State Sen. Steve Cohen, a white Jewish liberal who won a divided primary for Harold Ford's seat, has come up with a novel proposal in his campaign: if elected, he'll ask to join the Congressional Black Caucus, according to The New Republic (paid subscription required). If accepted, he would be the first white member of the Black Caucus—an interesting scenario, to say the least. Cohen faces Harold Ford's brother Jake, who is running as an Independent in this solid Dem district, so it certainly is important for him to do everything he can to tell his prospective constituents in this majority-black district that he would effectively represent them. Will this work, though, or he will he be seen as something of a poseur?

Cohen nevertheless has strong words for those who would vote against him simply because he is not black:

"To say I shouldn't run is to say that Dr. King's dream is a failure. If they can't accept me, then they can't accept anybody."