Richie, what I said in my post was "Lots and lots of the statements will stay with the candidate even though it may not true. Some is due to the stupidity of the candidate - such as the rock with the N-word on Perry's hunting lodge. Why couldn't that have just been buried or broken up years ago instead of just turned over? Even though Perry had nothing to do with it, that stain will stay with him.

It is a mistake to mention race in a campaign because some will take it as a slur no matter what was said. It is a lose-lose situation.

Same thing goes for gay and lesbian issues. No matter what is said, someone will take offense to it."

These incidents were about the Republican candidates and therefore, the Republican electorate was the target. It was not for the Democrats - but Democrats are not immune from this 30 second sound bite campaigning by any means.

The Republican candidates are aiming for those Republican voters who are shallow and ill-informed - since Democrat voters cannot vote in Republican primaries.