Republicans: "Magic Negro" Song Good For RNC Candidate

Politico reports that RNC candidate Chip Saltsman's distribution of a song called "Barack the Magic Negro" hasn't killed his chances -- in fact, the scandal "might have inadvertently helped" him win. Most of Saltsman's rivals for the chairmanship have condemned his actions, but other party members are rallying to his side.

Four days after news broke that the former Tennessee GOP chairman had sent a CD that included a song titled "Barack the Magic Negro" to the RNC members he is courting, some of those officials are rallying around the embattled Saltsman, with a few questioning whether the national media and his opponents are piling on.

"When I heard about the story I had to figure out what was going on for myself," said Mark Ellis, the chairman of the Maine Republican Party. "When I found out what this was about I had to ask, 'boy, what's the big deal here?' because there wasn't any."

Alabama Republican committeeman Paul Reynolds said the fact the Saltsman sent him a CD with the song on it "didn't bother me one bit."

Republicans say current RNC chair Mike Duncan is only hurting himself by denouncing the song, while Ken Blackwell improved his position by defending Saltsman:

Indeed, in a fluid race in which six candidates are vying for the votes of 168 members, both Blackwell and Saltsman stand to benefit from a backlash to the flap.

Most observers expect Duncan to lead after the first ballot, but few expect he or any other candidate will be able to secure election on a first ballot. For either Saltsman or Blackwell to win election they will likely need the votes of the other's supporters to break in their direction, along with any other committee members who are not enamored of Duncan's leadership.

In calls to committee members in recent days, both Saltsman and Blackwell have been reminding Republicans of how both Duncan and [Michigan GOP Chair Saul] Anuzis reacted to the story.

Mike Huckabee defended Saltsman, his former campaign manager, on his blog.

"Chip should have been more careful in his selection of Christmas gifts, but no one who knows him would ever suggest that he in any way would purposely disparage other people," Huckabee wrote. "Chip knows how sensitive such issues are. It shouldn't be the main factor in the RNC race."

The Republican National Committee is holding a series of debates in January where members will discuss their ability to reach out to minorities and expand the party.

Comments

[bby328]

Is it me or does Chip's face (see photo) appear to be getting bigger and . . .or the more you crop, the bigger the chop?

[drewziGNY]

Why am I not surprised? Why am I not shocked?

[patmos68]

The sadest thing is that they don't really see a problem with the song. And this is supposed to be the party of Lincoln

[viewfromuphere]

And it's time for someone to distribute what could be the new anthem for the GOP...Your Out of Touch...can't remember the artist but I think the title says it all

[Camis]

it was the Rolling Stones: You're Out of Touch My Baby, My Poor (something something) Baby..."
It might be called Out of Time or Out of Touch. Too lazy to Google it.

[CarmanK]

I beg your pardon Mr. Huckabee the use of that song by Mr. Salzman is disgusting. And most of all you verify that man is "honorable' and would not do harm, oh come on!!! It says a lot about you when you admire such leadership and judgement. The Republican Party has lead this county into an elective war, a financial disaster, income disparities not seen since the depression, inefficient and inept governance, deregulation into chaos and an economic recovery plan that bailed out Wall Street, while abandoning the needs of the middle class. Mr. Huckabee, it was a good thing you were not selected as the Repug candidate for President, you really are out of touch with the American people and have absolutely no clue as to what would heal the wounds of this nation and restore our moral standing in the world. You sir, profess to be a "christian" and yet when tested sink to your lowest common denominator by approving such conduct by Saltzman. Somehow, I don't think Jesus would have approved such behavior by either one of you. The Republicans need to get real about what it is to govern real people in a real world.

[1st2vote]

AMEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[jazzycafe]

Thank you for that CarmanK. Huckabee needs to be called out on this. His defense of Saltzman's distributing this racist garbage is disgusting. Aren't there any strong, honest republicans out there, (I mean 1 or 2), who are willing to speak out and admit how awful this CD is? I guess not.

[Zen0469]

Tone deaf, unacceptable, and offensive to everyone. I do believe that the RNC has captured the essence of their disgusting recent anti-Obama theme song.

One may well inquire whether or not the RNC's intent was to describe itself. There is a compelling case to define the entire party as tone deaf, unacceptable, and offensive to everyone.

Perhaps, now is the time to brand each of these rascists with the letters G, O, and P in order to expose them before driving them into permanent oblivion.

[KNadine]

The mere fact that current members of the Republican Party don't get it is precisely what's WRONG w/ the party. Sure Chip can win, but it certainly won't do anything to further the efforts of the Republican Party. Smart Republicans surely can figure that out or is using Smart & Republican in the same sentence going too far??

[Camis]

is this a hate crime? it should be. any lawyers out there?

[Camis]

shame shame shame. all republicans should be outraged about this. their silence says it all.

[dwedge]

Why would Republicans be outraged? This is what their party is all about.

[Camis]

agreed. the repubs i know (not too many) ARE outraged and feel they are no longer being represented by their own party. what i meant to say was THEY need to speak out. the RNC needs to hear more protests from "their own" - surely there are others out there who are offended by this (and everything else their party has been doing) ?? Yes? No???? Wishful thinking??????????

[in4success]

please please please let him get it -- please please please let him get it!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[RobinSeattle]

The GOP: Too out of touch to lead.

[Elitnaurista]

This is so ugly.

[voter42]

This guy is clueless. The Repubs defending him are clueless as well. They seem a perfect match, just not for the majority of Americans who are not!

[hotstuff]

This is exactly why US republicans jumped ship to Dem"s this year! The republican party is still clueless to why they lost the election, and will continue to lose!

[zerotimes10]

Old. White. Male. Rural.

So hows that workin out for ya!

[youknowwhat]

The reason you don't see widespread backlash in the Repblican party about Skips actions is because there's more people in that party that think what he did was ok. He'll more than likely win the nomination.

[qdog112]

"He'll more than likely win the nomination."

Let's hope so.

[fredamae]

Just think about what would have happened had it been anyone But a repub doing that!! If this had been done by a Clinton, or Feingold, or, or, or...the Dems would Never live it down...Like Clinton and lewinsky...never mind starr who used Our tax monies just to hound the issue into oblivion....