A Trip to Rocky Top Country

Faithful readers certainly know that this blog generally focuses on Missouri politics. However, I am going to digress from that slightly this week. Something of a furor developed recently in the Tennessee Senate Race between Harold Ford and Bob Corker. The brouhaha is due to this ad. If you haven't seen it, go ahead and watch it.

Now, the alleged problem with the ad is that it is racist. If you didn't know, the Democratic candidate, Congressman Harold Ford, Jr, is an African-American. The claim of racism stems from the kicker of the ad in which the blonde woman says, "Harold, call me," the idea being that it is meant to imply that he dates white women. Now, the simple fact that it took that much explaining calls into question whether the ad is racist, but I think it's clear that it is not overtly racist. In other words, if you watched the ad without knowing anything about the two candidates, you wouldn't have any idea what the race of the candidates were.

Given the fact that the vignette in question is one of several in the commercial, it doesn't really make sense to say that it was the purpose of the ad. Are there people in Tennessee who are racists? Yes, as there are in every state. But, here's a news flash, if you're already a white racist, you weren't going to vote for Harold Ford anyway, so it doesn't make sense to say that the ad was aimed at firing up the white racist vote in Tennessee. The main issue being raised by talking heads like Chris Matthews is the belief that the ad was meant to stir up racist leanings in the larger electorate. However, this seems to operate on the assumption that the average Tennessee voter is, at heart, a shotgun toting rube who thinks that Harold Ford is after his sister.

It's telling, and unfortunately typical, that Harold Ford is unwilling to respond to the important issues raised by this ad, such as national security, gun control, taxes. Instead, he just claims racism and refuses to respond. Interesting, because he seemed more than willing to "engage" Corker on the issues when he crashed his press conference. Prediction - Corker will win this seat by a relatively decisive margin.

As always Freesoiler would love to hear your feedback. I'm currently in a Cardinal-baseball induced euphoric coma, though, so I promise no response. Also, anyone reading this via Facebook should check out the official site, just in the interest of being a purist.