WHOOPS! Republican re-branding efforts hit a snag

It seemed like they might finally have figured out a general strategy: Lay low, talk deficits, and cry socialism over and over again.

But like a person with a bad case of Tourette’s Syndrome, they went off message this week with a couple of major flubs that won’t help to dispel the increasingly well-earned image of their party as a bunch of racists.

First, GOP “activist” Rusty DePass tried to do a little comedy on his Facebook page when a gorilla was reported escaped from the zoo. “I’m sure it’s just one of Michelle’s ancestors – probably harmless.”

Good one. Talk about your funny stuff. Hard to believe a guy like that has to work for a living doing anything besides side-splitting stand-up.

When called out about the joke he said it was “clearly in jest”… And I’m sure that the guys at the KKK meeting thought it was hilarious.

But Hey, an isolated incident does not a trend make. I’d be out of line crying foul about one single solitary jackass.

Oh, but wait: Here in the same week Sherri Goforth, an administrative assistant to state Sen. Diane Black, R-Gallatin, has been forced to admit she sent an e-mail May 28 with the title “Historical Keepsake Photo.” The email contained a graphic that depicted all the 43 presidents, except where Obama would appear instead there were two cartoonish eyes on a black background. By way of apology Goforth said that she mistakenly sent it “to the wrong list of people.” A note on the e-mail said it was paid for by the Tennessee Republican Party, but GOP officials denied they produced it.

Well, at least they can still claim to be the party of family values. Right?