Racially Charged Obama Song

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Posted: 2:12 PM Dec 29, 2008
Last Updated: 5:23 PM Dec 29, 2008
Reporter: Kimberly Burcham
Email Address: kimberly.burcham@wymtnews.com

32 comments

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Controversy is stirring among some of the nation's highest ranking Republican officials over a Christmas gift given out by one of its own.

Some say it is a funny gift, while others say it is offensive. Former Tennessee GOP Chairman and candidate for RNC Chairman, Chip Saltsman, sent members of the Republican National Committee a holiday CD featuring a racially charged song about president-elect Barack Obama.

“Barack the magic negro lives in D.C.,” the song starts out singing.

Saltsman says the song entitled "Barack the Magic Negro" from the "We Hate the USA" CD is meant to be funny, not offensive.

“He make guilty whites feel good,” the song continues to sing.

Republican National Committee Chairman Mike Duncan, from Inez, says he doesn't find the humor in the song. Duncan released this statement saying he is "shocked and appalled that anyone would think this is appropriate as it clearly does not move us in the right direction."

Some people we spoke to agree with Duncan, saying the lyrics are inappropriate.

“I don't think it's funny at all. I think it's sad,” Jeremiah Ford of Leslie County said.

“For him to do this, it's not amusing. It’s just not amusing,” Penny Ford of Leslie County said.

“I think for a representative of Tennessee to send something like that out is just asking for trouble,” Jeremiah Ford said.

Others say they enjoy the political satire.

“Lighten up. Have a sense of humor,” Bobby Morgan of Leslie County said.

Saltsman declined an interview, but wrote a blog on his website saying the negative reaction by party members is just quote "a desire for scandal." Saltsman managed the presidential campaign for former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee and held several positions under former Tennessee Senator Bill First.

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Comments are posted from viewers like you and do not always reflect the views of this station.

Posted by: J Location: K-nott on Jan 8, 2009 at 06:58 PM
Wow...I adore freedom of speech and appreciate the fact that so many people have an opinion...but some of you people really need to come out of the holler every once in awhile. Kudos to "really"...I agree 100%.

Posted by: hal on Jan 3, 2009 at 10:44 AM
Saltsman would have to be a real low forehead to send this CD to anyone. And anyone who attempts to justify this action must think America is made up of race haters and fools.

Posted by: Zatoichi Location: Richmond on Dec 31, 2008 at 11:32 AM
Really of USA, What flavor Kool-Aid is your fav? Probably Wacky Berry.

Posted by: Anonymous on Dec 30, 2008 at 07:57 PM
Why is the assumption made that if one finds this song inappropriate, they are a liberal? Just asking...

Posted by: steve on Dec 30, 2008 at 06:59 PM
I am a proud red neck you spiny back weak kneed socialist communist loving liberal.

Posted by: Really Location: USA on Dec 30, 2008 at 04:20 PM
What a bunch of childish [edited]. Yes, it's a parody, but that's not what's disturbing. It's the comments slamming people as "kool aid drinkers", "uptight morons", etc with all the dripping seemingly educated but really just trying to make the same, old, tired, overdone point that you hate people of the opposite party. Good grief, can you talk about the song without going into your silly hate mode? Very unhappy people. Very sad. And now we'll hear the sarcastic rebuttal to THIS post, too, from the same good ole boys that seize every opportunity to tell their view to the world. "Any good white man or women would not have voted for obama" equals the most ignorant thing I've read here yet.

Posted by: James Location: KY on Dec 30, 2008 at 01:13 PM
Don't compare obama to bush, doesn't really work. Obama hasn't yet had the opportunity to be a War Criminal.

Posted by: R Location: KY on Dec 30, 2008 at 12:27 PM
Trashy rednecks are everywhere and far too simple-minded to be ashamed of themselves as they should be.

Posted by: Who Cares Location: Ky on Dec 30, 2008 at 12:19 PM
Ok first everyone needs to go to you tube and lisen to the whole song and lisen very close , Its a black man singing ! Obama knew this kind of stuff was going to happen, I think the song is funny and those of you that do not need to learn what humor is ! Its just a song ppl GET OVER IT !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted by: Diane Location: Mt.Sterling on Dec 30, 2008 at 12:12 PM
It is satire. I'm am not a fan of that kind of humor but after hearing it come from the Democrats directed at Bush for the past 8 years, I am amazed that they now think it's wrong. I've even seen skits that claim that Condi Rice is not "black". So where was the outrage then? We are never going to move on if we can't let things roll off our backs once in a while.

