean break with this, people are going to be suspicious.

So what about this decade? Got anything?

I just think throwing old Chip into the chipper isn't really "losing" anything.  The implied adversary is somehow the black special interest groups....  and even if the bigger adversary is the Democratic Party...  you gotta recognize that this opportunity isn't to be lost or won by defending Chip.  It was lost when Chip sent out the stupid CD for Christmas.

So, if you fight this battle...  you are going to be having a public fight against black people...  not matter who you wish to be fighting...  this is what the public is going to see and this is what people will remember.

Instead of betting the farm on Chip's folly, such call it a mistake and walk away from it.  You don't want to embolden actual racists who feel entitled to disparage Obama because he is black.  And you don't want to dishearten everyone else.

Just call it a booboo.  Say sorry.  Move on.  Live to fight another day.

Rush Limbaugh always has racial stuff.

When that Magic Negro song came out, people were already calling it, rightly or wrongly, a racist attack on Obama.

For an aspiring leader of the GOP to take this song from a satirical shock jock's radio show....  knowing full well that it was controversial a couple months ago....  and to publish it as an official gift from the GOP says all the wrong things.

Never mind the California GOP anti-Obama fliers which were had buckets of fired chicken and watermelon on them.  Never mind the "Keep the White House White" buttons distributed in Texas.  There are lots of little things that can easily be dismissed as the careless actions of individuals...

But when you see this kind of stuff coming out from an aspiring leader, it starts to resonate with prejudices that people have about the GOP.

And, you just gotta walk delicately around this stuff if you want to change the party's reputation.

Well, if you put it that way, counter, yes.  A person who stands for folly or bigotry seems like a fool or a bigot.

I'm not calling you that.  But if you are saying that you defend folly and bigotry, then, by my standards, yes, you would be one of these by default.

On the other hand, there are many, many other people on this thread who actually identity Chip's move as foolish or bigoted and decry it as such.

So, when you refer to "us," you should specify who is standing behind the GOP's aspiring leader and his stupid decision.

Baldilocks....  To really understand how a group feels you;d have to have a much larger sample than a single personal interview.

I'm just saying that black people are not fools for voting Democrat.  There are good reasons, one of which is that the GOP frequently seems to be the place to go to if you want to find a person who thinks racial jokes are funny.

Hands down, I get 100% of the racial email forwards from Republican friends and family and 0% from Democrats.  Why is it that my Republican mother sent me an email forward making fun of black people during Katrina.  Why does my brother send me stuff making fun of African American names.  But then if I say, hey, stop sending that stuff to my work email address....  they act like I'm being the reverse-racist?

It fits a pattern.  Maybe it's just my family.  Maybe I am overcompensating. 

As far as Chip goes...  I just think what's the point of sticking up for some guys misplaced effort to pander to people's underlying racism. 

You’ve now been told five times that the joke was on white liberals. But you still try to insist the joke is on black Americans.

We’re going to start to question your sincerity here. We don’t want to do that.

Thanks for acknowledging the flight of racists from the Democratic to the Republican Parties.  Any analysis of the RNC's record of failure with black voters MUST take this historical fact into account.

Well, it’s been talked about for years. How about my other points? Which ones will YOU acknowledge?

We understand why we don’t have many people of color in our ranks:

1. Many racist Democrats fled that party and joined the GOP during the Civil Rights movement.

2. The social programs advocated by Democrats disproportionately benefit minorities.

3.The made-for-TV notion that blacks could not possibly prefer an alternative to the Democrat Party.

4.Democrats are the only party to openly practice racial politics.

Sure, I see racism come from all corners.  I cannot control what a black person thinks...  although I don't feel threatened when I see a shirt that says something about a "black president."  I can only control myself, and to a certain extent, I have great responsibility to those groups I identify with.  If Republicans are making a mistake, I feel a responsibility to the Republicans because I have a long history and emotional connection to a party which is not always right, but usually is.  Hence, I feel embarassed when Republicans could even be remotely construed as White Supremacists.

WHo knows, maybe somebody will read this blog and see a healthy debate going on in the threads and conclude that Republicans aren't racist...  because if they were, they'd be nodding in unison.

Honestly, I think that Ace's post handled it very well.  I think he acknowledges the realistic possibility that such a move could be misinterpreted and that it is inappropriate for the party to represent itself this way.  And, like him, I agree that the media is unfairly hammering on the racist point.

But between you and me, among us, I think we shouldn't always leap to the defense of racially insensitivity.  There's no place for racism in a civilized society...  it is a weakness that can only be corrected through aggressive, preemptive self-analysis and discipline.  It's not something I think we should get in the business of justifying.

