The Daily Background

A high-up Republican named Chip Saltsman is running for the position of Chairman of the Republican National Committee. In order to woo those who elect the Chair, Saltsman sent out a compilation CD titled “We Hate the USA” to RNC members for the holidays. It features songs making fun of liberals, including one called “Barack the Magic Negro.”

CNN adds this great quote:

“I think most people recognize political satire when they see it,” Chip 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.

The song, set to the tune of “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.

Okay, two things real quick.

First, yeah, I bet RNC members find that realllllllly funny. Seriously, I bet they do. I would be surprised if there’s anything other than the chortling of laughter on their part. I doubt he’s misjudged his real audience (RNC members).

But second, what’s he really saying here? Let’s suspend our better judgment here for a second and actually believe what he’s saying. Break down the joke and what you have is this: a bunch of conservative white men (by far the majority of RNC members and certainly the Rush Limbaugh demographic) are making fun of how crappy they think race relations in the United States are and will continue to be.

Yeah, real funny guys. I’m sure an ignorant racist prick like Saltsman will have no trouble getting elected as chairman of the Republican National Committee.

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