Douglas Mackinnon wrote something over at the Politico in which he takes issue with something Obama said:

“We know what kind of campaign [Republicans are] going to run. They’re going to make you afraid. They’re going to try to make you afraid of me. ‘He’s young and inexperienced, and he’s got a funny name. And did I mention he’s black?’”

Mackinnon seems to think Obama is unfairly painting the GOP as a racist organization. But his argument seems to boil down to nothing more than "I, myself, am not a racist, therefore the republican party isn't racist."

Other than his relative inexperience and some of his stated policy positions, I have zero problems with Barack Obama. His age does not bother me, his name does not bother me and the color of his skin most especially does not bother me. Quite the opposite. I’m proud of what he’s accomplished precisely because of the color of his skin. I’m proud of what he’s accomplished precisely because of his disadvantaged youth. His is an inspirational story, and his historic campaign has made America a better place to live.

 Mackinnon goes on to talk about how he's got "black friends" and has a great respect for "black america".

As a Republican with a conservative point of view, I have written more on the greatness of black America, and the need for my party to reach out to that community, than just about anyone I know. Many of the single black moms I knew were some of the most “conservative” people I had ever met. They were death on a cracker when it came to law and order, going to church, staying in school, right and wrong, and personal responsibility, and it was and is my belief that their “real-life” success stories could only make the Republican Party a better and less hypocritical entity.

While I don't doubt that Mr. Mackinnon is sincere in his respect and admiration, that doesn't mean his party shares those feelings.

First, there was something called "the southern strategy". Sure it was employed by republicans to play on racial tensions in the south to keep republicans (and white people) in political power, but that's certainly not racist, is it?

The more Negroes who register as Democrats in the South, the sooner the Negrophobe whites will quit the Democrats and become Republicans. That's where the votes are. Without that prodding from the blacks, the whites will backslide into their old comfortable arrangement with the local Democrats.

More recently, and more relevantly to this campaign, there was Republican State Senator Kevin Bryant who posted a picture on his website claiming that there really was no difference between Barack Obama, Democratic Nominee for President of the United States, and Osama Bin Laden, mass-murdering fuckhead.

At the Republican Convention in Texas they sold buttons asking if we could still call it the White House if Obama won. Surely, that had nothing to do with Obama's race.

And in Tennesee, the GOP seems to think that not only are attacks on candidate's spouses apparently ok, but so is bringing up the spector of a white woman with a black man. Because, as we all know, the GOP is not racist.

Other examples could be cited, and I invite you to do so in the comment section. But for now, I beleive i've proved my point so I'll stop.