I guess I respect straight talk which is said with respect.
While I realize that Baker did not say this in a public forum, I see this a little like the Dixie Chicks: "Americans are stupid! Especially Country Music fans! Oh, and by the way, please by our new album!" It's just dumb to alienate the people you ought to be trying to attract.
For someone in politics to say "eff them" to an important demographic is dumb.