If you don't vote for Barack Obama.

As commenter Wulf warned us in MichaelW's disemboweling of Slate author Jacob Weisberg's similar claim, "we may as well get used to this:"

A prominent union leader on Tuesday blamed racism for Sen. Barack Obama's (D-Ill.) failure to build a big lead over GOP rival Sen. John McCain.

Gerald McEntee, president of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), said many workers are considering voting for McCain (R-Ariz.) because of his military service and status as a hero of the Vietnam War.

McEntee said several union members had approached him, saying they could not vote for Obama because of his race. He also said some local union presidents have failed to support Obama out of fear.

"There are some local union presidents that are afraid -- yes, that's the word, afraid -- to hand out literature for Barack Obama," said McEntee.

McEntee said union members need to consider Obama's voting record on labor issues, not his race.

"You can't vote for Barack Obama because he's black? That's bulls--t. Absolute bulls--t," said McEntee to a standing ovation from the crowd.

I agree with Mr. McEntee. It is BS. Obviously there are any number of reasons not to vote for Obama that have absolutely nothing to do with race - like his thin resume and liberal ideology for starters.

However, and this seems to be a building theme, it appears that Democrats are already seeking a reason to excuse an upcoming defeat. The official Democrat reason, as usual, won't have a thing to do with their message or their ideology. Nope it will be all about race.

Well here's something to remember - the right isn't going to vote for Obama whether he's white, black or purple. He's not their candidate.

So if Barack Obama loses because of his race, it will be because those Democrat voters - that's right, Democrat voters - who find his race problematic above all else didn't vote for him. Is that the BS that Mr. McEntee is talking about?

[Crossposted at QandO]