Jew-Baiting Primary To Be Decided Tonight
Guess what: The Democratic primary challenge by attorney Nikki Tinker against incumbent Rep. Steve Cohen -- you know, the one that has involved a seriously Jew-baiting TV ad -- will be settled tonight. The race has turned into a nationally-watched campaign, thanks to all manner of racial and religious tensions and all-around nastiness.
This primary suddenly exploded onto everyone's radar screen yesterday, when Dem challenger Nikki Tinker ran her ad lambasting Cohen -- who is Jewish -- for visiting "our churches." There have been a bunch of developments since.
For instance, the dust-up got so much attention that Barack Obama, in his role as the new leader of the Democratic Party, weighed in with a statement today, even though presidential nominees almost never dirty their hands in local primaries.
"These incendiary and personal attacks have no place in our politics, and will do nothing to help the good people of Tennessee," Obama said. "It's time to turn the page on a politics driven by negativity and division so that we can come together to lift up our communities and our country." That's effectively an endorsement of Cohen.
That's not all.
Tinker's campaign pulled the ad in the wake of the media outcry against, but it turns out the ad has been independently captured off of TV and posted online. So again, here it is:
This ad was so nasty, it earned Tinker the rare distinction of being a Democrat named "Worst Person In The World" by Keith Olbermann. So how exactly did this race get so crazy, and what can we expect to see tonight?
When he was first elected in 2006, Cohen became the only white Congressman from a majority black district in the South, largely because the wide-open field of black candidates dividing the vote between each other. Cohen won his primary with a 31% plurality, ahead of Nikki Tinker's 25%. Tinker never really stopped running against Cohen, and her campaign has had a consistent theme: That she can better represent the black community.
Tinker declared during a debate that of Tennessee's districts, "this is the only one where African-Americans have even enough courage to stand up and run." She then added, "I think they're saying that with those nine seats, can't we just have one?"
A Washington Dem source told Election Central that the roots of Tinker's strategy were apparent as far back as a 2006 fundraiser. "I was at this event where she said that she didn't think this other guy Steve Cohen was gonna win because the constituents weren't gonna support somebody who doesn't accept Jesus as his Lord and Savior," the source said. "Everyone's jaw kind of dropped, and certainly we didn't write her a check."
Despite this kind of talk, Tinker has received significant support in her campaign. Several members of the Congressional Black Caucus have raised money for her -- a few others have also endorsed Cohen -- and she has also won the support of the mega-fundraising group EMILY's List, which backs female pro-choice Dems.
Unfortunately, there hasn't been any independent public polling on this race. Cohen released an internal poll conducted four months ago that had him pulverizing Tinker -- but that was four months ago, and anything could have happened since then. In the money race, FEC records up to July 18 show that Cohen had raised $861,000 and had $671,000 on hand, way past Tinker's $405,000 raised and $98,000 cash on hand.
We'll find out what happens tonight: Will Tinker's attacks have succeeded in rallying black voters to her side, or will they stick with Cohen? The polls close at 8 p.m. ET.
"For instance, the dust-up got so much attention that Barack Obama, in his role as the new leader of the Democratic Party, weighed in with a statement today, even though presidential nominees almost never dirty their hands in local primaries."
Not that y'all were watching but Sean Hannity called on Obama to do this last night on his show...wonder if he was watching...?
August 7, 2008 4:06 PM | Reply | Permalink
TPM readers were urging Obama to speak out against it yesterday, before Hannity went on the air.
Wonder if Hannity was reading this site?
August 7, 2008 4:11 PM | Reply | Permalink
I called on the Packers to trade Favre and therefore claim all credit for the act.
August 7, 2008 4:15 PM | Reply | Permalink
Troll, why are you still here? Are you looking to get prizes from McCain? I hear you can get a ride on the "Straight Talk Express" if you make enough idiotic posts. Hopefully they don't run into any more cars..
August 7, 2008 4:37 PM | Reply | Permalink
SFC Walace is no troll. He is snarky though.
August 7, 2008 4:53 PM | Reply | Permalink
mmm, actually he is a troll -- hence the reference to that "respected journalist" chickenhawk midget hannity.
also funny that a former private making political posts flies those colors. you dont speak for those men, son. and its unpatriotic and inappropriate to use their colors when you bring us FOX's "fresh from the WhiteHouse" talking points every day for comic relief. play dressup in your old uniform all you want, but you should stop using that. maybe use hannity's picture instead, since those are the talking points you usually spew here. stop demeaning our forces by using their colors while posting your personal politics, okay? thanks.
