Obama parody song not issue for RNC bid

WASHINGTON, Dec. 30 (UPI) -- Party insiders say a comedy CD containing a parody "Barack, the Magic Negro" sent by a Republican National Committee chairman nominee hasn't hampered his bid.

In fact, several of Chip Saltsman's challengers have rallied around the former Tennessee GOP chairman, saying the national media created the furor surrounding the CD and other opponents for the national chairmanship were piling on, Politico reported Tuesday.

Alabama Republican committeeman Paul Reynolds said Saltsman's sending him a CD with the song "didn't bother me one bit."

The song came with 40 other tunes form from conservative satirist Paul Shanklin, a friend of Saltsman, the Washington publication said. The song parodies a 2007 Los Angeles Times column of the same title and written to the tune of Peter, Paul and Mary's hit "Puff the Magic Dragon."

When news of the song broke four days ago, RNC Chairman Mike Duncan, seeking re-election to the post, issued a statement expressing disgust over the song.

"The 2008 election was a wake-up call for Republicans to reach out and bring more people into our party," Duncan said. "I am shocked and appalled that anyone would think this is appropriate ... ."

Duncan was joined by Michigan GOP Chair Saul Anuzis, also seeking the national post.

South Carolina GOP Chairman Katon Dawson and former Maryland Lt. Gov. Michael Steele haven't commented on the matter, but former Ohio Secretary of State Ken Blackwell, who would be the party's first black chairman if elected, defended Saltsman.

"Unfortunately, there is hypersensitivity in the press regarding matters of race" in part because of Obama's campaign and election, Blackwell said in a statement.