Why Republicans Still Don’t Get It
When Rush Limbaugh played the parody “Barack the Magic Negro” on his show, a song by his parodist Paul Shanklin, Limbaugh was referring to an LA Times column by David Ehrenstein who wrote that whites would vote for Barack out of the guilt they felt for how African Americans were treated in America.
[The "magic Negro" is] there to assuage white “guilt” (i.e., the minimal discomfort they feel) over the role of slavery and racial segregation in American history, while replacing stereotypes of a dangerous, highly sexualized black man with a benign figure for whom interracial sexual congress holds no interest.
It is typical talk show fare to parody this kind of thing, and well within the realm of what Limbaugh does. I’d do the same thing on the other side, given the opportunity.
The problem now isn’t with Limbaugh; it’s with Chip Saltsman, who is seeking the chairmanship of the Republican National Committee. Saltsman sent out a 41-track CD to committee members called “We Hate the USA” . The CD includes songs like “The Star Spanglish Banner”, and “Wright place, wrong pastor”. All cutting humor, and something we on the left would do to skewer the right, given the proper material. This is this the kind of thing that makes Limbaugh such a good talk show host. He knows how to provoke and makes his case with humor and parody.
The problem is that being the head of the Republican Party isn’t the same thing as being a talk show host. It’s fine for a talk show host to satirically make a point in this way, but when someone vying to be a spokesman for a party that needs to reach out to non-white Americans, this kind of caper is too easily misunderstood. I don’t think Saltsman meant to be racially divisive, but he was clearly politically tone deaf. Similarly, Ohio Secretary of State Ken Blackwell, also seeking the RNC chairmanship, called the reaction to Saltsman’s stunt “hypersensitivity”.
No, what those who wish to be the new heads of a suffering American political party need to exhibit is some sensitivity to the sensibilities of those who already feel left out by what their party represents. And this episode isn’t going to help.
Alan:
I never thought I’d say this to you but if you really mean that, I think you should be ashamed of yourself.
Mark
December 28th, 2008 at 6:55 pm
The Sean Hannitys could not paint a black man as a “Negro” during this past election. Why? well, the american people rejected the “White Hannity” as the “Negro” instead. So, good luck for the hopefull RNC chair.
December 28th, 2008 at 8:52 pm
I agree 100% Alan.
This was a stupid move from Chip Saltsman. I am sure he remembers a day when dirty jokes and pictures of naked women were tossed about the work place without second thought.
We all enjoy when politicians make a stupid move. (It gives us something to talk about.) However, I prefer that it happens on YOUR side.
I remember that Rush even got into a little controversy over this comedy bit. People didn’t understand that the song was a parody of an LA Times editorial and they didn’t understand that Paul Shanklin was imitating Al Sharpton.
To be honest, I never cared for the whole concept of this “joke” song. I felt from the beginning that it was too close to the margin.
But, Rush has stayed at the top in radio by doing things “close to the margin.”
I do not approve of what Saltsman did. I am hopeful that Michael Steele gets the RNC chairman position.
This was bad, however political correctness has run amuck and taken the fun out of the workplace.
December 28th, 2008 at 9:01 pm
Rush used the same parody for the mexican/south american immigrants.And look at the latino votes for the presidential election! So that is why the smears from Hannity and Rush cost Mccain the election.
December 28th, 2008 at 9:22 pm
I would prefer the star spangled banner in Russian,cuz the ruskies can handle terrorist like nobody can !
They’re more Americian kick A$$ than we is !
Mozzle toff my comrads !
December 28th, 2008 at 9:34 pm
Hahaheheha ! This issue was on CSPAN today. I was pleased with the amount of folks from the right that rejected Saltsman.
December 28th, 2008 at 11:38 pm
“It is typical talk show fare to parody this kind of thing, and well within the realm of what Limbaugh does.”
I disagree. It’s not appropriate, and it doesn’t even have the lame half-chance at an excuse for being funny, because it isn’t funny, not even remotely. And there comes a point, by the way, when a mere “lack of sensitivity” becomes indistinguishable from racism.
December 29th, 2008 at 1:40 am
I don’t know who Chip Saltsman is (sounds like a character froma Frito Lay ad) and I don’t listen to Rush Limbaugh. I haven’t heard the “Magic Negro” song. However, the line between politics and entertainment has become so blurred I’m having a hard time getting worked up over this. I think it all started to go down hill when Nixon appeared on Laugh-In. I think I would like to see a little more separation between the political world and the enterainment world and wouldn’t mind if political talk shows used more intelligent and honest dialogue and less parody. Parody should be left to the comedians.
