A lot, if not most, of Republicans/Conservatives are not racist at all. Many of them may even be people of color themselves! However, they do understand that the GOP needs racists and white supremacists for support--their money and their votes.

Actually, I'd rather deal with the bigots. They can always be educated, or persuaded to change their minds. Their beliefs may be perverse or repulsive, certainly mistaken, but at least they are sincere. But for those who are not personally bigoted, but feel the need to pander to those who are for economic or ideological reasons; well, there is no way to reason with them. You can deal with error, but deliberate hypocrisy is something else again.

The sanctimonius Right makes a big deal of indignantly protesting when accused of racism, especially if they've convinced themselves they are not. It gives them a little comfort, they don't have to come to terms with the fact that their ideological preferences are not dictated by ignorance and fear, but by simple greed.