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MSNBC's Martin Bashir alleged on Wednesday that Republicans have been using the IRS scandal as a racial dog whistle against President Obama, akin to directing the n-word at the president.
"Despite the complete lack of any evidence linking the president to the targeting of Tea Party groups, Republicans are using it as their latest weapon in the war against the black man in the White House," Bashir declared.
He referred to Republican strategist Lee Atwater's notorious 1981 interview where he discussed how to use policy for race-baiting without being as conspicuous as using the n-word.
"This afternoon, we welcome the latest phrase in the lexicon of Republican attacks on the president: IRS," Bashir said. "Three letters that sound so innocent, but we know what you mean."
