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History teaches us that, whatever we say, racists will always distort the words of mainstream politicians to make themselves sound more respectable.

Let's be very honest about what this is about. It's not about bashing Democrats, it's not about taxes, they have no idea what the Boston tea party was about, they don't know their history at all. This is about hating a black man in the White House. This is racism straight up.

The only way that residual racist feelings could affect legislation, in my opinion, is through a lack of priorities, from not doing things.

The harshness and choice of words can cut deeply. Republicans need to show compassion and to be reasonable when talking to any ethnic group.

The fact that hardly anyone is ever prepared to admit to racist behaviour is perhaps a sort of strength: it speaks to the fact that racism is socially inadmissible.

No day passes without a Democratic politician, a left-wing commentator, or, if I may be excused a redundancy, a left-wing academic labeling Republicans and conservatives racist.

It's pretty awful being told you're a racist.

I injured myself politically when I took on Jesse Jackson' in the 1988 presidential campaign. I was too strident. I didn't recognize the emotional tie that he had with all black voters.

I - listen, racism - being a racist is the worst thing you can say about somebody. I mean, it is such a charged accusation. And I really think people should be very careful before they level that.

Race prejudice can't be talked down, it must be lived down.