This is almost funnier that than sad. A CPAC discussion held by a black conservative about how to reach out to African Americans goes south when segregationists in the audience try to claim the victim mantel about “white disenfranchisement.” That slave owners were actually pretty good because they gave blacks food and shelter. And made a reference that supports segregation in said black outreach program: Booker T. Washington Republicans” might be a better identity for the GOP—you know, “unified like the hand, but separate like the fingers.”

Oh and  “True racists are the people trying to hold others down by giving them handouts…” Hear that Jesus, stop with those loaves and fishes….racist!

It’s funny because, this CPAC discussion shows the stormy fight and resistance conservatives are having trying to change.  And as in many change efforts, the attempt to make cosmetic changes are like not calling yourself an alcoholic so your alcoholism goes away. And in that “I know you are, but what am I” approach, these people hope that if we don’t call our stand on the position of blacks as racist, racism is solved.

Two links on this story, because they seem to cut the same facts slightly different ways.  Talking Points Memo’s article CPAC Event on Racial Tolerance Turns to Chaos As ‘Disenfranchised’ Whites Arrive who make it sound like all this stems from a black woman reporter in the room to stirs up trouble.  And The Daily Beast’s CPAC Panel on Transcending Racist Label Breaks Down Into Verbal Chaos which just focuses on the delicious crazy.