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• Christopher

  01/16/2009 04:56 AM

  In a short answer, Mr. Saltsman was wrong. This is not about actions Rush or the Los Angeles Times. It is an issue of judgment. It was reckless, ignorant, and arrogant for a political figure and potential leader of the Republican Party to lower his standards regardless of the justification. In addition, if his only justification is well “they did it first,” it does not speak will for him. I was offended. I am an African-American and have been a dedicated supporter of the Republican since college. I live in Mississippi and I have worked with the party on every major national, state, and local election. Each time someone that I look to as a leader in the party does something like this, it takes my respect for the party down and makes it harder for me to justify my support it. If your intent was to ostracize the black members of the GOP…bravo, you did it. The GOP needs to get back to the basics. Sending the CD was offensive and wrong, maybe not for for some but definitely to others. For those of you do not feel the CD was offensive, play it at your next holiday party or GOP meeting. Let me know how many African-Americans you have around by the end. What do I know? Maybe, that is the real intent.

• Herbert Richards

  01/11/2009 07:58 AM

  Sir
  Do you intend to remove the Republican Party from membership in the International Democratic Union? Do you plan on returning to our Declaration of Independence for guidance of the Republican Party? Please respond publicly to these questions.

  Thank you.

  A concerned Citizen.

• river west

  01/07/2009 08:27 AM

  in viewing the republican national committee chairman candidates debate yesterday and i found it so interesting listening to the different views and suggestions of our stalwart republican candidates especially the responses of mr saltsman.
  i thought his ideas stood out as modern, young and workable. particularly he attitude about local central committees and how important our efforts are to the success of the party.
  thank you for your efforts mr saltsman and good luck sir.
  

• Priscilla Hill

  01/01/2009 09:57 AM

  Mr. Saltsman, you are absolutely right. It's past time to stop pandering to the left. There was nothing in the world wrong with sending out that CD, and people have no call to be getting so bent out of shape over it. I am encouraged to see one conservative who has not given in to political correctness, and I hope you will continue to stand fearlessly for the truth. Keep up the good work!

• Robbie

  12/31/2008 11:23 PM

  Mr. Saltsman, I feel you have gifted all Conservatives not with a parody CD but with a much greater contribution of sheer gutsiness in the face of enemy fire (and a few shots of friendly fire, mainly from aspiring RNC chairman themselves.

  Just looking at how you have infuriated the Left gives me the smallest glimmer of hope that there is at least one Republican who remains an unapologetic beacon of fortitude. (Kudos to Ken Blackwell, too).

  The unthinkable, loathsome act?? Distributing a CD of silly songs... which happen to satirize many of the issues and subjects that are representative of well, the Left-- and that's really the offense. Don't believe me? Let's take this non-controversy about a CD which of 40 songs-- contains a track that highlights a very race-focused (racist?) article from the L.A. Times. The article is written by a liberal black writer who describes the attributes of a stock character "the Magic Negro". Arguably, this article or article writer are the actual culprit!

  As much as I'm finding it hard to care what the Left thinks about Republican strategy, choice of Christmas gifts or various satirical song selections-- more than anything else I'm refreshingly delighted with your response to it all: "most people recognize political satire when they see it." Yep. Okay, maybe not most people.

  From Wikipedia,
  "Political satire specializes in gaining entertainment from politics.
  Political satire "does not necessarily carry an agenda nor seek to influence the political process. While occasionally it may, it more commonly aims simply to provide entertainment." How outrageous!

  Thank you. May you be blessed with God's guidance and provision in the New Year.

  
  

• Mike Reder

  12/31/2008 05:19 PM

  Chip, you seem like a smart guy, and while this song is clearly a joke and clearly many folks out there that are so upset, are most likely just playing politics. So, while, I think that it is fine that Republicans have a sense of humor, I wonder if this is what you really want to be remembered for. Perhaps, more importantly, what I really can not understand is that you had to know that this would be used as a wedge item by the Democrats. Of course we all know that history of the Democratic party, which clearly proves that the American people are capable of forgiveness. How a minority could ever vote Democrat after all the awful things they have done really should be used to demonstrate how easy voters can be manipulated. So please in the future, when you think something is funny, just think twice about who you are dealing with here.

