KKK Ad Runner Loses TN Primary In Landslide

Being linked to "big oil" turned into a big problem for Tennessee Republican freshman Rep. David Davis, who became the first congressman from that state to lose in a primary in more than four decades. ...

Meanwhile, in the 9th District, in Memphis, a racially charged Democratic primary ended with an incumbent congressman trouncing the opponent who ran an ad linking him to the Ku Klux Klan.

Unofficial results showed Democrat Steve Cohen with 79 percent of the vote to 19 percent for Nikki Tinker, a black corporate lawyer who was his chief opponent in the district that covers Memphis, with all precincts reporting.

Cohen is the first white congressman from Memphis in more than three decades and one of only two white congressmen representing a majority black district.

"The results are pretty clear," Cohen told cheering supporters at a victory party. "I'm here to report that Tennessee and Tennessee (District) 9 voted firmly for the post-racial politics that has carried a new generation to power."

The campaign turned ugly in its final days, when Tinker ran a television ad juxtaposing photos of Cohen, who is Jewish, and a hooded Ku Klux Klan member. Tinker's supporters argued the district, which is 60 percent black and 35 percent white, should be represented by a black candidate. Cohen, a former state senator, has a long record as a civil rights supporter.

Tinker said her ad linking Cohen to the KKK for opposing a 2005 effort to remove a statue of Confederate Gen. Nathan Bedford Forrest from a downtown park "merely states the facts. I think the nation needs to know Steve Cohen's complete record."

But the ad drew condemnation Thursday from Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama. It juxtaposed pictures of a statue of Forrest, an early leader of the KKK, and a hooded Klansman in front of a burning cross while asking, "Who is the real Steve Cohen?"

Read the whole story here.

Comments

[Seattlelite]

Months ago there was much discussion on this site regarding O's over whelming support among AA's. It was implied by many that this should be no surprise. To which I argued, if this where true why is it Jessie Jack and Al didn't get nearly the same amount of support from AA's. ----- AA's don't just vote for the "black" candidate.

[kamenwati]

Congrats to Cohen on his campaign and to his constituents who recognize the difference between a charlatan and a real leader.

[jgalvan]

Isn't it refreshing too see how educated voters are getting about politics and how this Presidential Election by Barak Obama has bought civility back to this process. Little Miss KKK has learned that negative campaigning does not work when the voters look for leaders that make a break from politics as usual.

[Dkintaudi]

LOL...didn't work for Harold Ford:). If Niki would have played it right, she would have had a black woman ask Cohen to call her :). However, blacks are usually above that type of nonsense.

[CarolinaObserver]

says who...this article is an example of who they're not (if we're going to stereotype)

[AzRealProgressive]

See mayor of Detroit.

[youndandconscious]

she should have never used the race card, when it wasnt necessary....

[gaebolgaes]

what...a person of color dared run for political office in tennesseee after what happened to ford? she must really have a pair.

[Seattlelite]

What she did is worst than playing the race card!

[AFPISCES]

What else would you expect from a hood rat?

[vshdst]

takes one to know one...

"hood rat?"

[Ides]

Stop calling it the "race card." It was character assassination.

[AzRealProgressive]

Race card plain and simple

[frankel1205]

I live in Congressman Cohen's district. He is a wonderful representative who is fair, smart, hardworking, and color blind. He has worked tirelessly for three decades for civil rights and helping the poor and underprivileged in Memphis. He is Jewish and has suffered in his own life from hateful bigotry and discrimination, especially from Christian fundamentalists in the community. Congressman Cohen was endorsed by one of the icons of the Civil Rights movement, Maxine Smith. For Nikki Tinker to accuse Steve Cohen of being a KKK sympathizer is despicable and outrageous.
Ms. Tinker, in fact, was bankrolled by the CEO of Pinnacle Airlines. They intended to send her to Washington to do their bidding and help get them some sweet government deals. She needs to pack her bags and get the hell out of here, for the city of Memphis has proven it will not tolerate this sort of disgusting race baiting game Nikki Tinker played. Memphis, TN has black people who will not support black candidates who are racists. Memphis, TN has white people who will not support white candidates who are racists. We are sick of the slimy evil racial politics of the past. We are transcending racial politics, Ms. Tinker. Take your sick pursuits elsewhere and good riddance!

