Sometimes I think the Republicans see an iceberg straight ahead but they decide to drive straight through it rather than around it.  I mean, are they trying to paint themselves as racists?  I'm not even getting into the issue of whether or not this song is a parody, but would any politician in their right mind (in the losing party no less) touch this with a ten-foot pole, let alone defend it?

RNC chairman candidate defends 'Barack the Magic Negro' song

http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/12/26/rnc.obama.satire/index.html

(CNN) -- A candidate for the Republican National Committee chairmanship said Friday the CD he sent committee members for Christmas -- which included a song titled "Barack the Magic Negro" -- was clearly intended as a joke.

The title of the song about President-elect Barack Obama was drawn from a Los Angeles Times column.

"I think most people recognize political satire when they see it," Tennessee Republican Chip Saltsman told CNN. "I think RNC members understand that."

The song, set to the tune of "Puff the Magic Dragon," was first played on conservative political commentator Rush Limbaugh's radio show in 2007.

Its title was drawn from a Los Angeles Times column that suggested President-elect Barack Obama appealed to those who feel guilty about the nation's history of mistreatment of African-Americans. Saltsman said the song, penned by his longtime friend Paul Shanklin, should be easily recognized as satire directed at the Times.

The CD sent to RNC members, first reported by The Hill on Friday, is titled "We Hate the USA" and also includes songs referencing former presidential candidate John Edwards and the Rev. Jeremiah Wright, among other targets.

According to The Hill, other song titles, some of which were in bold font, were: "John Edwards' Poverty Tour," "Wright place, wrong pastor," "Love Client #9," "Ivory and Ebony" and "The Star Spanglish Banner." (more icing on the cake)

Saltsman was national campaign manager for former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee's presidential bid in 2007 and 2008. Before that, he held a variety of posts, including a number of positions under former Sen. Bill Frist of Tennessee.

Well, it is a catchy tune. Anyway, this is another mistake committed by a party that cannot afford to commit one.

I'm guessing they don't realize what the term "Magic Negro" means.

I mean if he was Vice president... you'd have a point...

But the magic Negro is usually just a really talented blackman who often has a mystical background who's only use is to help the white protaganist do what they have to do...  Even in many cases if the black character is more capable.

Like... Bagger Vance or something.

The press was easy on him during the election mostly because it was ridiculiously hard on him in the primaries.

Really George Stephanopolis being on that debate more then anything else gave Obama what he needed to avoid criticism both right and wrong that most candidates get.

Obama wasn't so much a magic negro as George was a magic leprachaun who got caught and ended up coughing up a bunch of political gold.

They may have had the purest intentions in the world.  But when your party is losing blacks by a 95-5 percentage margin, actions like this are just plain foolish from a strategic standpoint.

Republicans have essentially adapted the strategy that they can slit their wrists to victory, that they can somehow bleed the impurities out of their party by becoming even more conservative.  They don't understand that they need to broaden their appeal.  You can't shrink your way to victory.

They have essentially given up on minorities.  Their outreach to the black community extends about as far as putting a black person in their photo ops.  And even with Hispanics, with whom they actually agree on some issues like abortion, they have forfeited that advantage by taking a hard-line stance on immigration.  Hispanics are growing exponentially in numbers, and Republicans are essentially conceding them to the Democrats as a demographic by dragging their feet.

If Republicans were actually competitive with minorities, then things like this wouldn't really matter.  But when your most reliable voting block (white males and to a lesser degree white females) is shrinking faster than any other group in the population, you need to get your head out of your ass and start appealing to the minorities who will soon be the majority.

I could be a better Republican strategist then most Republicans, and I am a freakin' blue-blooded Democrat!

I imagine it's because the people currently in control of the republican party know how they got in control.

By the old guard feeling it needed to broaden it's appeal.

If they go the Bush/McCain route of taking a light stance on illegal immigration and when over the Catholic hispanics... (highly possible they could get them in huge numbers.)