• Dan Douglas

  12/31/2008 10:30 AM

  Yes. There is a double standard in our society and it is reflected by the media.

  As Republicans, we have to quit whining about it and deal with it.

  If you aren't smart enough to realize that you will be vilified for disseminating a parody entitled "Barack the Magic Negro", then you are a part of our problem, not a part of the solution.

• Maxine Wilson

  12/30/2008 09:32 PM

  Mr. Saltsman,

  My parents always told me they were not concerned about the behavior of the neighbors' children. Neither am I concerned about what the liberals do. I care about the actions of the republican party because just like a parent cares what happens to their own children, I care what happens to the republican party.

  Please take the high road and apologize--it won't hurt one bit.

  Praying for you and this situation.

• Erick Bennett

  12/30/2008 07:39 PM

  Content would indicate motive.

  This is a harmless joke that does nothing but level the playing field in which we can use to discuss important matters like race with fearing the dogma that the terms political correctness imposes.

  Anyone that couldn't laugh at the song should examine their own predispositions in this case and how unfairly it limits free speech in America.

  Humor is one the best ways to highlight these forms of irony.

  I would like someone to ask Chris Rock what he thinks of it, I am sure he is on he same level because his reality is grounded in the subject matter.

• Borat

  12/30/2008 05:43 PM

  Rush is right. Its about time good hardworking white americans standup for our rights. The liberals have their blogs and mean things to attack us, supported by the agenda of the Prop-8 denyers (you know who I mean) and their Trucknuts. We support you for having some! The rest don't!

  Good luck beating the all the others - the GOP needs your leadership in these important issues

• Bruno

  12/30/2008 05:18 PM

  I think you are a very nice man and have a nice face and a representative of our party. Good luck in your beating your opponents, I looked at them and they don't quite look right to me. You have the full support of Real Americans everywhere. We need people like you to defeat the un-American attitudes coming to the White House, Congress and hopefully not the Supreme Court.

  May God eternally bless you and guide your vision

• Jimbo

  12/30/2008 04:57 PM

  Gotta say your Magic Negro biz was a bonehead move of astonishing proportions.

• river west

  12/30/2008 06:35 AM

  hi mark, do you think registration drives and personal invitations are the best way to bring folks into the republican party?
  i just read a community date/location notice on tv about a local monthly R luncheon and went down to eat and listen to the speaker. that’s how i got busy with my county party. how did you begin your involvement?
  

• Mack Carter, Jr.

  12/30/2008 02:43 AM

  Dear Chip:

  I read your leadership and vision proposals listed on your website for your candidacy for the RNC. All of the listed proposals are on target. However, in all the right things you listed, you failed to list one single goal, objective or word in your proposed actions to attract African Americans to the RNC.

  I am a Republican and have voted Republican in all of the elections over the past 25 years. I believe in the Republican Party's principles and philosophy. I feel, as other Republicans, that I have ownership in the party and my chest beats loudly with pride and admiration for this country and all of its people. I am going to be a part of this great party and will fight hard to be represented as a full member.

  If you are still interested in gaining the Chairmanship of the RNC, I think that you should rethink your exclusion of African Americans and other minorities from the RNC and modify not only your attitude, but also your written proposal to include African American as well and other minorities as members and to recruit new non white active members of the RNC.

  Do not convey the idea and image that the RNC is a white only party, but try to unite the party across all color spectrums of society.

  The Tennessee Republican Party recently had to remove objectionable material from their website due to poor taste with respect to an African American. I hope that you and the party are not following the trail of the late George Wallace of Alabama in preaching racial rhetoric to a specific group to get elected.

  The recent DVD you sent out to members of the RNC is another example of this unacceptable racial rhetoric that is not good for the party or the country.

  I look forward to reading your revised campaign proposal to include all people as potential members of the RNC.

  Mack Carter, Jr.

