There can be no serious argument that there has historically been a lot of real racism down in the South. Just look back to the tremendous energy and zeal southern Democrats exerted to prevent the Civil Rights Acts of the 1960’s. Look to the people who served long periods of time from southern States, like Robert Byrd, who had even been members of the actual KKK.
Thus, that there would be expressions of racism down there is unsurprising. That someone would be expected to answer for the statements of others, though, is. Should I be held to account for what my uncle has to say about something, if I do not immediately disown him? Can I not find something distasteful, work to end it, and not be treated as if I endorsed it?
Self evidently, race baiting will be a big part of Obama’s reelection strategy, since it was a big part of his ELECTION strategy. I myself was called a racist for simply not liking him as a candidate or person. I would have felt the same way about Hillary, although many of my concerns would have been much reduced since we at least know who she is, and what she actually believes.
There will no doubt be a lot of “he said/she said” in the coming weeks, but one can hope that in the end the continued viability of America as a sovereign nation will be found by most to be more important than, worst case, having been insufficiently indignant at the actions of some other person in some godforsaken back corner of the largest State in the Continental US.