A reporter for the Tallahassee Democrat was forced to leave a McCain event, and since he’s black the accusations of racism have already begun.

“I explained I was with the state press, but the Secret Service man said that didn’t matter and that I would have to go,” Price said.

When another reporter asked why Price was being removed, she too was led out of the area. Other state reporters remained.

Jonathan Block does advance work for McCain’s campaign. He was in Panama City on Friday but was not present when reporter Stephen Price was asked to move from a restricted area.

“Access to the senator is tightly controlled,” Block said. “I would first express regret that your reporter was moved, and I can tell you beyond a shadow of a doubt that race had nothing to do with it.”

Tallahassee Democrat Executive Editor Bob Gabordi said the incident was unwarranted.

“We’re deeply concerned and disturbed that our reporter — of all of those in that area — was asked to move,” Gabordi said. “My understanding is that Stephen was the only reporter approached and asked to leave the area, and the only reporter in that area who is black. Another reporter who stood up for Stephen was then asked to leave.”

So who exactly is the alleged racist? The same security organization that protects the first black black candidate for president with their lives? Or the campaign dedicated to electing a guy who has a Bangladeshi daughter? That’s what I can’t stand. It’s automatically assumed that the reason for his removal was that he is black — not that he was removed and happened to be black.

So why was he removed? Any multitude of reasons. If his credentials weren’t visible enough, whether he had a bag, or if the USSS didn’t like where he was standing. A McCain advance guy says Price was standing in the wrong place and all of the local press was supposed to move.