December 29th, 2008 at 1:49 am
I completely agree with you, Alan…dang it!
December 29th, 2008 at 3:50 am
This is highly offensive to most people who are not racist. It is not funny at all, unless you are racist. And thats not a good image for the RNC. No one on the left would go that far and that racist. The RNC just keeps burying itself further into oblivion, so at least there is a plus to all this.
December 29th, 2008 at 10:34 am
In all fairness, I don’t know too many conservatives who would approve.
The ones who do were the same ones who liked Sarah Palin, no for her character but for her looks in a wink,wink nod nod way.
They are on both sides.
December 29th, 2008 at 10:44 am
So, Jeremiah Wright can say whatever he wants and you don’t link Obama to it even though he sat in his church, was married by him, for over 20 years. You said you can’t blame him for what someone else said/did.
I would assert that many in that church were racist. Hate speech is hate speech is hate speech, regardless of which way it flies.
BUT you blame every republican, every member of the RNC, every conservative for one person’s poor judgement?
How convenient.
December 29th, 2008 at 10:45 am
Jeremiah Wright is not the head of the DNC nor is he trying to be. This goes beyond poor judgement this is blantent racism from a political party that has already polarized itself this year and it cost them the damn election. They are not the party of everyone, the deliberate racism is not going to make you more popular its going to make you less successful.
December 29th, 2008 at 10:50 am
Ike,
FYI My point was you DON’T lump everyone into a group because of what one person does. That guy is NOT the head of RNC is he? The entire party isn’t racist and for you to try and say it is demonstrates how left you are. You can say what you want, the bad economy and the war is what cost the republicans the election.
You can rest assured that if things don’t turn around, a dem won’t be in office 4 years from now.
December 29th, 2008 at 10:55 am
Rebublicans made comments like “the real america” “the real virgina” “some members of the senate should be investigated for anti-american views” that is polarization and sorry darling but the RNC is the representative of the Republican party. And that IS trying to be the head of the RNC. I never said they were all racist, I’m talking about image, which whether anyone likes it or not is important. If your party is being viewed as racist you will not get votes. Duh T Mason-get a life.
December 29th, 2008 at 10:59 am
Alan,
I think those in the media tend to forgive each other rather easily, I do not.They also tend to not be Critical of there own.
Talk radio is the heart and soul of the extreme right so the fact Rush would do this says a lot. I think the extreme right fails to see how America has changed. These tactics are disgusting. And it is one reason a life long Republican like myself is now an independent and voted for OBAMA.
Rush is preaching to the choir but teh choir alone cannot win you teh whole congregation.
Thanks
December 29th, 2008 at 11:14 am
Ike,
compared to the democrat who said there were racists in virginia? is that the real virginia? And I’m not your darling.
It isn’t anymore polarizing that democrats spewing the idiotic theory that anyone who didn’t vote for Obama was a racist.
There were plenty of democrats who said stupid things during this election.
And the real america isn’t in washington.
DUH IKE. I would suggest you take your own advice.
December 29th, 2008 at 11:16 am
The real America is all 50 states of it sweetheart. Good and Bad. There are racists in Virgina, and I recall people talking about Pennsylvania as being the place with racists which is also true, racists are everywhere. You just said Washington isnt the real America. What about to the people who live and work there? You are just like them.
December 29th, 2008 at 11:39 am
washington politics ISN’T the real america.
December 29th, 2008 at 11:54 am
Politics is not a place on the map. Washington DC is a place where people live, work and go to school. According to you thats not the “real America”. You are wrong lady, wrong and hateful. All of it is the “real america” whether you like it or not.
December 29th, 2008 at 11:58 am
I am ROFL. On the one hand you claim the real america is what you say it is. I hate to break it to ya. The career politicians who live in DC are NOT the real america. They are part of the problem. I don’t think our founders planned on having folks in office for 30 plus years. PERIOD.
And there is nothing hateful about what I said. Nothing. You just don’t agree with it. Isn’t your party the one who ran on changing washington? Washington is the hub for our national politics, and no washington politics isn’t the real america.
The real america are the people that the politicians are supposedly representing.