• river west

  12/30/2008 12:11 AM

  guys, interestingly enough the words to this old song are al sharpton's words speaking of those democrats who would not be voting for him as president but instead for barry.

• Jose vazquez

  12/29/2008 07:57 PM

  Mr. Saltsman,

  One of the hardest things to do either within my own family, or to other Hispanics, is to align my values with the GOP. Having worked for elected republicans in the past, it is clear that many of the common values shared by religious and conservative Hispanics mirror the GOP positions in most areas. But while legal, permissible, and allowed, the type of rhetoric used in the song being parodied only puts forward a stereotype that the GOP is only for old white men. Here's the issue; do you want GOP values to survive in the US regardless of the race makeup of the nation, or do you want to alienate potential GOP member into believing the tent has no room for them. Shanklin sang it, Limbaugh played it, but you choose to send it out free to GOP members. Yes, many in the GOP currently will not have a problem with it. But those current members are getting older, and are becoming a small segment of the public each year. The people you need to worry about are not the people who have no problem with this CD who always vote GOP. You need to be concerned with the responsibilities of the office you hope to hold, one of which is to recruit NEW MEMBERS. If you want the GOP to die out, you are doing a fine job of it. If you want it to thrive, get off your high horse, apologize for bad judgment, and try to grow the party rather than destroy it.

• Chris

  12/29/2008 06:29 PM

  Mr. Saltsman:

  Standing up against what you claim as the "media's double standard" is one thing, but employing a parody based on a characteristic that someone has no control over is both divisive and cowardly.

  Peter Yarrow, the co-author of the song you ripped off from says it best when he states,

  "He is the President-Elect, and this song insults the office of the Presidency, the people who voted for him, as well as those who did not -- and taking a children's song and twisting it in such vulgar, mean-spirited way, is a slur to our entire country and our common agreement to move beyond racism."

  Your conduct here is very telling of your inability to lead in any capacity. Lead with your actions and then your tongue, sir.

• Sandra

  12/29/2008 05:53 PM

  Racist? Good lord, no. Poor judgment for someone in your position? ABSOLUTELY. You aren't some kid distributing a funny CD to your buddies on your college football team. Grow up and respect the position you are in. I agree with Sarah from Chicago: Act like a party leader and maybe people will treat you like one.
  

• Julie Cooper

  12/29/2008 04:29 PM

  This is a bit ironic in light of recent events. Ever hear of Sendspace? Or Yahoo! email?

  "We need to rethink our online tactics and strategy. The past election cycle taught us a number of valuable lessons: the growing political significance of self-organizing citizen activism; the speed at which viral information travels through the blogosphere and other digital media; the power of online fundraising; the extent to which younger voters rely on and demand online information and interactivity; and the peril of a strategy blind to these irreversible developments."

• Mike Beaver

  12/29/2008 03:08 PM

  I have been listening to this song on national radio for over a year now, but now it's offensive?
  NO...it's a Parody, or isnt that allowed anymore?
  
  God help us.

• Ramiro Gutierrez

  12/29/2008 12:59 PM

  Sir, right now you look like a fool. You need to acknowledge what you did was not mal-intentioned, but wrong nonetheless. Apologize to The President-elect, and the American People if you are to have any credibility left whatsoever. Step out of your self-absorbed world into the real world for your own party's sake.

• Mike

  12/29/2008 12:50 PM

  As a Republican I think the CD was very offensive and that you should apologise.

• Crzy4politks

  12/29/2008 11:43 AM

  I am a former Chairman of a College Republican chapter and someone who wants to be a leader should place themselves above name calling, whining, and complaining. I am from VA and while I was Chairman I had to deal with the fact that VA was slipping more and more to the Democrats. But I never once thought it was appropriate or would be helpful in anyway to name call and insult someone so bad. It is completely disrespectful. The American people elected Obama and you need to get over it and respect the people's wishes. There is no reason to stoop to a childish level if you want to represent Republicans nationwide.

• Sarah

  12/29/2008 11:18 AM

  Mr. Saltsman,

  We can certainly identify political satire when we see it, however the question really is do we want to have someone like you, a person who would create such a tasteless CD, as one of the RNC party leaders? Try to 'class it up' a little bit and maybe liberals and the media will not attack you. It's really not that difficult. Act like a party leader and maybe people will treat you like one.

