Where In the World Is Katon Dawson?

Much has already been said – and written – about Chip Saltman's distribution of the parody "Barack Obama the Magical Negro." Saltsman, the former campaign manager of Mike Huckabee for President, is a candidate for the chairmanship of the Republican National Committee (RNC). He distributed a CD of political comedy by Paul Shanklin. It contained the aforementioned song to the tune of the 1960's hit "Puff the Magic Dragon," drawing its title from a 2007 column that appeared in the L.A. Times.

Much of the content uttered and published on this issue has been on message. Yet the most powerful commentary on this debacle might well be silence of one candidate.

Katon Dawson, the current chairman of the South Carolina GOP, is the only major candidate for the RNC post who has been silent.

His silence so stunning, even a local TV station, Twittered at him "What do you think?" Good question. Katon Dawson, what do you think?

Mike Duncan, the current RNC chairman denounced Saltsman's mistake stating, "The 2008 election was a wake-up call for Republicans to reach out and bring more people into our party. I am shocked and appalled that anyone would think this is appropriate, as it clearly does not move us in the right direction."

Michigan Republican Party chairman Saul Anuzis, an energetic contender for the RNC post, also questioned Saltsman's judgment; "In my opinion, this isn't funny and it's in bad taste. Just as important, anything that paints the GOP as being motivated in our criticism of President-elect Obama by anything other than a difference in philosophy does a disservice to our party." (For the record, I am supporting Michigan's favorite son, Saul Anuzis.)

Ken Blackwell – one of two African-American candidates for the GOP chairmanship – cautioned against over-reacting to the parody. He noted it was simply a matter of media hypersensitivity.

Michael Steele added, "...we must be mindful that self-inflicted wounds not only distract us from regaining our strength as a Party."

Chip Saltsman's character is not in question. Everyone who knows him, including myself, can attest he's a good man. But even good people do dumb things (I've done my share!). Put this parody in that category. Polemics rarely make good Party chairman

While Blackwell and Steele's caution this affair is an over-reaction may have some merit in the debating clubs of some purely ontological out-of-touch corner of the country, it's clearly a demonstration of being tone-deaf as one columnist quipped.

About the only thing worse than seeing a mistake like this happen, is watching would-be leaders do-nothing in response.

This is why Katon Dawson's silence is deafening.

Dawson's campaign for RNC chair has been saddled with the revelation he belonged to a whites-only country club until recently. Such, obvious past insensitivity, would make most people more cognoscente of issues regarding race-relations. Then again, I'm not a country-club Republican. (Mark me more in the Sarah Palin click.)

One of the key things, leaders of any team must show, is the courage to do what is right. Call a spade a spade. Be real. America's already got one mealy-mouthed, double-talking, no-guts Party; Republicans don't need to be the other.