“Barack the Magic Negro?” Really?

Apparently Chip Saltsman, a candidate for the Republican National Committee chairmanship, believes calling an African-American – in this case President-elect Barack Obama – a negro is satire:

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.

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

I’ll be the first to admit I appreciate good political satire, whether directed at Republicans or Democrats, but calling an African-American a negro hardly strikes me as satire; it seems more like pretty blatant racism. As Dan Cody noted, maybe Saltsman felt outdone in the racist department by Katon Dawson, the South Carolina GOP chairman who is also running for Chair of the RNC, who until very recently was a member of a golf club that still doesn’t allow black members.

As amazing as it was to see so many Americans vote to send an African-American to the White House as President, Chip Saltsman has proven we still have a long way to go, and I can only hope individuals like Chip Saltsman and Katon Dawson aren’t given the responsibility of being the voice for the Republican Party in the near future.

EDIT: Current RNC Chair Mike Duncan, who’s hoping to be chosen for another term as chair, issued a statement rebuking Saltsman:

“The 2008 election was a wake-up call for Republicans to reach out and bring more people into our party. I am shocked and appalled that anyone would think this is appropriate as it clearly does not move us in the right direction.”

I’m curious if any other prominent Republicans will follow suit and denounce Saltsman as well.

H/T to Dan Cody, the Reasonable Progressive, and Jason Haas.