<p>Harold Ford Jr. may become the first black senator (TN) south of the Mason-Dixon Line since Reconstruction.</p>
<p>So what do the Republicans do? Pull the old Willie Horton/Swift Boat card and let an "independent" group do the dirty work. </p>
<p>The ad, in a nutshell, portrays Harold Ford Jr. as a Bad Black Man #4018305 who corrupts beautiful blonde white women. The Republicans of course deny that racism has anything to do with the ad, and that they're merely trying to point out the fact that Mr. Ford likes to attend Playboy parties (and this is a crime in what sense?). </p>
<p>I'd be more inclined to believe conservative white Americans when they claim that in a sexually charged ad involving a white woman and a black man that there is no racism if not for history blatantly indicating otherwise. </p>
<p>Yeah, I live in Memphis, Tn. Memphis is the home to the Ford "dynasty", Harold Ford, Jr is like the third (or 4th?) generation of his family to enter politics. His family might leave a lot to be desired politically, but I know that these folks bashing him on TV ads and the like, are just taking things way too far. </p>
<p>BTW, I personally could not care less if a single man goes to the Playboy mansion. Now, if he was married, it would be different. If I see one more ad about Ford, I might just flip out. They are on TV where I live 24/7!</p>
<p>Racism exists in both political parties, its just that if you say you're a liberal/Democrat before or after the fact, you're (for the most part) excused for it and forgiven.</p>
<p>I can come up with plenty of instances where liberals/dems have made discriminatory remarks, and all they get is a slap on the wrist, while if one Republican made an honest mistake, it becomes a field day for liberals.</p>
<p>All you do is say "he's racist" or "she's racist" and yet you know nothing about racism. Try taking a college class like I am about race and believe me blacks, whites, asians, Republicans, Democrats are all guilty of it whether you like that or not. If you didn't know that, then you don't know the history of racism and you shouldn't be making these statements about Republicans.</p>
<p>In fact, if you want, I will teach you about the history of racism if you want. :)</p>
<p>If you are responding to me about making a counterargument, it would help you formed your sentences coherently. Reread my post, I said every single person is guilty of being racist, whether their thoughts are intentional or unintentional. And most people don't have intentional racist thoughts/actions. But, we have unintentional racist thoughts because that is the way we were taught from society or from older generations. For example, our society teaches us that white women should hold their belongs and be extremely careful around African-American men (but not caucasian men) walking on a busy street alone because they are all criminals. While the woman may not be racist by any means, she has these thoughts because that's the fear society has created. For someone (Nbachris) to say that most Republicans are racist without acknowledging that there are racist Democrats is ignorant IMHO. If you honestly believe that only Republicans are racists and no one else is guilty of this, you need to stop being naive and actually get out into the real world. If you still think I'm wrong, I can give you the name of the book I've been instructed to read about race and I will be more than happy to discuss with you through PMs or AIM about racism. And trust me, this info is not something my professor taught and I regurgitated for him, unlike some of you who are in high school and do this. I've actually learned it.</p>
<p>If you are not responding to me, then don't take this post personally, but really think about what I posted.</p>
<p>Since I don't have time to edit this post anymore, have you guys noticed that Joe Conason, the author of this article is known for having liberal views? Just do a google search on him and read his biography. He's had an axe to grind with Republicans even before this issue existed. If you are really serious about discussing the issue of racism, it would be wise to not quote an article that an author with biased views has written. This would be a major faux paus if you were doing research in the hard sciences (even in politics) and used biased information and/or statistics to make your point. </p>
<p>It's funny how nobody called the OP out on this claim of Republicans being racist based on Conason's article, and yet if I were to make an outrageous claim about Democrats based on Ann Coulter's articles, I would undoubtedly be a pariah on this board.</p>
<p>Did I ever say that Democrats were free of any prejudice? But are you trying to argue to me, with a straight face, that betweeen the two parties, the Republicans are NOT more concerned with preserving the unfair status quo in favour of conservative white Americans, at the cost of minorities?</p>
<p>Say what you will about the Democrats, but most likely, they will never run a ad that preys upon white men's ***** envy.</p>
<p>why would you quote an article written by an author that has spoken out against Republicans in the past? If I were to say that Democrats are racist because they put out an ad about a Republican senator and put in the url to Anne Coulter's column (and she's known to speak out against Democrats), wouldn't that make you question the author's and OP's intent and claims?</p>
<p>I'm not from Tennesee, but if you are going to tell me that the Republican party in Tennesee are racists and that the ad is racist by giving a source that attacks Republicans, what makes me believe that your claims are credible? You won't be taken seriously if you were in a real debate or scholarly discussion. And to even put in a link to an article about a serious issue about racism and make claims about Republicans being racist (which is a serious claim) that attacks conservatives is so ignorant, that I am questioning where your opinions and ethics are coming from.</p>
<p>If you are attacking the Republican party, you are attacking me because I consider myself a Republican and calling me a racist, and I don't appreciate that at all. How about you stop the name-calling, exit out of your Joe Canoson articles, and have a real debate with a real Republican without the assistance of your liberal books and articles?</p>
<p>Just because someone you disagree with reports on something doesn't mean it didn't happen. I don't care what Joe Canosun thinks; all I care about is the fact that the ad was conceived, shot, and aired. </p>
<p>I never denied that it happened nbachris. Like I said before, I'm not from Tennessee, therefore I have not watched the ad or have heard about it. (I haven't been following up with politics lately due to midterms week). What I was trying to say is that if you are going to post a topic on something so serious, like racist claims concerning some members of the GOP, you should provide a link that presents both sides (ala the MSNBC story) and not an editorial that discusses the issue from a liberal point of view only. I now see both sides of it (Ford's, Corker and RNC Chairman Mehlman), and I can decide if it's racist or not for myself. </p>
<p>And I never thought a liberal kook blew this story out of proportion. I didn't even know about the story until you brought it up and I would like to hear both sides to the story rather than only a liberal pundit. I just wanted to read the story from a credible source where I can see where both sides stand on the issue, rather than a flaming liberal whose info may or may not be entirely true and will of course point a finger at every single person who identifies themselves as Republican. In simpler terms, I want to distinguish the facts from the opinions. I suggest that you try to look at both sides of the issue and see where each person involved is coming from and then make your decision (like what I'm doing), instead of attacking members of the Republican party only just because you consider yourself a Democrat. I have not said that anyone's guilty or innocent as you can tell in my previous posts because I didn't know both sides to the story (hence my anger at you for posting a column about the issue that a well known liberal wrote). After I watch the video, I will decide for myself and not just say that it isn't racist because I consider myself to be a Republican.</p>
<p>I live in Tennessee. I have seen so many ads between Ford and Corker that now I really don't care who wins. Yes, the group who made the ad might have gone too far, but if you had seen every other ad to come out, you wouldn't be as surprised. Mud slinging at its best (or worse).</p>
<h1>1. The ad never said anything about Harold Ford being black and corrupting white women, that is for the viewer to decide</h1>
<h1>2. Harold Ford attended a Play Boy Superbowl Party. Who wouldnt?</h1>
<h1>3. Harold Ford is uber conservative and if he wasnt black, the Democratic party would never support him</h1>
<h1>4. He is not going to win becasue the Republican machine is too strong and in polling some white people feel guilty to say they are voting against a black man, so you can take the latest poll and give up to 5 points to the other guy.</h1>
<h1>5. We are all a little bit racist. The fact that you care about anyone's skin color or identify people by skin makes you racist.</h1>