Ian, your post reminds me of an incident a couple of years ago: A journalist — BuzzFeed, WNYC (the National Public Radio outlet in New York City) — called Senator Cruz a “LINO,” meaning “Latino in Name Only.” This, among other things, prompted an essay by me in the magazine: “Uncles, Fruits, and Nuts: A look at some American slurs.”
A quick excerpt:
Cruz is half Cuban, true. His father was a refugee. The senator makes no bones about this. In fact, he emphasizes it, when the occasion warrants. But he is also a conservative, and as American as apple pie — or as Texan as a steak. And this, the racialists can’t stand.
Nope.
P.S. I think that Mark Halperin was fairly innocent in his interview — the questions did not come off as he intended — and that Ted rolled with the interview beautifully.