If FORD WINS, can he stop pretending there's NO RACISM factor in contest.

[Sensitivity]

Harold Ford is doing an amazing job staying above the
fray of racial tensions in his fight.

BUT THE RACE-BASED SOUTHERN STRATEGY IS LIKE AN ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM.

I don't mind Ford being for guns and pro-life.

But, can he continue to pretend that Tenneseeans are all
"wonderful people," given the history of bigotry, prejudice, and lynching of
black men who smile an white women.


Denial of the "race factor" sure seems dishonest to me for the "Christian man" he claims to be.

[LSparkle]

1. I'd hope that this race (ha!) will have opened his eyes to that

It's kind of "untoward" to bring it up during an election, but I think it'd be perfectly acceptable for him to admit that that racist ad might have affected the final tally, and that we need to face up to the fact that racism still exists, especially in some corners of the south.

[Dob Bole]

5. "Some corners of the South"...

While the South had institutional racism at one time, racism is not confined to the South. Ask Indiana or 'Illinois Nazis.' Georgia actually has 3 black Democrats holding statewide office. George Allen dropped 30+ points in Virginia because of his 'Macaca' statement. And the 10 most segregated cities in the U.S. are not in the South. My congressman who is winning reelection today, in rural Georgia, is black. (But I digress...Mississippi is still racist and I mock them)

P.S.- You know, it's raining in the eastern corner of Tennessee today. And that's the Republican one.

[LSparkle]

8. Corners of the north, south, east and west

It's everywhere but no one wants to acknowledge it (like the crazy aunt in the attic). This seems to be especially true in the south -- everyone loves to talk about how much progress we've made but people shy away from facing the fact that prejudices remain.

[Sensitivity]

11. Hope Ford can turn out a massive BLACK VOTE (!) and win.

[cautiouslywaiting]

2. I'll say it again

I'm really tired of people on DU acting like all southerners are racist. It's annoying and it explains why southerners don't want to vote D. If I were calling you names, it probably wouldn't inspire me to vote for you.

[politicasista]

4. I saw Harold campaigning in rural TN

He drew a huge crowd from both races. Though I may not like that they vote GOP, not every southerner is racist as many here think.

[cautiouslywaiting]

6. Thank you

That was my only point. Of course there are some racists but I'm really tired of the threads around here about "racist southerners."

[Sensitivity]

7. I agree. Not just a Southern issue and there is progress everywhere. But to deny

the logic of the "appeal to racism" in the campaign may
be smart, but does not seem honest.

[nashville_brook]

10. as the center of the focus, southerners have "dealt" with racism publically

since the civil rights era. i wonder if northern areas benefitted as much from the era without the scrutiny.

[Jamastiene]

14. I don't think the OP means all southerners.

Most everyone knows we are not ALL racist in the south. It's just that there are still so many high profile racists in the south that make the news more often. If we can't stick together, will a win really mean anything? I really don't think the OP was implying that we are all racist. Relax.

[Sensitivity]

15. Thanks. Just a sub-culture. But the "Call Me" trick may work esp. well down South

I could be wrong. I hope so.

[nashville_brook]

3. what my attorney said this morning...

"most people wouldn't know he's black if it weren't for those ads... going by his picture, he doesn't appear black. his opponent has darker skin."

made me laugh.

silliness aside... i don't think race is an ORGANIC issue in this race. i think it's been used by the R'thugs. i just don't buy the idea that middle to west TN is old-style racist.

EAST TN -- 'nother story.
:evilgrin:

[Sensitivity]

9. Ford dipped down when Folks started seeing the "tanned guy" was "Black"

[warrens]

12. If he had said it was racist

He'd be called a crybaby for the rest of his life. Give the guy a break, eh?

[Sensitivity]

13. I said after "he wins," can he tell the truth.