It goes without saying that when your enemies are gunning for you, don’t hand them a loaded gun. Yet that’s precisely what U.S. Sen. Harry Reid may have inadvertently done, if the revelation in a new book is accurate. According to a story posted on The Atlantic website, Reid had this to say about then-fellow Sen. Barack Obama:

He [Reid] was wowed by Obama’s oratorical gifts and believed that the country was ready to embrace a black presidential candidate, especially one such as Obama — a “light-skinned” African American “with no Negro dialect, unless he wanted to have one,” as he said privately. Reid was convinced, in fact, that Obama’s race would help him more than hurt him in a bid for the Democratic nomination.

Not only is the language offensive, but the quote seems to portray Reid as thinking of Obama’s race only in political terms, with a healthy dose of contempt for the American voter thrown in for good measure. Voters would be more willing to accept a black candidate if he’s not-so-black in appearance or speaking? Ouch. Plus, it’s clear that Reid, 70, is unaware of the passing into history of the term “Negro.”

Reid didn’t deny he’d made the remarks, which come in a new book, Game Change, by journalists John Heilemann and Mark Halperin. Instead, he immediately apologized for them in a statement:

I deeply regret using such a poor choice of words. I sincerely apologize for offending any and all Americans, especially African-Americans, for my improper comments. I was a proud and enthusiastic supporter of Barack Obama during the campaign and have worked as hard as I can to advance President Obama’s legislative agenda. Moreover, throughout my career, from efforts to integrate the Las Vegas Strip and the gaming industry to opposing racial judges and promoting diversity in the Senate, I have worked hard to advance issues important to the African American community.

Nobody, however, is saying Reid is a racist. (The charge was raised after Reid objected to the seating of now-U.S. Sen. Roland Burris, but Reid had reasons aplenty to object to that appointment at the time.) What people may be saying after this revelation is that Reid is a cynic, acutely conscious of race and willing to use it as a political advantage when he can.

The timing of the revelations is bad, too: Next week, political operative Donna Brazile is scheduled to be in town for an event sponsored by African-Americans for Reid, one of several interest-specific caucuses formed to support the senator. We’re told today that the Brazile event is still on.

The Reid camp spin is that, while the senator expressed himself poorly, he was ultimately right: The nation was ready for a black president, and Obama did have impressive oratorical skills. There’s no denying either point. (Reid’s private and early backing of Obama while staying neutral publicly until the primary for the supposed benefit of other would-be presidents in his Senate caucus, including Joe Biden, Chris Dodd and Hillary Clinton, is another matter.)

But there’s also no denying that, in matters of race, the way a person expresses himself is as important as what he’s saying. And that, perhaps ironically, goes double for those who offer themselves as members of a party supportive of equal rights.

The question now is, will this revelation kill the Reid campaign, or simply be added to the long list of things Reid has said that he undoubtedly wishes he could erase from the public record? We’ll bet he stays in the race, but we’ll also bet he will see that material again. And again. And again.

UPDATE: As if to prove us right, Reid opponent Danny Tarkanian wins the first-to-slam sweepstakes, putting out a statement moments ago attacking Reid for his remarks and comparing him to Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, who called Obama “tanned” shortly after Obama’s election.

Here’s the statement:

A few weeks ago, Harry Reid compared his health care opponents to slavery defenders. Now he’s talking about our president’s ‘light skin’ and ‘Negro dialect.’ He disgraces himself almost monthly with some disparaging remark about his constituents, political opponents or now the president.

I notice he’s apologized already for these remarks, but we’re still waiting for his apology to the majority of Nevadans who oppose his health care plan.

Harry Reid isn’t just America’s most vulnerable senator — as he demonstrated daily, he’s also its most embarrassing.

UPDATE 2: The Republican National Senatorial Committee wasn’t too far behind Tarkanian. Here’s the group’s take, via Communications Director Brian Walsh:

For those who hope to one day live in a color-blind nation it appears Harry Reid is more than a few steps behind them. Unfortunately, this is just the latest in a long history of embarrassing and controversial remarks by the senior Senator from Nevada. He always shares exactly what’s on his mind with little regard to perception or consequences, and it’s one of the reasons he is the most vulnerable incumbent Senator in either party facing re-election.

Nevada deserves better from its leaders and this November, voters in the Silver State will have an opportunity to elect a new senator who will put their views and values first and foremost. In the meantime, we hope Reid’s fellow Democrats in the Senate and on the campaign trail will stand up and rightly condemn these racially insensitive remarks by their elected leader.

Ouch, baby. Just in case reporters didn’t get it before, they will now, sure to ask Senate candidates elsewhere, “Do you repudiate Harry Reid’s remarks about President Obama?” This has the consequence of reinforcing the central perception that Reid is apt to speak without thinking (most kind interpretation) or that he harbors racist thoughts (least kind interpretation) without a pause to focus on Reid’s actual remarks or his attempt to explain them.

UPDATE 3: Reid called President Obama to apologize for his remarks, and Obama has accepted that apology, according to the Washington Post’s Chris Cillizza. “I accepted Harry’s apology without question because I’ve known him for years, I’ve seen the passionate leadership he’s shown on issues of social justice and I know what’s in his heart,” said Obama. “As far as I am concerned, the book is closed.” Yes, Mr. President, but as far as the Republicans are concerned, Reid is an open book, and it’s not How to Win Friends and Influence People.

UPDATE 4: State Sen. Steven Horsford added his voice to the controversy today, too. Here’s what he had to say:

While I am disappointed in Senator Reid’s comment and choice of words, I accept his apology. I have known Senator Reid for many years and he has consistently been supportive of advancing the interests of the African-American community as he has for all Nevadans and all Americans.

I have known Harry Reid for many years — he is a good man.  I know Senator Reid’s character and I know, now more than ever, why his leadership is needed in Washington.   No one is more qualified to ensure the President is successful in helping this country recover from this economic recession.

UPDATE 5: And the Rev. Al Sharpton:

I have learned of certain unfortunate comments made by Senator Reid regarding President Barack Obama and have spoken with Senator Reid about those comments. While there is no question that Senator Reid did not select the best word choice in this instance, these comments should not distract America from its continued focus on securing health care or creating jobs for its people. Nor should they detract from the unquestionable leadership role Senator Reid has played on these issues or in the area of civil rights. Senator Reid’s door has always been open on hearing from the civil rights community on these issues and I look forward to continue to work with Senator Reid wherever possible to improve the lives of Americans everywhere.

(Notice Sharpton, like Reid, does not address the thoughts behind the poor word choice; that is the real issue here, no matter how much the Reid camp wishes it were otherwise. But having Sharpton in your corner on this is not at all a bad thing. Rev. Jackson, what have you to say…?)

UPDATE 6: And this, from House Majority Whip James Clyburn, who just happens to be a Democrat and black:

Senator Reid should be judged by his record which includes his efforts to promote diversity in the Senate, respond to issues of importance to the African-American community and advance President Obama’s agenda.

I am one of ‘those who wish to one day live in a color-blind nation,’ but the fact is that none of us do today. Senator Reid’s apology for his private assessment of President Obama’s candidacy should be accepted and our time and energy should be devoted to helping him overcome current obstacles to job creation, health care reform and energy independence.

We hate to be the cynical ones here, but we wonder if, perhaps, the speaker had been, say, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell or House Minority Leader John Boehner, would Sharpton and Clyburn be so conciliatory?

UPDATE 7: Well, that tears it. Reid-hater and Review-Journal Publisher Sherm Frederick just posted an update on his blog in which he vouches for Reid as not being a racist. Guess that makes it unanimous?