Posted by: k Location: fayette on Dec 30, 2008 at 11:08 AM
If you are black you can say what you want, if you are white it aint right!!!!

Posted by: mel Location: lex on Dec 30, 2008 at 11:00 AM
George Bush's ratings reflect he was very unliked for his actions/decisions during office. That was earned over 8 years. Might be a sensible approach to not attack Obama until he's in office at least? Honestly, let go of this republican/democrat hatred! As neither, I can definitely say that it seems the republicans on this site are very full of hatred, anger, and sarcasm. Relax, get a life, enjoy it and wait and see if our country gets out of this mess, no matter what party pulls it off!

Posted by: LG Location: KY on Dec 30, 2008 at 08:56 AM
He has freedom of speech and so do I.... Saltsman, "THANKS FOR THROWING FUEL ON THE FIRE OF THOSE THAT ALREADY LABEL KENTUCKY AND TENNESSEE AS THE LAND OF RACIST REDNECK HILL PEOPLE. YOUR CD WAS IN BAD TASTE, TO SAY THE LEAST. NO MORE PUBLIC DISPLAYS OF YOUR IGNORANCE, PLEASE, IT'S SMEARS MY HERITAGE!"

Posted by: Bill on Dec 30, 2008 at 08:06 AM
Well,well do remember how Mr Bush has been treated.Its thier turn,go getem boys. Its time to see how the dems like it.Pour it too them.

Posted by: Zatoichi Location: Richmond on Dec 30, 2008 at 04:57 AM
Hey Liberal Kool-Aid Drinkers, this title was proffered upon his majesty Obama by your very liberal LA Times newspaper in response to some unkind remarks the great Al Sharpton had to say about the new King. A guy that works with Rush Limbaugh wrote the song as a parody. It's a joke, folks...you liberals just can't take it when someone pokes you in the eye..can ya?

Posted by: William Location: seky on Dec 30, 2008 at 01:06 AM
Made Me Sick,Its not very sweet,But you know what makes USA what it is , Is that you live in a nation that you got the freedom to say I hate this nation and not loose your head, Its called freedom of speech, If every person was beheaded that said I have the USA they would be skulls all over the land millions, We all say we hate Bush, last week when the reporter sling the shoe at George W Bush what if that same reporter had did that to Saddam Hussain ? My guess is that the man that cast the shoe is still alive well a little bit of USA is in Iraq now , I dont think anyone would have slung a shoe at Saddam Hussain and lived Saddam would hve sent him to prison or made him walk on hot coals of fire or eat the other shoe, or insert it in some other hole in his body , what if mothers sent there kids to prison every time they said I hate school? or Greens or homework? Or there brother or sister? US Relax America has been so up tight for almost 100 years take a break its time for one relax .

Posted by: William Location: seky on Dec 30, 2008 at 12:54 AM
The N word If the President and Congress were to make it law that the people of america could not say words, The N word 30 days in jail?? and a $1000 fine, Then this Law should apply to all Americans black and white, But really serious now does we black and white Americans got time for this hog wash? No! If that be the case how many days in jail for S***? Or D** and maby a Year In jail for F*** and a $10.000 fine? would we get a tiket for step on a crack and break your mothers B***? American would look like a cross word puzzle black and white boxes with no words to connect....Its not nice to use salty lango but as a matureing nation we got to move in to the future together black white red yellow, and them people that smoke Prince Albert with the Gold fingers to Yes them as well must grow and say Gold finger I may be but dont laugh at my amber tip fingers its just the kind of man I am like that red nose reindeer with the R name Rudolph with your nose so bright will you guide USA tonight'

Posted by: George Location: Virginia on Dec 30, 2008 at 12:50 AM
I think that the song is in bad taste and that the the person who sent it should remove himself from political office. He does not represent the best interest of all of the USA.

Posted by: kyman Location: ky on Dec 30, 2008 at 12:13 AM
So this guy sends out this cd and now he is a racist wtf people so what if he is racist it is a free county and he has the rite to believe how he wants to. I never heard the song but can tell you obama is very deserving of it he is a piece of s*** racist himself get over it people or are you the people who voted for obama if so you get what you deserve . Any good white man or women would not have voted for obama.

