Magic realism

Somewhat surprisingly, it turns out that minstrel show politics is not a qualification for RNC chairman.

WASHINGTON — Chip Saltsman, the candidate for national Republican Party chairman who came under fire late last year for distributing a holiday CD with the parody song “Barack the Magic Negro,” dropped out of the contest Thursday on the eve of the vote.

Mr. Saltsman, a former Tennessee Republican chairman, sent an e-mail message to members of the Republican National Committee announcing his decision. The message made no mention of why he was leaving the race, but Republicans have said for days that he was struggling to collect enough signatures to qualify for the ballot.

Mr. Saltsman was always viewed as something of a long shot, but his prospects dimmed after the disclosure that he had distributed the CD with the parody song.

Now, I don't think that last bit is 100% accurate. Yes, many of the party "leadership figures" -- if such a thing currently exists -- were aghast, but many of the rank & file expressed solidarity with the creep.