August 7, 2008 5:35 PM | Reply | Permalink
Maybe, but don't you think Hannity's reason for wanting Obama to condemn Tinker's bullshit and Obama's reason for actually doing so are just a little bit different?
I think you understand Hannity's reason, I'm not sure about Obama's.
August 7, 2008 5:21 PM | Reply | Permalink
oh, yeah. Obama hangs on Hammity's every word.
Wouldn't want to get on the bad side of Sean Hammity
August 7, 2008 8:02 PM | Reply | Permalink
I called all trolls to make sure they got the message to be the first comment on any post about this subject.
SFC Wallace, you are hereby awarded the Legion of Trolls Merit Badge
August 7, 2008 8:16 PM | Reply | Permalink
Not that y'all were watching but Sean Hannity called on Obama to do this last night on his show...wonder if he was watching...?
Did Hannity call on John McCain to weigh in? Or did he just call on Obama?
August 7, 2008 4:08 PM | Reply | Permalink
Well, it is a Democratic primary and would be even more unusual for McCain to weigh in. But, larger point taken.
August 7, 2008 4:13 PM | Reply | Permalink
True. So more likely if there was any communication between Hannity and McCain, it was back-channel: "Psst! Express shock and dismay that Sen. Obama hasn't weighed in! And quickly, before he does!"
August 7, 2008 4:16 PM | Reply | Permalink
Video is unavailable.
August 7, 2008 4:09 PM | Reply | Permalink
I really, really hope that Nikki skank loses. If the democrats reward people for running a nasty, race-baiting campaign, we might as well be Republicans!
Fingers crossed: Go Steve Cohen!!!
August 7, 2008 4:14 PM | Reply | Permalink
"Skank"? Tinker's ad was disgusting, and I hope Cohen trounces her, but there's no excuse for misogynist language in reaction to it.
August 7, 2008 4:42 PM | Reply | Permalink
Agreed
August 7, 2008 5:34 PM | Reply | Permalink
I contacted (complained to) Emily's List about their support of this candidate.
Their response:
I notice that they did not disavow the candidate, only the ad. Must admit that I am surprised that they ever decided to support someone with the platform of putting prayer into schools.
August 7, 2008 4:18 PM | Reply | Permalink
I think Emily's List is out of touch with the Democratic base.
Much like the national offices of both NARAL and Planned Parenthood.
August 7, 2008 4:21 PM | Reply | Permalink
You got that just right, CT.
Those ladies have lost their everloving minds.
Can I just gush like a little fan girl and say I loved Obama's response - cause I did.
August 7, 2008 5:00 PM | Reply | Permalink
If they keep backing candidates without learning anything about them but their gender they are going to move down the list of organizatons towards NAMBLA teritory.
August 7, 2008 5:32 PM | Reply | Permalink
Well, this makes her look even worse.
"Memphis Congressman Steve Cohen and the Jews HATE Jesus"? Really?
August 7, 2008 4:19 PM | Reply | Permalink
Obama had to say something. Albeit, not enough.
70% of this district's voters voted for Obama. This was one of the few county's in TN that he won and provided his biggest margin of victory in the state. And got him 6 delegates.
If this is the kinda politiking that goes on in the county, kinda makes you wonder about that 70%-28% trouncing of the white candidate.
I sure hope this isn't the kind of ground game you guys had in mind.
August 7, 2008 4:27 PM | Reply | Permalink
You seem awfully concerned with race in all your posts.
I had no idea Geraldine Ferraro was posting at TPM.
August 7, 2008 4:30 PM | Reply | Permalink
HAHAHAHAHAAHA!
Great comment!
August 7, 2008 4:50 PM | Reply | Permalink
Isn't this friggin blog post about jew-baiting and race?
"He doesn't belong in our churches", is just as much a reference to a White Man not belonging in our churches(black churches) than a Jewish Man not belonging.
August 7, 2008 4:54 PM | Reply | Permalink
Sure, but you have to admit BK, you bring race into the conversation alot.
August 7, 2008 5:01 PM | Reply | Permalink
And here comes the racist to assert that since Tinker is black and Obama is black, Obama must be exactly like Tinker. Nevermind that Tinker has been denounced by much of the AA community in Memphis and is exacted to lose badly.
