United States Representative Doug Lamborn (R Colo.) recently appeared on a local talk radio show. He was there to discuss doing work with Obama, the economy and the debt ceiling debates. Lamborn used an expression to describe the president which might found racially unpleasant. Source for this article - Congressman calls Obama derogatory name by Newsytype.com.

Seemingly racial comment made
Rep. Lamborn explained that he does not want to be associated with the administration anymore on top of how displeased he is with the president on the "Capils and Silverman" radio talk show.

    "Even if some people say the Republicans should have done this or that,' they will hold the President responsible," said Lamborn. "I don't even want to have to be associated with him. It's like touching a tar baby. You're stuck, and you're a part of the problem now and you can't get away. I don't want that to happen to us, but even if it does, he'll still get the blame because his policies will have failed the American people."

Uncle Remus stories
Joel Chandler Harris wrote the Uncle Remus stories in 1881. This is where "tar baby" comes from initially. The term is considered by Merriam-Webster's dictionary as "something from which it is almost impossible to extricate oneself." It isn't a good term though. Now, African-Americans are offended by it.

Others have said it
The expression has been used by Tony Snow, John McCain and Mitt Romney. They have all publicly apologized for it.

Conservative Lamborn
Lamborn was ranked the "most conservative" member of the United States House of Representatives by the National Journal in 2010. He was very pleased by the distinction.

    "I've been called a lot of things over the years while serving in public office, but to be called the 'most conservative member of Congress' is a distinct honor."

Articles cited

Huffington Post: -http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/08/01/doug-lamborn-colorado-con_n_915382.html

Colorado Gazette: -http://www.gazette.com/articles/lamborn-122455-obama-rep.html

Gawker: -http://gawker.com/5826656/republican-working-with-obama-like-touching-a-tar-baby