Controversy

RNC Chides "Magic Negro" Song

Party chairman is "shocked and appalled."

Yesterday Democrats raised a stink when Chip Saltsman, a candidate to be the new RNC chair, distributed a CD with a song called "Barack the Magic Negro." Today, Republicans are joining in. Current RNC chair Mike Duncan issued a statement today distancing party leadership from Saltsman. The full statement read: "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." The song, which first appeared on Rush Limbaugh's radio show, was written by conservative satirist Paul Shanklin, who also wrote the other 40 tracks on the parody album We Hate the USA. Duncan is vying for reelection to head the RNC and Saltsman, Mike Huckabee's former campaign manager and on the GOP's best known operatives, was considered a strong opponent.