Stimulus Opposition Backlash

The highest ranking black congressman isn't happy with the Southern GOP Governors who say they might not take the stimulus money...but one of those governors says he's "playing the race card". I wonder. Is it ever possible to mention potential racial motivation without having that allegation thrown at you? Is it always playing the race card if there may in fact be a racial motivation? And just exactly whatdo folks mean when they use that phrase anwyay?