Posted by: momma Location: ky on Dec 29, 2008 at 11:56 PM
Whatever happened to freedom of speech? And I am not at all racist, but you all preach to the white ppl about racist, how about when Obama won the election, a lot of black ppl say "we" did it. What or who does "we" mean? Please explain that one..

Posted by: Jason Location: Corbin,Ky on Dec 29, 2008 at 10:17 PM
Have a sense of humor, you bunch of uptight morons. Ever watch BET? Blacks make fun of whites too. You ever here the rapper Ludacris' lyrics....pretty racist. It's comedy, if you think it's funny, then laugh. If you don't think it's funny, don't listen to it. We do have freedom of speech.

Posted by: Independent Location: South Pole on Dec 29, 2008 at 07:38 PM
All Dem's have shiny red noses, comes in handy when flying on foggy nights. After everything that has been said about Bush, you're all psycho's for letting the media treat him that way for eight years and not saying anything about it. I hope more and more songs come out on the democratic party. Whine whine whine whine I'm a democratic swine..............I pet my wife on the head before I put her out at night, then I hope in bed with my liberal cat. Or, how about I divorced my husband for not eating bones and married my german shepherd dog. Yeah its a democratic country now. Don't forget, the boss giveth and Obama gonna taketh it away.

Posted by: steve on Dec 29, 2008 at 06:05 PM
Hey democrats you better do your home work it was your boy a democrat out in California that said this and then of course they made a parody out of it making fun of you nuts if any body is racist its you clowns so kiss a big buttocks. We remember you morons just like you done us for the last 8 years so have fun. Yea its really funny to hear a liberal talk about how republicans should do things ha see what happens when that's tried hint moron John McCain? What a joke like i said its you liberals in history is the ones that's hate mongers you democrats where southern plantation owners not republicans better look up some true history if your cronies have not tried to change that to.

Posted by: jimbo Location: southeast Ky. on Dec 29, 2008 at 05:59 PM
What about the people on comedy central they make funny jokes about every body, and no one seems to care. I havn't heard the song but if it was received in the manner in which it was intended I see nothing wrong with it. Hey this is still a free country, for now anyway, So lighten up.

Posted by: Jay Location: KY on Dec 29, 2008 at 05:25 PM
Wonderful, just wonderful (intense sarcasm intended). Why do our elected officials keep pulling idiotic stunts like this? Should we not have a law passed that they need to have at least a certain IQ score to be elected. Of course that would really cut down our choices, but so be it!!

Posted by: Made me Sick Location: Leslie County on Dec 29, 2008 at 04:44 PM
Makes me ill to think that this kind of action reflects the whole state. In my opinion this moron should get kicked out of any future runnings. Not even the song itself but the name of the CD 'We Hate the USA'? Great patriotic pride.

Posted by: bobbi lynn morgan Location: leslie county on Dec 29, 2008 at 04:16 PM
heyy.bobby morgan is my daddy!! i love him so much.

Posted by: Melissa Location: Pike on Dec 29, 2008 at 04:16 PM
i listened to this song. so unAmerican. I can't believe someone would actually pass it along. Shameful. It is very racial, and though it may have been meant to be funny, it is NOT. It is hateful, and hurtful. Hopefully, our government has the same zero tolerance policy that most businesses have for racial harassment. because thats exactly what this is.

Posted by: WHITE on Dec 29, 2008 at 04:11 PM
You have to be a sick minded person to give a gift like that. That just shows how ignorant he is and some of the other party members who found it funny.

Posted by: VIEWER on Dec 29, 2008 at 04:09 PM
This is sad. People just cannot get over racial hatered. I do not care what race, nationality, politicial party a person is, this is offensive and I hope he is punished to the full extent of the law. However, we all know he will not be.

Posted by: Nadine Location: Edmonton, Canada on Dec 29, 2008 at 04:00 PM
Another example to me that many of the powerful people in the Republican Party have lost touch with political reality. As your election demonstrated the majority of Americans DO NOT support nor uphold this type of racial bigotry. I am not surprised to see this from someone in a party that seems to have lost touch with the people of America and the world and speaks only to a VERY small base within the party.

Posted by: Ann Inderlied Location: Sierra Vista, Az on Dec 29, 2008 at 03:00 PM
I find this disgusting and very disrespectful on this gentlemans??? part!!!!I think it demeans the whole Republican party and any gains we may make in this country about bigotry!!!!

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