Parody Author Defends 'Barack the Magic Negro'

WZTV-Fox 17 Nashville ^ | December 29, 2008 12:35 EST

[lewisglad]

Parody author defends 'Barack the Magic Negro' December 29, 2008 12:35 EST

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) -- The Memphis author of the musical parody "Barack the Magic Negro" says he isn't surprised the song has gotten some people upset.

Author Paul Shanklin describes the song as political satire and says it's supposed to be provocative.

The song, which is sung to the tune of "Puff the Magic Dragon, has drawn attention and criticism since Chip Saltsman -- the former head of the Republican Party in Tennessee -- sent out a CD with the song on it as Christmas presents.

Saltsman managed Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee's presidential campaign and is now running for chairman of the Republican National Committee.

The song questions whether Obama is "authentically" black and intimates white voters wouldn't have voted for him if he had been from "the hood."

[Yaelle]

Shanklin was simply putting material from left wing critics of Obama. The line about him being articulate, clean, etc? It was Joe Biden who actually said that stuff. If you have a beef with the material in the song, take it up with the LA Times author and Joe Biden who were actually saying all of that, just not to the tune of Puff the Magic Dragon.

Exactly. And there is a parody within the parody, because Rush is genius enough to now catch all these "Gotcha" liberals with their trousers down on the old Outhouse Pot.

Black "leaders," reporters, and ol' Joe Biden provided VERBATIM the criticisms of Obama in this song. How the hell can anyone pin this on a Republican?

[maica]

I understand! Just reading your words “Eat, Caroline” evokes strong emotion in me.

If I had to be an actress told to laugh on cue, all I would have to do is think “Eat, Caroline” and I could laugh out loud.

[Yaelle]

I had to go listen to it again after talking about it last night (it’s on Rush’s website). This time I heard all the soul food the Revrund Al is suggesting - it really is funny. And Rush set it up so well on his show. What was it, the next DAY after scrawny Caroline’s lunch, that Shanklin had this perfect parody out?? He must stay up all night getting these productions done.

“Eat, Caroline...” through the bullhorn!!! Rolling On Floor, you know the rest.