Yahoo News' Washington bureau chief fired after saying: "[Republicans] are happy to have a party with black people drowning"

Yahoo News' Washington bureau chief David Chalian was fired after attacking Republicans as being racist.  What is interesting to me is not just that he had been bureau chief for Yahoo.  Before that he worked as political director at "PBS NewsHour" and before that worked at ABC News. Is it believable that he kept such intense political views to himself?  If not, why was he employed in such important positions at major news outlets?

. . . . The comment was made by David Chalian during live coverage of the Republican National Convention in Tampa, and was an apparent reference to the convention getting underway while a tropical storm-turned-hurricane barreled toward the Gulf Coast.  

"They are happy to have a party with black people drowning," said a voice off-camera, later identified as Chalian, as video of the Romneys played on screen. Other people could be heard laughing at the comment.  

A Yahoo! spokesperson confirmed to FoxNews.com that Chalian was let go, and said the company has apologized to Romney and his staff.  

"David Chalian's statement was inappropriate and does not represent the views of Yahoo!. He has been terminated effective immediately. We have already reached out to the Romney campaign, and we apologize to Mitt Romney, his staff, their supporters and anyone who was offended," the spokesperson said in a statement. . . .