There are a lot of racist people in this country.  It's not a matter of projecting.  It's a matter of recognizing it when you see it.  And making an active effort to overcome it.

There are a lot of racist people in this country.  It's not a matter of projecting.  It's a matter of recognizing it when you see it.  And making an active effort to overcome it.

So wait…was the CD “racist” or is “the media is unfairly hammering on the racist point.” Is it misinterpreted or not? You’re all over the map.

kb's biggest fault is that he is missing the elephant in the middle of the room (well one of his or her faults). The reason many blacks mistrust and dislike the GOP is that they've been lied to, misled, and bamboozled regarding both parties:

I’m giving kb a chance to admit that this plays a role. I have faith.

CJ...  I think the question is whether or not the GOP is going to make an active effort to reach out to minorities.  That means having feet on the ground in ethnic areas.  It means getting to know the culture so you can see where your values line up. 

It also means spelling your policies out in ways that are immediately relevant to the people you are tying to persuade.

The GOP does a miserable job at communicating its values.  All they do is talk about hot button identity issues....and hope that people get so riled up they will vote for them.

Notice that the GOP is even losing the White middle class!  The GOP cannot even communicate how and why its policies would help middle class white voters.  So when it comes to communicating the virtue of these ideals to people from other cultural groups or economic classes, forget it. 

But, hey, maybe the GOP will just do what they always do.  Blame their critics and retreat to the shrinking influence of a dwindling base.  Because, dammit, we are right and anybody who says different hates us for being us.

Nobody says this was the best time and ground for a fight. Some of us are saying the fight came anyway. Conceding it is not the same thing as erasing it. And when are we not up against the press? If we don't hit the "racial sensitivity" crap head on and forcefully, we are in for a very, very bad 8 years.

It was an unforced error by someone who should've known better considering the position he seeks.  I'm not suggesting he not be defended, that the bit was racist, or sending out a CD with the bit on it was racist.  However, it's perceived- perhaps wrongly- that it is.

The "fight came anyways" because someone did something foolish and completely unnecessary.  That is the problem.  If you start from a position where you have to go defensive, you're already losing.

Of course, you are right.  This view is supported by low records of participation by African Americans in general.  In fact, I don't think black people are "bamboozled."  I think they are smarter than most voters...  and tend not to vote at all...  because they can tell that the parties are driven by their own benefit.

But, I'm not all over the map.

The song is a parody and not inherently racist.  It is no more racist than the Confederate flag.  The question is why people embrace it and defend it....  and that has to do with some pretty deep-seated racial insensitivies (and, in some cases, outright hate).

I just think that the GOP could have more black members.  I think we'd be much better off if we did.  But I think this won't happen unless the party takes itself out to the woodshed....  rather than get dragged kicking and screaming every few months to the town square for a shaming ritual by the Democrats.

If this means alienating some racists and sending them to join some whacko third party....  I'm all for it.

I'd rather lose the next few elections and have a healthier party based on sound principles than always feel like I am choosing the lesser of two occasionally indistinguishable evils.

If I am going to choose the lesser of two evils, the least the GOP could do is make this choice an easy one. 

(Plus, if the GOP could work on its racist reputation, we could actually get something accomplished on immigration.  Right now, people see the GOP make a race-neutral, citizeship-based move on immigration, and people only see racism.)

kb,

I agree that the GOP should actively court the votes of black Americans.  I disagree strongly with “getting to know the culture so you can see where your values line up.” I assume my values line up with some black Americans, and not others. Just like they do with some white Americans and not others.

Maybe it’s a generational thing. I’m 43 and black Americans are not a mystery to most folks who grew up when I did. We were laughing at Archie Bunker when we were kids. That was our introduction to race relations, and it only got more self-policing after that. We’re not as oblivious as you seem to imply. Your words have an almost “let’s examine these noble savages” ring to it. Surely not intended, but maybe that’s why you don’t get what people are saying on this subject.

You note that the GOP has been losing the white middle class vote. Which only supports the notion that this is not about race. It’s a general inability to formulate a consistent platform and a coherent message.

Don’t assume too much. I’m one who isn’t shy to criticize the GOP, and defend its critics when warranted. (My support for Gov. Palin seems to not meet muster around here.) But I truly believe that, on the cusp of 2009, conservatives and the GOP are on the right side of racial relation. The racial polarizers among black Democrats and Hispanic Democrats have turned the tables. There is a silent segment of blacks and Hispanics out there who will reject the liberal approach to race relations, once we have the stones to speak to them as adults and fellow Americans. 

