Last week, when Joe Wilson shouted “You lie!” during the President’s health care speech, no one heard any racism.  When Obama accepted Joe Wilson’s forced apology, it was for a breach of ethics, not for some sort of racist tirade.  For a day or two, it looked like the whole thing was going to fade away, as it became clear that the vast majority of Congressional Dems were perfectly happy to let the incident come to a close.  After all, the more it was inspected, the more people might come to the conclusion that Obama actually was lying.

Sadly, moderate Dems are saddled with the far left, and the fringe of their party has spent a week trying to gin up the bogus notion that Wilson’s shout was some sort of bigoted attack.  Yesterday, none other than Jimmy Carter weighed in on the issue, claiming “I think it’s based on racism.  There is an inherent feeling among many in this country that an African-American should not be president.”  That Carter, who’s been the subject of some substantial anti-semitism charges, should be lecturing anyone about prejudice is obviously laughable, but that’s not the real story here. 

The Dems have started charging racism across the board.  Don’t like Obamacare?  You’re a racist.  Speaking out against taxation?  You’re a racist.  Part of the massive demonstrations in Washington DC last weekend?  Clearly, you’re a racist.

In a way, it’s good news.  Whenever the Dems are cornered, powerless, about to lose, or just plain unpopular, they drag out the “racist” straw man.   They did it during Reagan’s landslides, when Hillarycare was falling apart in the early 90’s, and again when Bush 43 was at the height of his popularity.  Vietnam was racist, as were both gulf wars, and of course the entirety of the post WWII military in general, as it evidently does little but prey on poor, uneducated minority members. 

It’s nothing new, but these days they have a couple of problems. 

The first is the simple fact that they have commanding majorities in Congress, and the nation’s first African-American President in the White House.  If they’re not getting their way, the blame lies with Dems, not with the fictional racist boogieman they’re trying to create.

Secondly, no one they’re targeting has said anything racist.  It seems a ridiculous point to have to make, but the fact that people like Carter are running around claiming that those who oppose Obama’s policies “have a racist tone” is utterly laughable.   Are there racists out there who will oppose Obama because of the color of his skin?  Of course.  Are they the majority?  Of course not.  Are they even a significant minority?  Nope.  We all know that if the Dems had proof of ANY prominent member of Congress, the tea party movement, or the conservative media saying ANYTHING racist, they’d never stop running the tape.  Since they don’t have it, they’ve created a sort of “phantom racism;” a mysterious spectre that hovers over us all and adds racist words and intent to statements that contain neither.

Yesterday, despite his accepted apology, Joe Wilson was officially rebuked by the House Of Representatives because of his “you lie!” moment.  It seems that amidst skyrocketing unemployment, massive deficit spending, the health care debate, two wars, and record low Congressional approval levels, it was the most important thing on their agenda.

Fine.  Meaningless rebuke entered into the record, day wasted, racist straw man pleased.

Keep up the good work, Dems, and please, keep claiming racism.  It hasn’t worked for the last 30 years, but you should definitely stick with it.  The longer you make the charge in lieu of any legitimate arguments, the weaker you’ll become, and the more invested you’ll make your opponents. 

Despite Robert Gibbs constant dismissals, we all know you’re watching as the crowds of protesters grow.  Please.  Keep egging ‘em on.

- Robert Laurie