Walter, I think somehow you’re missing my point; that is, the Tea Party was contrived by people i.e. organized political PACS like FreedomWorks that know better but are not above exploiting racism for their own ideological benefit. The props on the video link are, I believe sufficient evidence of that and many of them(including the demonstrators were paid for by outside interests). There is no argument here, that racism doesn’t exist where skin color or ethnic background is an issue as we have all experienced it and I wouldn’t quantitatively argue whether it is more or less on either side. The fact is, it is generally not overt and usually more subtle unless it is politically charged. Both Obama and Herman Cain are well aware of this and are skilled at deflecting the issue. That said, I believe some commentators, particularly on Fox News, try to inject it into the “news” along with other socially irrelevant non-issues to divert attention from real issues.

With respect to Tea Party activity, I think there are at least two things going on. You are entirely correct that some of it is contrived by cynical operators like the Koch brothers who are willing to exploit the ignorance and/or racism of those on the margins. There is another current, however, that is composed of more sincere, educated people who truly believe that Obama, his supporters, and many in his entourage are ideologically at odds with what America has traditionally stood for. Personally, I am often appalled at the Tea Party propoganda and the ignorance displayed by many of those who swallow it whole. I cannot, however, dismiss sincere concerns regarding the dangerous ideological bent of many whom Obama has included in his circle, e.g. Van Jones, Eric Holder, and others. My sympathies are thus split. I am worried by Herman Cain’s apparent blindness to the dangers of American corporatism, however Cain is impressive on many levels and some of the solutions he offers are inspiring. I abhor the willingness of Fox News to pander to the lowest common denominator of right-wing demagoguery, yet I appreciate Fox’s willingness to tell “the rest of the story” and challenge the narrowness of politically correct thinking. My point here is that the Tea Party, Fox News, et al cannot be dismissed so simply, just as one cannot accurately dismiss Herman Cain’s appeal by pointing to Bible Belt anti-intellectualism. To understand the complex political reality of contemporary America requires a much more nuanced approach.

Although I don’t agree that Van Jones and Eric Holder are still the radicals(I assume that you are referring to past statements on racial issues) they may have been in the past, i myself have pretty much moved to the radical left over the years while the country was moving in the opposite direction. Nevertheless, I remain a fiscal conservative while I have watched every Republican administration since Reagan indulge in wasteful spending with their private sector buddies and yes, often the complicity of some Democrats. When the party is over they want to chew up the public sector with a phony call for balancing the budget. Herman Cain and the rest of the candidates are of use to them only as long as they tow the party line. The Democrats may be a diverse group of clowns, but at least they allow for dissent and an avenue, however slim, to take back the country from the plutocrats. Race is a red herring and that’s why(getting back to the article) I objected so vehemently to the article’s premise. Anyway, Walter, I appreciate the civil dialogue.