[Seattlelite]

WV and KT should take some lessons from Memphis.

[mesmerize]

Thank you. This is why we shouldn't link the actions of others upon soneone else.

[ashabot]

That is so refreshing. Yay for the city of Memphis and the great state of Tennessee.

[robiform]

So very well said, and I'd like to congratulate the Democratic voters of Tennessee's 9th congressional district for being conscientious citizens and choosing the best person to represent them. Let's hope that this is a good omen for November!

[Americatortures]

Very nice words...lets get Harold Ford,the nation's best and most articulate politician, elected to the Senate....soon!!

[AzRealProgressive]

I would consider voting for him. He certainly is articulate.

[Reaganwater]

Regardless of the race ,gender or party affiliation of either candidate or of any particular voter.......THANK YOU ! to the primary voters of Tennessee !
You have made a small but significant improvement in our country -- all in one day !

...and to those misguided souls who say their vote doesn't count or make a difference - Wrong ! AGAIN !!

[Chavez08]

The last thing this country needs, especially now) is a corporate attorney getting a congressional seat. I am continually disappointed watching black politicians sell out their constituency to corporate America once they get inside the circle.

That ad was the lowest I've seen in a long time.

(....though she is pretty easy on the eyes......)

[Scarllatti]

You are absolutely right. As an independent, this is exactly why I have decided to hang my hopes and aspirations for this country on Democrats. Remember that our sister HRC got a little bit of this treatment/rejection by Democrats (real ones, not the puma bigots) in the polls during the primaries when she ran that scorched-earth campaign against Obama.
Republicans need to take some civic lessons from Democrats. In the GOP, the more dirty and mean you are, the more votes you get. That explains why John McCain has abandoned decorum and is clowning while claiming that he is running a campaign. He will be dealt a deadly blow at the polls just as this race-baiter Nikki was.

[AFPISCES]

Until she opens her mouth....

[AzRealProgressive]

For another version of low, check out the Detroit mayor, or if you like John Edwards today. All three are competing for a new low.

[Bobleblah1]

While I dont think this Tinker lady deserved to win her seat, I also dont understand why Sen Obama
decided to stick his nose into that race. Now that I'm thinking about it, I cant name one black
legislator Obama has endorsed or helped in any public way.

I prefer Obama to win also, but I don't fully know that I trust him.
There are too many things that I have noticed since Sen Clinton dropped out that give me serious pause.
It seems the only time Sen Obama talks to or about the Black community is from a vantage point of condescension. Sen Obama bends over backward to kiss every other groups ass, and its starting to seem like a miracle if he even mentions black folks, let alone in any positive way.
For all you on the Obama magical mystery tour, sorry if my observation hurts your feelings, but
its starting to really piss me off, and if I'm noticing this pattern, you better believe many others are noticing as well.

Now Huffpo go ahead and block my post so that I know not to waste any time here.

[lapinbrim]

Not having studied Obama's track record, regarding his endorsements, I can't comment on your observation about his lack of endorsements for black candidates. That said, I think his stepping in to repudiate comparing Choen (who is Jewish) to the KKK, is spot on. I'm also unaware of Choen's effectiveness in support his constituents, but unless he was a complete disaster, how could Obama not align himself with Cohen, in light of such an offensive political ad by Cohen's opponent.

On the larger playing field, I hope the national media picka this story up and usea it to point out that blacks do not automatically, and unquestioningly, support other blacks. Here is a clear example of blacks rejecting the candidate that employed Rovian tactics to win a campaign.

