You might call Peter Yarrow, of Peter, Paul and Mary, an entertainer. But Mr. Yarrow is better at political discourse than the Republican Party is at entertainment.

Yarrow, and Lenny Lipton wrote ‘Puff the Magic Dragon’ a children’s song from the ‘60′s. Here’s an excerpt from Mr. Yarrow’s response to the unwelcome use of his lyrics-

What might have been wearily accepted as “the way it was” in the campaign, is now unacceptable. Obama is not a candidate. He is the President-Elect, and this song insults the office of the Presidency, the people who voted for him, as well as those who did not — and taking a children’s song and twisting it in such vulgar, mean-spirited way, is a slur to our entire country and our common agreement to move beyond racism.

Read it all, here. It’s worth it.

President-elect Obama is coming into office with record high approval levels:

In a new USA Today/Gallup Poll, a sample of 1,008 Americans picked President-elect Barack Obama as the man they admire most. No president-elect has topped the poll since war hero Dwight Eisenhower 56 years ago.

So, showing the leadership that we’ve come to expect in the last eight years, a major player in the Republican Party decides to pull a stunt like this…

(CNN) — A candidate for the Republican National Committee chairmanship said Friday the CD he sent committee members for Christmas — which included a song titled “Barack the Magic Negro” — was clearly intended as a joke.

The title of the song about President-elect Barack Obama was drawn from a Los Angeles Times column.

“I think most people recognize political satire when they see it,” Tennessee Republican Chip Saltsman told CNN. “I think RNC members understand that.”

The song, set to the tune of “Puff the Magic Dragon,” was first played on conservative political commentator Rush Limbaugh’s radio show in 2007.

Its title was drawn from a Los Angeles Times column that suggested President-elect Barack Obama appealed to those who feel guilty about the nation’s history of mistreatment of African-Americans. Saltsman said the song, penned by his longtime friend Paul Shanklin, should be easily recognized as satire directed at the Times.

The CD sent to RNC members, first reported by The Hill on Friday, is titled “We Hate the USA” and also includes songs referencing former presidential candidate John Edwards and the Rev. Jeremiah Wright, among other targets.

According to The Hill, other song titles, some of which were in bold font, were: “John Edwards’ Poverty Tour,” “Wright place, wrong pastor,” “Love Client #9,” “Ivory and Ebony” and “The Star Spanglish Banner.”

Saltsman was national campaign manager for former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee’s presidential bid in 2007 and 2008. Before that, he held a variety of posts, including a number of positions under former Sen. Bill Frist of Tennessee.

Bill Frist?! Keep your cats indoors.

I like to listen to Michel Martin’s radio show, ‘Tell Me More’ which gives air time to issues of interest to black women. One day before the election she was interviewing African-American Republican women. Although I disagreed with their point of view, the women made their case in thoughtful, civil terms. They didn’t slam the Democrats, they praised the Republicans. They talked about values and self-reliance. They often had to defend their politics to their friends, both black and white. After this ‘thank you’ from the Party I imagine they have a lot of explaining to do. But at least they are not alone. They can ask their Hispanic Republican friends how they like “The Star Spanglish Banner.” Wouldn’t want to miss any demographic.

Playing the racist card is the kind of politics that made lifelong Republicans vote for Obama. It makes the Democrats, who have so often failed and taken for granted black voters, look very good by comparison.

If the population projections are true, we are on track to become a more multi-racial nation. The dinosaur strategy of race-baiting is going to end up in the tar pits where it belongs. Of course, for some, gay is the new black. President Elect Obama chose Rick Warren to do the Invocation. I regret all the gifted clergy he didn’t choose, from churches that are Welcoming and Affirming, and no less Christian for not being Mega. Reaching across the lines has its hazards and limitations. But I’d rather take the risks and the bruises than cozy up with the Republican Regular Guys, preaching to a shrinking congregation of the converted.