You knew it would have to happen: John McCain has had to apologize for the conservative radio host who introduced him and thrice used the phrase, “Barack Hussein Obama.”

Bill Cunningham, who is host of “The Big Show with Bill Cunningham,”…lambasted the national news media, drawing cheers from the audience, as being soft in their coverage of Mr. Obama compared to the Republican presidential candidates, declaring they should “peel the bark off Barack Hussein Obama.” [emphasis added]

McCain subsequently apologized for Cunningham’s implication that Obama is Muslim—and what a shame that that’s considered an insult—though Cunningham did not.

But will the Republicans start using this sleazy tactic frequently? I heard Georgia Republican Jack Kingston say it on “Real Time with Bill Maher” last week, and it was so egregious—”Barack Hussein Obama,” the congressman said, and he might as well have been saying “Barack Hitler Obama.” I wanted to hit him. Or throw something at my TV. But since it’s a brand-new, 46″ flat screen, which I bought to watch the Giants’ glorious victory over the Patriots, I restrained myself.

Anyway, might I also point out that the phrase “peel the bark off” is itself pretty disturbing. I’ve never heard it applied to a person—I’ve never really heard it applied to anything, frankly—and a quick Google search doesn’t turn much up. But when you consider the source, it’s a violent image, and the fact that bark is dark lends it racial overtones…..

You just know that if the Republicans are saying this stuff once in a while in public, they’re saying it a hell of a lot more behind closed doors……