Yet another example of America moving in the right direction. The pigment in one's skin should not be the only determinant of how one votes. We need more examples of this; it really is time to move on.

[mesmerize]

The one thing you do control is your vote. Senator Obama is not your choice and people should respect that. Have a nice day.

[lady49]

Maybe...because he was "ASKED" BY THE PRESS what his opinion was... Ya think?????

Let's see I believe Harold Ford, Jr, Jesse Jackon, Jr and Govenor Patrick Duval (one of his national campaign chairs).......

WOULD ABSOLUTELY DISAGREE WITH YOU!!!!

If Senator Obama didn't care.. why did he fight so hard as an Illinois Senator to pass legislation that REQUIRED "TELEVISED INTERROGATIONS of our brothers , completely reducing the number of injuries and brutality against those arrested?

As he tries to move this legaslation forward , guess who one of his biggest opponents is???
You guessd it.......
So, unless you are a Repub imposter( we're not concerned about the right winged extremeists).... you should spend a lot more time learning your facts....
Besides, Senator Obama is a "CIVIL RIGHTS LAWYER" HAVING GRADUATED FROM ONE OF THE FINEST INSTIUTIONS IN THE NATION!!!

Grow up...
then
Read up...
so that you can
KEEP UP!

[Grunty1]

He "stuck his nose in" because the ad was disgusting. If the situations were reversed, with the white man paying for the disgusting race-based ad, I would expect Ob'ama to step in just the same.

[Triciann]

Obama is running for POTUS. His background makes him perfect when it comes to race. So, sorry when he sees something in the Black community which needs addressing he'll say so even when that means criticizing Blacks. Remember a lot of the problems faced by working class Blacks are shared by working class Americans of all races, so he's not ignoring you just not making a point of setting you apart.

[true2me]

we can hope that RNC ie: McCain/Rove campaign, will find a similar outcome in the Presidential election; distortion of truth and outright lying about your opposition just doesn't work!! thank God those voters found a way to say 'no more'!!

[poco767b]

Well here career is over, at least with the Democrats.

[kimbari]

""Tinker's supporters argued the district, which is 60 percent black and 35 percent white, should be represented by a black candidate. ""



That's total boolsheet. The people should be represented by the best person for the job. I'm glad to see Americans are getting beyond this kind of thinking.

I'm black and I approve this message.

[speedy2009]

She should have learned from the #1 minority politician today. Tell people what you are for, inspire them to work with you to bring about the change, leadership they deserve and hopefully follow-up with action. I hope this is the future of campaigning

[rose london]

Thank you for making sure Nikki does'nt win. I have worked for JewishCare Org in the past, and I can assure you that they are the best employer. My wish is for other org to emulate them.
As for Nikki, she deserve loosing. PERIOD. I also thank Obama for speaking out against this form of divisive, hatred way of campaining, it just shows that Obama's Presidency would enabled all of us to bring the best out in Us. To try as much as we can to be collective in our aim of bringing Peace, Love, Unity and progress. In our way of thinking and in doing. No time dwelling on the Past.. WE are much better as Humans to look past what divide us. I believe God created us in different forms, shades and makes, to beautify, and to give us a clue about what and who he is and what he expected us to be. Just look around you and see other things he created, He created the plants and animal different shades and forms. God never intended to create everything the same, animals, plants e.t.c. Humans, Plants and Animals for us to enjoy and be filled and not hunger. God's intension is for us all to ABIDE. And as I have said in my past post----Run from any church or religiious houses that preaches HATRED. They are fakes. Only for themselves. Live in PEACE, FUELLED with LOVE and UNITY.

[Scarllatti]

AMEN and AMEN!!

[Benton]

No only has she lost a campaign she has disgraced herself. She is unfit to lead anybody. As a black man I cringed when I found out what she was doing. If you cannot win on the merits you do not deserve to win.

[Scarllatti]

AMEN.

[Coinyer101]

race has no place in this race.....i should be a poet?......maybe not...