Dr. David McKalip, who sent out that vile racist image of Barack Obama as a witch doctor (with a bone through his nose) to a tea party mailing list, is deeply connected with Ron Paul and his “Campaign for Liberty” organization. Here’s an article he published at their website yesterday: Campaign For Liberty — Stop Obamacare Now!   | by David McKalip, M.D.

Googling for “Dr. David McKalip ron paul” brings up hundreds more connections. He appears to be a personal friend of both Ron Paul and his son Rand. Am I surprised that Ron Paul is associated with these kinds of people? Not a bit.

And that’s not all. Dr. McKalip has also sued the state of Florida to try to get out of reporting his surgical infection rates to the state.

This guy is a real piece of work.

UPDATE at 7/24/09 10:09:31 am:

McKalip is also a member of the Association of American Physicians and Surgeons, an organization that promotes anti-vaccination craziness and Vince Foster conspiracy theories, and was involved in the fanatical efforts to keep the brain-dead Terri Schiavo on life support: CNS, Fox Business silent on controversial views of medical group. (Hat tip: Killgore.)

UPDATE at 7/24/09 10:54:42 am:

The Florida Medical Association has released a statement denouncing McKalip: FMA - Florida Medical Association.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (July 23, 2008) - 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.

This statement led to a non-apology apology from Dr. McKalip: Doctor apologizes for circulating ‘offensive’ Obama image.

ST. PETERSBURG - A prominent St. Petersburg neurosurgeon has apologized to President Barack Obama after the physician shared with fellow members of the conservative Tea Party movement an image depicting the president as an African witch doctor, dressed in a loin cloth and wearing bones in his nose.

McKalip also resigned today from the Pinellas County Medical Association, where he was to be the next president.

“The image has nothing to do with my feelings or thoughts on any race or culture,” David McKalip wrote.

“Nothing to do with” his feelings on race? So we’re supposed to believe he sent around a picture of a black president with a freaking bone through his nose — and never even noticed that it was offensively racist?

Right.