The fallout continues from the story broken by Talking Points Memo about prominent St. Petersburg doctor David McKalip forwarding an image depicting Barack Obama as a witch doctor. McKalip is president-elect of the Pinellas Medical Association and on the board of the Florida Medical Association, which slapped him hard with the following statement:

"The Florida Medical Association is an organization with a zero-tolerance for racist or discriminatory behavior. As such, we do not condone the circulation of what has been described by the press as a racist depiction of President Obama by David McKalip, MD.Dr. McKalip’s actions do not in anyway reflect the positions, attitudes or culture of the Florida Medical Association.

The Florida Medical Association finds the actions by Dr. McKalip to be hurtful and in poor judgment. Further, we find his actions disrespectful to President Obama and the Office of the President. The Florida Medical Association is disappointed by Dr. McKalip’s actions and urges Dr. McKalip  to extend President Obama an apology for this egregious deed."

McKalip did indeed issue an apology to President Obama: “I genuinely regret the decision I made in passing this e-mail message along.Directly to President Obama, I sincerely apologize for offending him.This was,in no way whatsoever, my intention. The image has nothing to do with my feelings or thoughts on any race or culture. I recognize that this image is offensive and hope that the nation refocuses on assuring all Americans have access to high-quality, affordable health care with no party interfering in the patient-physician elationship. My intention is to focus directly on the issue at hand, which is putting financial and decision-making power into the hands of patients and taking it from government and insurance companies."

State Rep Darryl Rouson also e-mailed us:"Can you imagine the pinellas county incoming medical association president....this is absolutely terrible. I am immediately calling for his resignation and for the FMA to right now distance themselves from this outrageous act."