(Plus, if the GOP could work on its racist reputation, we could actually get something accomplished on immigration.  Right now, people see the GOP make a race-neutral, citizeship-based move on immigration, and people only see racism.)

So do we challenge the portrayal, and those making it (often for political and racist motives)?

In fact, I don't think black people are "bamboozled."  I think they are smarter than most voters...  and tend not to vote at all...  because they can tell that the parties are driven by their own benefit.

Sigh. You keep sliding into exactly what the CD was parodying. They are “smarter than most voters”? Holy crap.

The song is a parody and not inherently racist.  It is no more racist than the Confederate flag.  The question is why people embrace it and defend it.... 

If it’s not racist, it’s not racist. Calling a person, a group or an idea “racist” is the modern day cry of “COMMUNIST!” If it isn’t racist (I’m not sure you still think it isn’t) you have a duty to defend it. As a matter of politics and PR, I don’t want the RNC defending it, or going anywhere near it. But rank and file Republicans have a duty to defend it against modern McCarthyites.

The black flip has become a generational heirloom. The Southern Strategy voters are mostly dead (making them likely D voters now, come to think of it), and with decades of court rulings, and the waning of the Democratic party in the South, Jim Crow is just as dead. So society is not as racist as kb imagines.

I made that point with kb, hoping it was a generational thing. Maybe he’s older than us. I hope.

I certainly don't look to some white dude who claims to have a few black buddies.

Just sayin'

We all agree it's an unforced error to open yourself to attack. Personally, I blame the GOP stooges who commenced the handwringing more than Saltsman. But error it is. The point is, what do you do once the game is afoot?

CJ offers, "I don’t want the RNC getting bogged down in defending use of word 'negro.'" I think you agree and I agree with that too. I don't want to get "bogged down" in "defending" anything.

If we don't start counterattacking, we'll never gain ground and just keep losing it one yard at a time. Somebody started pounding the racial grievance drum on behalf of unspecified third parties suffering hypothetical offense. Why on earth are we cringing and shrinking away whenever that happens? This emperor has no clothes, much less armor. Pound back!

Every time someone suggests racism, a bunch of white GOP bumblers start looking guilty and eyeing the door, murmuring apologies and reassurances they way you would if a crazy uncle dropped trou at a dinner party. You may not be getting bogged down, but dude, that isn't helping the cause at all.

Every time someone suggests racism, a bunch of white GOP bumblers start looking guilty and eyeing the door, murmuring apologies and reassurances they way you would if a crazy uncle dropped trou at a dinner party. You may not be getting bogged down, but dude, that isn't helping the cause at all.

Bud, I can't tell you how much I want to fight that fight. And fight to win, because we are right.

We win when insist on this rule: FALSE ACCUSATIONS OF RACISM WILL BE CONSIDERED TO BE RACIST IN THEMSELVES. FALSE ACCUSATIONS OF RACIAL POLITICS WILL BE CONSIDERED TO BE RACIAL POLITICS.

Because they are. They have the same effect. They benefit the one making the accusation. There is little downside to lobbing false claims. We have to create one.

I'm not eyeing no door. I'm ready to fight. But I fight to win. And "negro" is a guaranteed loser.

Are you telling me we can't pound these drums obsessively every time the opportunity comes up? Even with "unforced errors?" Because I'm telling you, we'd better learn.

VRWC,

Magic Negro" is hardly a racially poisonous term, CJ, unless we set the precedent by allowing it to become one. Let's talk about the liberal ignorance and condescention behind it for as long as people want to keep the conversation going.

Definitely. But not at the party level. Certainly no where near the RNC. Absolutely not. That’s short-sighted.

As for “negro…” What are the odds we can ever get into a real debate over the reality parodied by “Magical Negro” as long as we use that word? So far all of the attention has been on the word, not the point behind it. Again, short-sighted. Ace explained why, as a writing device, it works better than “Magical Black Man.” But as for actually TRANSMITTING THE IDEA to as many people as possible (our goal)? It’s horrible. Not worth it.

Are you telling me we can't pound these drums obsessively every time the opportunity comes up? Even with "unforced errors?" Because I'm telling you, we'd better learn.

Absolutely. I do it all the time. My friends and co-workers know they’ll get emails from me along those lines once a week. (I’ll often post them on conservative, and sometimes liberal, blogs, but they usually get little traction on the Right. Maybe after this last campaign that will change, now that the GOP comprehends the double-standards and how they affect elections.)

We can make the same point made by the parody, and we can change the rules of debate so that there are no double-standards, and point out the soft and overt racism on the Left…all without any variation of the N word. With that word, all of that will take years longer to achieve. I’m tired of waiting.

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