Democratic candidate Nikki Tinker does her best Goebbels in this horrific ad versus Rep. Steve Cohen. Crazy.
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–Went to her website and sent a comment.
I almost had to take a shower after that ad though. They need to kick her out
of the party and make her go back to her real friends–the Nazis.
Hmm, it seems anti-white rather than anti-Semitic to me, but maybe I don’t know enough of the background between the candidates.
Nels… it’s anti-semitic and pathetic. Apparantly this is phase two – she hasn’t been able to campaign and run on her own merits (and get any traction) so she’s stealing (dog-earred) pages from the Rovian playbook.
Anti white? Only if all you see is Mr. Cohen and see the color of his skin. A quick perusal of the local papers and buzz on the race show that she’s been skirting around race and gaining no traction – so now she’s moved onto religion…
sad, very freakin’ sad. Also had to go and leave a message at her site.
I watched the ad again and I admit I may need the anti-Semitism spelled out for me.
It’s a majority-minority district and she says “our churches”, which suggests to me her complaint is that he’s a white guy coming into black churches, “clapping his hands and tapping his feet”. Where is there any mention of him being Jewish? How would a voter know his religion from just watching the ad?
This isn’t anti semitism! That’s a claim that Jewish candidates and supporters often throw around when they’re mad at being criticized, or just don’t like their opponent’s tactics. It’s an oft-used weapon and very potent. Hell, even I will be called anti semitic for say this. Just watch.
Of course the African-American Community in TN knows he’s Jewish.
This woman is anti-Semitic and too stupid or desperate to care that anyone gets
that she’s offensive and racist.
I don’t think the african american community gives a care that Cohen is jewish; the argument of the ad is that he is an insincere white guy in black churches.
That may know he is jewish, but it is really not a big deal, let alone a flashpoint. He could be a methodist and the ad would have the same effect to its target.
Correction: They may know he is jewish
Cohen is an awesome progressive. Tinker used to work for the odious Harold Ford, Jr. I don’t remember whether she used to be his chief of staff or if she used to run his campaigns(before he tried for the Senate).
All Things Considered spoke about this race yesterday.
Issue of Race Complicates Tenn. U.S. House Battle by Audie Cornish
All Things Considered, August 5, 2008 · Tennessee Rep. Steve Cohen faces a tough primary battle Thursday in his majority-black district based in Memphis.
The freshman congressman is up for re-election in the 9th Congressional District. The Democrat is the district’s first white congressman in more than 30 years, and he has won top ratings for his voting record from African-American groups. But this year, new factors have Memphians re-evaluating the issues of race and representation.
Late last fall, for instance, Cohen had a falling out with some Memphis preachers, who said they did not think a white congressman should be representing a majority black district.
More recently, Cohen’s rivals have dismissed some of his legislative efforts as mere pandering to black voters. They cited his failed attempt to join the Congressional Black Caucus and his successful push last week to get the U.S. House to apologize to black Americans for slavery and Jim Crow segregation.
On the other hand, the pro-choice, anti-war liberal Cohen still has a top rating from the NAACP. He is also eager to invoke the language of African-American leaders, past and present.
“People should be judged on the content of their character and their work ethic and their voting record and the issues, and not on the color of their skin,” Cohen said. “That’s what Dr. King talked about, and that is what Obama has shown that the American public has done. And Memphis shouldn’t be behind, and Memphis isn’t going to be behind.”
Cohen faces two African-American challengers — Nikki Tinker, a well-financed corporate lawyer, and State Rep. Joe Towns — in the Aug. 7 Democratic primary.
Whoever emerges as the Democratic nominee is all but guaranteed to win the House seat. No Republican challenger has filed for the November election.
FWIW, NPR asked Tinker what role race played in the campaign and she terminated the interview….
There’s an aspect of race and politics that is difficult for me to get a handle on.
I would not accuse an African American of racism for first looking to see if an African American candidate bests represents him. I would certainly look first to Jewish candidates and would never claim I wouldn’t.