August 7, 2008 5:17 PM | Reply | Permalink
And of course, nevermind that Tinker is closely allied to prominent Clinton allies in the DLC...
August 7, 2008 5:19 PM | Reply | Permalink
And of course there's Emily's "There is only one qualification for our support" List.
August 7, 2008 5:24 PM | Reply | Permalink
Good for Obama. I hope Cohen wins by a landslide. And I hope Emily's List stops backing people just because they have vaginas, no matter who the better candidate is. I know it is important to have more women and minorities in government, but not at the risk of good policies, and certainly not at the risk of having mean and bigoted people like her getting into government.
There are bigger things at stake than skin color and sex organs. This is 2008 people, let's move the hell on already.
August 7, 2008 4:35 PM | Reply | Permalink
I'm guessing Cohen hasn't been doing much attacking on race? Just wondering; I'm in no way justifying Tinker. This is ridiculous.
I don't know what the polls are like in the district, but she just might win despite her despicable actions. The 9th district is 59% black and voting may likely follow racial lines (sadly).
August 7, 2008 4:49 PM | Reply | Permalink
I live in a black neighborhood in TN9. The Cohen signs outnumber the Tinker signs many times over even in black neighborhoods. That is not a poll but it is a good sign. I am gong to Cohen's watch party tonight and hope that it will be a victory celebration.
August 7, 2008 4:59 PM | Reply | Permalink
In addition to being an embarrassment to all concerned, Tinker can't keep facts straight, even with a bevy of producers, managers, writers, editors and ad people around her. Specifically, she is running for a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives against a sitting member of that body, but produced a prerecorded ad in which she refers to her opponent as "Senator". Brilliant! Take two! (Or, as many as you need, Ms. Tinker.)
August 7, 2008 5:01 PM | Reply | Permalink
The "senator" line refers to a vote that Cohen made when he was a state senator.
August 7, 2008 5:03 PM | Reply | Permalink
O my god - the picture just loaded for me - she's stunning! She is drop dead beautiful - I expected a something else based on her tactics - I thought someone older and visibly unhappy with life- but no.
August 7, 2008 5:02 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yeah, no argument there. He might be beautiful on the inside, as they say, but she should carry that regrettably substantial segment of the electorate that votes based on good looks running away.
August 7, 2008 5:17 PM | Reply | Permalink
Well, that hoodrat(she IS straight up out of the projects!)won't win if I have anything to do about it! I'm about to go vote and encouraging others who feel equally outraged at her behavior to do the same. Isn't it enough that we are featured on "The First 48" every other week? Does that heifer have to bring further disgrace down on the City of Memphis?!?
August 7, 2008 5:04 PM | Reply | Permalink
O you're lovely, you are.
August 7, 2008 5:12 PM | Reply | Permalink
Are you going to Rep Cohens watch party?
August 7, 2008 5:30 PM | Reply | Permalink
I hope the DLC investigates Harold Ford's involvement and support for the Tinker campaign.
August 7, 2008 5:04 PM | Reply | Permalink
Odds are strongly with Cohen.
1. Low vote turnout. Rainy weather. Blacks historically undervote in this town. We've had a couple weeks of early voting and Cohen's support base have already voted.
2. There's a third candidate. He's black and likely to split the vote again.
3. He's blitzed the airwaves with excellent (and honorable) commercials showing humility, sincerity, and concern for his constituents. If anything, there might be some concern (not mine) that he's too nice.
August 7, 2008 5:06 PM | Reply | Permalink
There are five candidates on the ballot.
August 7, 2008 5:24 PM | Reply | Permalink
No Sweetie, they won't go along racial lines! Tinker ain't done shit for "her" people and her interests are big business interests! I am a black woman and I wanted to give her a chance, but I would sooner take an a$$ whupping than vote for ignorant, lying, two faced, souless bitch! She has done more harm than good for the city! Nikki is for Nikki!! Trust that!
August 7, 2008 5:10 PM | Reply | Permalink
I do trust that and I do trust that she isn't good for anyone.
Certainly she isn't doing herself any good.
But I really have to say that I don't believe that being a hoodrat disqualifies anyone from running for office.
August 7, 2008 5:14 PM | Reply | Permalink
You Go Girl!
August 7, 2008 9:38 PM | Reply | Permalink
Honey, you need to get out more!
August 7, 2008 5:12 PM | Reply | Permalink
Excuse me?
I got out plenty.
Honey, I was a criminal defense lawyer - I think I have seen a few things.