December 29th, 2008 at 12:06 pm
You can roll on the floor all you want, I have a feeling that is the most action you have seen in years. I dont make claims on who is part of the “real america” and who is not, because every part of America is the real america. You are nuts lady, have fun rolling on the floor.
December 29th, 2008 at 12:12 pm
Ike,
you are out of line and being very rude and disrespectful. Typical of someone who thinks they have all the answers, but really have none. And you just did (claim who is part of the real america), when you made comments about the republican party.
this isn’t the United States of Democrats.
December 29th, 2008 at 12:18 pm
No actually I didnt make any comments about who is the real America and who is not. You are delusional.
December 29th, 2008 at 12:20 pm
Do you realize that any comment you might have made at any time that might have remotely made any sense is moot at this point after your personal, childish rant.
December 29th, 2008 at 12:25 pm
And you said noone on the left would go that far and be that racist? I recall a far left radio host who lost his job after calling for the death of joe the plumber.
NAH, everyone who belongs to your party has a nose as clean as a whistle.
YAH right.
December 29th, 2008 at 12:27 pm
Childish rant? I said you dont get any action which is evident. Get over yourself, you are a wacko. And I see you have “no proof” as you always demand that I said Republicans are “not the real america” lady you are psycho. Dont you have a war against Christmas to wage?
December 29th, 2008 at 12:30 pm
“”And it is one reason a life long Republican like myself is now an independent and voted for OBAMA.”"
This is interesting, because there ARE many former Republicans that have voted for Obama. And obviously that’s a good thing, proving that Americans don’t have to vote their whole lives with one party. It’s not a sports team!
And I do find it a little unhelpful when some folks continue to label members of the DEMS as all “far left loons” , or the GOP as “religious nuts and rednecks…”
Yes, the parties skew a little bit in those directions, hey, that’s the problem with a 2-party system – you’re going to get exreme views in both parties. But I believe most Americans are closer to the center than they realize…
December 29th, 2008 at 12:37 pm
The problem as you say with a two party system IS that each side generally finds no fault with their own. THAT is one reason why Washington is so screwed up.
I really think a lot of politicians get into government for their own self interest. Not all, but a lot. That is why wreckless spending, you scratch my back I’ll scratch yours happens so often.
Name calling and personal attacks get you nowhere but in the gutter.
December 29th, 2008 at 12:59 pm
Bilssful,
The comment about Virginia was terrible I agree and all extremes are wrong but I don’t know any talk show host calling those who voted against Obama racists? Do you?
Or Democrate themselves do you?
Do you condemn the head of RNC or Rush?
Why are you playing volleyball with the issue instead of dealing with it…
Funny typical conservative like Hannity puts down a Democrat
for bringing Ludicrous with him on the trail but
I want even bring up Ted Nugent…………..
December 29th, 2008 at 1:17 pm
Or Hank Williams JR….. Singing about addiction being a “family tradition” hanging with mccain and hannity
December 29th, 2008 at 1:18 pm
Oh but T., You yourself have done the name calling and personal attacks so well. Are you seeing a light at the end of the tunnel yet? Just a serious question now. May want to go back and review some of your comments. Just trying to be helpful now.
December 29th, 2008 at 1:23 pm
Deborah,
I have said it before and I’ll say it again. Don’t throw stones if you live in a glass house. I don’t make crude remarks as were made above by someone named Ike. Funny and typical that you wouldn,t point THAT out. What was it you said about having good energy?
Brian,
I do condemn the stupid song. As well as condemning the left wing talk radio host who called for the murder of Joe the Plumber,etc. The guy is NOT the head of the RNC. He wants to be the head of the RNC. Big difference.
I do not make it a point to call people names who disagree with me. I love a good debate. But when you resort to personal attacks on a blog, that is pretty telling.
December 29th, 2008 at 1:41 pm
Bil-
The truth is never personal attacks if on issues
I also condemned the statement about virginia
Disagreement is one thin personal attacks another
I was making the point that there are extremes on both sides.
I loeve the fact Obama is using his middle name when sworn in.
Man that will urk so many talk show hosts LOL
December 29th, 2008 at 1:57 pm
Brian,
I wasn’t talking about you making it personal…should have made that clear.
If you will scroll, you will see what I am talking about.