Yet, in the NPR interview, there is a statement from one person that I do find troubling: “I think she can do more for me than a person of another race.” It occurs around 3:30 in the audio that you can get to from the link above.
Switch the names in the ad and replace churches with synagogues.
While Nikki Turner wants to come into “our synagogues”, clapping her hands and tapping her feet … she’s the only senator who thought our kids shouldn’t be allowed to recite the Torah in school,”
Not a perfect translation but isn’t this the same thing as the GOP saying that Kerry was going to take away their Bibles?
This is a low blow at the very least and anti- Semitic and racist at worst.
I would not accuse an African American of racism for first looking to see if an African American candidate bests represents him.
I would.
I’m still kinda ticked off that the Congressional Black Caucus wouldn’t let Cohen in, even in some kind of liaison or honorary capacity. He represents a majority African-American district. Why shouldn’t he have the opportunity to network with other lawmakers who represent majority AA districts?
What are they going to do if he gets re-elected a couple more times, continues pushing for stuff that’s right from their wish list, and asks again for some affiliation?
Heck, if I were a Congressman from a majority AA district, I’d sure ask to join the CBC.
“I would not accuse an African American of racism for first looking to see if an African American candidate bests represents him.
I would.”
Given the historical and social context, I think you are naive at best.
You are making the common mistake of confusing skin color with cultural and ethnic affinity. Black people do not prefer black representatives simply for a skin color. Blackness may be ill defined by many, but it is clear that the Black Experience is a distinct one. Thus, believing that someone from that experience can understand, sympathize, and represent one better is not racist.
White people have been doing this since forever. Why do you think a huge factor in VP picks is regional affinity?
Well, that’s racism.
“I would not accuse an African American of racism for first looking to see if an African American candidate bests represents him.
I would.”
Me too.
There is a high contrast between saying:
1) A white pol absolutely cannot represent a black district (I think this is racist)
and
2) An african american cannot “look” first at a black candidate to see if he/she best represents them (common sense, especially in the South. Context, people, context.)
“I would not accuse an African American of racism for first looking to see if an African American candidate bests represents him.”
“I would.”
“Me too.”
I don’t know. I think it is normal to think someone who shares more of your experiences would better represent you. It would be racist if race was the primary reason to pick one candidate over a more qualified / better candidate.
Ever OLBERMANN is on her sorry black ass: she was Thursday’s Worst Person in the World – and deserved it.
Why should Cohen be admitted to the Congressional Black Caucus? I agree with the CBC not allowing him in this caucus, and I’m Caucasian. Cohen isn’t African-American, it’s as simple as that.
If your decision tree begins with someone’s race, that’s screwed up. I’m not saying for me it’s not a factor, but if someone’s an ass it doesn’t matter what color they are.
I’m not sure how I feel about Cohen not being in the CBC from a historical POV, but considering what the CBC stands for nowadays that should be a badge of honor for Rep. Cohen.
My decision tree begins with someone’s background, in which race is an obvious factor; race is a factor because in our colorstruck society, people are treated differently based on how they look. It is no assumption, but a proven fact, that people who don’t share the black experience are less likely to be proponents of issues of importance to this community.
Take the home invasion of the Berwyn Heights mayor. This type of thing happens all the time in PG county. But its only an outrage when it happens to people with the right skin tone.
OW, sometimes I think your oversimplification of racism/racialism hurts your analyses.
Hey guys? What do you call it when Americans make derogatory statements about Arabs?? ANTISEMITISM!
Boy, am I sick of people always screaming this crap out. You tell black people to stop whining about slavery, which was an AMERICAN atrocity, by the way. But it’s okay for Jews to constantly play the victim?!?!? Wasn’t the holocaust in another part of the world?!?! It’s time to start telling Jewish people the same. This isn’t Germany, you know. No one is persecuting or executing Jews. Jews control most all mass-media outlets and dictate how this country runs(ISRAEL).
As for Tinker, that was a desperate, foolish move on her part. Luckily for Cohen, the black people in Memphis hate each other so much. Don’t know about you all, but when I look at Cohen I see a white guy.