Blacks, Hispanics and Republicans

I'm shocked! Shocked! From the Washington Times:

    Despite the Democratic Party's historical ties to minorities, Capitol Hill Republicans are said to have a better reputation for hiring minorities.
    According to a running joke one House staffer shared with The Times, "the only people who hire blacks and Hispanics around here are blacks, Hispanics and Republicans."
    Rep. Gregory W. Meeks, New York Democrat and a member of the Congressional Black Caucus, did not dispute the charge.
    "I've heard it, and I've looked around and found myself scratching my head," he said. "That has been said and it is a challenge for us to make sure our numbers are better."

I'm curious to see how long the legs are on this story. Condi seems to be sucking up the oxygen with her  obvious statement that America would elect a black president, and of course all the Democrats think that means Obama. But it's a lot more interesting to note who's doing what in the ordinary course of business on the Hill.

This is a trap that Democrats have laid for themselves of course, and it should be entertaining to watch them squirm their way out of this one. I don't particularly hold nose counts as a litmus for anything, but I am suddenly very curious to see a breakdown by gender and race of all of the Congressional staffs, especially that of Senator Obama.

Anyone have data?