  Regards,
  Sarah - Chicago

• dukeoconnor

  12/29/2008 11:11 AM

  Of course there are double standards because context changes meaning. Both Duncan and the Republican Party have histories that inform the meaning of what they say. Republicans are the party of personal responsibility. Blaming the media -- or anyone else --sounds like liberal whining. Just man up, take responsibility for your actions and move on.

• Don Irvine

  12/29/2008 10:50 AM

  This whole thing is ridiculous. I have known Paul Shanklin for some 15 years and for Duncan and the media to imply that you or Paul are racist is a crock.

  I feel like buying a bunch of the CD's and sending them out to my friends to see if the media will come after me.

• Danny Latham

  12/29/2008 09:43 AM

  Barack the Magic Negro! LOL!

• Walter

  12/29/2008 01:41 AM

  Dear Mr. Saltman

  I didn't know that Mike Duncan is a liberal Democrat. Thank you for that information.

• river west

  12/28/2008 10:39 PM

  i finally heard the song in question and the whole time i listened i laughed at the truths of it all. i was immediately reminded that if someone like pat buchanan switched places with al sharptin in the song and began complaining of his republican cronies one would still think it funny . hum! maybe someone already made a video like that?

  this is much to do about nothing.
  

• Mary Wilson

  12/28/2008 10:39 PM

  Mr. Saltsman,

  WOW--how do you plan on bringing minorities to the GOP if you seriously think that parody is funny. I know that you want to believe that the liberal media is stirring up trouble where there is none, but you need to learn tolerance and acceptance of others that do not look like you and accept the fact that those they do look like you will be the minority fairly soon.
  

• David Thomson

  12/28/2008 09:46 PM

  I posted my earlier comments some sixteen hours ago. After further thinking---I am even more convinced that Chip Saltsman needs to unhesitatingly continue arguing his case in front of the American people. He needs to get on all the radio and TV talk programs willing to offer an invitation. This is a golden opportunity to improve racial relations in this country! And yes, I am dead serious. Saltsman should not back down an inch. We need to have an honest discussion regarding these issues that have been far too long dominated by the leftist establishment and wimpy, well meaning Republicans. Will the gentleman damage his political career? Nope, Chip Saltsman could instead easily become a national hero. He just has to have a few guts.

• Stetson Winans

  12/28/2008 06:57 PM

  Chip, you say yourself that David Ehrenstien's column was irresponsible, and I believe we can all agree with you about that. However, no matter how irresponsible Mr. Ehrenstien was in writing the article, you were equally if not more irresponsible including the song on your "parody" cd. Man up and admit that you were wrong.

  
  And to David Thomson, whoever you are, if you honestly found that song to be funny, you are the one that needs to "grow up."

• Zorro

  12/28/2008 11:36 AM

  The liberal media will always be the first to try to take the speck out of someone else's eye, but forget about the log in their eye.

  Don't believe a word the liberal media makes in the news. They twist and distort everything. They are so hypersensitive to everything except their own causes.

  The old guard at the RNC is like that of the Pharisee's. When their leadership is tested, they try to crush the little guys and silence them. They say to themselves they are not like other men and take great pride in themselves.

  The Pharisee's clean the outside of a cup but inside they are full of greed. They love the most important seats in the high places. They will not lift one finger to help the poor, but instead look to see how they can better themselves.

  Don't believe the Pharisee's deceitful smoke screens to divert attention away from the REAL reason they don't want Chip at the helm. They fear they will lose their positions in high places and the greed that they take with it.

  Chip Saltsman has courage. We know his true heart's intention was not to offend anyone. Don't belive the liberal media and the old guard at the RNC establishments, those are hearts that you can not trust.

• Rachel Perry

  12/28/2008 09:39 AM

  As an african american woman who has aligned herself more to the moral values of the republican party, I can not see myself fully supporting a party where the leadership thinks these types of songs are not divisive. Is the republican party really serious about attracting a more diverse base. If not, stop pretending and be your authentic self as these types of acts reflect louder on your character than your words.

