RNC chair candidate sends out controversial Obama song
[cnn-photo-caption image=http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2008/images/12/26/art.snowman.jpg]
A candidate for Republican National Committee chairman said Friday it was clear the content of a CD he sent committee members for Christmas — that included lyrics from a song called “Barack the Magic Negro” — was intended as a joke.
“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 about Obama’s appeal 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 parody CD sent to RNC members this Christmas, first reported by The Hill Friday, is titled “We Hate the USA”, and includes songs referencing former presidential John Edwards and the Rev. Jeremiah Wright, among other targets.
|
|
Filed under: Barack Obama • Raw Politics |
About this Show:
Anderson Cooper goes beyond the headlines to tell stories from many points of view, so you can make up your own mind about the news. Tune in weeknights at 8 and 10 ET on CNN.
Questions or comments? Send an email
Want to know more? Go behind the scenes with AC361°
Subscribe to the podcast
On Twitter
Search the AC360 blog
its just satire. not a big deal imo.
We have all forgotten about that controversial Obama magazine cover on the New Yorker. I don't understand or maybe I do. It seems like the press & media and now even artistic expression can't find the "proper" satire to address an African American President. Wow! Bad for satire business!
I have a solution for those satire moguls out there: GET A GRIP! YOU HAVE GOT AN AFRICAN-AMERICAN PRESIDENT ON YOUR HANDS THAT NEEDS A GOOD DOSE OF RESPECT FOR A CHANGE! GOT THAT!!!
It was much easier to recreate Bush political satire and that was splendid for business. We are going to miss that aren't we?
🙂
Clueless. These people are absolutely clueless (and stupid).
I'm not an angel, and I have no problem with others making fun of me when it's tongue-in-cheek, but there's a time, place, and format for everything. No doubt the intent was to be condescending, mean and nasty which qualifies it as inappropriate.
Guess you bleeding hearts missed the liberal L.A. Times article called "Obama the Magic Negro" that started all of this in the first place. I have to laugh at your inability to take what you constantly dish out. Happy Kwanza!
Colin Powell is right. The GOP just does not get it.
This song is a parody of an article written in the LA Times using the term "magic negro". Why wasn't that mentioned in this article? Why don't you lefties go after the author of the article? Your selective outrage is a riot. Sad, but a riot.
Puff the magic dragon huh?? Well, it does fit the man. Obama is nothing but a marxist pipe dream.
The RNC can continue to play ignorant all they want. They keep it up and we will see who wins the presidential election in 2012. The so called satire offends every person in this country who isn't rich and white. I went to "The Hill" website and saw the other songs on the cd. Why don't they come up with a song that pokes fun at them selves rather trying to get a few chuckles this holiday season at other peoples expense.
The RNC nolonger stands for the Republican National Party.
It now stands for Rotten Nasty Complainers. I am a republican that
voted for Obama, not just because I think the nation needs him, but
also because of the antiquated RNC. I was and always will be a McCain
supporter, It was his support group that scares the hell out of me. I never see anything positive coming from the RNC are the diehard
republican spinmasters. This went on thru the election and has
continued since. It has become the party of fear and ignorance.
This CD is just anouther example of the ingnorance, and soul of the
RNC.
Ps sorry can't spell, but atleast that is my cross to bear. not gormless
ingnorance.
Well, It doesn't take long for true colors to come out. The racist jokes that were only shared in closed circles can now be widely publicized and called political satire. Look how much rednecks have evolved.
Any chance the Dems will be penning a Palin version of "Turkey In the Straw?" Anyhow, this new RNC song will probably not be well received the way the "Bomb, bomb Iran" one wasn't either.
Guess you have to be a Republican to appreciate this sort of "political satire."
Glad I'm a Democrat who wouldn't be caught dead in a Republican event, mailing list, or precinct. Just call me Pat the Magic Progressive; you know, the kind who makes Republicans disappear with my vote.
These are the people in charge of the economy??!! They are a party of 4 year olds!!
While it may have been intended as a joke it was in poor taste. How can we take the RNC seriously when they do things like this. They need to grow up.
Once again the RNC shows its true colors. Not necessarily by the one who sent the CD, but by the RNC defending it as "satire". If they are going to win again, they're going to have to collectively get a clue. And they can start by condemning this CD's "satire".