what's the shocker here?  are folks really that naive to believe that there has never been, throughout the 240yr history of this country, a racist(s) appointed/elected/handpicked to/for a political office?  hell, this country was built on racism, on the backs and shoulders of the oppressed.  and that's not to say that it's right, or by any way, shape or form, condonable.  not in the slightest.  notwithstanding, what's surprising (and most concerning) to me isn't so much who said what, what race of people were offended, etc., rather it's the fact that apparently, a significant number of americans have lived under rocks for a long time, sheltered away in their "safe zones."  this is reality, folks, albeit dismal and disheartening; it's the world we live in.  just gotta keep on truckin'.