• Debi Large

  12/28/2008 08:49 AM

  I was disappointed to find that you thought the parody was funny and worthy of distributiion. I think you can keep things honorable and full of integrity and leave the garbage and border line type stuff up to the other side. We are Republicans, let's be different. Let's bring honor and pride to the party. Let's have people clamoring to become Republicans. Let's be the BEST we can be and never settle for anything less.

• Steve Dalton

  12/28/2008 07:57 AM

  It would probably be best for you to endorse one of the other guys for RNC chair. Your huck army will be able to get behind them and perhaps push one of the better candidates out in front of an insider.

  I have good friends that know you well, and speak very highly of you, so I can only assume this was a mistake. I've been there, made those kind of mistakes.

• Lynn Lewis

  12/28/2008 01:14 AM

  Dear Mr. Saltsman,
  I hope you will please visit www.HucksArmy.com and read the many comments posted there about sending this CD.

  http://forum.hucksarmy.com/viewtopic.php?f=141&t=18072

  Even if you're NOT a racist (which I hope you're not), sending out a CD with a controversial song calling Obama a "magic negro" is a sure-fire way to lose even MORE of the minority vote for the GOP.

  We're in enough trouble as it is, without doing something this offensive.

  You should just apologize. Otherwise you are hurting your party, and your clients-- whose good names are being unfairly associated with you in every article about this.

• David Thomson

  12/28/2008 12:08 AM

  Chip Saltsman has done nothing wrong. It is time to take a stand. Those who are attacking him need to grow up and become adults. It is totally legitimate to make fun of the left-wingers who subconsciously, if not even consciously, perceive Barack Obama as something of a "Magic Negro." These politically correct individuals richly deserve to be ridiculed. And yes, let’s cease groveling to the feet of those who don’t hesitate to practice a double standard regarding such matters.

• Robert D. Mireles

  12/27/2008 09:11 PM

  Dear Mr. Saltzman,

  I'm a die-hard GOP-er and I believe that Barak Obama is the latest and greatest hypocrisy coming from the Democrat Party. But I, being from the Land of Lincoln think you owe Mr. Obama a huge apology for the "Magic Negro" CD. We should rise above such classification of our population, and leave all of those double standards to the criminals in the media.

  All my best,

  Robert D. Mireles

• Judith Brown

  12/27/2008 07:55 PM

  Don’t you dare apologize for sending out the CD’s. Duncan is a wimp. No one supported Sarah when the commie dems were ripping her to shreds. The RNC has been a bunch of spineless wimps who allow the dems to wipe their shoes all over us.

  Michael Steele is another “get along” to “get along” When have the dems ever compromised or attempted to “get along.” NEVER

  Don’t know you so don’t know if you would be good or not but stand by your convictions and that will be a plus to us out here in the grassroots.

  Judy Brown
  God, Guns, and the Constitution
  

• bill

  12/27/2008 07:53 PM

  You're correct that the media has a double standard when it comes to Republicans and race. And for good reason. As a party currently controlled mostly by white Southerners, its leaders should not be held to the same standards as a black LA Times columnist.

• river west

  12/27/2008 07:47 PM

  i concur. all peoples will find we have values and needs which are found in the republican party. together we can accomplish much.

• Angelique Golden

  12/27/2008 07:28 PM

  While the issue of a double-standard may be valid, in the end, it is irrelevant to the current issue.

  You stepped in a big pile, Mr. Saltsman; the correct thing to do is accept that you made an error in judgment, publicly acknowledge it and learn from your mistake.

• Karen Harper

  12/27/2008 07:26 PM

  I guess neither of you watches Fox news or listens to talk radio.

• Ginny Desiderio

  12/27/2008 07:13 PM

  I certainly agree with you on that Mr. Saltsman. The media consistently uses a double standard when it comes to Republicans. I am glad to see that you are standing up to their hypocrisy. Those of us who support you for Republican National Chair will continue to do so. We know that you are the right person for this important job.