Addressing race in the Tennessee Democratic Party

Tennessee Republican Party Spokesperson Bill Hobbs has done a great job featuring liberal voices with the courage and intellectual honesty to stand up to 9th District Democrat Nikki Tinker's racist and anti-Semitic campaign tactics. It makes you wonder whether the national repudiation of his own similarly disgraceful tactics not too long ago has made him see the light.

Take a look at some of the liberal voices Hobbs features, and pay particular attention to the forceful leadership and respect projected in these statements.

Talking Points Memo:
"This brutal new attack ad from House candidate Nikki Tinker, who is challenging liberal Tennessee Rep. Steven Cohen in tomorrow's Democratic primary, just might be the nastiest, most race-baiting (and Jew-baiting) ad of the entire cycle."

Keith Olbermann:
"It has no place from a Democratic candidate nor a Republican candidate nor a white candidate nor a black candidate. It is shameful. Nikki Tinker in the Tennessee Ninth Democratic primary for Congress, today's Worst Person in the World."

Emily's List President Ellen Malcom:
"We were shocked to see the recent ads run by the Nikki Tinker for Congress campaign. We believe the ads are offensive and divisive,” said Malcolm. EMILY's List does not condone or support these types of attacks."

Democrat Presidential Candidate Barack Obama:
"These incendiary and personal attacks have no place in our politics, and will do nothing to help the good people of Tennessee."

Now, read the extremely disappointing statement from Tennessee's Democratic Party Chairman Gray Sasser.

Tennessee Democrat Party Chairman Gray Sasser:
"All the candidates running for the Democratic nomination in the Ninth District share a commitment to civil rights which transcends partisan labels and political attacks."

I would have also included anything from the Tennessee Democratic Party's blog The Donkey's Mouth, but the last thing ever said about the 9th District race appears to be from nearly 2 months ago. That's a stark contrast with the level of leadership projected elsewhere with regard to our state's inter-party affairs.

In a matter of hours, we will find out if the voters of Memphis reject Nikki Tinker's race-based vision for American politics or whether this brand of disgraceful campaign tactics has found a new and welcoming home in the Democratic Party.

State party leaders who cannot muster the courage to speak as forcefully as national leaders on issues of race and religious intolerance are on notice. Your voices will be defunded. You will lose your standing, and if you cannot stand up to the Nikki Tinkers high jacking the Democratic Party, you will find yourself at the helm of a listing ship. Stand up, grow a pair, or walk the starboard plank.

More from local bloggers:

• A Tinker’s Damn - Lean Left
• Escape From Memphis: Harold Ford, Jr. On The Nikki Tinker Ads - Post Politics
• Barack Obama Really Does Hate Women - Liberadio
• Obama Slams Tinker Tactics - Sean Braisted
• Tinkering With Racial Fears - Cup Of Joe Powell
• Tinker, Cohen And I’m A Bouncer - Newscoma

UPDATE 08-08-08 6:30am - An overwhelming majority of voters in Tennessee's District 9 have said they want leaders who stands up to racist, anti-Semitic campaign tactics and want party leaders who do the same.

U.S. House Dem District 9 100% of 212 Precincts Reporting
Steve Cohen	50,284	79%
Nikki Tinker	11,814	19%
Joe Townes	914	1%
James Gregory	180	1%
Issac Richmond	172	1%