Pinellas County Commissioner Ken Welch, an African-American Democrat, says he has been getting unsolicited e-mail from the National Black Republican Association for months. He has dismissed the missives, he said, but a recent e-mail has drawn a response.

The NBRA e-mail charges Sen. Barack Obama's camp with tossing a "racial firebomb." The group is referring to comments by Rep. John Lewis, an Obama supporter. Recently, Lewis accused Sen. John McCain and Gov. Sarah Palin of creating an environment of "hatred and division," linking them to segregationist George Wallace.

The NBRA, which is based in Sarasota, called the comments "a blatant attempt to intimidate average Americans into voting for Sen. Barack Obama who is a far left-wing radical socialist, or risk being called a racist."

Welch said he was disgusted by the group's conclusions, and offered the following response to the NBRA, which he also shared with Bay Buzz: "Please remove me from your e-mail list. Your blatant attacks on Senator Obama are shameful and without honor. As are you."

-- Will Van Sant, Times staff writer

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