December 29th, 2008 at 1:59 pm
Thank Bil-
Lets pray for the best
December 29th, 2008 at 2:02 pm
T….The comment about rolling on the floor and no action, I agree, may be a bit crass! I would not jump to the same conclusion about you. Regardless, you did seem to get a bit touchy about the Energy thing and praying for you. You also jumped to the conclusion….that because, I was telling you it had not been my experience to be involved in any kind of WAR on Christmas and you accused me, of concluding it must be in your imagination. I was not, only that was not my experience and I felt the word war with Christmas is inappropriate. Then, when Oldlefty brought up the “Knock the Chip of my Shoulder, merry Christmas greeting” got me thinking. Why is it some approaches invite co-operation and some invite conflict? Let it Go, T. I know you like to debate but it seems (to me) from reading your posts you also like to just plain argue, maybe me too. Face it….Were all in this gutter together! Glad your here!
December 29th, 2008 at 2:43 pm
Well at least the Republicans have a chance to weed out this Saltzman cretin from the candidates for chair of the RNC.
Having a political candidate use this type of poor satire should be, in the current climate, be political suicide.
No-one care when some loudmouth windbag like Limbaugh, or even worse, the former Fox news host, now relegated to radio, John Gibson, uses it. Because no-one listening to either of these guys would be offended anyway…
December 29th, 2008 at 2:44 pm
Except for the AIDS comments, rev. Wright was right.Look at what is happening in Gaza! When Russia invaded Georgia, it was an act of aggression(barbarians).When german jews bonb Palestinians, it’s a good war,a sef-defense retaliation.
December 29th, 2008 at 2:55 pm
All of sudden — after eight years of “F**k Bush” bumper stickers and “Kill Bush” assassination chic and Bush-or-Chimp parodies — the left is concerned about insulting the office of the Presidency?
Now, they are concerned with protecting the dignity of the office and with forging “commong ground and mutual respect?”:
December 29th, 2008 at 5:11 pm
Pierre,
Where do you get the term “german jew”. You are born jewish. Are you referring to jewish people who left germany because of the holocaust?
Israel is defending itself.
December 29th, 2008 at 5:18 pm
Where can I find the Bush-or-Chimp parodies?
Sincerely,
Mark
December 29th, 2008 at 6:00 pm
Yes, we have germain jew, american jew, russian jew ect. There are differences between them.And one group is doing the same ruthless act that happened before and during WWII.
December 29th, 2008 at 7:36 pm
i heard the song today. Saltsman wants to be the chair of the GOP? That the problem with the GOP. The GOP has became a regional party for those very reasons. Since those remarks,you have several pundits from the right saying the party has to reach out to people of color,mainly black people. Nixon received 35& of the black vote and that number has gone to the dogs. EX-Dixiecrats left the DNC over civil rights have taken control of the party. Using GOD ,gun and a self-reliance message when some folks have nothing to hold on. Anti-afrimtived action when racisim is all around and Saltsman is a very fine example of the GOP.
December 29th, 2008 at 8:36 pm
” Rush has stayed at the top in radio by doing things close to the margin.” So did Howard Stern, same mentality. Need I say more.
December 29th, 2008 at 8:52 pm
I just read a little more about this guy… if he becomes the RNC Chair… I’m out. This “fellow” no more represents my ideas and values than the devil himself.
December 29th, 2008 at 9:01 pm
I am ready for daggers. I don’t agree with affirmitive action (a person should be hired based on ability, not color), 2nd ammendment should be protected, and you can’t argue that the majority of Americans DO believe in GOD.
Once again, someone is taking one guy and claiming that the entire GOP is just like him. Cards, that is not true. You have plenty of whackadoodles in your party…are you just like them?
December 29th, 2008 at 9:51 pm
What about racism? AMERICA is not color blind. No on wacks. The GOV of ILL should be impeached. JFK,S daughter should go back to Park Ave. and read a book. Code Pink should be drench in mud. The Daily Kos and move on .org don,t represent me. I lean towards the center and i stated before,i voted for Nixon twice. Was raised in a GOP home. The GOP was the front runners for civil rights when IKE was president. My family wanted Rockfeller to win in 1968. The sounthern branch of the DNC or dixiecrats that fought civil rights tooth and nail run the GOP. I didn,t leave the GOP,the GOP left me and i feel the party is anti-black like MR. SLATSMAN. I like some of the ideals of the GOP,like having a strong ARMED SERVICES. I blasted REAGAN not because of his foreign policy,but his social policy. He stated he was a ex democrat and the DNC left him,but he was a dixiecrat. Nixon received 35& of the black vote in 1972. Obama,Kerry,Clinton and Gore all received over 90% of the black vote. If the RNC wants me back they need to flush race baiting down the toilet. Keep affrimative action. Reach out to black people like myself and address some issues in the inner cities. No child left behine is 1 good ideal,but more. For heaven sakes,i hope get the Christian right does not keep ahold of the party. That,s why i have a major problem with the RNC. NEGRO and all that crap. I confess Wright,Sharpton and Jackson can be buffoons but what about right wing preachers? Known to say the n word from the pulpit? Bush and the way he ran this country for 8 years. I have became pissed on about our country the last 8 years. If the RNC address some or most of my complaints,i may do more than might in giving the party consideration.
