Scuffle over Trump's 'racist' tweet reflects shifting views among parties

To the left, calling out racism is a step toward eradicating the problem. To the right, the term is being flung around recklessly.

Dear reader:

It is against the rules of the House of Representatives to call the president of the United States a racist.

Or rather, it’s a violation of a “precedential ruling of the chair,” based on guidelines laid out by Thomas Jefferson, which have evolved over time to read that “personal abuse, innuendo, or ridicule of the president is not permitted.”

This led to a fracas...