RNC candidates split on song about Barack

WASHINGTON, Dec. 27 (UPI) -- The chairman of the Republican National Committee said Saturday he was "shocked and appalled" by a political parody, "Barack the Magic Negro."

"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," Michael Duncan, who is seeking re-election to his party post, told The Washington Post.

Chip Saltsman, one of the candidates running against Duncan, mailed Republican leaders a CD with the song about President-elect Barack Obama and other partisan ditties written by satirist Paul Shanklin. The 'Magic Negro' song, song to the tune of Peter, Paul and Mary's "Puff the Magic Dragon," made its first appearance on Rush Limbaugh's radio show in March 2007.

Another candidate, Michigan Party Chairman Saul Anuzis, agreed with Duncan, the Post said.

"Just as important, anything that paints the GOP as being motivated in our criticism of President-elect Obama by anything other than a difference in philosophy does a disservice to our party," he said.

Ken Blackwell, the former Ohio secretary of state who would be the first black head of the RNC if he wins, blamed the news media.

"Unfortunately, there is hypersensitivity in the press regarding matters of race," he said.

Saltsman, elected Tennessee's party chairman in 1998, was former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee's presidential campaign manager this year.

Saltsman told The Hill he thought RNC members "have the good humor and good sense to recognize" a "light-hearted" political parody.