December 29th, 2008 at 11:18 pm
No reply MRS T. MASON?
December 29th, 2008 at 11:33 pm
#
So, Jeremiah Wright can say whatever he wants and you don’t link Obama to it even though he sat in his church, was married by him, for over 20 years. You said you can’t blame him for what someone else said/did.
I would assert that many in that church were racist. Hate speech is hate speech is hate speech, regardless of which way it flies.
BUT you blame every republican, every member of the RNC, every conservative for one person’s poor judgement?
How convenient.
Posted by bilssfulconservative(formerlytmas)
December 29th, 2008 at 10:45 am
_____________________________________
First what did Rev.Wright say that was hateful?Second, Alan you of all people know what happens when a white man calls a black man Negro. He wakes up counting his teeth.Limbaugh is so much of a coward he wants to say the N-word in so sly a way he can get away with it.Third, Ken Blackwell tried to rig two elections in Ohio, he only got away with one.HE IS A NEGRO.I bet if Klannity called him one he’ll crawl like Sidney Poitier in Porgy and Bess and thank him. We have a word for Black… I mean Whitewell, Slave Catcher.He’s a quisling.Alan would you call a black man Negro.I know you wouldn’t Yes you have freedom of speech, you also have fighting words. Can’t say fire in a theater. or Negro to my face.
December 30th, 2008 at 6:45 am
“So, Jeremiah Wright can say whatever he wants and you don’t link Obama to it even though he sat in his church, was married by him, for over 20 years. You said you can’t blame him for what someone else said/did.
I would assert that many in that church were racist. Hate speech is hate speech is hate speech, regardless of which way it flies.
BUT you blame every republican, every member of the RNC, every conservative for one person’s poor judgement?
How convenient.”
………………………………..
This amuses me because we on the left feel that :
So, people James Dobson, Pat Robertson, Hagee, can say whatever THEY want, Frank Schaffer can call for the violent overthrow of the US government, and HE gets invited to the Whitehouse of presidents Ford, Reagan and Bush, Sr , but you don’t link them with the GOP.
I would assert that many in THOSE churches were anti American. Hate speech is hate speech is hate speech, regardless of which way it flies.
BUT you blame every DEMOCRAT, every member of the DNC, every LIBERAL for one person’s poor judgment?
How convenient.
It amazes that there was an entire industry based on Clinton hatred, millions of dollars spent fishing blind alleys from Whitewater to Socks gate to trooper gate, until they find Monica, then EVERYTHING has to stop, counterterrorism, the economy, NOTHING is as important as impeaching Bill Clinton.
NOW….they are SHOCKED and OUTRAGED that after, 9/11, anthrax, no wmd, $9 billion to contractors missing, torturing and rendering, New Orleans and the economy, that people who were skeptical or cynical of Bush from the beginning are being as disdainful to Bush as you were to Clinton.
I submit that the right set the tone in the 70s with the so called “Moral Majority”, which was neither.
December 30th, 2008 at 9:08 am
Right on OLDLEFTY. I like T.MASON,but she seems to get mad and it,s true in what you are saying. The democrats are responsable for the Great Depression,the Wall ST mess and your eggs cooked wrong. This Saltsman guy. The right baffles me and the GOP leadership needs to turn it around or remain a regional party of ex-dixiecrats.
December 30th, 2008 at 5:10 pm
[...] Lt. Governor isn’t afraid to stand up to his party, and he is critical of Chip Saltsman for his “Magic Negro” mailing. After candidates for GOP Chair debated party issues at the National Press Club, Steele was [...]
January 6th, 2009 at 10:41 am