August 7, 2008 5:17 PM | Reply | Permalink
And now you're working at 7/11. What happened Teeeena? Was it the love of a bad man?
August 7, 2008 5:28 PM | Reply | Permalink
White collar criminal defense attorney?
August 7, 2008 5:44 PM | Reply | Permalink
I really don't care about this, they're both Democrats, may the best person win.
Lets focus on this Clinton-Obama drama
August 7, 2008 5:12 PM | Reply | Permalink
Ms Tinker is a stealth conservative corprate lawyer who is trying to use her race, gender, and looks to get a liberal out of office.
August 7, 2008 5:27 PM | Reply | Permalink
"May the best person win" is not a realistic comment after Tinker's dirty ads, anti-Semitism, and race-baiting. He seems to be more-than-decent, and she is a trash-mouthed psycho.
August 7, 2008 5:32 PM | Reply | Permalink
He is better than decent he is one of the two or three most liberal representatives in DC.
August 7, 2008 5:40 PM | Reply | Permalink
Thanks! You're not bad yourself!
August 7, 2008 5:14 PM | Reply | Permalink
Bob5540, it's not raining...
August 7, 2008 5:16 PM | Reply | Permalink
The CBC has been really making their party look good lately. And by look good, I mean, um, not.
Let's run down the list:
*Defending unrepentant indicted crook and liar William Jefferson even as he cleaned out HIS house while New Orleans drowned around him.
*Bitching and moaning about not giving Alcee Hastings (D-The Festering Skunkhole Known As Florida) the chairmanship of the Intel Committee, despite his problem of being an IMPEACHED !@$!$ FEDERAL JUDGE. Even John Conyers, who wanted to clear his name, concluded he was guilty.
*Endorsing shite bills that coddle the mortgage industry and the telecom industry. Not that the CBC are the only offenders on this score, truth be told.
*And of course, aiding abetting and supporting an avowed Jew baiter.
I'm sure that's not a complete list. Nominations are welcome.
August 7, 2008 5:16 PM | Reply | Permalink
The CBC split on this race. They are not uniformly behind Ms Tinker.
August 7, 2008 5:29 PM | Reply | Permalink
My nomination is not endorsing their OWN member and endorsing HRC in the primaries instead.
August 7, 2008 5:46 PM | Reply | Permalink
Maybe not TenaX, but it explains the behavior!
August 7, 2008 5:17 PM | Reply | Permalink
Cohen won because, as the sole white dude, he was able to split the black vote among the 3 black candidates. In order for her to win, the other candidates are eliminated, turn the campaign into a Black v White thing and the demographics suddenly play into her favor.
This is the politiks of race at work. Sadly, you can't blame republicans for this. And really, you can't blame white folks for this either, as the white dude is the 'victim'. The blame lays with black folks and their cracker bashing tactics.
Up until a couple of days ago, this would have probably worked.
August 7, 2008 5:29 PM | Reply | Permalink
There are five candidates on the ballot this time.
STEVE COHEN
JAMES C. GREGORY
ISAAC RICHMOND
NIKKI TINKER
JOE TOWNS, JR.
I live in a black neighborhood in TN9 and my neighbors are for Cohen. What makes you think you know how they will vote?
August 7, 2008 5:45 PM | Reply | Permalink
Considering the results of this primary, do you care to adjust your cynical point of view?
August 7, 2008 10:18 PM | Reply | Permalink
GO NIKKI TINKER! (despite that silly name)
It's about time we start removing from Congress those who put the interests of Israel ahead of American interests!
(But if we did that, there wouldn't be any Congressmen left!)
August 7, 2008 5:30 PM | Reply | Permalink
Sorry about your dog, sonny.
August 7, 2008 5:36 PM | Reply | Permalink
I think I might go.
August 7, 2008 5:44 PM | Reply | Permalink
I am definitly going. I discovered that watch parties are much fun for political junkies on super Tuesday.
August 7, 2008 5:51 PM | Reply | Permalink
Post schmuck, ergo propter schmuck.
August 7, 2008 5:44 PM | Reply | Permalink
Sorry, that was re: Hannity.
August 7, 2008 5:45 PM | Reply | Permalink
Angie it looked like rain a while ago.
