I hear commentators try to point out why what our former president and first lady are saying and doing is implied racism. They use words like, "code," but they fail to get the point across. When Bill Clinton uses a phrase like "fairy tale" to describe the Obama campaign, and Hilliary Clinton extols the virtues of LBJ at the expense of MLK, I recall a scene in the Eddie Murphy movie, "Trading Places." In the movie, Eddy Murphy plays an African American ne'er-do-well and conman named Valentine. Two wealthy bond traders, Randolph and Mortimer Duke make a bet that they can replace their star bond trader who is being groomed to take over the firm, Winthorpe (played by Dan Akroyd) with Valentine and by foul circumstance turn Winthorpe into a bum. The experiment is successful and Valentine is an expert bond trader and Winthorpe a bum. At this point, the following exchange takes place:
Randolph Duke: Now, what are we going to do about taking Winthorpe back and returning Valentine to the ghetto?
Mortimer Duke: I don't *want* Winthorpe back, after what he's done.
Randolph Duke: You mean, keep *Valentine* on as managing director?
Mortimer Duke: Do you really believe I would have a *n-word* run our family business, Randolph?
[Valentine's eyes widen with outrage]
Randolph Duke: Of course, not. Neither would I.
To me, the Clinton tone is clear, and will unfortunately resonate with many of the old-time, blue collar Democrats. African Americans may be up to the job, but do you really believe we would have an n-word lead our party?
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