For indispensable reporting on the coronavirus crisis, the election, and more, subscribe to the Mother Jones Daily newsletter.





Brief recap. Chip Saltsman, a Tennessee Republican who is seeking the chairmanship of the Republican National Committee, sent a CD of holiday music to committee members earlier this month. That CD contained a Rush Limbaugh song titled “Barack the Magic Negro.” (Listen here.) The song is sung by a white political humorist who tries to impersonate the voice of Reverend Al Sharpton. As Sharpton, the singer complains about Obama being palatable to white people “because he’s not from da hood.”

Saltsman defended the song, saying it is a “light-hearted political parod[y].” That got me thinking. Has any Republican criticized Saltsman for distributing the song? Here’s Mike Allen of Politico, who is stunned to the find the answer is “no.”

WHY HAS IT BEEN 18 HOURS SINCE THIS WAS POSTED AND NOT A SINGLE REPUBLICAN OFFICIAL HAS CONDEMNED IT? YOUNG PEOPLE IN THE PARTY FIND IT DISGUSTING/ASTONISHING AND CALLED THE LINK TO OUR ATTENTION AS A ‘YA CAN’T MAKE IT UP.’

What’s the motivation here? It’s not that all Republican officials are racist, of course. I think it has something to do with the fact that conservatives by and large hate political correctness and hate being told by liberals that they stepped over the lines of polite discourse. I’ve frequently objected to an insensitive joke, only to be admonished, “Lighten up, it’s supposed to be funny.” Because, obviously, the fact that there is humorous intent makes the racism/sexism/homophobia okay.

The first Republican official who condemns Saltsman will be the first to bend to the will of the liberal PC Nazis (i.e. the biggest wimp). And I think that’s why we aren’t seeing people speaking out, including the African-American candidates in the race for the RNC chair. If this little episode has enough steam to stick around until after the holidays, top GOPers won’t be able to ignore it any longer. They’ll have to make a difficult choice. Sticking to their misguided principles will mean a third week of bad press for the Party.

Update: Conservatives are starting to find their voice(s).