August 7, 2008 5:54 PM | Reply | Permalink
@Mitchum22
The sad part is Steve Cohen's only Israeli connection is the fact that he is Jewish. Right wing trolls like you have been dividing workers from unemployed, black and white workers, black citizens and hispanic immigrants, jews and blacks, middle class and lower class wherever and whenever you can. When we stamp out your "divide and conquer" bigotry, we can begin to deal with the problems that we as a community, as a nation, as a world have to face.
August 7, 2008 7:36 PM | Reply | Permalink
FYI: Mitchum22 is the trolliest of trolls...
August 7, 2008 7:54 PM | Reply | Permalink
I heard Tinker was a Hillary Clinton supporter, obviously she has no problem using the same vile tactics that the Clinton campaign employed.
And I support Steve Cohen's apparent position that prayer has no place in public school, Nikki is certainly on the wrong side of that argument.
August 7, 2008 8:44 PM | Reply | Permalink
he's a decent guy...
she's a LOT prettier...
qed
August 7, 2008 9:06 PM | Reply | Permalink
Looks like it's over ...
http://www.wmctv.com/Global/category.asp?C=124702
US House of Representatives Dist 9 Tennessee State and Federal Primary
55% OF PRECINCTS REPORTING
Steve Cohen* (D / Inc.) 33,887 79%
Nikki Tinker (D) 7,902 19%
August 7, 2008 9:58 PM | Reply | Permalink
I wonder how much the ad actually hurt her. Or was she just a fringe candidate to begin with? Much ado about nothing if it was some fringe whacko throwing nasty smears...
August 7, 2008 10:06 PM | Reply | Permalink
A bit less than nothing! It is like dumb leading dumbest!
August 7, 2008 10:29 PM | Reply | Permalink
Here is the full breakdown;
US House of Representatives Dist 9 Tennessee State and Federal Primary
67% OF PRECINCTS REPORTING
Steve Cohen* (D / Inc.) 38,491 79%
Nikki Tinker (D) 9,327 19%
Joe Towns, Jr. (D) 742 2%
Isaac Richmond (D) 149 0%
James Gregory (D) 146 0%
even without any ticket splitting she would have lost because;
He got more votes then all others combined ....
there aren't enough votes left for her to catch up.
August 7, 2008 10:08 PM | Reply | Permalink
Good. Race baiting doesn't work, or shouldn't work, no matter who you are.
August 7, 2008 10:16 PM | Reply | Permalink
It definitly was efective. It just had the oposite of the intended effect.
August 7, 2008 11:48 PM | Reply | Permalink
Someone just called from Emily's List to ask for money! What are the odds of that I wonder?
I asked, with incredulity, 'you're calling from Emily's List? Seriously? Today? Do you know what kind of candidate Emily's List is supporting in TN _as we speak_?'
The woman on the phone pretended not to know of which I spoke. She was aggressive enough to understand perfectly. I asked to be put on the no-call list and she hung up on me, thus insuring that I will get more calls. It's all very interesting in campaign season.
August 7, 2008 10:20 PM | Reply | Permalink
I live here in the TN 9th and sadly there existed a great racial divide. and the animosity goes both ways. it's deeply rooted. it's generational. and it has many causes. a horrible public education system, corrupt politicians, huge economic divide, ect. but in spite of that, memphis has many wonderful aspects. and cohen is one of them. i for one am glad he has won this primary. it's leaders like him that will move this city forward like we so desperately need. i am encouraged by his margin of victory. and i am hopeful that this is a step in the right direction to move past our regretful history.
August 7, 2008 10:36 PM | Reply | Permalink
O Ya! and all you trolls who said it was the rain that helped him his margin was the same for early voting and did not move a full percentage point as the results came in from the precincts all night long!
August 7, 2008 11:29 PM | Reply | Permalink
Do not overlook Harold Ford, Jr. and the Ford family's role in the Tinker campaign. The Ford dynasty wants that congressional seat back since Jr left it to run for the Senate seat against Corker (R who won the race) in 2006.
Ford Jr. imported his younger, miscreant brother from another state to challenge Cohen in the 2006 election for the congressional seat. That campaign was equally repulsive as the Tinker campaign. Steve Cohen was the most consistently progressive representative in TN for years and is continuing his positions in congress. He doesn't need another democrat in name only (DINO), like Ford, Jr.to harass him.
The DLC should investigate the Ford family involvement with these ads and take whatever means is necessary to hold Harold & the family accountable. They run Memphis like the Bush family runs the country and it's time to call them on it.
Signed,
A life ling Tennessee progressive
August 9, 2008 10:11 AM | Reply | Permalink