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

[gingerspice108]

I am a black woman and I am utterly disgusted by the tactic Nikki used. She disgraced herself and needs to apologize for that crap.

[Georgianna]

Great to hear. Race baiting has no place in politics. This nation needs to heal.

[Americatortures]

Tell McCain AND Clinton campaigns about it!!

[BEHM777]

After what happened to Harold Ford, Jr., she should have had the common sense AND decency not to try to pull that kind of stunt. I can't speak for the good people of Tennessee, but I recoil more from racism FROM Blacks because I figure that WE SHOULD KNOW BETTER.

We expect a certain racist element to raise its head--it is a part of what America is, like it or not. However, Black Americans, having been savaged by racism, should be the absolute last folk to be purveyors and supporters of it.

You don't go around spitting on people because you have been spit on. You clean yourself off and resolve to help create a society in which spitting on others becomes obsolete.

Ms. Tinker was way too intelligent to pull a stunt like this and it cost her. I hope she has learned --or remembered--a valuable lesson.

BEHusseinM777

[AFPISCES]

Steve beat Nikki like she stole something from Wal Mart and tried to sell it to Macy!!

[Egalitare]

LOL

[Majix77]

I am extremely glad she lost. I am from Memphis and Mr. Cohnen is a good man.
Most of my family and friend still live in Memphis and where supporting Cohen prior to the release of those stupid ads. Once they were released she lost even more support in the Black community. Black Americans understand their is racisim still abundant in this country.However we wont stand for it even when its coming from our own side.

She is done in Memphis politics which is sad becuase she is a very talented person.
This is a lesson for all candidates running for office....Be careful who you allow to handle you!

You listening John McCain?

[AFPISCES]

Talented at what??? Apparently you HAVE NOT met the woman!

[AFPISCES]

Listen... that may be sound of Tennessee turning blue!!

[Americatortures]

Oh yeah...ask Harold Ford about that!!!

[TrueIndy08]

Tennessee is not turning blue.... Memphis is just one city!

[AFPISCES]

We'll see...what's it to you anyway??

[lisakaz2]

I wish but Mephis may be blue; but East Tennessee is very red. I got a speeding ticket I think just because I had an O bumper sticker. I call it "the O tax."

[AFPISCES]

We'll see.....

[gintheb]

As a black man, I think this is dumbest thing that any black politician can do and i am embarrased by her. Imagine, claiming a jewish brother being a member of the KKK! She is too stupid to hold office.

[PAposter]

I agree, I can't imagine anyone suggesting that a Jewish man was a KKK appeaser, it's outrageous!

[txgal44]

You're right! She did a really stupid thing. She'll not live this one down.

[SFkid]

You said it all. Nikki Tinker was a desperate wanna be politician.

[antmuk]

as a black female, i completely agree with you. she makes me ashamed for just having submitted apps to law schools

[glorysong]

What was wrong with her. I am glad she lost. I am a black woman and that was the most stupid thing she could do. She should never try and run again. I wonder who hand book she been reading?

[Charmed]

I'm glad she lost. This just proves that blacks are not as shallow as the media wants people to beleive. They don't vote for people just because they are "black".

[springsm]

As much as I am happy that Tinker won and now the almost entirely Af M population of Memphis has a black representative, her argument about the statue seems lame. They DO have a history and that was part of the history, as sad as that is. And his record on Civil Rights should be obvious. Seems alittle strong to compare with the KKK. But they spoke and that is really good. I wonder if the Af AM populace is having the "audacity of Hope"........wow. Go TN.

[CindyKay]

Can You Read ? Tinker Lost , TN Voted For Cohen by 79% of the Vote.

[Cookie100]

Uh, I think the article says Cohen won, not Tinker. Am I missing something here?

[wheresthebeef]

Ummm...I think maybe you should re-read (or read) the article. Tinker lost.

[EarthToZoey]

What article did you read? Nikki Tinker lost by a landslide.

[Strywever]

Um . . . didn't Tinker lose?

[bosshogg]

oooo oooo can i break the news to pat b. this campaign race just destroyed his talking point.....

[Podewumun]

Absolutely, boss! That old cracker needs to be put out to pasture. :D

[southafrica4obama]

Race is a non issue these days. She should have claimed sexism. Stupid 'beach.'

