What's controversial about saying the Republicans & their Tea Party allies are racist?

I'm sure you have already heard that NPR CEO & President Vivian Schiller has resigned following the resignation of NPR Senior VP for Fundraising Ron Schiller (no relation) due to "controversial" comments he made:

Tea Party people aren't "just Islamaphobic, but really xenophobic, I mean basically they are, they believe in sort of white, middle-America gun-toting. I mean, it's scary. They're seriously racist, racist people."

What I don't understand is why telling the truth is controversial.

http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2011/03/09/134358398/in-video-npr-exec-slams-tea-party-questions-need-for-federal-funds

Republican responses to Obama budget

Well I guess the GOP memo went out this morning. Here are some prominent Republicans responding to Obama's budget. I always admire right-wing original thinking

House Budget chair Paul Ryan: "In this critical test of leadership, the President has failed to tackle the urgent fiscal and economic threats before us."

Republican Study Committee chair Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH): "The President failed a crucial test of leadership by ignoring the need for reforms that will preserve Medicare and Social Security for future generations."

Sen. Bob Corker (R-Tenn): "The president has missed an opportunity to show real leadership on the number one issue threatening our country's future. Getting spending under control and reducing our deficit will be difficult without presidential leadership."

Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX): "President Obama's timid budget proposal represents a missed opportunity to lead."