If a conservative said it they would certainly not give them the benefit of the doubt. Remember a few years ago a someone used the term "niggardly" (meaning stingy with his money). I believe that person was fired. We need to stop the double standard.
I do indeed remember the "niggardly" comment. I brushed the ensuing controversy off as the ravings of the overly sensitive and/or borderline illiterate. but I do believe the person was canned.