Texas GOP Tries To Disown Button

I imagine by now, you've all seen the racist button pictured above. It was being sold in a booth at the Texas Republican State Convention (and probably sold well if I know Texas Republicans). But then the Dallas Morning News, the Houston Chronicle and a bunch of blogs took note of it and began to let the general public know about the overtly racist button.

This was not what the party wanted. They didn't mind a little racist joke amongst friends, but it was not supposed to become public knowledge. The Republican Party may have accepted our nation's racists into the party when the Democrats opened their doors to all races years ago, but even they understand the concept of "bad press". And this was getting some really bad press.

Now the party is trying to act like they had no idea there were racists at their convention. They have issued a little press release saying they have banned this seller from exhibiting at future conventions, and they're going to give the money they made by renting the booth to charity (although they didn't specify which charity).

Party spokesman Hans Klingler said, "This vendor need not apply to another Texas G.O.P. State Convention. The proceeds from their booth space will be donated to charity. We will tolerate nor profit from bigotry....The Republican Party of Texas is proud of its principles, record and diversity."

The Republican principles and record have been made clear for all to see in the last few years. They are the reason the Democrats are looking forward to a great 2008 election.

But I do have one question. What diversity?