[PAposter]

Race is a non-issue, where the f*ck do you live?

[AFPISCES]

In a cave apparently!

[CrittersRTasty]

Can NONE of you simply be happy that a good thing happened?
Why are we fighting about this?

I'm sure there will be a line of people to answer that last question, but really, can't we ever just feel some satisfaction without being railed at by the purveyors of hate?

[deaconblue43]

This is a celebration. She deserved to get mopped up.

[barackobama4prez]

As a Black woman I am disgusted by this Nikki chick and glad she lost.

[MDinOK]

I agree. I thought the ad was done in bad taste.

[BEHM777]

As a Black man, I second that emotion. We don't EVER need to behave like Rover and his gang. It is beneath us.

BEHusseinM777

[lexnekst]

It just says that blacks will vote for a white man in TN-

The opposite is still not true. Same thing happened in GA senate between Vernon jones and Jim Martin.

[chillmonster]

I live in GA and I voted for Martin. He was a MUCH better candidate, and won both debates I watched. Also, V. Jones had some scandals a couple of years back that would have precluded him from ever winning the actual senate seat, and precluded any realist from actually running in the first place. This candidacy was Jones' attempt to ride racial politics and Obama's coat tails to the Capitol.

-And that's comming from a black man.

[xmw]

Blacks have been voting for whites in all states all along.

[manicallday]

I don't understand why white people are so happy. It is White America that has a hard time voting for Black people not the other way around. So what corner was turned? Further, it is the South, which has an easier time voting across racial lines. They're tons of Black mayors and executives in majority White districts. You hardly see this in the North.

[CindyKay]

I don't understand why white people are so happy. It is White America that has a hard time voting for Black people not the other way around. So what corner was turned?

I'm White & Yes I am Very Exicited & Overjoyed to Finally See that All Americans are Finally Waking Up & Moving in the Right Direction for Me this is not about Blacks Voting for Whites or Whites Voting for Blacks..

I guess I have been Blessed to have been raised in a Great Community where No One Race was a Majority. ( Yes it Does Happen People ) I am a Mix of German Irish & Chippewa Indian. I grew up in North Miami Florida . My Neighbors were a Very Diverse Group as well as My Schoolmates & I'm talking about White , Black , Puerto Rican , Chinese & Cuban Mix , Polish , Jamaican , Haitian , Bahamian & a Family from the Virgin Islands. That is All within 3 Block 's.

Please do not take Offense at some of these comments , We need to continue to move forward & UNITE so that We can truly have Change .

Together We Can Do Anything , Let's Stay Positive So We Can Give All Our Children A Better Future . Set An Example And Others Will Follow !

[Knowbetter]

Right On!

[robXdion]

They're always happy to get some comeuppance when it comes to racism, but they'll play down any stories of whites or US jews doing something egregious to blacks. The thing they don't recognize is the repercussions for blacks being racist aren't nearly the same as when whites are since they outnumber everyone.

[xmw]

Racism in the noth is very covert

[tdpubs]

There has been a huge chasm between AA's and JA's over the last few decades. Blacks and Jews used to celebrate their common history of oppression and during the fifties and sixties, many jews died helping to bring about equality for people of color.
The NAACP was developed with the help of jewish men and women. We lost a great relationship during the late 70' and 80's due to misconceptions and misinformation. The divide needs to be repaired. Thank you TN.

[ThinkLiberal]

Very well said. It is unfortunate that in this day and age, that it is caucasians who harbor doubt and irrational fears about voting for an AA or hispanic candidate. Added to the mix is the dishonest media that will seek to portray any civil conversation into a full-blown spectacle of racial upheaval and division, oftentimes concocted out of thin air, just for the purpose of breathless hyperbole and a ratings boost, all at the expense of preventing old wounds from healing. They will never heal, if left to the media. With that said, it is great to see the total repudiation of race-baiting in today's politics. Let's hope that those who are seeking higher office have eyes to see and ears to hear what people are demanding from today's politicians, but more importantly, the wisdom to understand that the days of divisive "politics-as-usual" are over. Just ask the Clintons, if you have any doubts.