As of late, our United States Attorney General the Honorable Eric Holder, has had a lot on his plate–most recently the House of Representatives contempt vote over the “Fast and Furious” strategy. I would imagine he is feeling just a little bit of pressure being the first US attorney general being held in contempt of Congress. And, as we have seen from him and others, when that intensity picks up and backs are against the wall, it is no time for passive poker play–you have got to go “all in”.

So, with palms profusely sweaty, knees unbearably weak and arms oppressively heavy, Nancy Pelosi and others on Holder’s behalf, played the last and only card left…their trump card…the omnipotent race card.

The trick with the race card is that (usually) the only way for it to work, is if it looks like it’s not being played. However, once you have gotten that sleight of hand figured out, you are golden–you simply have to let the pungent stench of racism fester and do its work.

Take for example, Exhibit A, Nancy Pelosi, who utilizes the “slip and slide” technique. This style focuses on discussing one issue, slipping in an obfuscating point and then proceeding to slide out without anyone noticing. She boldly proclaimed that Holder’s contempt of Congress charge was solely “to undermine the person who is assigned to stop the voter suppression in our country. I’m telling you, this is connected. It is no accident. It is a decision and it is as clear as can be…This is no accident. It is no coincidence. It is a plan on the part of the Republicans.”

Next, we have Exhibit B, Charles Rangel. In this example, Rangel uses the “pre-denial preface.” This involves issuing a premature denial about the essence of the discussion and then immediately reneging (the key is the “but”). “Our special interest in this is not one of color, but one of saying that not enough is being done now in this country about what is happening in swing states.”

Finally, Exhibit C, Eric Holder. Sometimes it’s better to not beat around the bush. Here, we have the “dare-declaration.” This involves boldly laying a charge of racism and daring everyone to question you on it. Holder stated last year that this criticism against him “is a way to get at the president because of the way I can be identified with him. Both due to the nature of our relationship and, you know, the fact that we’re both African-American.”

And here we have it. A textbook approach to dummying down or convoluting an issue. These individuals should be praised because this is more than just using racially charged rhetoric to advance a personal agenda. This is more than taking advantage of the minority and non-minority alike. It is beyond blatant disrespect and a lack of character–this is political theater at its finest.