Democratic Party view of Middle America

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080917/ap_on_el_pr/sebelius_obama_2

"I think that the notion that, 'By the way, have any of you noticed that Barack Obama is part African American?' I think that is for a number of people difficult," Sebelius said. "I think we need to talk about the fact that that is a real issue."

Are not arguments like this by Kathleen Sebelius (governor of Kansas), and other Democrats a way of saying that independent voters are racist (and anti-Muslim)? Why does the Democratic party have such a low opinion of independent voters? Why would independent voters be willing to put up with the Democratic party's constant questioning of their moral integrity?