In a decade or two those Hispanics will be running the party, where they disagree it will be their party line and not the ones who made the effort to broden.

Better to have a shrunken and smaller party with your own influence, then create a better rival in which your influence is no longer heard.

I mean, look what happened to the Libertarian Republicans after the Dixecrats and Neo-cons moved over.

This would put the Dixiecrats out. (not like thats a bad thing) and likely end up weakening the Neo-cons as far as control goes.

Honestly i hope they do it.  This would lead to a third party taken form eventually.

and perhaps we could move to a 2.5 party system or more.

I think that CD would be a riot and to be honest Barack would laugh at it as well. I have not heard it but I am sure my friends at the RNC had a good time putting it together. It is satire not blaspheming prejudice.

I dunno.. From my very liberal (Dutch) point of view I'd say that this should all be in good spirits. Kinda like how I would not be offended if Soulja Boy would now release a single "Whitey the cracker get's burned in Africa" or something in that vain. If it's satire, then much worser things can get a pass.

Please, let people laugh

Any plans to release it as a single?

I'm not offended in the least, but the word racism and Republican go in the same sentence way too often for the Republicans to just shrug this off like it is nothing. They shouldn't get themselves in situations like this in the first place.

Its like Michael Jackson getting caught with another kid, or OJ having another woman he is dating get murdered. Even if you did absolutely nothing wrong, you sure as hell look guilty.

@Kasz: Oh, you are absolutely right. Its all about the old guard wanting to keep their power within the party. But that is worthless if your party is going to keep losing election after election because you are still sitting around fantasizing about Ronald Reagan and America being a "Center-Right" nation.

If Republicans want to live in dreamland, they are going to have a rude awakening when Democrats gain even more seats in the House and the Senate.

Isn't that funny, one of the people on the RNC must have read what I have been saying.  I know who I would vote for to head up the RNC:

RNC chairman condemns controversial Obama song

http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/12/27/obama.song/index.html

(CNN) -- The chairman of the Republican National Committee said he was "appalled" by a song called "Barack the Magic Negro" on a CD distributed by one of his political rivals.

Republican National Committee Chairman Mike Duncan is first party member to criticize "Barack the Magic Negro."

"The 2008 election was a wake-up call for Republicans to reach out and bring more people into our party," RNC Chairman Mike Duncan said in a statement reported Saturday afternoon by Politico.

"I am shocked and appalled that anyone would think this is appropriate, as it clearly does not move us in the right direction."

Chip Saltsman sent RNC members the parody CD "We Hate the USA" for Christmas, which includes the controversial tune. He defended his decision Friday, telling CNN the song was clearly intended as a joke.

"I think most people recognize political satire when they see it," Saltsman told CNN. "I think RNC members understand that."

Saltsman, a former chair of the Tennessee Republican Party, was a top advisor to former Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist and managed former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee's presidential campaign.

He is one of several candidates running to replace Duncan in the closely contested race to lead the Republican Party.

The song, set to the tune of the 1960s pop hit "Puff the Magic Dragon," was first played on Rush Limbaugh's radio show in 2007. Its title was drawn from a Los Angeles Times column that suggested Obama appealed to those who feel guilty about the nation's history of mistreatment of African-Americans.

Saltsman said the song, penned by long-time friend Paul Shanklin, should be easily recognized as satire directed at the Times.

The CD includes parody songs referencing former Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards and the Rev. Jeremiah Wright, among other targets.

Also Saturday, Peter Yarrow, who co-wrote "Puff the Magic Dragon," called Saltsman's decision to distribute the parody tune "offensive," and "shocking and saddening in the extreme."

"It is almost unimaginable to me," Yarrow wrote in a statement sent to CNN, that Saltsman "would seriously be considered for the top post of the Republican National Committee. Puff, himself, if asked, would certainly agree."

Yarrow, a member of the 1960s folk group Peter, Paul and Mary, was a contributor to Obama's presidential campaign.