Disagreement continues to be defined as racism by the Democrat party. Speaking on the John Fredericks Morning Show, State Sen. Louise Lucas, part of President Obama’s “Truth Team” and an official member of the campaign, accused Mitt Romney of gearing his campaign in Virginia to “fringe racists” which, one can only assume, is anyone that opposes President Obama.

Her racial tirade was in response to comments made by Mitt Romney when he was interviewed on the same shows a few weeks prior. In that interview, Romney concluded that President Obama having never held a job in the private sector causes him to be ill-equipped to deal with the current economic conditions.

At first she addresses the issue on its merits saying that lack of private sector experience did not mean he was incapable of doing his job. However, she quickly moved into the old standby “he just doesn’t like black people” to explain Romney’s comments.

The reverse psychology is stunningly obvious. Claiming that Romney is only appealing to a “fringe” group of racists is actually her way of appealing to a fringe group that sees everything through the prism of racism.

So who cares what a State Senator from Virginia has to say about this? Well, when they’re an official part of the campaign I think we all should. Unfortunately, this story seems to have fallen through the cracks especially (and understandably) in light of the awful events in Colorado.

But now I think it is appropriate for President Obama to address this issue. Considering that Mitt Romney has at times been called on to condemn comments made by random audience members, President Obama should be called on to disavow this type of rhetoric from people within his own campaign.

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TRANSCRIPT:

SENATOR LUCAS: What I am saying to you is Mitt Romney, he’s speaking to a segment of the population, who does not like to see people other than a White man in a White House or any other elected position.

Let’s be real clear about it… let’s be real clear Mitt Romney is speaking to a group of people out there who don’t like folks like Barack Obama in any elected or leadership position. We know what’s going on here and some people may be afraid to say it but I am not. I am not afraid to say it.

He’s speaking to that fringe out there who do not want to see anybody other than a white person in a leadership position. Senator Miller said it before she died and I agreed with her. They don’t want President Barack Obama in office as President and for all the reasons that you and I and alot of other people understand.

HOST: Do you really believe now that this all about race?

LUCAS: I absolutely believe it’s all about race and for the first time I’ve convinced my children finally that racism is alive and well.

HOST: Even in Virginia?

LUCAS: In Virginia how about all across this nation. And especially in Virginia!

HOST: So, do you think race as this campaign goes on through this summer…

LUCAS: We need to have this discussion because it has not become addressed appropriately. And we do need to have that discussion. And I know that there are people who are cringing in their seats because they don’t want to hear it but it’s time that we face the reality that we need to have a national discussion on racial issues

HOST: State Senator, in your view, how do you think the race issue then will be addressed now?

LUCAS: I don’t believe the President can lead this discussion because it would be precieved in a way that would not be beneficial to him because the Republicans will try to make habit but there needs to be some kind of forum to deal with these issues.

All the folks who are saying ‘We don’t like Barack Obama’ they can’t tell you any reason they don’t because President Obama did not create the situation they have, this economic mess we are in, everybody knows this stuff happened under George Bush and they are trying to dump it on the President.

And intelligent people understand that President Barack Obama did not create this mess. And the mess that was created could not be solved in 2 or 3 or 4 years. Intellgent people understand that. But Mitt Romney will go out and play to the fringe and try to play to the fringe by saying it’s all Barack Obama’s fault.